Use these links to rapidly review the document
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS 2

Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 30, 2019.

Registration No. 333-            


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549



FORM F-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933



36KR HOLDINGS INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)



Not Applicable
(Translation of Registrant's name into English)



Cayman Islands
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  7389
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
  Not Applicable
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

5-6/F, Tower A1, Junhao Central Park Plaza
No. 10 South Chaoyang Park Avenue
Chaoyang District, Beijing, People's Republic of China, 100026
+86 10 5825-4106

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant's Principal Executive Offices)



COGENCY GLOBAL INC.
10 East 40th Street, 10th Floor,
New York, NY 10016
+1 800-221-0102

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)



Copies to:

Li He, Esq.
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
18/F, The Hong Kong Club Building
3A Chater Road, Central, Hong Kong
+852 2533-3300

 

Chris K.H. Lin, Esq.
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
c/o 35th Floor, ICBC Tower
3 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong
+852 2514-7600



Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.

           If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. o

           If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

           If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

           If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

           Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933.

Emerging growth company ý

           If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with US GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. o



CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

       
 
Title of each class of securities
to be registered

  Proposed maximum
aggregate
offering price(1)

  Amount of
registration fee

 

Class A Ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share(2)(3)

  US$100,000,000   US$12,120

 

(1)
Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the amount of registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933.

(2)
Includes Class A ordinary shares initially offered and sold outside the United States that may be resold from time to time in the United States either as part of their distribution or within 40 days after the later of the effective date of this registration statement and the date the shares are first bona fide offered to the public, and also includes Class A ordinary shares that may be purchased by the underwriters pursuant to an over-allotment option. These Class A ordinary shares are not being registered for the purpose of sales outside the United States.

(3)
American depositary shares issuable upon deposit of the Class A ordinary shares registered hereby will be registered under a separate registration statement on Form F-6 (Registration No.333-            ). Each American depositary share represents            Class A ordinary shares.



           The Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to such Section 8(a), may determine.

   


The term "new or revised financial accounting standard" refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.


Table of Contents

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Subject to completion
Preliminary Prospectus dated                          , 2019

American Depositary Shares

LOGO

36Kr Holdings Inc.

(incorporated in Cayman Islands)
Representing            Class A Ordinary Shares



         We are selling        American depositary shares, or ADSs. Each ADS represents            of our Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share.

         This is the initial public offering of ADSs of 36Kr Holdings Inc. Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the ADSs or our ordinary shares. We anticipate that the initial public offering price will be between US$        and US$        per ADS. We intend to apply to list the ADSs on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol "              ."

         We have granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional        ADSs from us at the initial public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions.

         We are an "emerging growth company" under applicable U.S. federal securities laws and, as such, have elected to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements. See "Prospectus Summary—Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company."



         Investing in our ADSs involves risks. See "Risk Factors" section beginning on page 16.



         Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense

 
  Per ADS   Total  

Public offering price

  US$     US$    

Underwriting discounts and commissions(1)

  US$     US$    

Proceeds, before expenses, to us

  US$     US$    

(1)
See "Underwriting" for additional disclosure regarding compensation payable by us to the underwriters.

         Conditional upon and effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering, our outstanding share capital will consist of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. Holders of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares have the same rights except for voting and conversion rights. Each Class A ordinary share is entitled to one vote; and each Class B ordinary share is entitled to 25 votes and is convertible into one Class A ordinary share at any time by the holder thereof. Class A ordinary shares are not convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances. Upon any sale, transfer, assignment or disposition of any Class B ordinary shares by a holder thereof to any non-affiliate to such holder, each of such Class B ordinary shares will be automatically and immediately converted into one Class A ordinary share. Conditional upon and effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering, Palopo Holding Limited, an entity wholly owned by Dagang Feng, and 36Kr Heros Holding Limited, an entity wholly owned by Chengcheng Liu, will beneficially own all of our issued and outstanding Class B ordinary shares. Based on an assumed initial public offering price of US$            per ADS, the mid-point of the estimated public offering price range shown on the front cover of this prospectus, these Class B ordinary shares will constitute approximately        % of our total issued and outstanding share capital and        % of the aggregate voting power of our total issued and outstanding share capital immediately upon the completion of this offering, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option.

         The underwriters expect to deliver the ADSs against payment in U.S. dollars in New York, New York on                , 2019.



Credit Suisse

 

CICC



   

The date of this prospectus is                , 2019.


Table of Contents

GRAPHIC


Table of Contents


TABLE OF CONTENTS



 
  Page  

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

    1  

THE OFFERING

    9  

OUR SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA AND OPERATING DATA

    11  

RISK FACTORS

    16  

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    62  

USE OF PROCEEDS

    63  

DIVIDEND POLICY

    64  

CAPITALIZATION

    65  

DILUTION

    68  

EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION

    70  

ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES

    71  

LETTER TO INVESTORS

    73  

CORPORATE HISTORY AND STRUCTURE

    74  

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

    78  

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

    80  

INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

    107  

BUSINESS

    111  

REGULATION

    132  

MANAGEMENT

    146  

PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

    153  

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

    156  

DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL

    158  

DESCRIPTION OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES

    170  

SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

    178  

TAXATION

    180  

UNDERWRITING

    186  

EXPENSES RELATING TO THIS OFFERING

    198  

LEGAL MATTERS

    199  

EXPERTS

    200  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

    201  



        Until            , 2019 (25 days after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition the dealer's obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

        You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus that we authorize to be distributed to you. We and the underwriters have not authorized anyone to provide you with any information other than that contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you, and neither we, nor the underwriters take responsibility for any other information others may give you. We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, the ADSs only in jurisdictions where such offers and sales are permitted. The information in this prospectus or any free writing prospectus is accurate only as of its date, regardless of its time of delivery or the time of any sale of the ADSs. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

i


Table of Contents

 


PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

        The following summary is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, the more detailed information and financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. In addition to this summary, we urge you to read the entire prospectus carefully, especially the risks of investing in our ADSs discussed under "Risk Factors" and information contained in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" before deciding whether to buy our ADSs. This prospectus contains information derived from various public sources and certain information from an industry report commissioned by us and prepared by CIC, a third-party industry research firm, to provide information regarding our industry and market position in China. We refer to this report as the CIC Report. Such information involves a number of assumptions and limitations, and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to these estimates. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the data contained in these industry publications and reports. The industry in which we operate is subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described in the "Risk Factors" section. These and other factors could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in these publications and reports.

Our Mission

        Our mission is to empower New Economy participants to achieve more.

Our Business

        We are a prominent brand and a pioneering platform dedicated to serving New Economy participants in China.

        New Economy is rapidly transforming businesses through cutting-edge technology and innovative business models. New Economy covers a wide and expanding spectrum of industries, including the Internet, hardware and software technologies, consumer and retail and finance industries. It has brought tremendous opportunities to New Economy participants in China, including New Economy companies driven by and traditional companies being transformed by cutting-edge technology and innovative business models, institutional investors and individuals involved in New Economy.

        We started our business with high-quality New Economy-focused content offerings. Leveraging traffic brought by high-quality content, we have expanded our offerings to business services, including online advertising services, enterprise value-added services and subscription services. According to the CIC Survey, we are one of the most recognized platforms among New Economy participants in China. With our significant brand influence, we are well-positioned to continuously capture the high growth potentials of China's New Economy.

        High-quality New Economy-focused content is the foundation of our business. We provide insightful reports on companies, timely market updates and thought-provoking editorials and commentaries. We especially take pride in our ability to discover startup companies with great potentials and introduce them to the investment community. We were the first to report on a number of startup companies that later became industry leaders. For example, in January 2013, we were the first to report on ByteDance, which later became a world-leading technology company. Meanwhile, our content covers a variety of industries in China's New Economy, such as technology, consumer and retail, and healthcare. With diverse distribution channels, we are the largest New Economy-focused content platform in terms of average monthly PV in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2018, according to the CIC Report.

        We offer business services, including online advertising services, enterprise value-added services and subscription services to our customers. We address the evolving needs of New Economy companies and upgrading needs of traditional companies by providing them with tailored advertising and

1


Table of Contents

marketing solutions and other enterprise value-added services. We also help institutional investors identify promising targets, source investment opportunities and connect them with startup companies directly. Additionally, we have cultivated a large number of subscribers who pay for our premium content and other benefits. Through our diverse service offerings, we have captured extensive monetization opportunities.

        With high-quality content and diverse business service offerings, we have fostered an affluent and sophisticated user base and as such, attracted a valuable customer base. As of December 31, 2018, we provided business services to 23 of the Global Fortune 100 companies. Additionally, as of December 31, 2018, we also provided business services to 59 of the Top 100 New Economy companies in China as measured by market capitalization and valuation, according to the CIC Report. While we started our institutional investors subscription services in the first quarter of 2017, we already covered 46 of the Top 200 institutional investors in China as of December 31, 2018 as measured by assets under management, according to the CIC Report.

        We are supported by comprehensive database and strong data analytics capabilities. With a massive database covering over 800,000 enterprises, we are able to gain valuable insights into the latest development of New Economy. Through data analysis on user and customer preferences, we are able to recommend our content and tailor business service offerings accordingly.

        We have achieved significant revenue growth and profitability. Our revenue increased by 148.2% from RMB120.5 million in 2017 to RMB299.1 million (US$43.6 million) in 2018. Our revenue increased by 178.7% from RMB72.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 to RMB201.9 million (US$29.4 million) for the same period in 2019. Our net income increased by 411.4% from RMB7.9 million in 2017 to RMB40.5 million (US$5.9 million) in 2018 and our net profit margin increased from 6.6% in 2017 to 13.5% in 2018. We had net loss of RMB8.3 million and RMB45.5 million (US$6.6 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019, respectively.

2


Table of Contents

Our Business Model

        The graph below illustrates the evolution of our business model:

GRAPHIC


(1)
In the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2019.

Market Opportunities

        New Economy in China has experienced an upswing in recent years. The market is expected to continue to grow rapidly driven by continuous technological advancements, expanding New Economy participant base, enthusiastic entrepreneurial environment, strong capital investment, favorable regulatory environment and sufficient talent pool.

        The continuous growth of New Economy and its participants has generated increasing demands for New Economy-focused business services, including online advertising services, enterprise value-added services and subscription services. According to the CIC Report, the size of New Economy-focused business services market in China, primarily consisting of these three segments, increased significantly from US$7.0 billion in 2014 to US$20.2 billion in 2018 with a CAGR of approximately 30.3%, and is expected to further grow at a CAGR of approximately 22.5% from 2018 to reach US$55.6 billion by 2023. The rapid growth in this market presents a multitude of opportunities for New Economy-focused business services providers.

Our Strengths

    Prominent brand and pioneering platform;

    High-quality content;

    Comprehensive service offerings;

    Vibrant and self-reinforcing community;

3


Table of Contents

    Strong data analytics capabilities;

    Visionary management team and strong shareholder support.

Our Strategies

        To further enhance our brand value and maintain our competitive edge, we intend to pursue the following strategies:

    Enrich our content offerings;

    Expand our service offerings and further strengthen our monetization capabilities;

    Grow our user and customer base more efficiently;

    Broaden our data access and enhance data analytics capabilities;

    Explore strategic collaboration, acquisition and expansion opportunities.

Our Challenges

        Investing in our ADSs involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties summarized below, the risks described under the "Risk Factors" section beginning on page 16 of, and the other information contained in, this prospectus before you decide whether to purchase our ADSs.

        We face risks and uncertainties in realizing our business objectives and executing our strategies, including:

    We have a limited operating history as a stand-alone company, which makes it difficult to evaluate our business. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to maintain the growth rate that we have experienced to date;

    We are subject to risks associated with operating in the rapidly evolving New Economy sector;

    The success of our business depends on our ability to maintain and enhance our brand. Negative publicity about us, our services, operations and management, or our affiliates may adversely affect our reputation and business;

    If we fail to provide high-quality content in a timely manner, we may not be able to attract or retain users. If our efforts to attract or retain users are not successful, our business and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected;

    We cannot guarantee our monetization strategies will be successfully implemented or generate sustainable revenues or profit;

    Our business could suffer if we are unable to retain or hire quality in-house writers and editors;

    Deterioration or termination of cooperation with third-party professional content providers may have a material adverse impact on our business and results of operations;

    Our business, prospects and financial results may be affected by our relationship with third-party platforms;

    If the content provided on our platform is deemed to violate any PRC laws or regulations, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected; and

4


Table of Contents

    If we fail to develop effective online advertising services, retain or acquire new online advertising services customers, our financial condition, results of operations and prospects may be materially and adversely affected.

        In addition, we face risks and uncertainties related to regulatory environment in China, including:

    We may be adversely affected by the complexity, uncertainties and changes in PRC regulation of Internet businesses and companies, including limitations on our ability to own key assets such as our platform.

    Lack of Internet news information license may expose us to administrative sanctions, which would materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

    Lack of Internet audio-visual program transmission license may expose us to administrative sanctions, which would materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

    Lack of Internet publishing license may expose us to administrative sanctions, which would materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Recent Development

        In September 2019, we issued a total of 39,999,999 series D preferred shares to Lotus Walk Inc., Nikkei Inc., Krystal Imagine Investments Limited, Red Better Limited and Homshin Innovations Ltd., for an aggregate consideration of US$24.0 million.

        In September 2019, we entered into an investment agreement with Lotus Walk Inc., pursuant to which Lotus Walk Inc. agreed to subscribe 51% of the equity interest in 36Kr Global Holding (HK) Limited, to jointly explore business opportunities in overseas markets. As a result, 36Kr Global Holding (HK) Limited will cease to be a consolidated subsidiary of ours.

        In September 2019, we entered into a non-binding term sheet with China Internet Investment Fund Management Co., Ltd., pursuant to which China Internet Investment Fund Management Co., Ltd. or its designated affiliate intended to purchase an aggregate of $5 million worth of our shares, through new share issuance. In September 2019, we also entered into a non-binding term sheet with China Mobile Capital Holdings Co., Ltd., pursuant to which China Mobile Capital Holdings Co., Ltd. or its affiliate intended to purchase an aggregate of $14 million worth of our shares through new share issuance. Upon completion, the investments would provide us with additional capital to develop our business and at the same time enhance the profile and reputation of our company.

Our History and Corporate Structure

        Our 36Kr.com website was launched in December 2010, offering New Economy-focused content. In July 2011, Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Finance Information Service Co., Ltd., or Xieli Zhucheng, was incorporated in the PRC. In December 2016, Xieli Zhucheng incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary in the PRC, Beijing Sanshiliuke Culture Media Co., Ltd., or Beijing Sanshiliuke, to host all its businesses of New Economy-focused content and business services. In May 2017, Beijing Sanshiliuke changed its name to Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd., which later changed its name to Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. in March 2019.

        We incorporated 36Kr Holdings Inc. in the Cayman Islands on December 3, 2018. On December 4, 2018, 36Kr Holding Limited, or the BVI Subsidiary, was incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands as 36Kr Holdings Inc.'s wholly-owned subsidiary. On December 20, 2018, 36Kr Holdings (HK) Limited, or the HK Subsidiary, was incorporated as the BVI Subsidiary's wholly-owned subsidiary in Hong Kong. On February 25, 2019, 36Kr Global Holding (HK) Limited, or 36Kr Global Holding, was incorporated as the HK Subsidiary's wholly-owned subsidiary in Hong Kong. On

5


Table of Contents

May 21, 2019, Tianjin Duoke Investment Co., Ltd., or Tianjin Duoke, was incorporated as the HK Subsidiary's wholly-owned subsidiary in the PRC. On June 25, 2019, Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd., or Beijing Dake, was incorporated as Tianjin Duoke's wholly-owned subsidiary in the PRC. In September, we entered into an investment agreement with Lotus Walk Inc., pursuant to which Lotus Walk Inc. agreed to subscribe 51% of the equity interest in 36Kr Global Holding (HK) Limited to jointly explore business opportunities in overseas markets.

        Immediately after the completion of this offering and assuming no exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option, we expect an aggregate of        % of our total issued and outstanding ordinary shares will be held by our existing shareholders, and an aggregate of        % of our total issued and outstanding ordinary shares will be held by new investors in this offering.

        In August 2019, to obtain control over Beijing Duoke, which we refer to as our VIE, and conduct substantially all of our operations in China, we entered into a series of contractual arrangements through Beijing Dake with our VIE and its shareholders.

        The chart below summarizes our corporate legal structure and identifies our principal subsidiaries and our VIE, as of the date of this prospectus.

GRAPHIC


(1)
As approved by its shareholders and directors, Beijing Duoke is currently undertaking a restructuring, upon the consummation of which, the remaining VIE shareholders will consist of:

i.
Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (L.P.), holding 62.17% of equity interest;

ii.
Shenzhen Guohong No. 2 Enterprise Management Partnership (L.P.), holding 23.32% of equity interest;

iii.
Ningbo Meishan Baoshui Gangqu Tianhong Lvheng Investment Management Partnership (L.P.), holding 14.51% of equity interest;

Corporate Information

        Our principal executive offices are located at 5-6/F, Tower A1, Junhao Central Park Plaza, No. 10 South Chaoyang Park Avenue, Chaoyang District, Beijing, People's Republic of China. Our telephone number at this address is +86 10 5825 4106.

        Our registered office in the Cayman Islands is located at Maples Corporate Services Limited, PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands.

        Investors should contact us for any inquiries through the address and telephone number of our principal executive office. Our principal website is https://www.36kr.com. The information contained on our website is not a part of this prospectus.

6


Table of Contents

Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company

        As a company with less than US$1.07 billion in revenue for the last fiscal year, we qualify as an "emerging growth company" pursuant to the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (as amended by the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act of 2015), or the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other requirements that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include exemption from the auditor attestation requirement under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or Section 404, in the assessment of the emerging growth company's internal control over financial reporting. The JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company does not need to comply with any new or revised financial accounting standards until such date that a private company is otherwise required to comply with such new or revised accounting standards. We have elected to take advantage of such exemptions.

        We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (i) the last day of our fiscal year during which we have total annual gross revenues of at least US$1.07 billion; (ii) the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering; (iii) the date on which we have, during the previous three-year period, issued more than US$1.0 billion in non-convertible debt; or (iv) the date on which we are deemed to be a "large accelerated filer" under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of the ADSs that are held by non-affiliates exceeds US$700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter. Once we cease to be an emerging growth company, we will not be entitled to the exemptions provided in the JOBS Act discussed above.

Conventions Which Apply to this Prospectus

        Unless we indicate otherwise, all information in this prospectus reflects the following:

    no exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option to purchase up to                additional ADSs representing                 Class A ordinary shares from us; and

        Except where the context otherwise requires and for purposes of this prospectus only:

    "ADRs" refers to the American depositary receipts that evidence our ADSs;

    "ADSs" refers to the American depositary shares, each representing                of our Class A ordinary shares;

    "average monthly PV" during a period is calculated as the total PV during that period across our self-operated platforms and our accounts on major third-party platforms, including Weibo, Weixin/WeChat, Toutiao and Zhihu, divided by the number of months in that period.

    "Beijing Duoke", "variable interest entity" or "VIE" refers to Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co. Ltd., a company incorporated in the PRC in December, 2016;

    "CAGR" refers to compound annual growth rate;

    "China" or "PRC" refer to the People's Republic of China, excluding, for the purpose of this prospectus only, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau;

    "CIC" refers to China Insights Consultancy Limited, an independent market research and consulting company;

    "CIC Report" refers to an industry report commissioned by us and prepared by CIC in June 2019 to provide information regarding our industry and our market position;

    "CIC Survey" refers to a survey commissioned by us and conducted by CIC in June 2019 to provide information regarding our market position;

7


Table of Contents

    "Class A ordinary shares" refers to our Class A ordinary shares of par value US$0.0001 per share;

    "Class B ordinary shares" refers to our Class B ordinary shares of par value US$0.0001 per share;

    "JingData" refers to Beijing Venture Glory Information Technology Co., Ltd;

    "KOL" refers to key opinion leader;

    "New Economy" refers to businesses that realize rapid growth primarily through cutting-edge technology and innovative business models;

    "New Economy companies" refers to companies driven by cutting-edge technology and innovative business models;

    "New Economy participants" refers to New Economy companies, traditional companies being transformed by cutting-edge technology and innovative business models, institutional investors and individuals involved in New Economy;

    "ordinary shares" as of the date hereof refers to our ordinary shares of par value US$0.0001 per share and, conditional upon and effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering, refers to, collectively, our Class A ordinary shares of par value US$0.0001 per share and Class B ordinary shares of par value US$0.0001 per share;

    "PV" refers to page view;

    "remaining VIE shareholders" refers to the shareholders of Beijing Duoke upon the consummation of its restructuring;

    "RMB" or "Renminbi" refers to the legal currency of the People's Republic of China;

    "US$," "dollars" or "U.S. dollars" refers to the legal currency of the United States; and

    "36Kr", "we," "us," "our company," and "our," refer, to 36Kr Holdings Inc., a Cayman Islands company, its subsidiaries and, in the context of describing our operations and consolidated financial statements, its VIE (or, where the context requires, its predecessors).

        Unless otherwise noted, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars and from U.S. dollars to Renminbi in this prospectus are made at RMB6.8650 to US$1.00, the exchange rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board on June 28, 2019. We make no representation that any Renminbi or U.S. dollar amounts could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars or Renminbi, as the case may be, at any particular rate, the rates stated below, or at all. On September 20, 2019, the noon buying rate for Renminbi was RMB7.0909 to US$1.00.

8


Table of Contents

 


THE OFFERING

Offering price

  We currently estimate that the initial public offering price will be between US$            and US$            per ADS.

ADSs offered by us

 

            ADSs (or            ADSs if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full).

The ADSs

 

Each ADS represents            Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share. The depositary will hold the Class A ordinary shares underlying the ADSs. You will have rights as provided in the deposit agreement.

 

We do not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. If, however, we declare dividends on our Class A ordinary shares, the depositary will pay you the cash dividends and other distributions it receives on our Class A ordinary shares, after deducting its fees and expenses in accordance with the terms set forth in the deposit agreement.

 

You may surrender the ADSs to the depositary for cancellation in exchange for Class A ordinary shares. The depositary will charge you fees for any exchange.

 

We may amend or terminate the deposit agreement without your consent. If you continue to hold the ADSs after an amendment to the deposit agreement, you agree to be bound by the deposit agreement as amended.

 

To better understand the terms of the ADSs, you should carefully read the "Description of American Depositary Shares" section of this prospectus. You should also read the deposit agreement, which will be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus.

Ordinary shares

 

We will issue            Class A ordinary shares represented by the ADSs in this offering (or            Class A ordinary shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs in full).

 

We have adopted a dual-class ordinary share structure conditional upon and effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering. Our authorized share capital upon the completion of this offering will be US$500,000 divided into 5,000,000,000 shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each, comprising (i) 4,903,917,300 Class A ordinary shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each, and (ii) 96,082,700 Class B ordinary shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each.

 

All options, regardless of grant dates, will entitle holders to the equivalent number of ordinary shares once the vesting and exercising conditions on such share-based compensation awards are met.

 

See "Description of Share Capital."

9


Table of Contents

Ordinary shares outstanding immediately after this offering

 

Immediately upon the completion of this offering,            ordinary shares will be outstanding, comprising            Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share (or            Class A ordinary shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs in full) and 96,082,700 Class B ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share, excluding Class A ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding under our share incentive plans as of the date of this prospectus.

Over-allotment option

 

We have granted to the underwriters an option, which is exercisable within 30 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to an aggregate of            additional ADSs.

Use of proceeds

 

We expect to receive net proceeds of approximately US$             million from this offering, based on an assumed initial public offering price of US$            per ADS, which is the mid-point of the estimated initial public offering price range, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

We plan to use the net proceeds of this offering to further enhance our content offerings, expand our business service scope, client base and service depth, improve our data analytics and technological capabilities, and supplement our working capital and achieve other general corporate purposes. See "Use of Proceeds."

Lock-up

 

We, [our directors, executive officers, existing shareholders and option holders] have agreed with the underwriters, subject to certain exceptions, not to sell, transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any of ADSs or ordinary shares or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for the ADSs or ordinary shares for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus. See "Shares Eligible for Future Sale" and "Underwriting" for more information.

NASDAQ trading symbol

 

              

Payment and settlement

 

The underwriters expect to deliver the ADSs against payment therefor through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company on            , 2019.

Depositary

 

The Bank of New York Mellon

Risk factors

 

See "Risk Factors" and other information included in this prospectus for discussions of the risks related to investing in the ADSs. You should carefully consider these risks before deciding to invest in the ADSs.

10


Table of Contents



OUR SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA AND OPERATING DATA

        The following summary consolidated statements of comprehensive income data for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, summary consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2017 and 2018 and summary consolidated cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus, which is prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The following summary consolidated statements of comprehensive loss data for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019, summary consolidated balance sheet data as of June 30, 2019 and summary consolidated cash flows data for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019 have been derived from our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus and have been prepared on the same basis as our audited consolidated financial statements. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of results expected for future periods. You should read this Summary Consolidated Financial Data and Operating Data section together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 
  For the Year Ended
December 31,
  For the Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
 
  2017   2018   2018   2019  
 
  RMB   RMB   US$   RMB   RMB   US$  
 
  (in thousands)
 

Summary Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss) Data:

                                     

Revenues:

                                     

Online advertising services           

    73,958     173,783     25,314     50,960     79,477     11,577  

Enterprise value-added services

    42,465     100,238     14,601     16,608     101,072     14,723  

Subscription services

    4,084     25,072     3,652     4,860     21,325     3,106  

Total revenues

    120,507     299,093     43,567     72,428     201,874     29,406  

Cost of revenues

    (60,749 )   (140,317 )   (20,439 )   (48,042 )   (138,120 )   (20,119 )

Gross profit

    59,758     158,776     23,128     24,386     63,754     9,287  

Operating expenses:

                                     

Sales and marketing expenses

    (32,275 )   (66,984 )   (9,757 )   (24,462 )   (49,880 )   (7,266 )

General and administrative expenses                

    (10,040 )   (24,125 )   (3,514 )   (7,949 )   (46,849 )   (6,824 )

Research and development expenses

    (6,429 )   (22,075 )   (3,216 )   (6,335 )   (16,948 )   (2,469 )

Total operating expenses

    (48,744 )   (113,184 )   (16,487 )   (38,746 )   (113,677 )   (16,559 )

Income/(loss) from operations

    11,014     45,592     6,641     (14,360 )   (49,923 )   (7,272 )

Other income/(expenses):

                                     

Share of loss from equity method investments                

    (549 )   (2,794 )   (407 )   (2,053 )        

Short-term investment income

    371     9,300     1,355     5,018     2,381     347  

Interest income

    12     22     3     14     13     2  

Interest expenses

    (185 )   (97 )   (14 )   (3 )   (59 )   (9 )

Others, net

    1,169     3,322     484     42     (17 )   (2 )

Income/(loss) before income tax

    11,832     55,345     8,062     (11,342 )   (47,605 )   (6,934 )

Income tax (expense)/credit

    (3,909 )   (14,827 )   (2,160 )   3,029     2,107     307  

Net income/(loss)

    7,923     40,518     5,902     (8,313 )   (45,498 )   (6,627 )

Accretion on redeemable non-controlling interests to redemption value                           

        (1,025 )   (149 )   (338 )   (331 )   (48 )

Accretion of convertible redeemable preferred shares to redemption value

    (2,834 )   (120,060 )   (17,489 )   (12,551 )   (241,011 )   (35,107 )

Re-designation of Series A-1 into Series B-3 convertible redeemable preferred shares

                    (26,787 )   (3,902 )

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests

                    136     20  

Net income/(loss) attributable to 36Kr Holdings Inc.'s ordinary shareholders

    5,089     (80,567 )   (11,736 )   (21,202 )   (313,491 )   (45,664 )

11


Table of Contents

        The following table presents our summary consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2017 and 2018 and June 30, 2019.

 
  As of December 31,   As of June 30,  
 
  2017   2018   2019  
 
  RMB   RMB   US$   RMB   US$  
 
  (in thousands)
 

Summary Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

                               

Cash and cash equivalents

    45,643     48,968     7,133     26,154     3,810  

Short-term investments

    102,334     145,451     21,187     77,977     11,359  

Accounts receivable, net

    62,801     182,269     26,550     270,894     39,460  

Total current assets

    218,143     399,392     58,177     408,099     59,447  

Total non-current assets

    3,537     16,033     2,336     20,022     2,915  

Total assets

    221,680     415,425     60,513     428,121     62,362  

Total current liabilities

    44,824     84,705     12,338     107,712     15,690  

Total liabilities

    44,824     84,705     12,338     107,712     15,690  

Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and shareholders' deficit

    221,680     415,425     60,513     428,121     62,362  

        The following table presents our summary consolidated cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 and for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019.

 
  For the Year Ended December 31,   For the Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
 
  2017   2018   2018   2019  
 
  RMB   RMB   US$   RMB   RMB   US$  
 
  (in thousands)
 

Summary Consolidated Cash Flow Data:

                                     

Net cash used in operating activities

    (11,444 )   (45,598 )   (6,643 )   (22,552 )   (94,884 )   (13,822 )

Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities

    (105,892 )   (56,294 )   (8,200 )   (117,733 )   66,261     9,653  

Net cash provided by financing activities

    162,979     104,716     15,254     104,716     5,840     851  

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, and cash equivalents held in foreign currencies

        501     73     303     (31 )   (5 )

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    45,643     3,325     484     (35,266 )   (22,814 )   (3,323 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period/year

        45,643     6,649     45,643     48,968     7,133  

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period/year

    45,643     48,968     7,133     10,377     26,154     3,810  

Selected Quarterly Results of Operations

        The following table sets forth our unaudited consolidated quarterly results of operations for the periods indicated. You should read the following table in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. We have prepared the unaudited consolidated quarterly financial information on the same basis as our consolidated financial statements. The unaudited consolidated quarterly financial information includes all adjustments, consisting only of

12


Table of Contents

normal and recurring adjustments, that we consider necessary for a fair representation of our operating results for the quarters presented.

 
  For the three months ended  
 
  September 30,
2017
  December 31,
2017
  March 31,
2018
  June 30,
2018
  September 30,
2018
  December 31,
2018
  March 31,
2019
  June 30,
2019
 
 
  RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB  
 
  (in thousands)
 

Revenues:

                                                 

Online advertising services

    17,409     45,213     17,057     33,903     51,705     71,118     34,778     44,699  

Enterprise value-added services

    7,561     22,696     6,339     10,269     21,128     62,502     41,397     59,675  

Subscription services

    1,325     1,551     2,532     2,328     9,449     10,763     7,627     13,698  

Total revenues

    26,295     69,460     25,928     46,500     82,282     144,383     83,802     118,072  

Cost of revenues

    (14,222 )   (25,015 )   (19,788 )   (28,254 )   (37,605 )   (54,670 )   (59,393 )   (78,727 )

Gross profit

    12,073     44,445     6,140     18,246     44,677     89,713     24,409     39,345  

Operating expenses:

                                                 

Sales and marketing expenses

    (10,541 )   (12,956 )   (10,695 )   (13,767 )   (18,794 )   (23,728 )   (24,093 )   (25,787 )

General and administrative expenses

    (2,423 )   (3,513 )   (3,769 )   (4,180 )   (6,521 )   (9,655 )   (7,955 )   (38,894 )

Research and development expenses

    (1,745 )   (2,056 )   (2,740 )   (3,595 )   (7,241 )   (8,499 )   (9,708 )   (7,240 )

Total operating expenses

    (14,709 )   (18,525 )   (17,204 )   (21,542 )   (32,556 )   (41,882 )   (41,756 )   (71,921 )

(Loss)/Income from operations

    (2,636 )   25,920     (11,064 )   (3,296 )   12,121     47,831     (17,347 )   (32,576 )

Other income/(expenses):

                                                 

Share of loss from equity method investments

        (549 )   (1,012 )   (1,041 )   (741 )            

Short-term investment income

    14     357     2,368     2,650     2,459     1,823     1,507     874  

Interest income

    2     5     10     4     6     2     6     7  

Interest expenses

    (73 )   (84 )   (2 )   (1 )   (24 )   (70 )   (9 )   (50 )

Others, net

    1,000     169     50     (8 )   521     2,759     (82 )   65  

(Loss)/Income before income tax

    (1,693 )   25,818     (9,650 )   (1,692 )   14,342     52,345     (15,925 )   (31,680 )

Income tax credit/(expense)

    165     (6,650 )   2,531     498     (4,561 )   (13,295 )   2,321     (214 )

Net (loss)/income

    (1,528 )   19,168     (7,119 )   (1,194 )   9,781     39,050     (13,604 )   (31,894 )

Accretion on redeemable non-controlling interests to redemption value

                (338 )   (350 )   (337 )   (162 )   (169 )

Accretion of convertible redeemable preferred shares to redemption value

    (515 )   (1,372 )   (5,764 )   (6,787 )   (37,967 )   (69,542 )   (89,485 )   (151,526 )

Re-designation of Series A-1 into Series B-3 convertible redeemable preferred shares

                            (26,787 )    

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests

                                136  

Net (loss)/income attributable to 36Kr Holdings Inc.'s ordinary shareholders

    (2,043 )   17,796     (12,883 )   (8,319 )   (28,536 )   (30,829 )   (130,038 )   (183,453 )

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

        In evaluating our business, we consider and use two non-GAAP measures, adjusted net income/(loss) and adjusted EBITDA, as supplemental measures to review and assess our operating performance. The presentation of these two non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We define adjusted net income/(loss) as net income/(loss) excluding share-based compensation. We define adjusted EBITDA as adjusted net income/(loss) before interest income, interest expenses, income tax expense/(credit), depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of intangible assets. We present these non-GAAP financial measures because they are used by our management to evaluate our operating performance and formulate business plans. We also believe that the use of these non-GAAP measures facilitates investors' assessment of our operating performance.

        These non-GAAP financial measures are not defined under U.S. GAAP and are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools. One of the key limitations of using these non-GAAP financial measures is that they do not reflect all

13


Table of Contents

items of income and expense that affect our operations. Further, these non-GAAP measures may differ from the non-GAAP information used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore their comparability may be limited.

        We compensate for these limitations by reconciling these non-GAAP financial measures to the nearest U.S. GAAP performance measures, all of which should be considered when evaluating our performance. We encourage you to review our financial information in it entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.

        The following table reconciles our adjusted net income/(loss) and adjusted EBITDA in 2017, 2018 and the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019 to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which is net income/(loss):

 
  For the Year Ended
December 31,
  For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
 
  2017   2018   2018   2019  
 
  RMB   RMB   US$   RMB   RMB   US$  
 
  (in thousands)
 

Net income/(loss)

    7,923     40,518     5,902     (8,313 )   (45,498 )   (6,627 )

Adjustments:

                                     

Share-based compensation expenses          

    4,888     5,111     745     2,734     29,108     4,240  

Adjusted net income/(loss)

    12,811     45,629     6,647     (5,579 )   (16,390 )   (2,387 )

Interest income

    (12 )   (22 )   (3 )   (14 )   (13 )   (2 )

Interest expenses

    185     97     14     3     59     9  

Income tax expense/(credit)

    3,909     14,827     2,160     (3,029 )   (2,107 )   (307 )

Depreciation of property and equipment

    487     1,585     231     482     1,901     276  

Amortization of intangible assets

        18     3     6     14     2  

Adjusted EBITDA

    17,380     62,134     9,052     (8,131 )   (16,536 )   (2,409 )

Key Operating Data

        The following tables present our key operating data for the periods indicated:

 
  For the twelve-month period ended  
 
  December 31,
2017
  March 31,
2018
  June 30,
2018
  September 30,
2018
  December 31,
2018
  March 31,
2019
  June 30,
2019
 
 
  (in millions)
 

Average monthly PV

    121.6     120.9     127.0     145.6     196.2     225.4     347.7  

        Our average monthly PV is generated across our self-operated platforms and our accounts on major third-party platforms, including Weibo, Weixin/WeChat, Toutiao and Zhihu. Our average monthly PV increased significantly from 121.6 million in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2017 to 196.2 million in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2018. As we have adopted fixed rate pricing models under which customers pay fixed fees for advertising services irrespective of views, clicks or other performance measures, each additional page view does not directly result in a corresponding increase in advertising revenue. Nevertheless, we believe the increase in average monthly PV indicates that more users are accessing, or users are accessing more frequently, the content offered by us, which enhances our brand awareness and influence in the New Economy market. Leveraging such brand awareness and influence, we are able to attract online advertising services customers and enhance pricing power, which together lead to the growth of our online advertising services revenue. Our online advertising services revenue increased by 135.0% from RMB74.0 million in 2017 to RMB173.8 million (US$25.3 million) in 2018.

14


Table of Contents

        The following table presents our key operating data of our business services:


 
  For the Year
Ended
December 31,
  For the Six Months Ended June 30,  
 
  2017   2018   2018   2019  

Online advertising services

                         

Number of online advertising services end customers(1)

    187     320     155     210  

Average revenue per online advertising services end customer(1)(2) (RMB'000)

    395.5     543.1     328.8     378.5  

Enterprise value-added services

   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 

Number of enterprise value-added services end customers(1)

    140     263     52     131  

Average revenue per enterprise value-added services end customer(1)(3) (RMB'000)

    303.3     381.1     319.4     771.5  

Subscription services

   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 

Number of individual subscribers

    15,880     51,189     17,056     9,177  

Average revenue per individual subscriber(4) (RMB)

    112     209     80     1,306  

Number of institutional investor subscribers

   
14
   
121
   
80
   
114
 

Average revenue per institutional investor subscriber(5) (RMB'000)

    164.2     118.7     43.7     71.6  

Number of enterprise subscribers

   
   
   
   
33
 

Average revenue per enterprise subscriber(6) (RMB'000)

                35.7  

Notes:

(1)
In line with market practice in China, we offer our services either through agencies or directly to our end customers.

(2)
Equals revenues generated from online advertising services for a period divided by the number of online advertising services end customers in the same period.

(3)
Equals revenues generated from enterprise value-added services for a period divided by the number of enterprise value-added services end customers in the same period.

(4)
Equals revenues generated from individual subscription services for a period divided by the number of individual subscribers in the same period.

(5)
Equals revenues generated from institutional investor subscription services for a period divided by the number of institutional investor subscribers in the same period.

(6)
Equals revenues generated from enterprise subscription services for a period divided by the number of enterprise subscribers in the same period.

15


Table of Contents


RISK FACTORS

        You should consider carefully all of the information in this prospectus, including the risks and uncertainties described below and our consolidated financial statements and related notes, before making an investment in the ADSs. Any of the following risks and uncertainties could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. The market price of the ADSs could decline significantly as a result of any of these risks and uncertainties, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY

We have a limited operating history as a stand-alone company, which makes it difficult to evaluate our business. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to maintain the growth rate that we have experienced to date.

        We commenced our operations as a stand-alone company when we were incorporated by Xieli Zhucheng in December 2016. Since then we have achieved rapid growth in terms of user traffic, customer base and revenues. However, our limited operating history as a stand-alone company may not be indicative of our future growth or financial results. There is no assurance that we will be able to maintain our historical growth rates in future periods. Our growth prospects should be considered in light of the risks and uncertainties that fast-growing companies with a limited operating history in our industry may encounter, including, among others, risks and uncertainties regarding our ability to:

        All of these endeavors involve risks and will require significant allocation of management and employee resources and capital expenditures. We cannot assure you that we will be able to effectively manage our growth or implement our business strategies effectively. If the market for our platform does not develop as we expect or if we fail to address the needs of this dynamic market, our business, results of operations and financial condition will be materially and adversely affected.

We are subject to risks associated with operating in the rapidly evolving New Economy sectors.

        As a New Economy-focused content and business services provider dedicated to serving New Economy participants in China, we are subject to risks associated with the rapidly evolving nature of New Economy sectors, including but not limited to technology, consumer and retail, and healthcare. Our future business, financial conditions, and results of operations will largely depend on the development of China's New Economy and the growth of the number of New Economy participants.

16


Table of Contents

According to the CIC Report, New Economy in China has experienced periods of rapid expansion, and the market size of New Economy-focused online advertising services, enterprise value-added services, and subscription services is expected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 16.5%, 27.3% and 34.9% from 2018 to 2023, respectively. However, there are significant uncertainties with respect to the growth and sustained profitability of China's New Economy sectors, including changes in general economic conditions in China, New Economy market trends and regulatory environment. Most of these factors are beyond our control. For example, adverse regulatory developments in New Economy sectors in China, such as new or stricter licensing requirements and restrictive industry policies, could materially affect the result of operations and financial conditions of our customers participating in such industries, which may in turn reduce their demand for our services. As a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

The success of our business depends on our ability to maintain and enhance our brand. Negative publicity about us, our services, operations and management, or our affiliates may adversely affect our reputation and business.

        We believe that maintaining and enhancing our 36Kr brand is critical to our success, especially user and customer acquisition and retention. Unsuccessful marketing efforts, low-quality content and service offerings and unsatisfying user and customer experience are likely to harm our brand image and value. Furthermore, we were incorporated in December 2016 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Xieli Zhucheng, to hold all its businesses of New Economy-focused content and business services. Any negative publicity about our affiliates may be misunderstood as relating to us, which may adversely affect our reputation and business.

        In addition, negative publicity about us, our services, operations and our management may adversely affect our reputation and business. We have from time to time received negative publicity, including negative Internet and blog postings about our company, our business, our management, our services or our affiliates. Certain of such negative publicity may come from malicious harassment or unfair competition acts by third parties. Our brand and reputation may be materially and adversely affected, which in turn may cause us to lose market share, users, customers and other third parties we conduct business with. As a result, our results of operations and financial performance may be negatively affected.

If we fail to provide high-quality content in a timely manner, we may not be able to attract or retain users. If our efforts to attract or retain users are not successful, our business and results of operations will be materially and adversely affected.

        We have experienced significant user growth over the past several years. Our success depends on our ability to generate sufficient user traffic on our platform through the provision of high-quality New Economy-focused content. To attract and retain users, we need to further enrich our content by producing and sourcing new high-quality content in a cost-effective and timely manner. Furthermore, we need to anticipate and quickly respond to changing user preferences, development in New Economy market trends. If we fail to cater to the needs and preferences of our users or deliver high-quality content in an efficient manner, we may suffer from reduced user traffic. In addition, if our valuable users no longer contribute their opinions or comments or other forms of interactive content to our platform, we may experience a decrease in the number of users or level of user engagement. At the same time, spam or excessive advertisement could impact user experience on our platform, which could damage our reputation and deter visits to our platform. If we are unable to grow our user base or increase user engagement, our platform will become less attractive to potential customers, especially online advertising services customers. As a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

17


Table of Contents

We cannot guarantee our monetization strategies will be successfully implemented or generate sustainable revenues or profit.

        We currently generate a majority of our revenues from online advertising services. Nevertheless, we have been diversifying and may further diversify our monetization channels by introducing new services, including services with which we have limited or no prior experience. We have been expanding our comprehensive enterprise value-added service offerings to meet various demands of our customers. We cannot assure that any of our newly launched services will successfully achieve wide market acceptance, increase the penetration of our addressable market or generate revenues or profit. If our business initiatives fail to enhance our monetization abilities, we may not be able to maintain or increase our revenues or recover any associated costs, and our business and operating results may suffer as a result.

Our business could suffer if we are unable to retain or hire quality in-house writers and editors.

        We rely primarily on our in-house writers and editors to create high-quality original content. We intend to continue to invest resources in our in-house writer and editorial team to maintain and improve content creation capabilities. Nevertheless, the demand and competition for talent is intense in our industry, particularly for skilled writers and editors. Therefore, we may need to offer high compensation and additional benefits to maintain a skilled in-house content creation team, which could increase our expenses. If we fail to compete effectively for talents, lose existing writers or editors, or fail to otherwise maintain an in-house content creation team at reasonable costs, our in-house content creation capabilities would be negatively affected. Any deterioration in our in-house content creation capabilities may materially and adversely affect our business and operating results. If we are unable to offer high-quality original content in a cost-effective manner, our user experience may be adversely affected, and we may suffer from reduced user traffic. Our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected as a result.

Deterioration or termination of cooperation with third-party professional content providers may have a material adverse impact on our business and results of operations.

        Third-party professional content constitutes a meaningful part of our content offerings, and we intend to continue to attract and explore new partnership with third-party professional content providers. If we fail to maintain our relationship with them, or they fail to provide content of satisfactory quality upon terms commercially acceptable to us, we may loss a significant portion of high-quality content offerings, and as a result our brand and operations could be materially harmed.

Our business, prospects and financial results may be affected by our relationship with third-party platforms.

        We distribute certain of our content through our accounts on leading third-party Internet and social networking platforms, including Weibo, Weixin/WeChat, Toutiao and Zhihu. These third-party platforms enable us to effectively extend our user reach and enhance our influence. In the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2019, we achieved an average monthly PV of 347.7 million, of which 329.5 million was derived from these third-party platforms. To the extent that we fail to leverage such third-party channels, our ability to attract or retain users may be harmed. If our relationship with these third-party platforms deteriorates or is terminated or we fail to establish or maintain relationships with them on commercially viable terms, we may not be able to quickly locate alternative channels. As a result, the aforementioned circumstances may limit our ability to continue growing our user base and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

If the content provided on our platform is deemed to violate any PRC laws or regulations, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

        China has enacted regulations governing Internet access and the distribution of news and other information over the Internet. Under these regulations, Internet content providers are prohibited from

18


Table of Contents

posting or displaying over the Internet content that, among other things, violates PRC laws and regulations, impairs the national dignity of China or the public interest, or is obscene, superstitious, fraudulent, violent or defamatory. Internet content providers are also prohibited from displaying content that may be deemed by relevant government authorities as "socially destabilizing" or leaking "state secrets" of China. In addition, certain news items, such as news relating to national security, may not be published without permission from the PRC regulatory authorities. If the PRC regulatory authorities were to take any action to limit or prohibit the distribution of information through our platform or our services, or to limit or regulate any current or future content or services available to users on our platform, our business could be significantly harmed.

        In addition, we operate discussion forum, blog, comment section and user survey for our users to interact on our platform, such as expressing opinions, posting comments and discussing with each other, and thereby generating our user interactive content. We have implemented an efficient and thorough content screening and monitoring mechanism which involve both automated filtering and manual review, to timely remove any inappropriate or illegal content, including interactive content on our platform. However, such procedures may not prevent all illegal or impropriate content or comments from being posted, and our editorial staff may fail to review and screen such content or comments effectively.

        Failure to identify and prevent illegal or inappropriate content from being distributed on our platform may subject us to liability. To the extent that PRC regulatory authorities find any content on our platform objectionable, they may require us to limit or eliminate the dissemination of such content on our platform in the form of take-down orders or otherwise. In addition, PRC laws and regulations are subject to interpretation by the relevant authorities, and it may not be possible to determine in all cases the types of content that could result in our liability as a platform operator.

If we fail to develop effective online advertising services, retain or acquire new online advertising services customers, our financial condition, results of operations and prospects may be materially and adversely affected.

        We generate a majority of our revenues from online advertising services. Revenue generated from online advertising services accounted for 61.4% and 58.1% of our total revenues in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Revenue generated from online advertising services accounted for 70.4% and 39.4% of our total revenues in the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019, respectively. Our ability to generate and maintain our revenues from online advertising services depends on a number of factors, including our brand value, our user and customer base and competition in the online advertising services market. We cannot assure you that we will be able to retain or acquire online advertising services customers in the future or maintain or increase pricing of online advertising services. For instance, if our online advertising services customers find that they can gain public attention more efficiently elsewhere, or if our competitors provide online advertising services that suit their goals better, we may lose our online advertising services customers. In addition, third parties may develop and use certain technologies to block the display of our online advertising services customers' advertisements on our platform. As a result, we may lose our online advertising services customers or be forced to reduce our pricing as our customers' advertisement becomes less effective due to more limited reach, which in turn materially and adversely affects our results of operations. Additionally, if our online advertising services customers determine that their advertising expenditures on our platform do not generate expected returns, they may bargain with us for lower pricing or reduce or terminate cooperation with us. Furthermore, given most of our online advertising service agreement with customers are short-term contracts, our customers may reduce or discontinue cooperation with us easily without incurring material liabilities.

19


Table of Contents

We may be adversely affected by the complexity, uncertainties and changes in PRC regulation of Internet businesses and companies, including limitations on our ability to own key assets such as our platform.

        The Chinese government heavily regulates the Internet industry, including foreign investment in the Chinese Internet industry, content on the Internet and license and permit requirements for services providers in the Internet industry. Since some of the laws, regulations and legal requirements with respect to the Internet are relatively new and evolving, their interpretation and enforcement involve significant uncertainties. In addition, the Chinese legal system is based on written statutes, such that prior court decisions can only be cited for reference and have little precedential value. As a result, in many cases it is difficult to determine what actions or omissions may result in liabilities. Issues, risks and uncertainties relating to China's government regulation of the Chinese Internet sector include the following:

        Due to the increasing popularity and use of the Internet and other online services, it is possible that a number of laws and regulations may be adopted with respect to the Internet or other online services covering issues such as user privacy, pricing, content, copyrights, distribution, antitrust and characteristics and quality of products and services. The adoption of additional laws or regulations may impede the growth of the Internet or other online services, which could, in turn, decrease the demand for our content and services and increase our cost of doing business. Moreover, the applicability to the Internet and other online services of existing laws in various jurisdictions governing issues such as property ownership, sales and other taxes, libel and personal privacy is uncertain and may take years to resolve. Any new legislation or regulation, the application of laws and regulations from jurisdictions whose laws do not currently apply to our business, or the application of existing laws and regulations to the Internet and other online services could significantly disrupt our operations or subject us to penalties.

        The interpretation and application of existing PRC laws, regulations and policies, the stated positions of relevant PRC government authorities and possible new laws, regulations or policies have created substantial uncertainties regarding the legality of existing and future foreign investments in, and the businesses and activities of, Internet businesses in China, including our business.

Lack of Internet news information license may expose us to administrative sanctions, which would materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

        The PRC government regulates the Internet industry extensively, including foreign ownership of, and the licensing requirements pertaining to, companies in the Internet industry. A number of regulatory agencies, including the Ministry of Culture, or the MOC, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, or the MIIT, the Cyberspace Administration of China, or CAC, the National Radio and Television Administration, or the NRTA (previously known as the State Administration of Press Publication, Radio, Film and Television, or the SAPPRFT), the State Council Information Office, or the SCIO, and other governmental authorities, jointly regulate all major aspects of the Internet industry. Operators are required to obtain various government approvals and licenses prior to providing the relevant Internet information services.

20


Table of Contents

        The content provided on our platform, including New Economy-focused industry reports, market updates, flash updates, columns and interviews, may be deemed to be news information content. Pursuant to the Provisions for the Administration of Internet News Information Services issued by the national CAC on May 2, 2017 that became effective on June 1, 2017, an Internet news information license shall be obtained for a provider of Internet news information services to the public in a variety of ways, including forwarding Internet news information and offering of platforms for the dissemination of Internet news information. As such, we may be required to obtain an Internet news information license from CAC for our business. In practice, competent Internet news information services providers that are not state-owned, such as our company, may need to introduce a state-owned shareholder in order to facilitate the application and approval process for the Internet news information license. See "Regulations—Regulation on Internet News Services."

        In addition, according to the Provisions for the Administration of Internet News Information Services, those that apply for a license for Internet news information collecting, editing and publishing service shall be news agencies (including the entities held thereby) or the entities under the charge of news publicity authorities. Internet news information services providers shall separate their news collection and editing services from other operational businesses and non-state-owned capitals shall not engage in services of collecting and editing Internet news information. We are not a news agency or a state-owned entity engaging in services of collecting and editing Internet news information. As such, we may not be permitted to collect and edit Internet news information. As a result, the CAC or its applicable office at the provincial level may, at its sole discretion, order us to cease relevant operations, and impose a fine of more than RMB 10,000 and less than RMB 30,000; where a crime is constituted, it shall be subject to criminal liabilities.

        We plan to apply for the Internet news information license from the CAC through our VIE when it is feasible to do so. However, there can be no assurance that our application will be accepted or approved by the CAC. In the event we fail to obtain the Internet news information license, we may be ordered to suspend relevant business and our results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not received any notice of warning or been subject to any administrative penalties or other disciplinary actions from the relevant governmental authorities for lack of the Internet news information license. However, in the past, CAC ordered certain PRC companies to suspend their online content offerings for a certain period of time due to their lack of Internet news information license. As such, we cannot assure you that we will not be subject to similar or other penalties, such as any warning, investigations, suspension of some or all of our content offerings or other penalties that may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Lack of Internet audio-visual program transmission license may expose us to administrative sanctions, which would materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

        Pursuant to the Administrative Provisions on Internet Audio-visual Program Service, or the Audio-visual Program Provisions, which was issued by the MIIT and the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, or the SARFT (the predecessor of SAPPRFT) on December 20, 2007 and came into effect on January 31, 2008 and was amended on August 28, 2015, online transmission of audio and video programs requires an Internet audio-visual program transmission license and online audio-visual services providers must be either wholly state-owned or state-controlled. In a press conference jointly held by SARFT and MIIT to answer questions with respect to the Audio-visual Program Provisions in February 2008, SARFT and MIIT clarified that online audio-visual services providers that had already been operating lawfully prior to the issuance of the Audio-visual Program Provisions may re-register and continue to operate without becoming state-owned or controlled, provided that such providers have not engaged in any unlawful activities. This exemption will not be granted to online audio-video

21


Table of Contents

services providers established after the Audio-visual Program Provisions was issued. See "Regulation—Regulations on Internet Audio-visual Program Services."

        We provide our content in various formats, including a small portion of audio and video, and we plan to continue to offer audio and video content on our platform. If such content offerings are considered as online transmission of audio and video programs, we may be required to obtain the Internet audio-visual program transmission license. We currently do not possess such license. If the relevant regulatory authorities find our operations to be in violation of the applicable laws and regulations, we may receive a warning and be ordered to rectify such non-compliance and pay a fine of not more than RMB30,000. In severe cases, we may be ordered to cease transmission of audio and video programs, be subject to a penalty equal to one to two times our total investment in the affected business and the devices we used for such operation may be confiscated. Furthermore, according to the Audiovisual Program Provisions, the telecommunications administrative authorities may, based on written opinions of the SARFT, and in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations on supervision of telecommunications and Internet, close our platform, revoke the relevant license or filings for the provision of Internet information service and order the relevant network operation entity which provides us signal access services to stop such provision of services. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not received any notice of warning or been subject to any administrative penalties or other disciplinary actions from the relevant governmental authorities for lack of the Internet audio-visual program transmission license. However, in the past, the relevant governmental authorities penalized certain PRC companies due to their lack of the Internet audio-visual program transmission license. As such, we cannot assure you that we will not be subject to any warning, investigations suspension of some of our content offerings or other penalties that may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Lack of Internet publishing license may expose us to administrative sanctions, which would materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

        On February 4, 2016, the SAPPRFT and the MIIT jointly issued the Rules for the Administration for Internet Publishing Services, or the Internet Publishing Rules, which took effect in March 10, 2016 and prohibit wholly foreign-owned enterprises, Sino-foreign equity joint ventures and Sino-foreign cooperative enterprises from engaging in the provision of web publishing services. Under these rules, providers of online publications are required to hold the Internet publishing license. However, uncertainty remains regarding the interpretation of relevant concepts, including "online publications" under the current PRC laws and regulations. Although we have not been required by the General Administration of Press and Publication or other relevant authorities to obtain the Internet publishing license as of the date of this prospectus, we may face further scrutiny by such authorities and they may require us to apply for such license or subject us to penalties. In addition, cooperation between Internet publishing services providers and wholly foreign-owned enterprises, Sino-foreign equity joint ventures, or Sino-foreign cooperative enterprises within China or overseas organizations or individuals engaging in Internet publishing business shall be subject to examination and approval by the General Administration of Press and Publication in advance. See "Regulations—Regulations on Internet Publishing."

        If the provision of our in-house-generated content, in the forms of articles, pictures, audio and video clips, on our online platform is considered "online publishing", we may be required to obtain the Internet publishing license. If the relevant regulatory authorities find our operations without an Internet publishing license to be in violation of the applicable laws and regulations, such regulatory authorities may order us to cease relevant operations or close our platform, or confiscate the devices we used for such operation. If our revenue from such violation is less than RMB10,000, the relevant regulatory authorities may impose a fine of less than RMB50,000. If our revenue from such violation is RMB10,000 or above, such regulatory authorities may impose a fine equivalent to five to ten times of our revenue from the violation. In addition to the administrative penalties, our operation without the Internet publishing license may also subject us to civil and criminal liabilities.

22


Table of Contents

        We plan to apply for the Internet publishing license through our VIE when it is feasible to do so. However, there can be no assurance that the application will be accepted or approved by the relevant regulatory authorities. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not received any notice of warning or been subject to penalties or other disciplinary actions from the relevant governmental authorities for lack of the license. However, in the past, the relevant governmental authorities penalized certain PRC companies due to their lack of the Internet publishing license. As such, we cannot assure you that we will not be subject to any warning, investigations suspension of some or all of our content offerings or other penalties that may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Lack of online culture operating permit may expose us to administrative sanctions, which would materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

        On February 17, 2011, the Ministry of Culture (the predecessor of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism) issued the Interim Administrative Provisions on Internet Culture, or the Internet Culture Provision, which was amended in 2017. According to the Internet Culture Provision, Internet culture activities include: (i) production, reproduction, import, release or broadcast of Internet culture products (such as online music, online game, online performance and cultural products by certain technical means and copied to the Internet for spreading); (ii) distribution or publication of cultural products on Internet; and (iii) exhibitions, competitions and other similar activities concerning Internet culture products. Pursuant to the Internet Culture Provision, commercial Internet culture activities shall be approved by the relevant cultural administration authorities or cultural market enforcement authorities. See "Regulation—Regulations on Online Culture Administration."

        Based on our understanding of the current PRC laws and regulations as well as inquiry with PRC government, our content and services may not be considered as "online culture product." However, there is uncertainty with respect to the interpretation and application of PRC laws. If our content and services are considered as "online culture product", we will be required to obtain the online culture operating permit from the relevant local branches of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Additionally, if the relevant regulatory authorities find our current operations without an online culture operating permit to be in violation of the applicable laws and regulations, we may receive a warning and be ordered to cease our relevant operation, and may also be subject to a fine of no more than RMB30,000. If we refuse to cease the relevant operation, we may also be blacklisted publicly as an uncreditworthy entity. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not received any notice of warning or been subject to penalties or other disciplinary actions from the relevant governmental authorities for lack of the permit. However, in the past, the Ministry of Culture Tourism or its relevant local branch ordered certain PRC companies to suspend their online content offering for a certain period of time due to their lack of the online culture operating permit. As such, we cannot assure you that we will not be subject to any warning, investigations suspension of some or all of our content offerings or other penalties that may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Lack of production and operation of radio and television programs license may expose us to administrative sanctions, which would materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

        On July 19, 2004, the SARFT promulgated the Regulations on the Administration of Production and Operation of Radio and Television Programs, or the Radio and TV Programs Regulations, which came into effect on August 20, 2004 and was amended on August 28, 2015. Pursuant to the Radio and TV Programs Regulations, entities engaging in the production of radio and television programs must obtain a production and operation of radio and television program license from the SARFT or its counterparts at the provincial level. Holders of such licenses must conduct their business operations strictly in compliance within the approved scope as provided in the licenses. See "Regulation—Regulations on the Administration of Production and Operation of Radio and Television Programs."

23


Table of Contents

        Our in-house content are generated in the forms of articles, pictures, audio and video clips. Based on our understanding of the current PRC laws and regulations as well as inquiry with PRC government, radio and television programs primarily refer to content distributed on radio and television instead of on mobile apps and websites. However, there is uncertainty with respect to the interpretation and application of PRC laws. If our in-house generated audio and video content are considered as radio and television programs, we will be required to obtain the production and operation of radio and television program license. Additionally, the relevant regulatory authorities may also find our current operations without the production and operation of radio and television program license to be in violation of the applicable laws and regulations. As a result, we may be ordered to cease our relevant operation, or be subject to a fine of RMB10,000 to RMB50,000 and a confiscation of devices used in our relevant operation. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not received any notice of warning or been subject to penalties or other disciplinary actions from the relevant governmental authorities for lack of the license. However, in the past, the relevant governmental authorities penalized certain PRC companies due to their lack of production and operation of radio and television programs license. As such, we cannot assure you that we will not be subject to any warning, investigations or other penalties that may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

If we fail to complete the update procedures of or maintain the ICP license, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

        PRC regulations impose sanctions for engaging in Internet information services of a commercial nature without having obtained an Internet content provider license, or the ICP license. These sanctions include corrective orders and warnings from the PRC communication administration authority, fines and confiscation of illegal gains and, in the case of significant infringements, the mobile apps and websites may be ordered to cease operation. See "Regulation—Regulations on Value-added Telecommunication Services."

        Our PRC variable interest entity, Beijing Duoke, has obtained a valid ICP license, which will remain effective until March 13, 2020. As Beijing Duoke has changed its name from Beijing Pinxin and its registered capital within the validity period of its ICP license, we are required and we plan to apply for the update of the ICP license through Beijing Duoke. Given the evolving regulatory environment of the value-added telecommunication business, we cannot assure you that we will timely complete the update. In the event that the local telecommunication regulatory authority puts our update application on hold or we fail to complete the update of ICP license, we could be found in violation of the regulations governing the provision of Internet information services and may receive a warning and be ordered to rectify such non-compliance and pay a fine of more than RMB5,000 but not more than RMB30,000. As a result our operations and financial condition could be harmed materially. Furthermore, we may not be able to maintain or renew our ICP license, which would subject us to the sanctions such as the imposition of fines and the discontinuation or restriction of our operations or other sanctions as stipulated in the new regulatory rules, and materially and adversely affect our business and impede our ability to continue our operations.

        As of the date of this prospectus, we have not received any notice of warning or been subject to penalties or other disciplinary actions from the relevant governmental authorities for failure to update the permit. However, we cannot assure you that we will not be subject to any warning, investigations or penalties that may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Advertisements on our platform may subject us to penalties and other administrative actions.

        Under PRC advertising laws and regulations, we are obligated to monitor the advertising content shown on our platform to ensure that such content is true, accurate and in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations. In addition, where a special government review is required for specific types of advertisements prior to posting, such as advertisements relating to pharmaceuticals, medical

24


Table of Contents

instruments, agrochemicals and veterinary pharmaceuticals, we are obligated to confirm that such review has been performed and approval has been obtained from competent governmental authorities. To fulfill these monitoring functions, we typically include clauses in our online advertising contracts requiring that all advertising content provided by online advertising services customers must comply with relevant laws and regulations. Under PRC law, we may have claims against online advertising services customers for all damages to us caused by their breach of such representations. Violation of these laws and regulations may subject us to penalties, including fines, confiscation of our online advertising income, orders to cease dissemination of the advertisements and orders to publish an announcement correcting the misleading information. In circumstances involving serious violations, such as posting a pharmaceutical product advertisement without approval, or posting an advertisement for fake pharmaceutical product, PRC regulatory authorities may force us to terminate our online advertising operation or revoke our licenses. See "Regulations—Regulations on Online Advertising Services."

        A majority of the advertisements shown on our platform are provided to us by third parties. Although we have implemented automated and manual content monitoring systems and significant efforts have been made to ensure that the advertisements shown on our platform are in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations, we cannot assure you that all the content contained in such advertisements is true, accurate and legitimate as required by the advertising laws and regulations, especially given the uncertainty in the application of these laws and regulations. The inability of our systems and procedures to adequately and timely discover such evasions may subject us to regulatory penalties or administrative sanctions. Although we have not been subject to material penalties or administrative sanctions in the past for the advertisements shown on our platform, if we are found to be in violation of applicable PRC advertising laws and regulations in the future, we may be subject to penalties and our reputation may be harmed, which may have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. See "Regulations—Regulations on Online Advertising Services."

We face competition in major aspects of our business. If we are unable to compete effectively in the industry we operate, our business, results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.

        The New Economy-focused business services market is highly competitive. Our online advertising services face competition from other content-based online advertising services providers as well as technology channels of major Internet information portals, such as Sina and Tencent News. For our enterprise value-added services, we face competition from other New Economy-focused enterprise value-added services providers as well as traditional marketing, consulting and public relation companies. We also compete with paid content services providers with respect to our subscription services. We also face competition from traditional advertising media. If we cannot effectively compete with these platforms and distribution channels for marketing budgets of our existing and potential customers, our results of operations and growth prospects could be adversely affected.

        Our competition is primarily centered on increasing user traffic, user engagement and brand recognition, as well as customer acquisition and retention, among other factors. Some of our competitors have longer operating histories and significantly greater financial resources than we do, which may allow them to attract and retain more users and customers. Our competitors may compete with us in a variety of ways, including by offering popular content, introducing new business services, conducting more aggressive brand promotions and other marketing activities and through investments and acquisitions. If any of our competitors achieves greater market acceptance or is able to offer more attractive content and business services than us, our user traffic, customer acquisition and retention, brand value and market share may decrease, which may have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

25


Table of Contents

If we are unable to conduct our marketing activities cost-effectively, our results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.

        We have incurred expenses on a variety of marketing and branding activities. In 2017 and 2018, we incurred RMB32.3 million and RMB67.0 million (US$9.8 million) in sales and marketing expenses, accounting for 26.8% and 22.4% of our total revenues, respectively. Our marketing and branding activities may not be well received, successful or cost-effective, which may lead to significantly higher marketing expenses in the future. We may also not be able to continue our existing marketing and branding activities. Failure to refine our existing marketing strategies or introduce new effective marketing strategies in a cost-effective manner could impact our business operations and financial performance.

Content provided on our platform may expose us to libel or other legal claims which may result in costly legal damages.

        Claims may be threatened and filed against us for libel, defamation, invasion of privacy, intellectual property right infringements and other theories based on the nature and content of the information distributed on our platform. While we screen our content for such potential liability, there is no assurance that our screening process will identify all potential liability, especially liability arising from our user interactive content and content we source from third parties. In the past, there was no claim brought against us which resulted in material liability, but we cannot assure you we will not be subject to future claims that could be costly, encourage similar lawsuits, distract our management team and harm our reputation and possibly our business.

If we are unable to manage our growth, our business and prospects may be materially and adversely affected.

        We have experienced rapid growth since our incorporation in 2016. To manage our business expansion, we need to continuously expand and enhance our infrastructure and technology, and improve our operational and financial systems, procedures and internal controls. We cannot assure you that our current and planned personnel, infrastructure, systems, procedures and controls will be adequate to support our expanding operations. We may be required to spend more on sales and marketing in order to support any such expansion and our efforts may not be effective. If we fail to manage our expansion effectively or efficiently, our business and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

We may face challenges in expanding our international and local operations.

        We rely on our diversified distribution channels to deliver our content to users in a cost-effective and timely manner. Specifically, we collaborate with established overseas and local media companies in setting up overseas and local stations. On the one hand, we face risks associated with expanding into new regions and markets in which we have limited or no experience and in which our brand may be less known. We may be unable to attract a sufficient number of users and other participants through our overseas and local stations. We may face fierce competition from overseas and local markets or other difficulties in operating effectively in these new markets. On the other hand, our international expansion and local penetration will also expose us to risk such as increased demands on management, operational and financial resources, different regulatory compliance requirements and exchange rate fluctuations, among others. One or more of these factors could adversely impact our international and local operations. Accordingly, any efforts we make to expand our international and local operations may not be successful.

26


Table of Contents

Future investments in and acquisitions of complementary assets, technologies and businesses may fail and may result in equity or earnings dilution.

        We may invest in or acquire assets, technologies and businesses that are complementary to our existing business. Our investments or acquisitions may not yield the results we expect. In addition, investments and acquisitions could result in the use of substantial amounts of cash, potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities, significant amortization expenses related to goodwill or intangible assets and exposure to potential unknown liabilities of the acquired business. Furthermore, if such goodwill or intangible assets become impaired, we may be required to record a significant charge to our results of operations. Such investments and acquisitions may also require our management team to devote a significant amount of attention. Moreover, the cost of identifying and consummating investments and acquisitions, and integrating the acquired businesses into ours, may be significant, and the integration of acquired businesses may be disruptive to our existing business operations. In addition, we may have to obtain approval from the relevant PRC governmental authorities for the investments and acquisitions and comply with any applicable PRC rules and regulations, which may be costly. In the event our investments and acquisitions are not successful, our results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.

We have recorded negative cash flows from operating activities historically. We may need additional capital, and we may be unable to obtain such capital in a timely manner or on acceptable terms, or at all.

        We have experienced cash outflow from operating activities in history. We recorded net cash used in operating activities of RMB11.4 million, RMB45.6 million (US$6.6 million), RMB22.6 million and RMB94.9 million (US$13.8 million) in 2017, 2018 and the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019, respectively. The cost of continuing operations could further reduce our cash position, and an increase in our net cash outflow from operating activities could adversely affect our operations by reducing the amount of cash available to meet the capital needs for our daily operation and future business expansion. Our ability to obtain additional capital is subject to a variety of uncertainties, including:

        We may be unable to obtain additional capital in a timely manner or on acceptable terms or at all. In addition, due to future capital needs and other business reasons, we may need to sell additional equity or debt securities or obtain a credit facility. The sale of additional equity or equity-linked securities could dilute our shareholders. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased debt service obligations and could result in operating and financing covenants that would restrict our operations or our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders.

If we fail to collect accounts receivable from our customers in a timely manner, our business operations and financial results may be materially and adversely affected.

        We typically extend to our customers credit terms ranging from 90 to of 180 days, resulting in accounts receivable. We generally make a credit assessment of our customers before entering into an agreement with them. Nevertheless, we cannot assure you that we are or will be able to accurately assess the creditworthiness of each customer. Furthermore, the financial soundness of our customers, which is beyond our control, may affect our collection of accounts receivable. Any delay in payment or failed payment may adversely affect our liquidity and cash flows, which in turn has a material adverse effect on our business operations and financial results.

27


Table of Contents

Our current dependence on a limited number of customers may cause significant fluctuations or declines in our revenues.

        A considerable portion of our revenues is derived from a limited number of our customers. In 2018, our top five customers in aggregate accounted for 30% of our total revenues, and our largest customer accounted for 19% of our total revenues. Our largest customer in 2018 is a third-party advertising agency. Through our cooperation with this agency, we provided online advertising services to 45 companies, who are our end customers, in 2018. Nevertheless, there are inherent risks whenever a large percentage of total revenues are concentrated with a limited number of customers. It may not be possible for us to predict the future level of demand for our services by our largest customers. Actions taken by our largest customers to exploit their comparably superior bargaining position when negotiating for renewals of services agreements or otherwise could also have an adverse effect on our results of operations. In addition, revenues from the largest customers may fluctuate from time to time for reasons beyond our control. There can be no assurance that we can maintain relationships with our largest customers on commercially desirable terms. If any of the foregoing were to occur, we could be pressured to reduce the prices we charge for our services or risk losing our largest customers, which could have an adverse effect on our revenues and margins, and could negatively affect our financial position and results of operations and/or trading price of our ADSs.

The continued and collaborative efforts of our senior management and key employees are crucial to our success, and our business may be harmed if we lose their services.

        Our success depends on the continued and collaborative efforts of our senior management. If, however, one or more of our executives or other key personnel are unable or unwilling to continue to provide services to us, we may not be able to find suitable replacements easily or at all. Competition for management and key personnel is intense and the pool of qualified candidates is limited. We may not be able to retain the services of our executives or key personnel, or attract and retain experienced executives or key personnel in the future. If any of our executive officers or key employees joins a competitor or forms a competing business, we may lose crucial business secrets, technological know-hows, customers and other valuable resources.

We may be subject to intellectual property infringement claims or other allegations by third parties for information or content distributed on our platform, which may be expensive to defend and may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and prospects.

        Our success depends, in large part, on our ability to operate our business without infringing third-party rights, including third-party intellectual property rights. Companies in the Internet, technology and media industries own, and are seeking to obtain, a large number of patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets, and they are frequently involved in litigation based on allegations of infringement or other violations of intellectual property rights or other related legal rights. The validity, enforceability and scope of protection of intellectual property rights in Internet-related industries, particularly in China, are uncertain and still evolving. As we face increasing competition and as litigation becomes more common in China in resolving commercial disputes, we face a higher risk of being the subject of intellectual property infringement claims.

        While our content screening and monitoring mechanism screens content for potential copyright infringements, we may not be able to identify all instances of copyright infringement, especially those arising from professional content we source from third parties. For example, content providers may submit copyrighted content that they have no right to distribute. In the event we deliver content that violates the copyrights of a third party, we may be required to pay damages to compensate such third party. In addition, our platform allows our users to voice their opinions, express their views, discuss with each other and provide feedbacks to our content. Content posted by our users may expose us to allegations by third parties of infringement of intellectual property rights, invasion of privacy,

28


Table of Contents

defamation and other violations of third-party rights. Pursuant to our user agreement, users agree not to post any content that is illegal, obscene or may otherwise violate generally accepted codes of ethics. We have also implemented automated and manual review of the content on our platform. However, there is no assurance that we can to identify and remove all potentially infringing content uploaded by our users. As a result, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.

        Third parties may take action and file claims against us if they believe that certain content on our site violates their copyrights or other related legal rights. We have been, and may in the future be, subject to such claims in the PRC.

        In addition, we operate our platform primarily through our consolidated affiliated entities and their subsidiaries, and our ability to monitor content as described above depends in large part on the experience and skills of the management of, and our control over, those consolidated affiliated entities. Our control over the management and operations of our consolidated affiliated entities through contractual arrangements may not be as effective as that through direct ownership. See "—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—We rely on contractual arrangements with our VIE and its shareholders to operate our business, which may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing operational control and otherwise materially and adversely affect our business."

        Although we have not been subject to claims or lawsuits with respect to copyright infringement outside of China, we cannot assure you that we will not become subject to copyright laws or legal proceedings initiated by third parties in other jurisdictions, such as the United States, as a result of the ability of users to access our content in the United States and other jurisdictions, the ownership of our ADSs by investors in the United States and other jurisdictions, the extraterritorial application of foreign law by foreign courts, the fact that we sub-licensed content from licensors who in turn obtained their authorizations from content providers in the United States and other jurisdictions or otherwise. In addition, as a publicly listed company, we may be exposed to increased risk of litigation. If a claim of infringement brought against us in the United States or other jurisdictions is successful, we may be required to, upon enforcement, (i) pay substantial statutory or other damages and fines, (ii) remove relevant content from our platform or (iii) enter into royalty or license agreements which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms or at all.

We may not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property and prevent others from unauthorized use of our intellectual property, which could cause us to be less competitive and harm our business.

        We rely on a combination of copyright, trademark and other intellectual property laws and confidentiality agreements and other measures to protect our intellectual property rights. Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, unauthorized parties may attempt to copy or otherwise obtain and use our copyrighted content and other intellectual property. Monitoring such unauthorized use is difficult and costly, and we cannot be certain that the steps we have taken will prevent misappropriation. From time to time, we may have to resort to litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights, which could result in substantial costs and diversion of our resources. The PRC has historically afforded less protection to a company's intellectual property than the United States and the Cayman Islands, and therefore companies such as ours operating in the PRC face an increased risk of intellectual property piracy.

        In addition, we entered into a trademark transfer agreement with Xieli Zhucheng, pursuant to which it has agreed to transfer certain trademarks to us. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not finished the trademark transferring registration, which could impair our ability to protect our trademark rights and prevent others from unauthorized use of such trademarks.

29


Table of Contents

We may from time to time become a party to litigation, legal disputes, claims or administrative proceedings that may materially and adversely affect us.

        We may from time to time become a party to various litigation, legal disputes, claims or administrative proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business. We may also get involved in legal disputes, claims or litigation in connection with our major corporate actions. For example, in connection with our reorganization, shareholders of Xieli Zhucheng are entitled to designate an entity to subscribe for and/or receive shares of our company reflecting their respective indirect ownership percentages in our VIE before completion of the reorganization. Certain shareholder of Xieli Zhucheng, however, has not officially responded to Xieli Zhucheng's request for such designation. As such, Xieli Zhucheng designated an offshore entity to hold the shares that such shareholder is entitled to receive in the reorganization, which represent 1.4% of our total outstanding shares immediately prior to the completion of this offering, pending further instructions from such shareholder. We cannot assure you, however, that such shareholder will be satisfied with such arrangement or will not file any claim or lawsuit against Xieli Zhucheng or us to claim for damages or even challenge the validity of the reorganization and our contractual arrangements with our VIE.

        We cannot predict the outcome of any litigation, legal disputes, claims or administrative proceedings. If any verdict or award is rendered against us or if we decide to settle the disputes, we may be required to incur monetary damages or other liabilities. Even if we can successfully defend ourselves, we may have to incur substantial costs and spend substantial time and efforts in these lawsuits. Negative publicity relating to such litigation, legal disputes, claims or administrative proceedings may damage our reputation and adversely affect the image of our brand and services. Furthermore, any litigation, legal disputes, claims or administrative proceedings which are not of material importance may escalate due to the various factors involved, such as the facts and circumstances of the cases, the likelihood of winning or losing, the monetary amount at stake, and the parties concerned continue to evolve in the future, and such factors may result in these cases becoming of material importance to us. Consequently, any ongoing or future litigation, legal disputes, claims or administrative proceedings could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We have undertaken strategic partnerships which may not be successful. If our collaboration with any of our strategic partners is terminated or curtailed, or if we are no longer able to benefit from the business collaborations with our strategic partners, our business may be adversely affected.

        Our business has benefited from our collaborations with our strategic partners to provide services that are critical to our businesses. For example, through our strategic partnership with JingData, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Xieli Zhucheng, we collectively contribute to and manage a massive database of over 800,000 enterprises, which is essential to our business. If there is a material disruption in the business of JingData, or any systems failure or security breach or lapse from JingData, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected. We cannot assure you that such alliances or partnerships will make a positive contribution to our business, and we might not be able to maintain our cooperative relationships with our strategic partners and their respective affiliates in the future. If the services provided by these strategic partners become limited, compromised, restricted, curtailed or less effective or become more expensive or unavailable to us for any reason, our business may be materially and adversely affected. To the extent we cannot maintain our cooperative relationships with any of these strategic partners, it may be very difficult for us to identify other alternative partners, which may divert significant management attention from existing business operations and adversely impact our daily operation and customer experience.

30


Table of Contents

We rely on third-party online payment platforms as to certain aspects of our operations. If these payment services are restricted or curtailed in any way or become unavailable to us or our users for any reason, our business may be materially and adversely affected.

        Our customers may pay for our service using a variety of different online payment methods. We rely on third parties to process such payment. Acceptance and processing of these payment methods are subject to certain rules and regulations and require payment of interchange and other fees. To the extent there are increases in payment processing fees, material changes in the payment ecosystem, such as delays in receiving payments from payment processors and/or changes to rules or regulations concerning payment processing, our revenue, operating expenses and results of operation could be adversely impacted.

Our business, results of operations and financial condition may be harmed by service disruptions, or by our failure to timely and effectively scale and adapt our existing technology and infrastructure.

        We may experience service disruptions, outages and other performance problems due to a variety of factors, including infrastructure changes, human or software errors, hardware failure, capacity constraints due to an overwhelming number of people accessing our services simultaneously, computer viruses and denial of service, fraud and security attacks. Any disruption or failure in our infrastructure could hinder our ability to handle existing or increased traffic on our platform or cause us to lose content stored on our platform, which could significantly harm our business and our ability to retain existing users and attract new users.

        As the number of our users increases and as we continue to diversify into new content formats, we may be required to expand and adapt our technology and infrastructure to continue to reliably store, analyze and deliver content. It may become increasingly difficult to maintain and improve the performance of our services, especially during peak usage times, as our services become more complex and our user traffic increases. If our users are unable to access our platform or we are not able to make information available rapidly on our platform, or at all, users may become frustrated and seek other channels for their New Economy-focused content, and may not return to our platform or use our platform as often in the future, or at all. This would negatively impact our ability to attract users and maintain high level of user engagements as well as our ability to attract online advertising services customers.

Our operations depend on the performance of the Internet infrastructure and fixed telecommunications networks in China. Any malfunction, capacity constraint or operation interruption may have an adverse impact on our business.

        The successful operation of our business depends on the performance of the Internet infrastructure and telecommunications networks in China. Almost all access to the Internet is maintained through state-owned telecommunications operators under the administrative control and regulatory supervision of the MIIT. Moreover, we primarily rely on a limited number of telecommunication services providers to provide us with data communications capacity. We have limited access to alternative networks or services in the event of disruptions, failures or other problems with China's Internet infrastructure or the telecommunications networks provided by telecommunications services providers. With the expansion of our business, we may be required to upgrade our technology and infrastructure to keep up with the increasing traffic on our platform. However, we have no control over the costs of the services provided by telecommunications services providers. If the prices we pay for telecommunications and Internet services rise significantly, our results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. If Internet access fees or other charges to Internet users increase, our user traffic may decline and our business may be harmed.

31


Table of Contents

Privacy concerns relating to our services and the use of user information could damage our reputation, deter current and potential users and customers from using our services and negatively impact our business.

        We collect personal data from our users in order to better study and predict the preferences and demands of our users, and in turn tailor and recommend our content offerings accordingly. Concerns about the collection, use, disclosure or security of personal information or other privacy-related matters, even if unfounded, could damage our reputation, cause us to lose users and customers and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. While we strive to comply with applicable data protection laws and regulations, as well as our own posted privacy policies and other obligations we may have with respect to privacy and data protection, the failure or perceived failure to comply may result, and in some cases has resulted, in inquiries and other proceedings or actions against us by government agencies or others, as well as negative publicity and damage to our reputation and brand, each of which could cause us to lose users and customers, which could have an adverse effect on our business.

        Any systems failure or compromise of our security that results in the unauthorized access to or release of our users' or customers' data could significantly limit the adoption of our services, as well as harm our reputation and brand and, therefore, our business. We expect to continue to expend significant resources to protect against security breaches. The risk that these types of events could seriously harm our business is likely to increase as we expand the number of products and services we offer and expand our user base.

        New laws or regulations concerning data protection, or the interpretation and application of existing consumer and data protection laws or regulations, which is often uncertain and in flux, may be inconsistent with our practices. Complying with new laws and regulations could cause us to incur substantial costs or require us to change our business practices in a manner materially adverse to our business. See "Regulation—Regulation on Privacy Protection."

If our security measures are breached, or if our services are subject to attacks that degrade or deny the ability of users to access our services, our services may be perceived as not being secure, users may curtail or stop using our services and our business, results of operations and financial condition may be harmed.

        Our services involve the storage and transmission of users' information, and security breaches expose us to a risk of loss of this information, litigation and potential liability. Our user data is encrypted and saved on cloud-based servers, protected by access control, and further backed up in long-distance servers, so as to minimize the possibility of data loss or breach. Upon a security breach, our technical team will be notified immediately and diagnose and solve the technical problems. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not experienced any material incidents of security breach.

        Despite the security measures we have implemented, we may experience cyber-attacks of varying degrees, including attempts to hack into our user accounts or redirect our user traffic to other websites. Functions that facilitate interactivity with other mobile applications, which among other things allows users to log into our platform using their accounts or identities, could increase the scope of access of hackers to user accounts. Our security measures may also be breached due to employee error, malfeasance or otherwise. Additionally, outside parties may attempt to fraudulently induce employees or users to disclose sensitive information in order to gain access to our data or our users' data or accounts, or may otherwise obtain access to such data or accounts. Any such breach or unauthorized access could result in significant legal and financial exposure, damage to our reputation and a loss of confidence in the security of our services that could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade service or sabotage systems change frequently and often are not recognized until launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. If an actual or perceived breach of our security occurs, the market perception of

32


Table of Contents

the effectiveness of our security measures could be harmed, we could lose users and we may be exposed to significant legal and financial risks, including legal claims and regulatory fines and penalties. Any of these actions could have a material and adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our user and customer operating metrics and other estimates are subject to inherent challenges in measuring our operating performance, which may harm our reputation.

        We regularly review our operating metrics in relation to our users and customers to evaluate growth trends, measure our performance, and make strategic decisions. These metrics are calculated using our internal data as well as third-party platform's data, have not been validated by an independent third party, and may not be indicative of our future operation results. While these numbers are based on what we believe to be reasonable estimates for the applicable period of measurement, there are inherent challenges in measuring how our platform is used across a large population in China. For example, we may not be able to distinguish individual users who have multiple registered accounts across our self-operated platforms and third-party platforms. Errors or inaccuracies in our metrics or data could result in incorrect business decisions and inefficiencies. For instance, if a significant understatement or overstatement of active users were to occur, we might expend resources to implement unnecessary business measures or fail to take required actions to remedy an unfavorable trend. If online advertising services customers or investors do not perceive our user or other operating metrics to accurately represent our user base, or if we discover inaccuracies in our user or other operating metrics, our reputation may be harmed.

If we fail to implement and maintain an effective system of internal controls over financial reporting, we may be unable to accurately or timely report our results of operations or prevent fraud, and investor confidence and the market price of our ADSs may be materially and adversely affected.

        Prior to this offering, we were a private company with limited accounting personnel and other resources with which to address our internal controls and procedures. Our management has not completed an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, and our independent registered public accounting firm has not conducted an audit of our internal control over financial reporting. In the course of auditing our consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, we and our independent registered public accounting firm identified one material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting and other control deficiencies. The material weakness identified is our lack of sufficient competent financial reporting and accounting personnel with appropriate understanding of U.S. GAAP to design and implement formal period-end financial reporting controls and procedures to address U.S. GAAP technical accounting issues, and to prepare and review the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures in accordance with U.S. GAAP and financial reporting requirements set forth by the SEC. We are in the process of implementing a number of measures to address the identified material weakness and control deficiencies. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Internal Control Over Financial Reporting." However, we cannot assure you that these measures may fully address or remediate the material weakness and control deficiencies.

        Upon the completion of this offering, we will become a public company in the United States subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or Section 404, will require that we include a report from management on our internal control over financial reporting in our annual report on Form 20-F beginning with our annual report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020. In addition, once we cease to be an "emerging growth company" as such term is defined in the JOBS Act, our independent registered public accounting firm must attest to and report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Our management may conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is not effective. Moreover, even if our

33


Table of Contents

management concludes that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, our independent registered public accounting firm, after conducting its own independent testing, may issue a report that is qualified if it is not satisfied with our internal controls or the level at which our controls are documented, designed, operated or reviewed, or if it interprets the relevant requirements differently from us. In addition, after we become a public company, our reporting obligations may place a significant strain on our management, operational and financial resources and systems for the foreseeable future. We may be unable to timely complete our evaluation testing and any required remediation.

        During the course of documenting and testing our internal control procedures, in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 404, we may identify other or more material weaknesses or deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting. In addition, if we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting, as these standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, we may not be able to conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404. Generally speaking, if we fail to achieve and maintain an effective internal control environment, we could suffer material misstatements in our financial statements and fail to meet our reporting obligations, which would likely cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information. This could in turn limit our access to capital markets, harm our results of operations and lead to a decline in the trading price of our ADSs. Additionally, ineffective internal control over financial reporting could expose us to increased risk of fraud or misuse of corporate assets and subject us to potential delisting from the stock exchange on which we list, regulatory investigations and civil or criminal sanctions.

We have limited business insurance coverage which could expose us to significant costs and business disruption.

        Insurance companies in China offer limited business insurance products. We do not have any business liability or disruption insurance coverage for our operations in China. Any business disruption may result in our incurring substantial costs and the diversion of our resources, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate, which makes our results of operations difficult to predict and may cause our quarterly results of operations to fall short of expectations.

        Our quarterly operating results have fluctuated in the past and may continue to fluctuate depending upon a number of factors, many of which are out of our control. Our operating results tend to be seasonal. For instance, advertising and marketing activities tend to be less active during the first quarter, which is Chinese New Year holiday season. As compared to the first quarter, our online advertising services customers tend to increase advertising and marketing spending near the end of each calendar year when they spend their remaining annual budgets. Moreover, as most of our offline events are hosted in the fourth quarter of each year, we also experience increase in revenues during the fourth quarter of each year for our enterprise value-added services. For these reasons, comparing our operating results on a period-to-period basis may not be meaningful, and you should not rely on our past results as an indication of our future performance. Our quarterly and annual revenues and costs and expenses as a percentage of our revenues in a given period may be significantly different from our historical or projected rates and our operating results in future quarters may fall below expectations.

34


Table of Contents

We have granted, and may continue to grant, share incentives, which may have an adverse effect on our future profit.

        Beijing Duoke adopted a share incentive plan in December 2016, or the 2016 Share Incentive Plan, to enhance its ability to attract and retain exceptionally qualified individuals and to encourage them to acquire a proprietary interest in the growth and performance of us. In September 2019, 36Kr Holdings Inc. adopted a share incentive plan, which we refer to as the 2019 Share Incentive Plan. The 2016 Share Incentive Plan was canceled concurrently upon the adoption of the 2019 Share Incentive Plan, and each participant of the 2016 Share Incentive Plan is expected to receive corresponding grants under the 2019 Share Incentive Plan. As of the date of this prospectus, the maximum aggregate number of ordinary shares which may be issued pursuant to all awards under the 2019 Share Incentive Plan is 137,186,000. See "Management—Share Incentive Plan."

        In addition, prior to our incorporation, Xieli Zhucheng granted restricted share units to certain employees in relation to the New Economy-focused businesses which were transferred to us. As a result, the associated share-based compensation expenses of such employees were allocated to the consolidated financial statements of our Group as a contribution by the parent company. In 2017, 2018 and for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019, we recorded RMB4.9 million, RMB5.1 million (US$0.7 million), RMB2.7 million and RMB29.1 million (US$4.2 million), respectively, in share-based compensation expenses. We believe the granting of share-based awards is of significant importance to our ability to attract and retain key personnel and employees, and we will continue to grant share-based compensation to employees in the future. As a result, our expenses associated with share-based compensation may increase, which may have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

A severe and prolonged global economic recession and the slowdown in the Chinese economy may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

        The global macroeconomic environment is facing challenges, including the end of quantitative easing by the U.S. Federal Reserve, the economic slowdown in the Eurozone since 2014, uncertainties over the impact of Brexit and ongoing trade disputes and tariffs. The growth of the Chinese economy has slowed down since 2012 compared to the previous decade and the trend may continue. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, China's gross domestic product (GDP) growth was 6.6% in 2018. There is considerable uncertainty over the long-term effects of the monetary and fiscal policies adopted by the central banks and financial authorities of some of the world's leading economies, including the United States and China. There have been concerns over unrest and terrorist threats in the Middle East, Europe and Africa. There have also been concerns on the relationship between China and other countries, including surrounding Asian countries, which may potentially lead to foreign investors closing down their businesses or withdrawing their investments in China and, thus, exiting the China market, and other economic effects. In addition, there have also been concerns on the relationship between China and the U.S. following rounds of tariffs imposed by the U.S. and retaliatory tariffs imposed by China. It is unclear whether these challenges and uncertainties will be contained or resolved, and what effects they may have on the global political and economic conditions in the long term. Economic conditions in China are sensitive to global economic conditions, as well as changes in domestic economic and political policies and the expected or perceived overall economic growth rate in China. Any prolonged slowdown in the global or Chinese economy may have a negative impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition, and continued turbulence in the international markets may adversely affect our ability to access the capital markets to meet liquidity needs. Our customers may reduce or delay spending with us, while we may have difficulty expanding our customer base fast enough, or at all, to offset the impact of decreased spending by our existing customers. In addition, to the extent we offer credit to any customer and the customer experiences financial difficulties due to the economic slowdown, we could have difficulty collecting payment from the customer.

35


Table of Contents

Any catastrophe, including natural catastrophes and outbreaks of health pandemics and other extraordinary events, could disrupt our business operation.

        We are vulnerable to natural disasters and other calamities. Fire, floods, typhoons, earthquakes, power loss, telecommunications failures, break-ins, war, riots, terrorist attacks or similar events may give rise to server interruptions, breakdowns, system failures or Internet failures, which could cause the loss or corruption of data or malfunctions of software or hardware as well as adversely affect our ability to provide our services.

        Our business could also be adversely affected by the effects of Ebola virus disease, H1N1 flu, H7N9 flu, avian flu, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, or other epidemics. Our business operations could be disrupted if any of our employees is suspected of having Ebola virus disease, H1N1 flu, H7N9 flu, avian flu, SARS or another contagious disease or condition, since it could require our employees to be quarantined and/or our offices to be disinfected. In addition, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected to the extent that any of these epidemics harms the Chinese economy in general.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR CORPORATE STRUCTURE

If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating some of our operations in China do not comply with PRC regulations relating to the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations.

        Foreign investment in the value-added telecommunication services industry in China is extensively regulated and subject to numerous restrictions. The Special Administrative Measures for Entrance of Foreign Investment (Negative List 2019) provides that foreign investors are generally not allowed to own more than 50% of the equity interests in a commercial Internet content provider or other value-added telecommunication services provider other than an e-commerce services provider, and the Provisions on the Administration of Foreign-Invested Telecommunications Enterprises (2016 Revision) requires that the major foreign investor in a value-added telecommunication services provider in China must have experience in providing value-added telecommunications services overseas and maintain a good track record. In addition, foreign investors are prohibited from investing in companies engaged in Internet dissemination, Internet content provision, Internet news information services, online publishing businesses, certain Internet culture businesses, Internet audio-visual programs businesses and production and operation of radio and television programs. See "Regulation—Foreign Investment Law"

        We are a Cayman Islands company and our subsidiary in China is currently considered a foreign-invested enterprise. Accordingly, in practice, our PRC subsidiary is not eligible to provide value-added telecommunication services or conduct other businesses which foreign-owned companies are prohibited or restricted from conducting in China. To ensure strict compliance with the PRC laws and regulations, we conduct such business activities through our VIE, and its subsidiaries. Beijing Dake, our wholly owned subsidiary in China, has entered into a series of contractual arrangements with our VIE and its shareholders, which enables us to (i) exercise effective control over our VIE; (ii) receive substantially all of the economic benefits of our VIE; and (iii) have an exclusive option to purchase all or part of the equity interests and assets in our VIE when and to the extent permitted by PRC laws and regulations. For a description of these contractual arrangements, see "Corporate History and Structure."

        If the PRC government finds that our contractual arrangements do not comply with its restrictions on foreign investment in the value-added telecommunication services and other foreign prohibited services or if the PRC government otherwise finds that we, our VIE, or any of its subsidiaries are in violation of PRC laws or regulations or lack the necessary permits or licenses to operate our business,

36


Table of Contents

the relevant PRC regulatory authorities would have broad discretion in dealing with such violations or failures, including:

        Any of these events could cause significant disruption to our business operations and severely damage our reputation, which would in turn materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. If occurrence of any of these events results in our inability to direct the activities of our VIE that most significantly impact their economic performance and/or our failure to receive the economic benefits of our VIE, we may not be able to consolidate their operating results in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Substantial uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation and implementation of the newly enacted Foreign Investment Law of the PRC and how it may impact the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations.

        On March 15, 2019, the National People's Congress adopted the Foreign Investment Law of the PRC, which will become effective on January 1, 2020 and replace three existing laws regulating foreign investment in China, namely, the Wholly Foreign-Invested Enterprise Law of the PRC, the Sino-Foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law of the PRC and the Sino-Foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law of the PRC, together with their implementation rules and ancillary regulations. The Foreign Investment Law of the PRC embodies an expected PRC regulatory trend to rationalize its foreign investment regulatory regime in line with prevailing international practice and the legislative efforts to unify the corporate legal requirements for both foreign and domestic investments. However, since it is relatively new, uncertainties still exist in relation to its interpretation and implementation. For example, the Foreign Investment Law of the PRC adds a catch-all clause to the definition of "foreign investment" so that foreign investment, by its definition, includes "investments made by foreign investors in China through other means defined by other laws or administrative regulations or provisions promulgated by the State Council" without further elaboration on the meaning of "other means." It leaves leeway for the future legislations promulgated by the State Council to provide for contractual arrangements as a form of foreign investment. It is therefore uncertain whether our corporate structure will be seen as violating the foreign investment rules as we are currently leveraging the contractual arrangements to operate certain businesses in which foreign investors are prohibited from or restricted to investing. Furthermore, if future legislations prescribed by the State Council mandate further actions to be taken by companies with respect to existing contractual arrangements, we may face substantial uncertainties as to whether we can complete such actions in a timely manner, or at all. If we fail to take appropriate and timely measures to comply with any of these or similar regulatory compliance requirements, our current corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations could be materially and adversely affected.

37


Table of Contents

We rely on contractual arrangements with our VIE and its shareholders to operate our business, which may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing operational control and otherwise materially and adversely affect our business.

        We rely on contractual arrangements with our VIE, its shareholders, as well as certain of its subsidiaries to operate our business in China. For a description of these contractual arrangements, see "Corporate History and Structure." These contractual arrangements may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing us with control over our VIE. For example, our VIE and its shareholders could breach their contractual arrangements with us by, among other things, failing to conduct their operations in an acceptable manner or taking other actions that are detrimental to our interests. The revenues contributed by our VIE and its subsidiaries constituted substantially all of our revenues in 2017, 2018 and for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019.

        If we had direct ownership of our VIE, we would be able to exercise our rights as a shareholder to effect changes in the board of directors of our VIE, which in turn could implement changes, subject to any applicable fiduciary obligations, at the management and operational level. However, under the contractual arrangements, we expect to rely on the performance by our VIE and its shareholders of their respective obligations under the contracts to exercise control over our VIE. The shareholders of our VIE may not act in the best interests of our company or may not perform their obligations under these contracts. Such risks will exist throughout the period in which we operate our business through the contractual arrangements with our VIE and its shareholders. If any dispute relating to these contracts remains unresolved, we will have to enforce our rights under these contracts through the operations of PRC law and arbitration, litigation or other legal proceedings and therefore will be subject to uncertainties in the PRC legal system. See "—Any failure by our VIE or its shareholders to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them would have a material and adverse effect on our business." Therefore, our contractual arrangements with our VIE and its shareholders may not be as effective in controlling our business operations as direct ownership.

Any failure by our VIE or its shareholders to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them would have a material and adverse effect on our business.

        If our VIE or its shareholders fail to perform their respective obligations under the contractual arrangements, we could be limited in our ability to enforce the contractual arrangements that give us effective control over our business operations in the PRC and may have to incur substantial costs and expend additional resources to enforce such arrangements. We may also have to rely on legal remedies under PRC law, including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief, and claiming damages, which we cannot assure will be effective under PRC law. For example, if the shareholders of our VIE refuse to transfer their equity interest in our VIE to our PRC subsidiary or its designee after we exercise the purchase option pursuant to these contractual arrangements, or if they otherwise act in bad faith or otherwise fail to fulfill their contractual obligations, we may have to take legal actions to compel them to perform their contractual obligations. In addition, if there are any disputes or governmental proceedings involving any interest in such shareholders' equity interests in our VIE, our ability to exercise shareholders' rights or foreclose the share pledges according to the contractual arrangements may be impaired. If these disputes or proceedings were to impair our control over our VIE, we may not be able to maintain effective control over our business operations in the PRC and thus would not be able to continue to consolidate our VIE's financial results, which would in turn result in a material adverse effect on our business, operations and financial condition.

38


Table of Contents

All the agreements under our contractual arrangements are governed by PRC law and provide for the resolution of disputes through arbitration in China. Accordingly, these contracts would be interpreted in accordance with PRC law, and any disputes would be resolved in accordance with PRC legal procedures.

        All the agreements under our contractual arrangements are governed by PRC law and provide for the resolution of disputes through arbitration in China. Accordingly, these contracts would be interpreted in accordance with PRC law and any disputes would be resolved in accordance with PRC legal procedures. The legal system in the PRC is not as developed as in some other jurisdictions, such as the United States. As a result, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. Meanwhile, there are very few precedents and little formal guidance as to how contractual arrangements in the context of a VIE should be interpreted or enforced under PRC law. There remain significant uncertainties regarding the ultimate outcome of such arbitration should legal action become necessary. In addition, under PRC law, rulings by arbitrators are final, parties cannot appeal the arbitration results in courts, and if the losing parties fail to carry out the arbitration awards within a prescribed time limit, the prevailing parties may only enforce the arbitration awards in PRC courts through arbitration award recognition proceedings, which would require additional expenses and delay. In the event we are unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, or if we suffer significant delay or other obstacles in the process of enforcing these contractual arrangements, we may not be able to exert effective control over our VIE, and our ability to conduct our business may be negatively affected. See "—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system and the interpretation of laws and regulations could materially and adversely affect us."

Contractual arrangements in relation to our VIE may be subject to scrutiny by the PRC tax authorities and they may determine that we or our VIE owe additional taxes, which could negatively affect our financial condition and the value of your investment.

        Under applicable PRC laws and regulations, arrangements and transactions among related parties may be subject to audit or challenge by the PRC tax authorities within ten years after the taxable year when the transactions are conducted. We could face material and adverse tax consequences if the PRC tax authorities determine that the contractual arrangements between us and our VIE were not entered into on an arm's-length basis in such a way as to result in an impermissible reduction in taxes under applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations, and adjust the income of our VIE in the form of a transfer pricing adjustment. A transfer pricing adjustment could, among other things, result in a reduction of expense deductions recorded by our VIE for PRC tax purposes, which could in turn increase its tax liabilities without reducing our PRC subsidiary's tax expenses. In addition, the PRC tax authorities may impose additional tax liability on our VIE for the adjusted but unpaid taxes according to the applicable regulations. Our financial position could be materially and adversely affected if our VIE's tax liabilities increase or if it is required to pay late payment fees and other penalties.

The shareholders of our VIE may have actual or potential conflicts of interest with us, which may materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.

        The shareholders of our VIE may have actual or potential conflicts of interest with us. These shareholders may breach, or cause our VIE to breach, or refuse to renew, the existing contractual arrangements we have with them and our VIE, which would have a material and adverse effect on our ability to effectively control our VIE and receive economic benefits from them. For example, the shareholders may be able to cause our agreements with our VIE to be performed in a manner adverse to us by, among other things, failing to remit payments due under the contractual arrangements to us on a timely basis. We cannot assure you that when conflicts of interest arise any or all of these shareholders will act in the best interests of our company or such conflicts will be resolved in our favor. If we cannot resolve any conflict of interest or dispute between us and these shareholders, we would have to rely on legal proceedings, which could result in disruption of our business and subject us to substantial uncertainty as to the outcome of any such legal proceedings.

39


Table of Contents

We may lose the ability to use, or otherwise benefit from, the licenses, permits and assets held by our VIE.

        As part of our contractual arrangements with our VIE, our VIE holds certain assets, licenses and permits that are material to our business operations, including without limitation permits, licenses, domain names and most of our IP rights. The contractual arrangements contain terms that specifically obligate our VIE's shareholders to ensure the valid existence of our VIE and restrict the disposal of material assets of our VIE. However, in the event that our VIE's shareholders breach the terms of these contractual arrangements and voluntarily liquidate any of our VIE, or our VIE declares bankruptcy and all or part of its assets become subject to liens or rights of third-party creditors, or are otherwise disposed of or encumbered without our consent, we may be unable to conduct some or all of our business operations or otherwise benefit from the assets held by our VIE, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, under the contractual arrangements, our VIE may not, in any manner, sell, transfer, mortgage or dispose of their material assets or legal or beneficial interests in the business without our prior consent. If our VIE undergoes a voluntary or involuntary liquidation proceeding, its shareholders or unrelated third-party creditors may claim rights to some or all of the assets of our VIE, thereby hindering our ability to operate our business as well as constrain our growth.

RISKS RELATED TO DOING BUSINESS IN CHINA

Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system and the interpretation of laws and regulations could materially and adversely affect us.

        The PRC legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes. Unlike the common law system, prior court decisions under the civil law system may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value.

        In 1979, the PRC government began to promulgate a comprehensive system of laws and regulations governing economic matters in general. The overall effect of legislation over the past three decades has significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investments in China. However, China has not developed a fully integrated legal system, and recently enacted laws and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in China. In particular, the PRC legal system is based on written statutes and prior court decisions have limited value as precedents. Since these laws and regulations are relatively new and the PRC legal system continues to rapidly evolve, the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules may not be uniform and enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involves uncertainties. These uncertainties may affect our judgment on the relevance of legal requirements and our ability to enforce our contractual rights or tort claims. In addition, the regulatory uncertainties may be exploited through unmerited or frivolous legal actions or threats in attempts to extract payments or benefits from us. Furthermore, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules, some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all and may have a retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of any of these policies and rules until sometime after the violation. In addition, any administrative and court proceedings in China may be protracted, resulting in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention.

        In particular, PRC laws and regulations concerning the industries we operate are developing and evolving. Although we have taken measures to comply with the laws and regulations that are applicable to our business operations and avoid conducting any non-compliant activities under the applicable laws and regulations, the PRC governmental authorities may promulgate new laws and regulations regulating the industries we operate in the future. We cannot assure you that our practice would not be deemed to violate any new PRC laws or regulations relating to the industries we operate. Moreover, developments in the industries we operate may lead to changes in PRC laws, regulations and policies or

40


Table of Contents

in the interpretation and application of existing laws, regulations and policies that may limit or restrict us, which could materially and adversely affect our business and operations.

The custodians or authorized users of our controlling non-tangible assets, including chops and seals, may fail to fulfill their responsibilities, or misappropriate or misuse these assets.

        Under the PRC law, legal documents for corporate transactions, including agreements and contracts are executed using the chop or seal of the signing entity or with the signature of a legal representative whose designation is registered and filed with relevant PRC market regulation administrative authorities.

        In order to secure the use of our chops and seals, we have established internal control procedures and rules for using these chops and seals. In any event that the chops and seals are intended to be used, the responsible personnel will submit the application through our office automation system and the application will be verified and approved by authorized employees in accordance with our internal control procedures and rules. In addition, in order to maintain the physical security of our chops, we generally have them stored in secured locations accessible only to authorized employees. Although we monitor such authorized employees, the procedures may not be sufficient to prevent all instances of abuse or negligence. There is a risk that our employees could abuse their authority, for example, by entering into a contract not approved by us or seeking to gain control of one of our subsidiaries or our VIE. If any employee obtains, misuses or misappropriates our chops and seals or other controlling non-tangible assets for whatever reason, we could experience disruption to our normal business operations. We may have to take corporate or legal action, which could involve significant time and resources to resolve and divert management from our operations.

Changes in China's economic, political and social conditions as well as government policies could have a material adverse effect on our business and prospect.

        Substantially all of our operations are located in China. Accordingly, our business, prospect, financial condition and results of operations may be influenced to a significant degree by political, economic and social conditions in China generally, and by continued economic growth in China as a whole. The Chinese economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including the amount of government involvement, level of development, growth rate, control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources. Although the Chinese government has implemented measures emphasizing the utilization of market forces for economic reform, the reduction of state ownership of productive assets and the establishment of improved corporate governance in business enterprises, a substantial portion of productive assets in China is still owned by the government. In addition, the Chinese government continues to play a significant role in regulating industry development by imposing industrial policies. The Chinese government also exercises significant control over China's economic growth through allocating resources, controlling payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies.

        While the Chinese economy has experienced significant growth over the past decades, growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy. Any adverse changes in economic conditions in China, in the policies of the Chinese government or in the laws and regulations in China could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth of China. Such developments could adversely affect our business and operating results, lead to a reduction in demand for our services and adversely affect our competitive position. The Chinese government has implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources. Some of these measures may benefit the overall Chinese economy, but may have a negative effect on us. For example, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by government control over capital investments or changes in tax regulations. In addition, in the past the Chinese government has implemented certain measures, including interest rate adjustment, to control

41


Table of Contents

the pace of economic growth. These measures may cause decreased economic activity in China. Any prolonged slowdown in the Chinese economy may reduce the demand for our services and materially and adversely affect our business and operating results.

Certain judgments obtained against us by our shareholders may not be enforceable.

        We are a Cayman Islands company and substantially all of our current operations are conducted in China. In addition, most of our current directors and officers are nationals and residents of countries other than the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to bring an action against us or against these individuals in the United States in the event that you believe that your rights have been infringed under the U.S. federal securities laws or otherwise. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this kind, the laws of the Cayman Islands and of China may render you unable to enforce a judgment against our assets or the assets of our directors and officers. For more information regarding the relevant laws of the Cayman Islands and China, see "Enforceability of Civil Liabilities."

Regulation and censorship of information disseminated over the Internet in China may adversely affect our business and reputation and subject us to liability for information displayed on our platform.

        The PRC government has adopted regulations governing Internet access and the distribution of news and other information over the Internet. Under these regulations, Internet content providers and Internet publishers are prohibited from posting or displaying over the Internet content that, among other things, violates PRC laws and regulations, impairs the national dignity of China, or is reactionary, obscene, superstitious, fraudulent or defamatory. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the revocation of licenses to provide Internet content and other licenses, and the closure of the concerned websites. The website operator may also be held liable for such censored information displayed on or linked to the websites. If our platform is found to be in violation of any such requirements, we may be penalized by relevant authorities, and our operations or reputation could be adversely affected.

We may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, and any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to make payments to us and any tax we are required to pay could have a material and adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.

        We are a Cayman Islands holding company and, other than external financing, we rely principally on dividends and other distributions on equity from our PRC subsidiaries for our cash requirements, including the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders and for services of any debt we may incur. Our PRC subsidiaries' ability to distribute dividends is based upon their distributable earnings. Current PRC regulations permit our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to their respective shareholders only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, each of our PRC subsidiaries, our VIE and its subsidiaries is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital. Each of our PRC subsidiaries is also required to further set aside a portion of its after-tax profits to fund the employee welfare fund, although the amount to be set aside, if any, is determined at its discretion. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. If our PRC subsidiaries incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other payments to us. Any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to distribute dividends or other payments to their respective shareholders could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our businesses, pay dividends or otherwise fund and conduct our business.

42


Table of Contents

        In addition, the Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules provide that a withholding tax rate of up to 10% will be applicable to dividends payable by Chinese companies to non-PRC resident enterprises unless otherwise exempted or reduced according to treaties or arrangements between the PRC central government and governments of other countries or regions where the non-PRC resident enterprises are incorporated.

        In response to the persistent capital outflow and the RMB's depreciation against the U.S. dollar in the fourth quarter of 2016, the People's Bank of China, or the PBOC, and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, have implemented a series of capital control measures in the subsequent months, including stricter vetting procedures for China-based companies to remit foreign currency for overseas acquisitions, dividend payments and shareholder loan repayments. For instance, the PBOC issued the Circular on Further Clarification of Relevant Matters Relating to Offshore RMB Loans Provided by Domestic Enterprises, or PBOC Circular 306, on November 26, 2016, which provides that offshore RMB loans provided by a domestic enterprise to offshore enterprises with which it has an equity relationship shall not exceed 30% of the domestic enterprise's most recent audited owner's equity. PBOC Circular 306 may constrain our PRC subsidiaries' ability to provide offshore loans to us. The PRC government may continue to strengthen its capital controls and our PRC subsidiaries' dividends and other distributions may be subjected to tighter scrutiny in the future. Any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other distributions to us could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our business, pay dividends, or otherwise fund and conduct our business. See also "—We may be classified as a "PRC resident enterprise" for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, which could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders and ADS holders and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment."

        Under the Enterprise Income Tax Law of the PRC and related regulations, dividends, interests, rent or royalties payable by a foreign-invested enterprise, such as our PRC subsidiaries, to any of its foreign non-resident enterprise investors, and proceeds from any such foreign enterprise investor's disposition of assets (after deducting the net value of such assets) are subject to a 10% withholding tax, unless the foreign enterprise investor's jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China that provides for a reduced rate of withholding tax.

PRC regulation of loans to, and direct investment in, PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may restrict or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans to our PRC subsidiary and our VIE, or to make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiary.

        In utilizing the proceeds of this offering, we, as an offshore holding company, are permitted under PRC laws and regulations to provide funding to our PRC subsidiaries, which are treated as foreign-invested enterprises under PRC laws, through loans or capital contributions. However, loans by us to our PRC subsidiaries to finance their activities cannot exceed statutory limits and must be registered with the local counterpart of SAFE and capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries are subject to the requirement of making necessary filings in the Foreign Investment Comprehensive Management Information System, and registration with other governmental authorities in China.

        SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming the Administration of Foreign Exchange Settlement of Capital of Foreign-invested Enterprises, or Circular 19, effective on June 1, 2015, in replacement of the Circular on the Relevant Operating Issues Concerning the Improvement of the Administration of the Payment and Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, or SAFE Circular 142, the Notice from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Relevant Issues Concerning Strengthening the Administration of Foreign Exchange Businesses, or Circular 59, and the Circular on Further Clarification and Regulation of the Issues Concerning the Administration of Certain Capital Account Foreign Exchange

43


Table of Contents

Businesses, or Circular 45. According to Circular 19, the flow and use of the Renminbi capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company is regulated such that Renminbi capital may not be used for the issuance of Renminbi entrusted loans, the repayment of inter-enterprise loans or the repayment of banks loans that have been transferred to a third party. Although Circular 19 allows Renminbi capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested enterprise to be used for equity investments within the PRC, it also reiterates the principle that Renminbi converted from the foreign currency-denominated capital of a foreign-invested company may not be directly or indirectly used for purposes beyond its business scope. Thus, it is unclear whether SAFE will permit such capital to be used for equity investments in the PRC in actual practice. SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming and Standardizing the Foreign Exchange Settlement Management Policy of Capital Account, or Circular 16, effective on June 9, 2016, which reiterates some of the rules set forth in Circular 19, but changes the prohibition against using Renminbi capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company to issue Renminbi entrusted loans to a prohibition against using such capital to issue loans to non-associated enterprises. Violations of SAFE Circular 19 and Circular 16 could result in administrative penalties. Circular 19 and Circular 16 may significantly limit our ability to transfer any foreign currency we hold, including the net proceeds from our initial public offering and follow-on public offering, to our PRC subsidiaries, which may adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business in the PRC.

        Due to the restrictions imposed on loans in foreign currencies extended to any PRC domestic companies, we are not likely to make such loans to our VIE and its subsidiaries, each a PRC domestic company. Meanwhile, we are not likely to finance the activities of our VIE and its subsidiaries by means of capital contributions given the restrictions on foreign investment in the businesses that are currently conducted by our VIE and its subsidiaries.

        In light of the various requirements imposed by PRC regulations on loans to, and direct investment in, PRC entities by offshore holding companies, we cannot assure you that we will be able to complete the necessary government registrations or obtain the necessary government approvals on a timely basis, if at all, with respect to future loans to our PRC subsidiaries or our VIE or future capital contributions by us to our PRC subsidiaries. As a result, uncertainties exist as to our ability to provide prompt financial support to our PRC subsidiaries or our VIE and their subsidiaries when needed. If we fail to complete such registrations or obtain such approvals, our ability to use foreign currency, including the proceeds we received from our initial public offering, and to capitalize or otherwise fund our PRC operations may be negatively affected, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.

Fluctuations in exchange rates could have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment.

        The value of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in political and economic conditions in China and by China's foreign exchange policies. On July 21, 2005, the PRC government changed its decade-old policy of pegging the value of the Renminbi to the U.S. dollar, and the Renminbi appreciated more than 20% against the U.S. dollar over the following three years. Between July 2008 and June 2010, this appreciation halted and the exchange rate between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar remained within a narrow band. Since June 2010, the Renminbi has fluctuated against the U.S. dollar, at times significantly and unpredictably. On November 30, 2015, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the regular five-year review of the basket of currencies that make up the Special Drawing Right, or the SDR, and decided that with effect from October 1, 2016, Renminbi is determined to be a freely usable currency and will be included in the SDR basket as a fifth currency,

44


Table of Contents

along with the U.S. dollar, the Euro, the Japanese yen and the British pound. In the fourth quarter of 2016, the Renminbi has depreciated significantly in the backdrop of a surging U.S. dollar and persistent capital outflows of China. Moreover, there remains significant international pressure on the PRC government to adopt a more flexible currency policy, including from the U.S. government, which has labeled China as a "currency manipulator," which could result in greater fluctuation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar. With the development of the foreign exchange market and progress towards interest rate liberalization and Renminbi internationalization, the PRC government may in the future announce further changes to the exchange rate system and we cannot assure you that the Renminbi will not appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar in the future. It is difficult to predict how market forces or PRC or U.S. government policy may impact the exchange rate between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar in the future.

        Significant revaluation of the Renminbi may have a material and adverse effect on your investment. For example, to the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars we receive from this offering into Renminbi for our operations, appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the Renminbi amount we would receive from the conversion. Conversely, if we decide to convert our Renminbi into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making payments for dividends on our ordinary shares or ADSs or for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Renminbi would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amount available to us.

        Very limited hedging options are available in China to reduce our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations. To date, we have not entered into any hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. While we may decide to enter into hedging transactions in the future, the availability and effectiveness of these hedges may be limited and we may not be able to adequately hedge our exposure or at all. In addition, our currency exchange losses may be magnified by PRC exchange control regulations that restrict our ability to convert Renminbi into foreign currency.

Foreign exchange controls may limit our ability to utilize our revenues effectively and affect the value of your investment.

        The PRC government imposes foreign exchange controls on the convertibility of the Renminbi, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China. We receive substantially all of our revenues in Renminbi. Under our current corporate structure, our Cayman Islands holding company primarily relies on dividend payments from our PRC subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval of SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements. Specifically, under the existing exchange restrictions, without prior approval of SAFE, cash generated from the operations of our PRC subsidiaries in China may be used to pay dividends to our company. However, approval from or registration with appropriate government authorities is required where Renminbi is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. As a result, we need to obtain SAFE approval or registration to use cash generated from the operations of our PRC subsidiaries and VIE to pay off their respective debt in a currency other than Renminbi owed to entities outside China, or to make other capital expenditure payments outside China in a currency other than Renminbi. The PRC government may at its discretion restrict access to foreign currencies for current account transactions in the future. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currencies to satisfy our foreign currency demands, we may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to our shareholders and holders of the ADSs.

45


Table of Contents

The M&A Rules and certain other PRC regulations establish complex procedures for some acquisitions of Chinese companies by foreign investors, which could make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions in China.

        The Rules on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, adopted by six PRC regulatory agencies in 2006 and amended in 2009, and some other regulations and rules concerning mergers and acquisitions established additional procedures and requirements that could make merger and acquisition activities by foreign investors more time consuming and complex, including requirements in some instances that the anti-monopoly law enforcement agency be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC domestic enterprise. Moreover, the Anti-Monopoly Law of the PRC requires that the anti-monopoly law enforcement agency be notified in advance of any transaction where the parties' turnover in the China market and/or global market exceed certain thresholds and the buyer would obtain control of, or decisive influence over, the target as a result of the business combination. As further clarified by the Provisions of the State Council on the Threshold of Filings for Undertaking Concentrations issued by the State Council in 2008 and amended in September 2018, such thresholds include: (i) the total global turnover of all operators participating in the transaction exceeds RMB10 billion in the preceding fiscal year and at least two of these operators each had a turnover of more than RMB400 million within China in the preceding fiscal year, or (ii) the total turnover within China of all the operators participating in the transaction exceeded RMB2 billion in the preceding fiscal year, and at least two of these operators each had a turnover of more than RMB400 million within China in the preceding fiscal year. There are numerous factors the anti-monopoly law enforcement agency considers in determining "control" or "decisive influence," and, depending on certain criteria, the anti-monopoly law enforcement agency may conduct anti-monopoly review of transactions in respect of which it was notified. In light of the uncertainties relating to the interpretation, implementation and enforcement of the Anti-Monopoly Law of the PRC, we cannot assure you that the anti-monopoly law enforcement agency will not deem our past and future acquisitions or investments to have triggered filing requirement for anti-trust review. If we are found to have violated the Anti-Monopoly Law of the PRC for failing to file the notification of concentration and request for review, we could be subject to a fine of up to RMB500,000, and the parts of the transaction causing the prohibited concentration could be ordered to be unwound, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

        In addition, the Circular of the General Office of the State Council on the Establishment of Security Review System for the Merger and Acquisition of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors that became effective in March 2011, and the Rules on Implementation of Security Review System for the Merger and Acquisition of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors issued by the Ministry of Commerce that became effective in September 2011 specify that mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors that raise "national defense and security" concerns and mergers and acquisitions through which foreign investors may acquire de facto control over domestic enterprises that raise "national security" concerns are subject to strict review by the Ministry of Commerce, and the rules prohibit any activities attempting to bypass a security review, including by structuring the transaction through a proxy or contractual control arrangement. In the future, we may grow our business by acquiring complementary businesses. Complying with the requirements of the above-mentioned regulations and other relevant rules to complete such transactions could be time consuming, and any required approval processes, including obtaining approval from the Ministry of Commerce or its local counterparts may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions, which could affect our ability to expand our business or maintain our market share.

46


Table of Contents

PRC regulations relating to the establishment of offshore special purpose companies by PRC residents may subject our PRC resident beneficial owners or our PRC subsidiaries to liability or penalties, limit our ability to inject capital into our PRC subsidiaries, limit our PRC subsidiaries' ability to increase their registered capital or distribute profits to us, or may otherwise adversely affect us.

        SAFE promulgated the Circular on Issues Concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration over the Overseas Investment and Financing and Round-trip Investment by Domestic Residents via Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37, in July 2014. SAFE Circular 37 requires PRC residents or entities to register with SAFE or its local branches in connection with their establishment or control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of overseas investment or financing with such PRC residents or entities' legally owned assets or equity interests in domestic enterprises or offshore assets or interests. In addition, such PRC residents or entities must update their SAFE registrations when the offshore special purpose vehicle undergoes material events relating to any change of basic information (including change of such PRC citizens or residents, name and operation term), increases or decreases in investment amount, transfers or exchanges of shares, or mergers or divisions. According to the Circular of Further Simplifying and Improving the Policies of Foreign Exchange Administration Applicable to Direct Investment released in February 2015 by SAFE, local banks will examine and handle foreign exchange registration for overseas direct investment, including the initial foreign exchange registration and amendment registration, under SAFE Circular 37 from June 2015. See "Regulation—Regulations on Foreign Exchange and Offshore Investment."

        If our shareholders who are PRC residents or entities do not complete their registration with the local SAFE, the National Development and Reform Commission, or the NDRC, or MOC branches, our PRC subsidiaries may be prohibited from distributing their profits and proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation to us, and we may be restricted in our ability to contribute additional capital to our PRC subsidiaries. In addition, our shareholders may be required to suspend or stop the investment and complete the registration within a specified time, and may be warned or prosecuted for criminal liability if a crime is constituted. Moreover, failure to comply with the SAFE registration described above could result in liability under PRC laws for evasion of applicable foreign exchange restrictions.

        We have notified all PRC residents or entities who directly or indirectly hold shares in our Cayman Islands holding company and who are known to us as being PRC residents or entities to complete the foreign exchange registrations or outbound investment filings. However, we may not be informed of the identities of all the PRC residents or entities holding direct or indirect interest in our company, nor can we compel our beneficial owners to comply with SAFE registration or outbound investment filings requirements. As a result, we cannot assure you that all of our shareholders or beneficial owners who are PRC residents or entities have complied with, and will in the future make, obtain or update any applicable registrations or approvals required by SAFE, NDRC or MOC regulations. Failure by such shareholders or beneficial owners to comply with SAFE, NDRC or MOC regulations, or failure by us to amend the foreign exchange registrations of our PRC subsidiaries, could subject us to fines or legal sanctions, restrict our overseas or cross-border investment activities, limit our PRC subsidiaries' ability to make distributions or pay dividends to us or affect our ownership structure, which could adversely affect our business and prospects.

        Furthermore, as these foreign exchange and outbound investment regulations are still relatively new and their interpretation and implementation has been constantly evolving, it is unclear how these regulations, and any future regulation concerning offshore or cross-border transactions, will be interpreted, amended and implemented by the relevant government authorities. For example, we may be subject to a more stringent review and approval process with respect to our foreign exchange activities, such as remittance of dividends and foreign currency denominated borrowings, which may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, if we decide to acquire a PRC domestic company, we cannot assure you that we or the owners of such company, as the case may be, will be able to obtain the necessary approvals or complete the necessary filings and registrations required by the foreign exchange regulations. This may restrict our ability to implement our acquisition strategy and could adversely affect our business and prospects.

47


Table of Contents

Any failure to comply with PRC regulations regarding the registration requirements for employee share incentive plans may subject the PRC plan participants or us to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions.

        Pursuant to SAFE Circular 37, PRC residents who participate in share incentive plans in overseas non-publicly-listed companies may submit applications to SAFE or its local branches for the foreign exchange registration with respect to offshore special purpose companies. In the meantime, directors, executive officers and other employees who are PRC citizens or who are non-PRC residents residing in the PRC for a continuous period of not less than one year, subject to limited exceptions, and who have been granted share-based awards, may follow the Circular of the SAFE on Issues Concerning the Administration of Foreign Exchange Used for Domestic Individuals' Participation in Equity Incentive Plan of Overseas Listed Companies, promulgated by SAFE in 2012. Pursuant to the circular, PRC citizens and non-PRC citizens who reside in China for a continuous period of not less than one year who participate in any stock incentive plan of an overseas publicly listed company, subject to a few exceptions, are required to register with SAFE through a domestic qualified agent, which could be the PRC subsidiaries of such overseas listed company, and complete certain other procedures. In addition, an overseas entrusted institution must be retained to handle matters in connection with the exercise or sale of stock options and the purchase or sale of shares and interests. We, our directors, our executive officers and other employees who are PRC citizens or who reside in the PRC for a continuous period of not less than one year and who have been granted share-based awards will be subject to these regulations when our company becomes an overseas listed company upon the completion of this offering. Failure to complete the SAFE registrations may subject them to fines, and legal sanctions and may also limit our ability to contribute additional capital into our PRC subsidiaries and limit our PRC subsidiaries' ability to distribute dividends to us. We also face regulatory uncertainties that could restrict our ability to adopt additional incentive plans for our directors, executive officers and employees under PRC law. See "Regulation—Regulations on Foreign Exchange and Offshore Investment."

        The State Administration of Taxation has issued certain circulars concerning employee share options and restricted shares. Under these circulars, our employees working in China who exercise share options or are granted restricted shares will be subject to PRC individual income tax. Our PRC subsidiaries have obligations to file documents related to employee share options or restricted shares with relevant tax authorities and to withhold individual income taxes of those employees who exercise their share options. If our employees fail to pay or we fail to withhold their income taxes according to relevant laws and regulations, we may face sanctions imposed by the tax authorities or other PRC governmental authorities. See "Regulation—Regulations on Foreign Exchange and Offshore Investment."

The enforcement of the PRC Labor Contract Law and other labor-related regulations in the PRC may adversely affect our business and results of operations.

        The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress enacted the Labor Contract Law in 2008, and amended it on December 28, 2012. The Labor Contract Law introduced specific provisions related to fixed-term employment contracts, part-time employment, probationary periods, consultation with labor unions and employee assemblies, employment without a written contract, dismissal of employees, severance, and collective bargaining to enhance previous PRC labor laws. Under the Labor Contract Law, an employer is obligated to sign an non-fixed-term labor contract with any employee who has worked for the employer for ten consecutive years. Further, if an employee requests or agrees to renew a fixed-term labor contract that has already been entered into twice consecutively, the resulting contract, with certain exceptions, must have an unlimited term, subject to certain exceptions. With certain exceptions, an employer must pay severance to an employee where a labor contract is

48


Table of Contents

terminated or expires. In addition, the PRC governmental authorities have continued to introduce various new labor-related regulations since the effectiveness of the Labor Contract Law.

        Under the PRC Social Insurance Law and the Administrative Measures on Housing Fund, employees are required to participate in pension insurance, work-related injury insurance, medical insurance, unemployment insurance, maternity insurance, and housing funds and employers are required, together with their employees or separately, to pay the social insurance premiums and housing funds for their employees. If we fail to make adequate social insurance and housing fund contributions, we may be subject to fines and legal sanctions, and our business, financial conditions and results of operations may be adversely affected.

        These laws designed to enhance labor protection tend to increase our labor costs. In addition, as the interpretation and implementation of these regulations are still evolving, our employment practices may not be at all times be deemed in compliance with the regulations. As a result, we could be subject to penalties or incur significant liabilities in connection with labor disputes or investigations.

We may be classified as a "PRC resident enterprise" for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, which could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders and ADS holders and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment.

        Under the Enterprise Income Tax Law of the PRC and its implementation rules, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with a "de facto management body" within the PRC is considered a "resident enterprise" and will be subject to PRC enterprise income tax on its global income at the rate of 25%. The implementation rules define the term "de facto management body" as the body that exercises full and substantial control over and overall management of the business, personnel, accounts and properties of an enterprise. In April 2009, the State Administration of Taxation issued a circular, known as SAT Circular 82, which provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the "de facto management body" of a PRC-controlled enterprise that is incorporated offshore is located in China. Although this circular only applies to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise groups, not those controlled by PRC individuals or foreigners like us, the criteria set forth in the circular may reflect the State Administration of Taxation's general position on how the "de facto management body" test should be applied in determining the tax resident status of all offshore enterprises. According to SAT Circular 82, an offshore incorporated enterprise controlled by a PRC enterprise or a PRC enterprise group will be regarded as a PRC tax resident by virtue of having its "de facto management body" in China and will be subject to PRC enterprise income tax on its global income only if all of the following conditions are met: (i) the primary location of the day-to-day operational management is in the PRC; (ii) decisions relating to the enterprise's financial and human resource matters are made or are subject to approval by organizations or personnel in the PRC; (iii) the enterprise's primary assets, accounting books and records, company seals, and board and shareholder resolutions, are located or maintained in the PRC; and (iv) at least 50% of voting board members or senior executives habitually reside in the PRC.

        We believe none of our entities outside of China is a PRC resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes. However, the tax resident status of an enterprise is subject to determination by the PRC tax authorities and uncertainties remain with respect to the interpretation of the term "de facto management body." As a majority of our management members are based in China, it remains unclear how the tax residency rule will apply to our case. If the PRC tax authorities determine that our company or any of our subsidiaries outside of China is a PRC resident enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes, we may be subject to PRC enterprise income on our worldwide income at the rate of 25%, which could materially reduce our net income. In addition, we will also be subject to PRC enterprise income tax reporting obligations. Furthermore, we may be required to withhold a 10% withholding tax from dividends we pay to our shareholders that are non-resident enterprises, including the holders of the ADSs, if such income is treated as sourced from within the PRC. In addition,

49


Table of Contents

non-resident enterprise shareholders (including the ADS holders) may be subject to PRC tax at a rate of 10% on gains realized on the sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares, if such income is treated as sourced from within the PRC. Furthermore, if we are deemed a PRC resident enterprise, dividends paid to our non-PRC individual shareholders (including the ADS holders) and any gain realized on the transfer of ADSs or ordinary shares by such shareholders may be subject to PRC tax at a rate of 20% (which, in the case of dividends, may be withheld at source by us), if such income is deemed to be from PRC sources. These rates may be reduced by an applicable tax treaty, but it is unclear whether non-PRC shareholders of our company would be able to claim the benefits of any tax treaties between their country of tax residence and the PRC in the event that we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise. Any such tax may reduce the returns on your investment in the ADSs or ordinary shares.

We face uncertainty with respect to indirect transfers of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises by their non-PRC holding companies.

        On February 3, 2015, the State Administration of Taxation issued the Circular on Issues of Enterprise Income Tax on Indirect Transfers of Assets by Non-PRC Resident Enterprises, or SAT Circular 7. SAT Circular 7 extends its tax jurisdiction to transactions involving the transfer of taxable assets through offshore transfer of a foreign intermediate holding company. In addition, SAT Circular 7 has introduced safe harbors for internal group restructurings and the purchase and sale of equity through a public securities market. SAT Circular 7 also brings challenges to both foreign transferor and transferee (or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer) of taxable assets.

        On October 17, 2017, the State Administration of Taxation issued the Circular on Issues of Tax Withholding regarding Non-PRC Resident Enterprise Income Tax at Source, or SAT Circular 37, which came into effect on December 1, 2017. SAT Circular 37 further clarifies the practice and procedure of the withholding of nonresident enterprise income tax.

        Where a nonresident enterprise transfers taxable assets indirectly by disposing of the equity interests of an overseas holding company, which is known as an indirect transfer, the nonresident enterprise as either transferor or transferee, or the PRC entity that directly owns the taxable assets, may report such indirect transfer to the relevant tax authority. Using a "substance over form" principle, the PRC tax authority may disregard the existence of the overseas holding company if it lacks a reasonable commercial purpose and was established for the purpose of reducing, avoiding or deferring PRC tax. As a result, gains derived from such indirect transfer may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax, and the transferee or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer is obligated to withhold the applicable taxes, currently at a rate of 10% for the transfer of equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise. Both the transferor and the transferee may be subject to penalties under PRC tax laws if the transferee fails to withhold the taxes and the transferor fails to pay the taxes.

        We face uncertainties as to the reporting and other implications of certain past and future transactions where PRC taxable assets are involved, such as offshore restructuring, sale of the shares in our offshore subsidiaries and investments. Our company may be subject to filing obligations or taxed if our company is transferor in such transactions, and may be subject to withholding obligations if our company is transferee in such transactions, under SAT Circular 7 or SAT Circular 37. For transfer of shares in our company by investors who are non-PRC resident enterprises, our PRC subsidiaries may be requested to assist in the filing under SAT Circular 7 or SAT Circular 37. As a result, we may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with SAT Circular 7 or SAT Circular 37 or to request the relevant transferors from whom we purchase taxable assets to comply with these circulars, or to establish that our company should not be taxed under these circulars, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

50


Table of Contents

The audit report included in this prospectus is prepared by an auditor who is not inspected by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and, as such, you are deprived of the benefits of such inspection.

        Our independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit reports included in this prospectus filed with the SEC, as an auditor of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or the PCAOB, is subject to laws in the United States pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts regular inspections to assess its compliance with professional standards. Since our auditors are located in China, a jurisdiction where the PCAOB has been unable to conduct inspections without the approval of the Chinese authorities, our auditors are not currently inspected by the PCAOB. In May 2013, PCAOB announced that it had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding on Enforcement Cooperation with the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or CSRC and the PRC Ministry of Finance, which establishes a cooperative framework between the parties for the production and exchange of audit documents relevant to investigations undertaken by PCAOB, the CSRC or the PRC Ministry of Finance in the United States and the PRC, respectively. PCAOB continues to be in discussions with the CSRC, and the PRC Ministry of Finance to permit joint inspections in the PRC of audit firms that are registered with PCAOB and audit Chinese companies that trade on U.S. exchanges.

        On December 7, 2018, the SEC and the PCAOB issued a joint statement highlighting continued challenges faced by the U.S. regulators in their oversight of financial statement audits of U.S.-listed companies with significant operations in China. However, it remains unclear what further actions, if any, the SEC and PCAOB will take to address the problem.

        Inspections of other firms that the PCAOB has conducted outside of China have identified deficiencies in those firms' audit procedures and quality control procedures, which may be addressed as part of the inspection process to improve future audit quality. The lack of PCAOB inspections in China prevents the PCAOB from regularly evaluating our auditor' audits and its quality control procedures. As a result, investors may be deprived of the benefits of PCAOB inspections.

        The inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of auditors in China makes it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of our auditors' audit procedures or quality control procedures as compared to auditors outside of China that are subject to PCAOB inspections. Investors may lose confidence in our reported financial information and procedures and the quality of our financial statements.

Proceedings instituted by the SEC against certain PRC-based accounting firms, including our independent registered public accounting firm, could result in financial statements being determined to not be in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act.

        In December 2012, the SEC instituted administrative proceedings against the Big Four PRC-based accounting firms, including our independent registered public accounting firm, alleging that these firms had violated U.S. securities laws and the SEC's rules and regulations thereunder by failing to provide to the SEC the firms' audit work papers with respect to certain PRC-based companies that are publicly traded in the United States.

        On January 22, 2014, the administrative law judge, or the ALJ, presiding over the matter rendered an initial decision that each of the firms had violated the SEC's rules of practice by failing to produce audit papers and other documents to the SEC. The initial decision censured each of the firms and barred them from practicing before the SEC for a period of six months.

        On February 6, 2015, the four China-based accounting firms each agreed to a censure and to pay a fine to the SEC to settle the dispute and avoid suspension of their ability to practice before the SEC and audit U.S.-listed companies. The settlement required the firms to follow detailed procedures and to seek to provide the SEC with access to Chinese firms' audit documents via the CSRC. Under the terms of the settlement, the underlying proceeding against the four China-based accounting firms was deemed

51


Table of Contents

dismissed with prejudice four years after entry of the settlement. The four-year mark occurred on February 6, 2019. While we cannot predict if the SEC will further challenge the four China-based accounting firms' compliance with U.S. law in connection with U.S. regulatory requests for audit work papers or if the results of such a challenge would result in the SEC imposing penalties such as suspensions, if the accounting firms are subject to additional remedial measures, our ability to file our financial statements in compliance with SEC requirements could be impacted. A determination that we have not timely filed financial statements in compliance with SEC requirements could ultimately lead to the delisting of our ADSs from the NASDAQ or the termination of the registration of our ADSs under the Exchange Act, or both, which would substantially reduce or effectively terminate the trading of our ADSs in the United States.

RISKS RELATED TO THE ADSs AND THIS OFFERING

An active trading market for our ordinary shares or the ADSs may not develop and the trading price for the ADSs may fluctuate significantly.

        We will apply to list the ADSs on the NASDAQ. We have no current intention to seek a listing for our ordinary shares on any stock exchange. Prior to the completion of this offering, there has been no public market for the ADSs or our ordinary shares, and we cannot assure you that a liquid public market for the ADSs will develop. If an active public market for the ADSs does not develop following the completion of this offering, the market price and liquidity of the ADSs may be materially and adversely affected. The initial public offering price for the ADSs will be determined by negotiation between us and the underwriters based upon several factors, and we can provide no assurance that the trading price of the ADSs after this offering will not decline below the initial public offering price. As a result, investors in our securities may experience a significant decrease in the value of their ADSs.

The trading price of the ADSs is likely to be volatile, which could result in substantial losses to investors.

        The trading price of the ADSs is likely to be volatile and could fluctuate widely due to multiple factors, some of which are beyond our control. This may happen because of broad market and industry factors, including the performance and fluctuation of the market prices of other companies with business operations located mainly in China that have listed their securities in the United States. In addition to market and industry factors, the price and trading volume for the ADSs may be highly volatile for factors, including the following:

52


Table of Contents

        Any of these factors may result in large and sudden changes in the volume and price at which the ADSs will trade.

        In the past, shareholders of public companies have often brought securities class action suits against those companies following periods of instability in the market price of their securities. If we were involved in a class action suit, it could divert a significant amount of our management's attention and other resources from our business and operations and require us to incur significant expenses to defend the suit, which could harm our results of operations. Any such class action suit, whether or not successful, could harm our reputation and restrict our ability to raise capital in the future. In addition, if a claim is successfully made against us, we may be required to pay significant damages, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Because the initial public offering price is substantially higher than the pro forma net tangible book value per share, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution.

        If you purchase ADSs in this offering, you will pay more for each ADS than the corresponding amount paid by existing shareholders for their ordinary shares. As a result, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution of US$            per ADS, assuming that no outstanding options to acquire ordinary shares are exercised. This number represents the difference between the initial public offering price of US$            per ADS, and our pro forma net tangible book value per ADS as of            , 2019, after giving effect to this offering. You may experience further dilution to the extent that our ordinary shares are issued upon exercise of any share options. See "Dilution" for a more complete description of how the value of your investment in our ADSs will be diluted upon completion of this offering.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or if they adversely change their recommendations regarding the ADSs, the market price for the ADSs and trading volume could decline.

        The trading market for the ADSs will be influenced by research or reports that industry or securities analysts publish about our business. If one or more analysts who cover us downgrade the ADSs, the market price for the ADSs would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease to cover us or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause the market price or trading volume for the ADSs to decline.

The sale or availability for sale of substantial amounts of the ADSs could adversely affect their market price.

        Sales of substantial amounts of the ADSs in the public market after the completion of this offering, or the perception that these sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of the ADSs and could materially impair our ability to raise capital through equity offerings in the future. The ADSs sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act. [In connection with this offering, we, our directors, executive officers and existing shareholders holding substantially all of our issued ordinary shares have agreed not to sell any ordinary shares or ADSs for 180 days after the date of this prospectus without the prior written consent of the representatives of the underwriters, subject to certain exceptions.] However, the underwriters may release these shares from these restrictions at any time, subject to applicable regulations of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. Any sale or perceived sale of the shares into the market may cause the price of ADSs to decline. See "Underwriting" and "Shares Eligible for Future Sale" for a more detailed description of the restrictions on selling our securities after this offering.

53


Table of Contents

Techniques employed by short sellers may drive down the market price of the ADSs.

        Short selling is the practice of selling securities that the seller does not own but rather has borrowed from a third party with the intention of buying identical securities back at a later date to return to the lender. The short seller hopes to profit from a decline in the value of the securities between the sale of the borrowed securities and the purchase of the replacement shares, as the short seller expects to pay less in that purchase than it received in the sale. As it is in the short seller's interest for the price of the security to decline, many short sellers publish, or arrange for the publication of, negative opinions and allegations regarding the relevant issuer and its business prospects in order to create negative market momentum and generate profits for themselves after selling a security short. These short attacks have, in the past, led to selling of shares in the market. If we were to become the subject of any unfavorable allegations, whether such allegations are proven to be true or untrue, we could have to expend a significant amount of resources to investigate such allegations and/or defend ourselves. While we would strongly defend against any such short seller attacks, we may be constrained in the manner in which we can proceed against the relevant short seller by principles of freedom of speech, applicable state law or issues of commercial confidentiality.

You may be subject to limitations on the transfer of the ADSs.

        The ADSs are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its books at any time or from time to time when it deems it expedient in connection with the performance of its duties. The depositary may close its books in emergencies, and on weekends and public holidays. The depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of the ADSs generally when our share register or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we or the depositary thinks it is advisable to do so because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body, or under any provision of the deposit agreement, or for any other reason.

Because we do not expect to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future after this offering, you must rely on a price appreciation of the ADSs for a return on your investment.

        We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings after this offering to fund the development and growth of our business. As a result, we do not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Therefore, you should not rely on an investment in the ADSs as a source for any future dividend income.

        Our board of directors has complete discretion as to whether to distribute dividends, subject to certain requirements of Cayman Islands law. In addition, our shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our directors. Under Cayman Islands law, a Cayman Islands company may pay a dividend out of either profit or share premium account, provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in the company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. Even if our board of directors decides to declare and pay dividends, the timing, amount and form of future dividends, if any, will depend on our future results of operations and cash flow, our capital requirements and surplus, the amount of distributions, if any, received by us from our subsidiaries, our financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. Accordingly, the return on your investment in the ADSs will likely depend entirely upon any future price appreciation of the ADSs. There is no guarantee that the ADSs will appreciate in value after this offering or even maintain the price at which you purchased the ADSs. You may not realize a return on your investment in the ADSs and you may even lose your entire investment in the ADSs.

54


Table of Contents

The approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission may be required in connection with this offering under PRC law.

        The M&A Rules purport to require offshore special purpose vehicles that are controlled by PRC companies or individuals and that have been formed for the purpose of seeking a public listing on an overseas stock exchange through acquisitions of PRC domestic companies or assets to obtain CSRC approval prior to publicly listing their securities on an overseas stock exchange. In September 2006, the CSRC published a notice on its official website specifying documents and materials required to be submitted to it by a special purpose vehicle seeking CSRC approval of its overseas listings. The interpretation and application of the regulations remain unclear, and this offering may ultimately require approval from the CSRC. If CSRC approval is required, it is uncertain whether it would be possible for us to obtain the approval, and any failure to obtain or delay in obtaining CSRC approval for this offering would subject us to sanctions imposed by the CSRC and other PRC regulatory agencies.

        Jingtian & Gongcheng, our PRC legal counsel, has advised us that, based on its understanding of the current PRC laws and regulations, we will not be required to submit an application to the CSRC for the approval of the listing and trading of the ADSs on the NASDAQ because (i) the CSRC currently has not issued any definitive rule or interpretation concerning whether offerings like ours under this prospectus are subject to this regulation; (ii) we established the PRC subsidiaries that are wholly owned foreign enterprises by means of investment and not through a merger or acquisition of the equity or assets of a "PRC domestic company" as such term is defined under the M&A Rules; and (iii) no explicit provision in the M&A Rules classifies the contractual arrangements between us and our VIE as a type of acquisition transaction falling under the M&A Rules.

        However, our PRC legal counsel has further advised us that there remains some uncertainty as to how the M&A Rules or any other PRC laws and regulations, including but not limited to the Notice of the State Council on Further Strengthening the Administration of Share Issues and Listing Overseas, will be interpreted or implemented in the context of an overseas offering our PRC legal opinions summarized above are subject to any new laws, rules and regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations in any form relating to the M&A Rules. We cannot assure you that relevant PRC government agencies, including the CSRC, would reach the same conclusion as our PRC legal counsel, and hence we may face regulatory actions or other sanctions from the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies. These regulatory agencies may impose fines and penalties on our operations in China, limit our ability to pay dividends outside of China, limit our operating privileges in China, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from this offering into China or take other actions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, as well as the trading price of the ADSs. The CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies also may take actions requiring us, or making it advisable for us, to halt this offering before settlement and delivery of the ADSs offered hereby. Consequently, if you engage in market trading or other activities in anticipation of and prior to settlement and delivery, you do so at the risk that settlement and delivery may not occur. In addition, if the CSRC or other regulatory agencies later promulgate new rules or explanations requiring that we obtain their approvals for this offering, we may be unable to obtain a waiver of such approval requirements, if and when procedures are established to obtain such a waiver. Any uncertainties and/or negative publicity regarding such approval requirement could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of the ADSs.

Our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association contain anti-takeover provisions that could have a material adverse effect on the rights of holders of our ordinary shares and the ADSs.

        We have adopted an amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that will become effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering. Our post-offering amended and

55


Table of Contents

restated memorandum and articles of association contain provisions to limit the ability of others to acquire control of our company or cause us to engage in change-of-control transactions. These provisions could have the effect of depriving our shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging third parties from seeking to obtain control of our company in a tender offer or similar transaction. Our board of directors has the authority, without further action by our shareholders, to issue preferred shares in one or more series and to fix their designations, powers, preferences, privileges, and relative participating, optional or special rights and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, any or all of which may be greater than the rights associated with our ordinary shares, in the form of ADS or otherwise. Preferred shares could be issued quickly with terms calculated to delay or prevent a change in control of our company or make removal of management more difficult. If our board of directors decides to issue preferred shares, the price of the ADSs representing our ordinary shares may fall and the voting and other rights of the holders of our ordinary shares and the ADSs may be materially and adversely affected.

You may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through U.S. courts may be limited, because we are incorporated under Cayman Islands law.

        We are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. Our corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Law (2018 Revision) of the Cayman Islands and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against our directors, actions by our minority shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from the common law of England, the decisions of whose courts are of persuasive authority, but are not binding, on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands have a less developed body of securities laws than the United States. Some U.S. states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the Cayman Islands. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States.

        Shareholders of Cayman Islands exempted companies like us have no general rights under Cayman Islands law to inspect corporate records or to obtain copies of lists of shareholders of these companies. Our directors have discretion under our articles of association that will become effective immediately prior to completion of this offering to determine whether or not, and under what conditions, our corporate records may be inspected by our shareholders, but are not obliged to make them available to our shareholders. This may make it more difficult for you to obtain the information needed to establish any facts necessary for a shareholder motion or to solicit proxies from other shareholders in connection with a proxy contest.

        As a result of all of the above, our public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by our management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a company incorporated in the United States. For a discussion of significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Law (2018 Revision) of the Cayman Islands and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders, see "Description of Share Capital—Differences in Corporate Law."

56


Table of Contents

ADSs holders may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to claims arising under the deposit agreement, which could result in less favorable outcomes to the plaintiff(s) in any such action.

        The deposit agreement governing the ADSs representing our Class A ordinary shares provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, ADS holders waive the right to a jury trial for any claim they may have against us or the depositary arising out of or relating to our shares, the ADSs or the deposit agreement, including any claim under the U.S. federal securities laws.

        If we or the depositary were to oppose a jury trial based on this waiver, the court would have to determine whether the waiver was enforceable based on the facts and circumstances of the case in accordance with applicable state and federal law. To our knowledge, the enforceability of a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver in connection with claims arising under the federal securities laws has not been finally adjudicated by the United States Supreme Court. However, we believe that a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver provision is generally enforceable, including under the laws of the State of New York, which govern the deposit agreement, or by a federal or state court in the City of New York, which has non-exclusive jurisdiction over matters arising under the deposit agreement. In determining whether to enforce a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver, courts will generally consider whether a party knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily waived the right to a jury trial. We believe that this would be the case with respect to the deposit agreement and the ADSs. It is advisable that you consult legal counsel regarding the jury waiver provision before investing in the ADSs.

        If you or any other holders or beneficial owners of ADSs bring a claim against us or the depositary in connection with matters arising under the deposit agreement or the ADSs, including claims under federal securities laws, you or such other holder or beneficial owner may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to such claims, which may have the effect of limiting and discouraging lawsuits against us or the depositary. If a lawsuit is brought against us or the depositary under the deposit agreement, it may be heard only by a judge or justice of the applicable trial court, which would be conducted according to different civil procedures and may result in different outcomes than a trial by jury would have, including outcomes that could be less favorable to the plaintiff(s) in any such action.

        Nevertheless, if this jury trial waiver is not permitted by applicable law, an action could proceed under the terms of the deposit agreement with a jury trial. No condition, stipulation or provision of the deposit agreement or the ADSs serves as a waiver by any holder or beneficial owner of ADSs or by us or the depositary of compliance with any substantive provision of the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

The voting rights of holders of ADSs are limited by the terms of the deposit agreement, and you may not be able to exercise your right to direct the voting of your Class A ordinary shares underlying the ADSs.

        Holders of ADSs do not have the same rights as our registered shareholders. As a holder of the ADSs, you will not have any direct right to attend general meetings of our shareholders or to cast any votes at such meetings. You will only be able to exercise the voting rights which attach to the Class A ordinary shares underlying the ADSs indirectly by giving voting instructions to the depositary in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement. Under the deposit agreement, you may vote only by giving voting instructions to the depositary, as holder of the Class A ordinary shares underlying the ADSs. If we ask for your instructions, then upon receipt of your voting instructions, the depositary will try to vote the underlying Class A ordinary shares in accordance with these instructions. If we do not instruct the depositary to ask for your instructions, the depositary may still vote in accordance with instructions you give, but it is not required to do so. You will not be able to directly exercise any right to vote with respect to the underlying Class A ordinary shares unless you withdraw the shares underlying your ADSs and become the registered holder of such shares prior to the record date for the general meeting. When a general meeting is convened, you may not receive sufficient advance notice of the meeting to enable you to withdraw the shares underlying the ADSs and become the registered

57


Table of Contents

holder of such shares prior to the record date for the general meeting to allow you to attend the general meeting and to vote directly with respect to any specific matter or resolution to be considered and voted upon at the general meeting. In addition, under our post-offering articles of association that will become effective immediately prior to completion of this offering, for the purposes of determining those shareholders who are entitled to attend and vote at any general meeting, our directors may close our register of members and/or fix in advance a record date for such meeting, and such closure of our register of members or the setting of such a record date may prevent you from withdrawing the Class A ordinary shares underlying the ADSs and becoming the registered holder of such shares prior to the record date, so that you would not be able to attend the general meeting or to vote directly. Where any matter is to be put to a vote at a general meeting, upon our instruction, the depositary will notify you of the upcoming vote and to deliver our voting materials to you. Under our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that will become effective immediately upon completion of this offering, the minimum notice period required to be given by our company to our registered shareholders for convening a general meeting is fifteen (15) days. We cannot assure you that you will receive the voting material in time to ensure you can direct the depositary to vote your shares. In addition, the depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting instructions or for their manner of carrying out your voting instructions. This means that you may not be able to exercise your right to direct how the shares underlying the ADSs are voted and you may have no legal remedy if the shares underlying the ADSs are not voted as you requested.

Certain of our existing shareholders have substantial influence over our company, and their interests may not be aligned with the interests of our other stockholders.

        Dagang Feng, our chief executive officer and the co-chairman of our board of directors, currently holds approximately 17.5% voting power, including his sole voting power and the shared voting power resulting from arrangement under acting-in-concert agreements entered into in September 2019. For more information, see "Principal Shareholders". Upon the completion of the offering, due to dual-class share structure, Mr. Feng is expected to own approximately            % of our voting power. Mr. Feng is expected to continue to have significant influence over our business, including decisions regarding mergers, consolidations, liquidations and the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, election of directors and other significant corporate actions. This concentration of ownership may also have the effect of discouraging, delaying or preventing a future change of control, which could deprive our stockholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their shares as part of a sale of our company and might reduce the price of our ADSs. Furthermore, in case that Mr. Feng controls a majority of our voting stock upon the completion of the offering, he may pursue corporate opportunities independent of us.

Our dual-class share structure with different voting rights will limit your ability to influence corporate matters and could discourage others from pursuing any change of control transactions that holders of our Class A ordinary shares and ADSs may view as beneficial.

        We have adopted a dual-class share structure such that our ordinary shares will consist of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares conditional upon and effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering. In respect of matters requiring the votes of shareholders, each Class A ordinary share is entitled to one vote and each Class B ordinary share is entitled to 25 votes. Each Class B ordinary share is convertible into one Class A ordinary share at any time by the holder thereof. Class A ordinary shares are not convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances. We will sell Class A ordinary shares represented by our ADSs in this offering.

        Conditional upon and effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering, Palopo Holding Limited, an entity wholly owned by Dagang Feng, and 36Kr Heros Holding Limited, an entity wholly owned by Chengcheng Liu, will beneficially own all of our issued and outstanding Class B

58


Table of Contents

ordinary shares. Based on an assumed initial public offering price of US$            per ADS, the mid-point of the estimated public offering price range shown on the front cover of this prospectus, these Class B ordinary shares will constitute approximately        % of our total issued and outstanding share capital and        % of the aggregate voting power of our total issued and outstanding share capital immediately upon the completion of this offering, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option.

        As a result of this dual-class share structure, the holders of our Class B ordinary shares will have concentrated control over the outcome of matters put to a vote of shareholders and have significant influence over our business, including decisions regarding mergers, consolidations, liquidations and the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, election of directors and other significant corporate actions. The holders of Class B ordinary shares may take actions that are not in the best interest of us or our other shareholders or holders of the ADSs. This concentration of ownership may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company, which could have the effect of depriving our other shareholders of the opportunity to receive a premium for their shares as part of a sale of our company and may reduce the price of the ADSs. This concentrated control will limit your ability to influence corporate matters and could discourage others from pursuing any potential merger, takeover or other change of control transactions that holders of Class A ordinary shares and ADSs may view as beneficial. In addition, future issuances of Class B ordinary shares may be dilutive to the holders of Class A ordinary shares. As a result, the market price of our Class A ordinary shares could be adversely affected.

You may experience dilution of your holdings due to the inability to participate in rights offerings.

        We may, from time to time, distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire securities. Under the deposit agreement, the depositary will not distribute rights to holders of ADSs unless the distribution and sale of rights and the securities to which these rights relate are either exempt from registration under the Securities Act with respect to all holders of ADSs, or are registered under the provisions of the Securities Act. The depositary may, but is not required to, attempt to sell these undistributed rights to third parties, and may allow the rights to lapse. We may be unable to establish an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, and we are under no obligation to file a registration statement with respect to these rights or underlying securities or to endeavor to have a registration statement declared effective. Accordingly, holders of ADSs may be unable to participate in our rights offerings and may experience dilution of their holdings as a result.

As a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, we are permitted to adopt certain home country practices in relation to corporate governance matters that differ significantly from the NASDAQ corporate governance listing standards. These practices may afford less protection to shareholders than they would enjoy if we complied fully with the NASDAQ corporate governance listing standards.

        As a Cayman Islands company listed on the NASDAQ, we are subject to the NASDAQ corporate governance listing standards. However, the NASDAQ rules permit a foreign private issuer like us to follow the corporate governance practices of its home country. Certain corporate governance practices in the Cayman Islands, which is our home country, may differ significantly from the NASDAQ corporate governance listing standards. We intend to follow Cayman Islands corporate governance practices in lieu of the corporate governance requirements of the NASDAQ that listed companies must have: (i) a majority of independent directors; (ii) the establishment of a nominating/corporate governance committee composed entirely of independent directors; and (iii) a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors. As a result of our reliance on the "foreign private issuer" exemptions, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they otherwise would enjoy under the NASDAQ corporate governance listing standards applicable to U.S. domestic issuers.

59


Table of Contents

We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act, and as such we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to U.S. domestic public companies.

        Because we qualify as a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act, we are exempt from certain provisions of the securities rules and regulations in the United States that are applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, including:

        We will be required to file an annual report on Form 20-F within four months of the end of each fiscal year. In addition, we intend to publish our results on a quarterly basis as press releases, distributed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the NASDAQ. Press releases relating to financial results and material events will also be furnished to the SEC on Form 6-K. However, the information we are required to file with or furnish to the SEC will be less extensive and less timely compared to that required to be filed with the SEC by U.S. domestic issuers. As a result, you may not be afforded the same protections or information that would be made available to you were you investing in a U.S. domestic issuer.

We will incur increased costs as a result of being a public company, particularly after we cease to qualify as an "emerging growth company."

        Upon completion of this offering, we will become a public company and expect to incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as rules subsequently implemented by the SEC and the NASDAQ, impose various requirements on the corporate governance practices of public companies. As a company with less than US$1.07 billion in revenues for our last fiscal year, we qualify as an "emerging growth company" pursuant to the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other requirements that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include exemption from the auditor attestation requirement under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or Section 404, in the assessment of the emerging growth company's internal control over financial reporting. The JOBS Act also permits an emerging growth company to delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. After we are no longer an "emerging growth company," we expect to incur significant expenses and devote substantial management effort toward ensuring compliance with the requirements of Section 404 and the other rules and regulations of the SEC.

        We expect the rules and regulations applicable to us after we becoming a public company to increase our legal and financial compliance costs and to make some corporate activities more time-consuming and costly. For example, as a result of becoming a public company, we will need to increase the number of independent directors and adopt policies regarding internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures. We also expect that operating as a public company will make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. In addition, we will incur additional costs associated with our public

60


Table of Contents

company reporting requirements. It may also be more difficult for us to find qualified persons to serve on our board of directors or as executive officers. We are currently evaluating and monitoring developments with respect to these rules and regulations, and we cannot predict or estimate with any degree of certainty the amount of additional costs we may incur or the timing of such costs.

There can be no assurance that we will not be a passive foreign investment company, which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. investors in the ADSs or ordinary shares.

        In general, a non-U.S. corporation is a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for any taxable year in which (i) 75% or more of its gross income consists of passive income or (ii) 50% or more of the average value of its assets (generally determined on a quarterly basis) consists of assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. For purposes of the above calculations, a non-U.S. corporation that owns at least 25% by value of the shares of another corporation is treated as if it held its proportionate share of the assets of the other corporation and received directly its proportionate share of the income of the other corporation. Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, rents, royalties and certain gains. Cash is a passive asset for these purposes. Goodwill is an active asset to the extent attributable to activities that produce active income.

        Based on the expected composition of our income and assets and the value of our assets, including goodwill, which is based on the expected price of our ADSs in this offering, we do not expect to be a PFIC for our current taxable year. However, it is not entirely clear how the contractual arrangements between us and our VIE will be treated for purposes of the PFIC rules, and we may be or become a PFIC if our VIE is not treated as owned by us. Because the treatment of our contractual arrangements with our VIE is not entirely clear, because we will hold a substantial amount of cash following this offering and because our PFIC status for any taxable year will depend on the composition of our income and assets and the value of our assets from time to time (which may be determined, in part, by reference to the market price of our ADSs, which could be volatile), there can be no assurance that we will not be a PFIC for our current or any future taxable year. If we were a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. investor held ADSs or ordinary shares, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could apply to such U.S. investor. See "Taxation—U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules."

61


Table of Contents


SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

        You can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "likely to" or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:

        You should read thoroughly this prospectus and the documents that we refer to in this prospectus with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from and worse than what we expect. Other sections of this prospectus include additional factors which could adversely impact our business and financial performance. Moreover, we operate in an evolving environment. New risk factors and uncertainties emerge from time to time and it is not possible for our management to predict all risk factors and uncertainties, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

        You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update them in light of new information or future developments or to release publicly any revisions to these statements in order to reflect later events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

        This prospectus also contains statistical data and estimates that we obtained from industry publications and reports generated by third-party providers of market intelligence. These industry publications and reports generally indicate that the information contained therein was obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but do not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of such information. Although we believe that the publications and reports are reliable, we have not independently verified the data.

62


Table of Contents


USE OF PROCEEDS

        We estimate that we will receive net proceeds from this offering of approximately US$             million, or approximately US$             million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs in full, based on an assumed initial public offering price of US$            per ADS, which is the mid-point of the estimated initial public offering price range shown on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us.

        We plan to use the net proceeds of this offering as follows:

        In utilizing the net proceeds from this offering, we are permitted under PRC laws and regulations to provide funding to our PRC subsidiaries only through loans or capital contributions, and to our consolidated VIE only through loans, and only if we satisfy the applicable government registration and approval requirements. We cannot assure you that we will be able to meet these requirements on a timely basis, or at all. See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—PRC regulation of loans to, and direct investment in, PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may restrict or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans to our PRC subsidiary and our VIE, or to make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiary."

        Pending use of the net proceeds, we intend to hold our net proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing, financial instruments or demand deposits.

63


Table of Contents


DIVIDEND POLICY

        We have not previously declared or paid cash dividends and we have no plan to declare or pay any dividends in the near future on our shares or the ADSs representing our Class A ordinary shares. We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to operate and expand our business.

        We are a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands. We rely principally on dividends from our PRC subsidiaries for our cash requirements, including any payment of dividends to our shareholders. PRC regulations may restrict the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to us. See "Regulation—Regulations on Dividend Distribution."

        Our board of directors has discretion as to whether to distribute dividends, subject to certain requirements of Cayman Islands law. In addition, our shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our board of directors. Under Cayman Islands law, a Cayman Islands company may pay a dividend out of either profit or share premium account, provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in the company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. Even if our board of directors decides to pay dividends, the form, frequency and amount will depend upon our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that the board of directors may deem relevant. If we pay any dividends on our ordinary shares, we will pay those dividends which are payable in respect of the Class A ordinary shares underlying the ADSs to the depositary, as the registered holder of such Class A ordinary shares, and the depositary then will pay such amounts to the ADS holders in proportion to the Class A ordinary shares underlying the ADSs held by such ADS holders, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, including the fees and expenses payable thereunder. See "Description of American Depositary Shares."

64


Table of Contents


CAPITALIZATION

        The following table sets forth our capitalization as of June 30, 2019:

65


Table of Contents

        You should read this table together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus and the information under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."

 
  As of June 30, 2019  
 
  Actual   Pro forma   Pro forma
as adjusted(1)
 
 
  RMB   US$   RMB   US$   RMB   US$  
 
  (in thousands)
 

Mezzanine equity

                                     

Series A-1 convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$0.0001 par value; 62,273,127 and 52,245,672 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019, respectively; and none (unaudited) outstanding on a pro-forma basis as of June 30, 2019)

    571     83                      

Series A-2 convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$0.0001 par value; 81,008,717 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019, respectively; and none (unaudited) outstanding on a pro-forma basis as of June 30, 2019)

    13,500     1,966                      

Series B-1 convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$0.0001 par value; 200,241,529 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019, respectively; and none (unaudited) outstanding on a pro-forma basis as of June 30, 2019)

    572,024     83,325                      

Series B-2 convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$0.0001 par value; 11,674,379 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019, respectively; and none (unaudited) outstanding on a pro-forma basis as of June 30, 2019)

    48,813     7,110                      

Series B-3 convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$0.0001 par value; 19,361,727 and 46,605,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019, respectively; and none (unaudited) outstanding on a pro-forma basis as of June 30, 2019)

    146,874     21,395                      

Series B-4 convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$0.0001 par value; 9,338,761 and 20,982,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019, respectively; and none (unaudited) outstanding on a pro-forma basis as of June 30, 2019)

    80,957     11,793                      

Series C-1 convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$0.0001 par value; 164,876,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019, respectively; and none (unaudited) outstanding on a pro-forma basis as of June 30, 2019)

    290,678     42,342                      

Redeemable non-controlling interests

    8,062     1,174     8,062     1,174              

Shareholders' (deficit)/equity

   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 

Ordinary shares (US$0.0001 par value; 4,326,574,000 shares authorized, 233,800,850 and 204,941,793 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019, respectively; and 782,575,090 (unaudited) outstanding on a pro-forma basis as of June 30, 2019)

    167     24     566     82              

Additional paid-in capital

            1,153,018     167,956              

Accumulated deficit

    (847,169 )   (123,404 )   (847,169 )   (123,404 )            

Accumulated other comprehensive income

    228     33     228     33              

Total 36Kr Holdings Inc.'s shareholders' (deficit)/equity

    (846,774 )   (123,347 )   306,643     44,667              

Non-controlling interests

    5,704     831     5,704     831              

Total shareholders' (deficit)/equity

    (841,070 )   (122,516 )   312,347     45,498              

Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and shareholders' (deficit)/equity

    428,121     62,362     428,121     62,362              

Notes:

(1)
The pro forma as adjusted information discussed above is illustrative only. Our additional paid-in capital, total shareholders' equity and total capitalization following the completion of this offering are subject to adjustment based on the actual initial public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.

66


Table of Contents

(2)
Assuming the number of ADSs offered by us as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus remains the same, and after deduction of underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us, a US$1.00 change in the assumed initial public offering price of US$            per ADS being the mid-point of the estimated range of the initial offering price shown on the cover page of this prospectus would, in the case of an increase, increase and, in the case of a decrease, decrease each of additional paid-in capital, total shareholders' (deficit)/equity and total capitalization by US$             million.

67


Table of Contents


DILUTION

        If you invest in our ADSs, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per ADS and our net tangible book value per ADS after this offering. Dilution results from the fact that the initial public offering price per Class A ordinary share is substantially in excess of the book value per ordinary share attributable to the existing shareholders for our presently outstanding ordinary shares.

        Our net tangible book value as of June 30, 2019 was US$             million, US$            per ordinary share and US$            per ADS. Net tangible book value per ordinary share represents the amount of total tangible assets, minus the amount of total liabilities, divided by the total number of ordinary shares outstanding. Dilution is determined by subtracting net tangible book value per ordinary share from the public offering price per ordinary share.

        Without taking into account any other changes in such net tangible book value after June 30, 2019, other than to give effect to our issuance and sale of ADSs offered in this offering at an initial public offering price of US$            per ADS being the mid-point of the estimated range of the initial offering price shown on the cover page of this prospectus, after deduction of the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value as of June 30, 2019 would have been US$             million, or US$            per ordinary share and US$            per ADS, to existing shareholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of US$            per ordinary share, or US$            per ADS, to purchasers of ADSs in this offering.

        The following table illustrates the dilution on a per ordinary share basis assuming that the initial public offering price per ordinary share is US$            and all ADSs are exchanged for ordinary shares:

 
  Per
Ordinary
Share
  Per ADS  

Initial public offering price per ordinary share

  US$     US$    

Net tangible book value per ordinary share

  US$     US$    

Pro forma net tangible book value per ordinary share after giving effect to the automatic conversion of all of our outstanding preferred shares, as of June 30, 2019

  US$     US$    

Pro forma net tangible book value per ordinary share as adjusted to give effect to the automatic conversion of all of our outstanding preferred shares and this offering as of June 30, 2019

  US$     US$    

Amount of dilution in net tangible book value per ordinary share to new investors in the offering

  US$     US$    

Amount of dilution in net tangible book value per ADS to new investors in the offering

  US$     US$    

        The pro forma as adjusted information discussed above is illustrative only. Our net tangible book value following the completion of this offering is subject to adjustment based on the actual initial public offering price of our ADSs and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.

        The following table summarizes, on a pro forma as adjusted basis as of June 30, 2019, the differences between the existing shareholders and the new investors with respect to the number of ordinary shares purchased from us in this offering, the total consideration paid and the average price per ordinary share paid at the initial public offering price of US$            per ADS before deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses. The total number

68


Table of Contents

of ordinary shares does not include ordinary shares underlying the ADSs issuable upon the exercise of the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters.

 
  Ordinary shares
Purchased
  Total Consideration   Average Price
Per Ordinary
Share
  Average Price
Per ADS
 
 
  Amount
(in thousands
of US$)
   
 
 
  Number   Percent   Percent   US$   US$  

Existing shareholders

                                     

New investors

                                     

Total

                                     

69


Table of Contents


EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION

        Our reporting currency is the Renminbi because our business is mainly conducted in China and all of our revenues are denominated in Renminbi. This prospectus contains translations of Renminbi amounts into U.S. dollars at specific rates solely for the convenience of the reader. The conversion of Renminbi into U.S. dollars in this prospectus is based on the rate certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars and from U.S. dollars to Renminbi in this prospectus are made at RMB6.8650 to US$1.00, the exchange rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board on June 28, 2019. We make no representation that any Renminbi or U.S. dollar amounts could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars or Renminbi, as the case may be, at any particular rate, the rates stated below, or at all. The PRC government imposes control over its foreign currency reserves in part through direct regulation of the conversion of Renminbi into foreign exchange and through restrictions on foreign trade. On September 20, 2019, the rate was RMB7.0909 to US$1.00.

        The following table sets forth information concerning exchange rates between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar for the periods indicated. These rates are provided solely for your convenience and are not necessarily the exchange rates that we used in this prospectus or will use in the preparation of our periodic reports or any other information to be provided to you.

 
  Noon Buying Rate  
Period
  Period End   Average(1)   Low   High  
 
  (RMB per US$1.00)
 

2014

    6.2046     6.1704     6.2591     6.0402  

2015

    6.4778     6.2869     6.4896     6.1870  

2016

    6.9430     6.6549     6.9580     6.4480  

2017

    6.5063     6.7350     6.9575     6.4773  

2018

    6.8755     6.6292     6.9737     6.2649  

2019 (through September 20)

                         

January

    6.6958     6.7863     6.8708     6.6958  

February

    6.6912     6.7367     6.7907     6.6822  

March

    6.7112     6.7119     6.7381     6.6916  

April

    6.7347     6.7161     6.7418     6.6870  

May

    6.9027     6.8519     6.9182     6.7319  

June

    6.8650     6.8977     6.9298     6.8510  

July

    6.8833     6.8775     6.8927     6.8487  

August

    7.1543     7.0629     7.1628     6.8972  

September

    7.0909     7.1081     7.1786     7.0659  

Source: Federal Reserve Statistical Release

Notes:

(1)
Annual averages were calculated by using the average of the exchange rates on the last day of each month during the relevant year. Monthly averages are calculated by using the average of the daily rates during the relevant month.

70


Table of Contents


ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES

        We were incorporated in the Cayman Islands in order to enjoy the following benefits:

        However, certain disadvantages accompany incorporation in the Cayman Islands. These disadvantages include, but are not limited to, the following:

        Our constitutional documents do not contain provisions requiring that disputes, including those arising under the securities laws of the United States, between us, our officers, directors and shareholders, be arbitrated.

        All of our operations are conducted outside the United States, and all of our assets are located outside the United States. A majority of our directors and officers are nationals or residents of jurisdictions other than the United States and a substantial portion of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for a shareholder to effect service of process within the United States upon these persons, or to enforce against us or them judgments obtained in United States courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.

        We have appointed Cogency Global Inc. as our agent upon whom process may be served in any action brought against us under the securities laws of the United States.

        Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP, our counsel as to Cayman Islands law, and Jingtian & Gongcheng, our counsel as to PRC law, have advised us, respectively, that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands and China, respectively, would:

        Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP has informed us that although there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the federal or state courts of the United States (and the Cayman Islands are not a party to any treaties for the reciprocal enforcement or recognition of such judgments), a judgment obtained in such jurisdiction will be recognized and enforced in the courts of the Cayman Islands at common law, without any re-examination of the merits of the underlying dispute, by an action commenced on the foreign judgment debt in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, provided such judgment (a) is given by a foreign court of competent jurisdiction, (b) imposes on the judgment debtor a liability to pay a liquidated sum for which the judgment has been given, (c) is final, (d) is not in respect of taxes, a fine or a penalty, and (e) was not

71


Table of Contents

obtained in a manner and is not of a kind the enforcement of which is contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands. However, the Cayman Islands courts are unlikely to enforce a judgment obtained from the U.S. courts under civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities law if such judgment is determined by the courts of the Cayman Islands to give rise to obligations to make payments that are penal or punitive in nature. Because such a determination has not yet been made by a court of the Cayman Islands, it is uncertain whether such civil liability judgments from U.S. courts would be enforceable in the Cayman Islands.

        We have been advised by Jingtian & Gongcheng, our PRC legal counsel, that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the PRC would recognize or enforce judgments of United States courts or Cayman courts obtained against us or these persons predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the United States federal and state securities laws, or entertain original actions brought in each respective jurisdiction against us or these persons predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States. Jingtian & Gongcheng has further advised us that the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under PRC Civil Procedures Law. PRC courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of PRC Civil Procedures Law based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on reciprocity between jurisdictions. China does not have any treaties or other form of reciprocity with the United States or the Cayman Islands that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. In addition, according to the PRC Civil Procedures Law, courts in the PRC will not enforce a foreign judgment against us or our directors and officers if they decide that the judgment violates the basic principles of PRC law or national sovereignty, security or public interest. As a result, it is uncertain whether and on what basis a PRC court would enforce a judgment rendered by a court in the United States. Under the PRC Civil Procedures Law, foreign shareholders may originate actions based on PRC law against us in the PRC, if they can establish sufficient nexus to the PRC for a PRC court to have jurisdiction, and meet other procedural requirements, including, among others, the plaintiff must have a direct interest in the case, and there must be a concrete claim, a factual basis and a cause for the suit. However, it would be difficult for foreign shareholders to establish sufficient nexus to the PRC by virtue only of holding our ADSs or ordinary shares.

72


Table of Contents


Letter to Investors

Dear investors,

        Thank you for taking the time to read our prospectus and this letter. If you invest with us, you will be embarking on a journey with us through the New Economy revolution. As New Economy is rapidly transforming businesses through cutting-edge technology and innovative business models, I would like to share with you how we have come to be and some of our thoughts for the future.

Fostering a Vibrant New Economy Community

        36Kr is founded in 2010 on the mission to empower New Economy participants to achieve more. We started off by introducing world-leading business models, technologies and management trends to Chinese entrepreneurs. Gradually, investors came to our platform looking for and learning about the latest New Economy trends and seeking opportunities to invest in promising startup companies. After nine years of operations, with our insights and expertise in New Economy sectors, we especially take pride in our ability to discover startup companies with great potentials and introduce them to the investment community.

        We then began to attract established companies, including New Economy unicorns and traditional companies, and improved how they are connected with other businesses, the investment community and individuals on our platform. We provide companies with tools or solutions, such as online advertising services and enterprise value-added services, to help established companies increase media exposure and brand awareness, and to guide traditional companies as they adapt to the New Economy.

        We have further accumulated a large and growing individual user base through our valuable membership and subscription services. These individuals tend to be passionate about the development of New Economy and steadfast in their belief in New Economy being the inevitable future.

        We are proud to have fostered a vibrant and self-reinforcing community of New Economy participants, and have become one of the most recognized platforms among New Economy participants in China.

Fueling the Rapid Growth of New Economy

        New Economy has become a key growth engine in China's economy. Positioning ourselves as stewards of New Economy participants, we focus on better serving and connecting startup companies, established companies, institutional investors and individuals in New Economy. Leveraging our platform, we aim to connect New Economy participants and enhance our value propositions to them, thereby stimulating New Economy community development. Meanwhile, we seek to improve the flow of information, capital, talents and market opportunities, thereby optimizing resource allocation and fueling the growth of New Economy.

Our Path Ahead

        New Economy is the future. We are determined that technology and business innovations are the most effective ways to improve quality of life and make social progress. We are proud that 36Kr has made meaningful contributions to China's New Economy in the past nine years. We will continue sailing ahead, encouraging more enterprises and individuals to innovate and helping them thrive and support each other. In the end, 36Kr will only flourish as these enterprises and individuals succeed in New Economy.

        Thank you for considering investing in 36Kr. We invite you to journey with us.

Dagang Feng
Co-Chairman and CEO

Chengcheng Liu
Co-Chairman

73


Table of Contents


CORPORATE HISTORY AND STRUCTURE

Corporate History

        Our 36Kr.com website was launched in December 2010, offering New Economy-focused content. In July 2011, Xieli Zhucheng was incorporated in the PRC. In December 2016, Xieli Zhucheng incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary in the PRC, Beijing Sanshiliuke Culture Media Co., Ltd., or Beijing Sanshiliuke, to host all its businesses of New Economy-focused content and business services. In May 2017, Beijing Sanshiliuke changed its name to Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd., which later changed its name to Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. in March 2019.

Reorganization

        We incorporated 36Kr Holdings Inc. in the Cayman Islands on December 3, 2018. On December 4, 2018, the BVI Subsidiary was incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands as 36Kr Holdings Inc.'s wholly-owned subsidiary. On December 20, 2018, the HK Subsidiary was incorporated as the BVI Subsidiary's wholly-owned subsidiary in Hong Kong. On February 25, 2019, 36Kr Global Holding was incorporated as the HK Subsidiary's wholly-owned subsidiary in Hong Kong. On May 21, 2019, Tianjin Duoke was incorporated as the HK Subsidiary's wholly-owned subsidiary in the PRC. On June 25, 2019, Beijing Dake was incorporated as Tianjin Duoke's wholly-owned subsidiary in the PRC. In September, we entered into an investment agreement with Lotus Walk Inc., pursuant to which Lotus Walk Inc. agreed to subscribe 51% of the equity interest in 36Kr Global Holding (HK) Limited to jointly explore business opportunities in overseas markets.

        36Kr Holdings Inc. issued one ordinary share in December 2018 and issued one ordinary share in April 2019.

        In August 2019, 36Kr Holdings Inc. issued 176,842,998 ordinary shares, 65,307,000 series A-1 preferred shares, 101,261,000 series A-2 preferred shares, 250,302,000 series B-1 preferred shares, 14,593,000 series B-2 preferred shares, 56,105,000 series B-3 preferred shares, 20,982,000 series B-4 preferred shares, 164,876,000 series C-1 preferred shares, and 12,545,000 series C-2 preferred shares. In September 2019, 36Kr Holdings Inc. issued 39,999,999 series D preferred shares. Immediately after the completion of this offering and assuming no exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option, we expect an aggregate of            % of our total issued and outstanding ordinary shares will be held by our existing shareholders, and an aggregate of            % of our total issued and outstanding ordinary shares will be held by new investors in this offering.

        In August 2019, to obtain control over Beijing Duoke, which we refer to as our VIE, and conduct substantially all of our operations in China, we entered into a series of contractual arrangements through Beijing Dake with our VIE and its shareholders. Our contractual arrangements with our VIE and its shareholders have enabled us to (i) exercise effective control over our VIE, (ii) receive substantially all of the economic benefits and bear the obligation to absorb substantially all of the losses of our VIE, and (iii) have an exclusive option to purchase all or part of the equity interests in our VIE when and to the extent permitted by PRC laws. For more details, including risks associated with the VIE structure, please see "—Contractual Arrangements with Beijing Duoke," and "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure."

74


Table of Contents

Corporate Structure

        The chart below summarizes our corporate legal structure and identifies our principal subsidiaries and our VIE as of the date of this prospectus.

GRAPHIC


(1)
As approved by its shareholders and directors, Beijing Duoke is currently undertaking a restructuring, upon the consummation of which, the remaining VIE shareholders will consist of:

i.
Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (L.P.), holding 62.17% of equity interest;

ii.
Shenzhen Guohong No. 2 Enterprise Management Partnership (L.P.), holding 23.32% of equity interest;

iii.
Ningbo Meishan Baoshui Gangqu Tianhong Lvheng Investment Management Partnership (L.P.), holding 14.51% of equity interest;

Contractual Arrangements with Beijing Duoke

        Due to the PRC legal restrictions on foreign ownership of Internet-based businesses, currently we conduct substantially all of our operations in China through our variable interest entity and its subsidiaries. We have entered into a series of contractual arrangements, including an exclusive purchase option agreement, powers of attorney, an equity pledge agreement and an exclusive business cooperation agreement, with our VIE and its shareholders. We also entered into substantially the same contractual arrangements with our VIE and the remaining VIE shareholders in September 2019, which will become effective upon consummation of the restructuring of our VIE.

        These contractual arrangements have enabled us to exercise effective control over our VIE, receive substantially all of the economic benefits of our VIE, and have an exclusive option to purchase all or part of the equity interests in our VIE when and to the extent permitted by PRC law. As a result of these contractual arrangements, we are regarded as the primary beneficiary of our VIE, and we accordingly treat them as our consolidated affiliated entities under U.S. GAAP.

        The following is a summary of the contractual arrangements entered into by and among Beijing Dake, our VIE and its shareholders in August 2019.

Agreements that provide us with effective control over Beijing Duoke

Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement

        Beijing Dake, Beijing Duoke and the shareholders of Beijing Duoke have entered into an exclusive purchase option agreement, pursuant to which each of the shareholders of Beijing Duoke irrevocably granted Beijing Dake or its designated representatives an exclusive option to purchase, to the extent permitted under PRC law, all or part of his, her or its equity interests in Beijing Duoke. Beijing Dake

75


Table of Contents

or its designated representatives have sole discretion as to when to exercise such options, either in part or in full, once or at multiple times at any time. Without Beijing Dake's prior written consent, the shareholders of Beijing Duoke shall not sell, transfer, mortgage or otherwise dispose of their equity interests in Beijing Duoke, or allow the encumbrance thereon. The agreement will remain effective until all equity interests in Beijing Duoke held by its shareholders are transferred or assigned to Beijing Dake or its designated representatives.

Powers of Attorney

        Beijing Dake, Beijing Duoke and the shareholders of Beijing Duoke have entered into powers of attorney, pursuant to which each of the shareholders of Beijing Duoke irrevocably appointed Beijing Dake (as well as its successors, including a liquidator, if any, replacing Beijing Dake) or its designated persons to act on their respective behalf as exclusive agent and attorney, to the extent permitted by law, with respect to all rights of shareholders concerning all equity interests held by each of them in Beijing Duoke, including without limitation (i) exercise all the shareholder's rights (including but not limited to voting rights and right to sell, transfer, pledge or dispose of all equity interests in Beijing Duoke held in part or in whole), (ii) to attend shareholders' meetings and to execute any and all written resolutions and meeting minutes in the name and on behalf of such shareholders, and (iii) to file documents with the relevant companies registry. The agreement will remain effective until Beijing Dake unilaterally terminates the agreement in writing or all equity interests in Beijing Duoke held by its shareholders are transferred or assigned to Beijing Dake or its designated representatives.

Equity Pledge Agreement

        Beijing Dake, Beijing Duoke and the shareholders of Beijing Duoke have entered into an equity pledge agreement, pursuant to which the shareholders of Beijing Duoke have pledged all of their equity interests in Beijing Duoke that they own, including any interest or dividend paid for the shares, to Beijing Dake as a security interest to guarantee the performance by Beijing Duoke and its shareholders' performance of their respective obligations under the exclusive business cooperation agreement, exclusive purchase option agreement and power of attorney. Upon the or discovery of the occurrence of any circumstances or event that may lead to an event of default (as defined in the equity pledge agreement), Beijing Dake, as the pledgee, will be entitled to certain rights, including the right to sell the pledged equity interests. Beijing Dake is not be liable for any loss incurred by its due exercise of such rights and powers. This pledge will become effective on the date the pledged equity interests are registered with the relevant office of industry and commerce and will remain effective until the pledgors are no longer the shareholders of Beijing Duoke.

Agreement that allows us to receive economic benefits from our VIE

Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement

        Beijing Dake and Beijing Duoke have entered into an exclusive business cooperation agreement, pursuant to which Beijing Dake has the exclusive right to provide to Beijing Duoke technical support, consulting services and other services related to Beijing Duoke's business, including business management, daily operations, strategic planning, among others. Beijing Dake has granted Beijing Duoke the right to register its intellectual property rights under Beijing Duoke. Beijing Dake has the right to purchase such intellectual property rights from Beijing Duoke at nominal prices. The scope of the services provided by Beijing Dake may be expanded from time to time per Beijing Duoke's request. The timing and amount of the service fee payments shall be determined at the sole discretion of Beijing Dake. The term of this agreement is indefinite unless Beijing Dake unilaterally terminates the agreement in writing.

76


Table of Contents

        In the opinion of Jingtian & Gongcheng, our PRC legal counsel:

        However, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws, regulations and rules. Accordingly, the PRC regulatory authorities may in the future take a view that is contrary to or otherwise different from the above opinion of our PRC legal counsel. If the PRC government finds the agreements that establish the structure do not comply with PRC government restrictions on foreign investment in certain of our businesses, we may be subject to severe penalties including being prohibited from continuing operations. See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating some of our operations in China do not comply with PRC regulations relating to the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations." and "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system and the interpretation of laws and regulations could materially and adversely affect us."

77


Table of Contents


SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

        The following summary consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss) data for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, summary consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2017 and 2018 and summary consolidated cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The following summary consolidated statements of comprehensive loss data for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019, summary consolidated balance sheet data as of June 30, 2019 and summary consolidated cash flows data for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019 have been derived from our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus and have been prepared on the same basis as our audited consolidated financial statements. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of results expected for future periods. You should read this Summary Consolidated Financial Data section together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 
  For the Year Ended
December 31,
  For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
 
  2017   2018   2018   2019  
 
  RMB   RMB   US$   RMB   RMB   US$  
 
  (in thousands)
 

Summary Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(loss) Data:

                                     

Revenues:

                                     

Online advertising services

    73,958     173,783     25,314     50,960     79,477     11,577  

Enterprise value-added services

    42,465     100,238     14,601     16,608     101,072     14,723  

Subscription services

    4,084     25,072     3,652     4,860     21,325     3,106  

Total revenues

    120,507     299,093     43,567     72,428     201,874     29,406  

Cost of revenues

    (60,749 )   (140,317 )   (20,439 )   (48,042 )   (138,120 )   (20,119 )

Gross profit

    59,758     158,776     23,128     24,386     63,754     9,287  

Operating expenses:

                                     

Sales and marketing expenses

    (32,275 )   (66,984 )   (9,757 )   (24,462 )   (49,880 )   (7,266 )

General and administrative expenses

    (10,040 )   (24,125 )   (3,514 )   (7,949 )   (46,849 )   (6,824 )

Research and development expenses

    (6,429 )   (22,075 )   (3,216 )   (6,335 )   (16,948 )   (2,469 )

Total operating expenses

    (48,744 )   (113,184 )   (16,487 )   (38,746 )   (113,677 )   (16,559 )

Income/(loss) from operations

    11,014     45,592     6,641     (14,360 )   (49,923 )   (7,272 )

Other income/(expenses):

                                     

Share of loss from equity method investments

    (549 )   (2,794 )   (407 )   (2,053 )        

Short-term investment income

    371     9,300     1,355     5,018     2,381     347  

Interest income

    12     22     3     14     13     2  

Interest expenses

    (185 )   (97 )   (14 )   (3 )   (59 )   (9 )

Others, net

    1,169     3,322     484     42     (17 )   (2 )

Income/(loss) before income tax

    11,832     55,345     8,062     (11,342 )   (47,605 )   (6,934 )

Income tax (expense)/credit

    (3,909 )   (14,827 )   (2,160 )   3,029     2,107     307  

Net income/(loss)

    7,923     40,518     5,902     (8,313 )   (45,498 )   (6,627 )

Accretion on redeemable non-controlling interests to redemption value

        (1,025 )   (149 )   (338 )   (331 )   (48 )

Accretion of convertible redeemable preferred shares to redemption value

    (2,834 )   (120,060 )   (17,489 )   (12,551 )   (241,011 )   (35,107 )

Re-designation of Series A-1 into Series B-3 convertible redeemable preferred shares

                    (26,787 )   (3,902 )

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests

                    136     20  

Net income/(loss) attributable to 36Kr Holdings Inc.'s ordinary shareholders

    5,089     (80,567 )   (11,736 )   (21,202 )   (313,491 )   (45,664 )

78


Table of Contents

        The following table presents our selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2017 and 2018 and June 30, 2019.

 
  As of December 31,   As of June 30,  
 
  2017   2018   2019  
 
  RMB   RMB   US$   RMB   US$  
 
  (in thousands)
 

Summary Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

                               

Cash and cash equivalents

    45,643     48,968     7,133     26,154     3,810  

Short-term investments

    102,334     145,451     21,187     77,977     11,359  

Accounts receivable, net

    62,801     182,269     26,550     270,894     39,460  

Total current assets

    218,143     399,392     58,177     408,099     59,447  

Total non-current assets

    3,537     16,033     2,336     20,022     2,915  

Total assets

    221,680     415,425     60,513     428,121     62,362  

Total current liabilities

    44,824     84,705     12,338     107,712     15,690  

Total liabilities

    44,824     84,705     12,338     107,712     15,690  

Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and shareholders' deficit

    221,680     415,425     60,513     428,121     62,362  

        The following table presents our selected consolidated cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 and for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019.

 
  For the Year Ended December 31,   For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
 
  2017   2018   2018   2019  
 
  RMB   RMB   US$   RMB   RMB   US$  
 
  (in thousands)
 

Summary Consolidated Cash Flow Data:

                                     

Net cash used in operating activities

    (11,444 )   (45,598 )   (6,643 )   (22,552 )   (94,884 )   (13,822 )

Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities

    (105,892 )   (56,294 )   (8,200 )   (117,733 )   66,261     9,653  

Net cash provided by financing activities

    162,979     104,716     15,254     104,716     5,840     851  

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, and cash equivalents held in foreign currencies

        501     73     303     (31 )   (5 )

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    45,643     3,325     484     (35,266 )   (22,814 )   (3,323 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period/year

        45,643     6,649     45,643     48,968     7,133  

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period/year

    45,643     48,968     7,133     10,377     26,154     3,810  

79


Table of Contents


MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

        You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with the section entitled "Selected Consolidated Financial Data" and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth under "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this prospectus.

Overview

        We are a prominent brand and a pioneering platform dedicated to serving New Economy participants in China. We started our business with high-quality New Economy-focused content offerings. Leveraging traffic brought by high-quality content, we have expanded our offerings to business services, including online advertising services, enterprise value-added services and subscription services. According to the CIC Survey, we are one of the most recognized platforms among New Economy participants in China. With our significant brand influence, we are well-positioned to continuously capture the high growth potentials of China's New Economy.

        High-quality New Economy-focused content is the foundation of our business. We provide insightful reports on companies, timely market updates and thought-provoking editorials and commentaries. We especially take pride in our ability to discover startup companies with great potentials and introduce them to the investment community. We were the first to report on a number of startup companies that later became industry leaders. For example, in January 2013, we were the first to report on ByteDance, which later became a world-leading technology company. Meanwhile, our content covers a variety of industries in China's New Economy, such as technology, consumer and retail, and healthcare.

        We offer business services, including online advertising services, enterprise value-added services and subscription services to our customers. We address the evolving needs of New Economy companies and upgrade needs of traditional companies by providing them with tailored advertising and marketing solutions and other enterprise value-added services. We also help institutional investors identify promising targets, source investment opportunities and connect them with startup companies directly. Additionally, we have cultivated a large number of subscribers who purchase our premium content and other benefits. Through our diverse service offerings, we have captured extensive monetization opportunities.

        With high-quality content and diverse business service offerings, we have fostered an affluent and sophisticated user base and as such, attracted a valuable customer base. As of December 31, 2018, we provided business services to 23 of the Global Fortune 100 Companies. Additionally, as of December 31, 2018, we also provided business services to 59 of the Top 100 New Economy companies as measured by market capitalization and valuation, according to the CIC Report. While we started our institutional investors subscription services in the first quarter of 2017, we already covered 46 of the Top 200 institutional investors in China as of December 31, 2018 as measured by assets under management, according to the CIC Report.

        We have achieved significant revenue growth and profitability. Our revenue increased by 148.2% from RMB120.5 million in 2017 to RMB299.1 million (US$43.6 million) in 2018. Our revenue increased by 178.7% from RMB72.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 to RMB201.9 million (US$29.4 million) for the same period in 2019. Our net income increased by 411.4% from RMB7.9 million in 2017 to RMB40.5 million (US$5.9 million) in 2018 and our net profit margin increased from 6.6% in 2017 to 13.5% in 2018. We had net loss of RMB8.3 million and RMB45.5 million (US$6.6 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019, respectively.

80


Table of Contents

Key Operating Data

        The following table presents our monthly average PV for the twelve-month periods ended the dates indicated:

 
  For the twelve-month period ended  
 
  December 31,
2017
  March 31,
2018
  June 30,
2018
  September 30,
2018
  December 31,
2018
  March 31,
2019
  June 30,
2019
 
 
  (in millions)
 

Average monthly PV

    121.6     120.9     127.0     145.6     196.2     225.4     347.7  

        Our average monthly PV is generated across our self-operated platforms and our accounts on major third-party platforms, including Weibo, Weixin/WeChat, Toutiao and Zhihu. Our average monthly PV increased significantly from 121.6 million in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2017 to 196.2 million in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2018. As we have adopted fixed rate pricing models under which customers pay fixed fees for advertising services irrespective of views, clicks or other performance measures, each additional page view does not directly result in a corresponding increase in advertising revenue. Nevertheless, we believe the increase in average monthly PV indicates that more users are accessing, or users are accessing more frequently, the content offered by us, which enhances our brand awareness and influence in the New Economy market. Leveraging such brand awareness and influence, we are able to attract online advertising services customers and enhance pricing power, which together lead to the growth of our online advertising services revenue. Our online advertising services revenue increased by 135.0% from RMB74.0 million in 2017 to RMB173.8 million (US$25.3 million) in 2018.

        The following table presents our key operating data of our business services:

 
  For the Year
Ended
December 31,
  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
 
 
  2017   2018   2018   2019  

Online advertising services

                         

Number of online advertising services end customers(1)

    187     320     155     210  

Average revenue per online advertising services end customer(1)(2) (RMB'000)

    395.5     543.1     328.8     378.5  

Enterprise value-added services

   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 

Number of enterprise value-added services end customers(1)

    140     263     52     131  

Average revenue per enterprise value-added services end customer(1)(3) (RMB'000)

    303.3     381.1     319.4     771.5  

Subscription services

   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 

Number of individual subscribers

    15,880     51,189     17,056     9,177  

Average revenue per individual subscriber(4) (RMB)

    112     209     80     1,306  

Number of institutional investor subscribers

   
14
   
121
   
80
   
114
 

Average revenue per institutional investor subscriber(5) (RMB'000)

    164.2     118.7     43.7     71.6  

Number of enterprise subscribers

   
   
   
   
33
 

Average revenue per enterprise subscriber(6) (RMB'000)

                35.7  

Notes:

(1)
In line with market practice in China, we offer our services either through agencies or directly to our end customers.

(2)
Equals revenues generated from online advertising services for a period divided by the number of online advertising services end customers in the same period.

81


Table of Contents

(3)
Equals revenues generated from enterprise value-added services for a period divided by the number of enterprise value-added services end customers in the same period.

(4)
Equals revenues generated from individual subscription services for a period divided by the number of individual subscribers in the same period.

(5)
Equals revenues generated from institutional investor subscription services for a period divided by the number of institutional investor subscribers in the same period.

(6)
Equals revenues generated from enterprise subscription services for a period divided by the number of enterprise subscribers in the same period.

Major Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations

        The following factors are the principal factors that have affected and will continue to affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

        Our business and results of operations are significantly affected by China's overall economic conditions and structural transformation, especially the development of China's New Economy. The development of New Economy in China is affected by factors such as technological advancements, New Economy participant base, entrepreneurial environment, capital investment, regulatory environment and talent pool. According to the CIC Report, the GDP of China's New Economy increased from approximately US$0.6 trillion in 2014 to approximately US$2.0 trillion in 2018, representing a robust CAGR of 34.8%, and the GDP of China's New Economy as a percentage of the GDP of China's overall economy increased from 6.4% in 2014 to 16.1% in 2018. A strong growth of China's New Economy has resulted in, and likely will continue to result in increasing demands for New Economy-focused content and business services. Our content and business services have captured, and are likely to continue to capture, the various market opportunities brought by China's New Economy development.

        Nevertheless, unfavorable changes in China's overall economy, New Economy and New Economy-focused business services market, especially unfavorable regulations and policies towards New Economy, could negatively affect demand for our services and materially and adversely affect our results of operations. The emerging New Economy in China is still in its early stage of development and there are considerable uncertainties about its future growth. See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—We are subject to risks associated with operating in the rapidly evolving New Economy sector."

        We have fostered a vibrant and self-reinforcing community of New Economy participants. Our high-quality content offerings generate organic traffic and attract New Economy participants to our platform and become our users and customers, which greatly enhances our ability to generate revenues. Leveraging our established and growing community of New Economy participants, we are able to gain deeper insights into China's New Economy and generate more high-quality content. Additionally, as of December 31, 2018, we provided business services to 23 of the Global Fortune 100 companies and 59 of the Top 100 New Economy companies in China as measured by market capitalization and valuation, according to the CIC Report. As we are in the progress of expanding our service offerings and diversifying our monetization channels, none of these customers individually contributed significantly to our revenue in 2018. In this regard, we plan to offer more effective and tailored business solutions to our customers, which in turn enhances our value propositions to them and improves their engagement. Moreover, leveraging our significant brand appeal among New Economy participants, we are well-positioned to better retain and attract more participants onto our platform.

82


Table of Contents

        Our ability to manage and control our costs and expenses is critical to the success of our business. Leveraging our prominent brand, our traffic and customer acquisition cost has been low. We have also adopted various measures, such as automated screening system, to enhance operating efficiency and reduce costs and expenses. We expect our costs and expenses to increase in absolute amount as we grow our business while decreasing as a percentage of our total revenues due to enhanced brand value and increased operational efficiency.

        Our financial condition and results of operations depend substantially on our monetization capabilities, including our ability to convert more users to subscribers, attract more customers, cross-sell and increase customer spending. Leveraging our high-quality content and comprehensive business service offerings, we have captured extensive monetization opportunities. Our revenue increased by 148.2% from 2017 to 2018 and increased by 178.7% from the first half of 2018 to the first half of 2019, primarily driven by the growth of our business.

        We endeavor to constantly reinforce our monetization capabilities by providing broader and better content and services, which improves our user and customer experience, attracts more traffic and enhances stickiness. Our robust customer and user base, in turn, leads to increased revenue and profit which enables us to further devote more resources to content and service offerings. We intend to meet our customers' needs throughout their lifecycle and seek additional cross-selling opportunities to achieve synergies among our services.

        We experience seasonality in our business, primarily our online advertising services. Advertising and marketing activities tend to be less active during the first quarter, which is Chinese New Year holiday season. During this period, companies generally limit their advertising and marketing spending. As a result, we generally experience fewer activities on our platform and demands for our services during the first quarter. As compared to the first quarter, our online advertising services customers tend to increase advertising and marketing spending near the end of each calendar year. We believe an increase in revenues during the fourth quarter of each year is a typical pattern in the online advertising market. Moreover, as most of our offline events are hosted in the fourth quarter of each year, we also experience an increase in revenues during the fourth quarter of each year for our enterprise value-added services. In line with increased revenues during the fourth quarter, we record higher balances of account receivables at year-end. See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate, which makes our results of operations difficult to predict and may cause our quarterly results of operations to fall short of expectations."

83


Table of Contents

Key Components of Results of Operations

        We derive our revenues from: (i) online advertising services; (ii) enterprise value-added services; and (iii) subscription services. The following table sets forth a breakdown of our revenues for the periods indicated:

 
  For the Year Ended December 31,   For the Six Months Ended June 30,  
 
  2017   2018   2018   2019  
 
  RMB   %   RMB   US$   %   RMB   %   RMB   US$   %  
 
  (in thousands, except percentages)
 

Online advertising services

    73,958     61.4     173,783     25,314     58.1     50,960     70.4     79,477     11,577     39.4  

Enterprise value-added services

    42,465     35.2     100,238     14,601     33.5     16,608     22.9     101,072     14,723     50.0  

Subscription services

    4,084     3.4     25,072     3,652     8.4     4,860     6.7     21,325     3,106     10.6  

Total revenues

    120,507     100.0     299,093     43,567     100.0     72,428     100.0     201,874     29,406     100.0  

        Online advertising services.    We offer online advertising services to our customers and generate revenue either on a cost-per-day basis or a cost-per-advertisement basis.

        Enterprise value-added services.    We offer a variety of enterprise value-added services tailored to our customers, including integrated marketing, offline events and consulting services. We generally charge our customers on a project basis.

        Subscription services.    We offer packaged membership benefits to individuals, institutional investors and enterprises. For individual subscriptions services, individuals subscribe for trainings and courses at fixed fees per package. We also offer monthly subscription packages of our paid columns to individual subscribers. For institutional investor subscribers and enterprises, we offer subscription packages for fixed periods.

        Our cost of revenues consists of staff costs, advertisement production costs, site fee and execution fee of enterprise value-added services and offline training, equipment location rental fee and operation costs, business tax and surcharges and other costs. The following table sets forth a breakdown of our

84


Table of Contents

cost of revenues, in absolute amounts and as percentages of our total cost of revenues for the periods indicated:

 
  For the Year Ended December 31,   For the Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
 
  2017   2018   2018   2019  
 
  RMB   %   RMB   US$   %   RMB   %   RMB   US$   %  
 
  (in thousands, except percentages)
 

Staff costs

    18,213     30.0     45,163     6,579     32.2     18,588     38.7     19,852     2,892     14.4  

Advertisement production costs

    5,827     9.5     27,173     3,958     19.4     8,970     18.7     13,770     2,006     10.0  

Site fee and execution fee of enterprise value-added services and offline training

    30,290     49.9     37,941     5,527     27.1     13,219     27.5     80,129     11,672     58.0  

Equipment location rental fee and operation costs

            10,448     1,522     7.4             13,921     2,028     10.0  

Business tax and surcharges

    2,834     4.7     5,104     743     3.6     1,838     3.8     2,562     373     1.9  

Other costs

    3,585     5.9     14,488     2,110     10.3     5,427     11.3     7,886     1,148     5.7  

Total cost of revenues

    60,749     100.0     140,317     20,439     100.0     48,042     100.0     138,120     20,119     100.0  

        Staff costs are payments to our content production related staff. Advertisement production costs are payments to third-party advertising content producers. Site fee and execution fee of enterprise value-added services and offline training consist of various costs in relation to organizing our offline events and trainings and costs related to integrated marketing services. Equipment location rental fee and operation costs are related to our interactive marketing services. Other costs mainly include (i) office rental cost, (ii) bandwidth and server costs, (iii) depreciation, and (iv) other miscellaneous costs. We expect our cost of revenues to increase in absolute amount in line with our expansion of business but to decrease as a percentage of our revenues through economies of scale and continuous improvement of operating efficiency.

        Our operating expenses consist of sales and marketing expenses, general and administrative expenses and research and development expenses. The following table sets forth a breakdown of our operating expenses, in absolute amounts and as percentages of our total operating expenses for the periods indicated:

 
  For the Year Ended December 31,   For the Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
 
  2017   2018   2018   2019  
 
  RMB   %   RMB   US$   %   RMB   %   RMB   US$   %  
 
  (in thousands, except percentages)
 

Sales and marketing

    32,275     66.2     66,984     9,757     59.2     24,462     63.1     49,880     7,266     43.9  

General and administrative

    10,040     20.6     24,125     3,514     21.3     7,949     20.5     46,849     6,824     41.2  

Research and development

    6,429     13.2     22,075     3,216     19.5     6,335     16.4     16,948     2,469     14.9  

Total operating expenses

    48,744     100.0     113,184     16,487     100.0     38,746     100.0     113,677     16,559     100.0  

        Sales and marketing expenses.    Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of (i) staff expenses, including salaries and sales commissions to sales and marketing personnel; (ii) marketing and promotional expenses; (iii) rental and depreciation expenses; and (iv) other miscellaneous expenses.

85


Table of Contents

        General and administrative expenses.    General and administrative expenses consist primarily of (i) staff expenses for employees involved in general corporate functions, including finance, legal and human resources and (ii) associated facilities and equipment costs, such as depreciation, rental and other general corporate related expenses.

        Research and development expenses.    Research and development expenses consist primarily of (i) staff expenses associated with the development of, enhancement to, and maintenance of our online platform; (ii) expenses associated with technology and product development and enhancement; and (iii) rental expense and depreciation of servers.

        We expect our operating expenses to increase in the foreseeable future as we grow our business but to decrease as a percentage of our revenues through economies of scale and continuous improvement of operating efficiency.

        Share of loss from equity method investments is related to our equity investment, where we are able to exercise significant influence but do not own a majority equity interest or control in the investee. The investee suspended its operation in August 2018 and was dissolved in January 2019.

        Short-term investment income represents unrealized gains in change of fair value and realized gains in sale of short-term investments.

        Interest income consists of our interests received from our cash and cash equivalents placed in banks.

        We incurred interest expenses mainly in relation to the loan provided by Xieli Zhucheng, our related party.

        Our other income primarily includes government grants.

Taxation

        We are incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Under the current law of the Cayman Islands, we are not subject to income or capital gains tax. In addition, payments of dividends and capital in respect of our ordinary shares (and any consequential payments to the holders of our ADSs) will not be subject to taxation in the Cayman Islands and no withholding will be required on the payment of dividends or capital to any holder of our ordinary shares or ADSs, nor will gains derived from the disposal of our ordinary shares or ADSs be subject to Cayman Islands income or corporation tax. The Cayman Islands currently have no income, corporation or capital gains tax and no estate duty, inheritance tax or gift tax.

86


Table of Contents

        Our subsidiaries incorporated in the British Virgin Islands are not subject to income or capital gains tax under the current laws of the British Virgin Islands. In addition, payment of dividends by the British Virgin Islands subsidiaries to their respective shareholders who are not resident in the British Virgin Islands, if any, is not subject to withholding tax in the British Virgin Islands.

        Our wholly owned subsidiary in Hong Kong, 36Kr Holdings (HK) Limited, is subject to Hong Kong profits tax on its activities conducted in Hong Kong at a uniform tax rate of 16.5%. Payments of dividends by our subsidiary to us are not subject to withholding tax in Hong Kong.

        Our subsidiaries and our VIE in China are companies incorporated under PRC law and, as such, are subject to PRC enterprise income tax on their taxable income in accordance with the relevant PRC income tax laws. Pursuant to the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, or the EIT Law, which became effective on January 1, 2008 and was amended on February 24, 2017 and December 29, 2018, respectively, a uniform 25% enterprise income tax rate is generally applicable to both foreign-invested enterprises and domestic enterprises, except where a special preferential rate applies.

        Our PRC subsidiaries are subject to value-added taxes, or VAT, at a rate of 6% on our services, less any deductible VAT we have already paid or borne. They are also subject to surcharges on VAT payments in accordance with PRC law. As a Cayman Islands holding company, we may receive dividends from our PRC subsidiaries. The PRC EIT Law and its implementing rules provide that dividends paid by a PRC entity to a nonresident enterprise for income tax purposes is subject to PRC withholding tax at a rate of 10%, subject to reduction by an applicable tax treaty with China. Pursuant to the Arrangement between Mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Tax Evasion on Income, the withholding tax rate in respect to the payment of dividends by a PRC enterprise to a Hong Kong enterprise may be reduced to 5% from a standard rate of 10% if the Hong Kong enterprise directly holds at least 25% of the PRC enterprise. Pursuant to the Notice of the State Administration of Taxation on the Issues concerning the Application of the Dividend Clauses of Tax Agreements, or SAT Circular 81, a Hong Kong resident enterprise must meet the following conditions, among others, in order to apply the reduced withholding tax rate: (i) it must be a company; (ii) it must directly own the required percentage of equity interests and voting rights in the PRC resident enterprise; and (iii) it must have directly owned such required percentage in the PRC resident enterprise throughout the 12 months prior to receiving the dividends. In August 2015, the State Administration of Taxation, or SAT, promulgated the Administrative Measures for Nonresident Taxpayers to Enjoy Treatment under Tax Treaties, or SAT Circular 60, which became effective on November 1, 2015 and was amended on June 15, 2018. SAT Circular 60 provides that nonresident enterprises are not required to obtain preapproval from the relevant tax authority in order to enjoy the reduced withholding tax. Instead, nonresident enterprises and their withholding agents may, by self-assessment and on confirmation that the prescribed criteria to enjoy the tax treaty benefits are met, directly apply the reduced withholding tax rate, and file necessary forms and supporting documents when performing tax filings, which will be subject to post-tax filing examinations by the relevant tax authorities. Accordingly, we may be able to benefit from the 5% withholding tax rate for the dividends we receive from our PRC subsidiaries, if we satisfy the conditions prescribed under SAT Circular 81 and other relevant tax rules and regulations. However, according to SAT Circular 81 and SAT Circular 60, if the relevant tax authorities consider the transactions or arrangements we have are for the primary purpose of enjoying a favorable tax treatment, the relevant tax authorities may adjust the favorable withholding tax in the future.

87


Table of Contents

        If our holding company in the Cayman Islands or any of our subsidiaries outside of China were deemed to be a "resident enterprise" under the PRC EIT Law, it would be subject to enterprise income tax on its worldwide income at a rate of 25%. See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—We may be classified as a "PRC resident enterprise" for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, which could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders and ADS holders and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment."

        Our subsidiary in Singapore is subject to the Singapore Corporate Tax rate of 17%.

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

        Prior to this offering, we have been a private company with limited accounting and financial reporting personnel and other resources to address our internal controls and procedures. In connection with the audits of our consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, we and our independent registered public accounting firm identified one material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. As defined in the standards established by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board of the United States, a "material weakness" is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company's annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

        The material weakness identified is our company's lack of sufficient competent financial reporting and accounting personnel with appropriate understanding of U.S. GAAP to design and implement formal period-end financial reporting controls and procedures to address U.S. GAAP technical accounting issues, and to prepare and review the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures in accordance with U.S. GAAP and financial reporting requirements set forth by the SEC.

        To remediate the identified material weakness, we are currently in the process of establishing clear rules and responsibilities for accounting and financial reporting staffs to address complex accounting and financial reporting issues. Furthermore, we are in the process of hiring additional qualified financial and accounting personnel with working experience with U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting requirements. In addition, we plan to:

        The process of designing and implementing an effective financial reporting system is a continuous effort that requires us to anticipate and react to changes in our business and the economic and regulatory environments and to devote significant resources to maintain a financial reporting system that is adequate to satisfy our reporting obligation. See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—If we fail to implement and maintain an effective system of internal controls over financial reporting, we may be unable to accurately or timely report our results of operations or prevent fraud, and investor confidence and the market price of our ADSs may be materially and adversely affected."

        As a company with less than US$1.07 billion in revenue for our last fiscal year, we qualify as an "emerging growth company" pursuant to the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other requirements that are otherwise applicable

88


Table of Contents

generally to public companies. These provisions include exemption from the auditor attestation requirement under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, in the assessment of the emerging growth company's internal control over financial reporting. The JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company does not need to comply with any new or revised financial accounting standards until such date that a private company is otherwise required to comply with such new or revised accounting standards. We will not "opt out" of such exemptions afforded to an emerging growth company.

Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates

        We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet dates and revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. We continually evaluate these judgments and estimates based on our own historical experience, knowledge and assessment of current business and other conditions, our expectations regarding the future based on available information and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable, which together form our basis for making judgments about matters that are not readily apparent from other sources. Since the use of estimates is an integral component of the financial reporting process, our actual results could differ from those estimates. Some of our accounting policies require a higher degree of judgment than others in their application.

        The selection of critical accounting policies, the judgments and other uncertainties affecting application of those policies and the sensitivity of reported results to changes in conditions and assumptions are factors that should be considered when reviewing our financial statements. We believe the following accounting policies involve the most significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements. You should read the following description of critical accounting policies, judgments and estimates in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and other disclosures included in this prospectus.

Basis of presentation for the reorganization

        The reorganization consists of transferring the online advertising services, enterprise value-added services and subscription services, collectively referred to as the 36Kr Business, to our Group, which is owned by the shareholders of Beijing Duoke and Xieli Zhucheng immediately before and after the reorganization. The shareholding percentages and rights of each shareholder are substantially the same in Beijing Duoke and in our Company immediately before and after the reorganization. Accordingly, the reorganization is accounted for in a manner similar to a common control transaction because of the high degree of common ownership, and it is determined that the transfers lack economic substance. Therefore, the accompanying consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses and cash flows of 36Kr Business for the periods presented and are prepared as if the corporate structure of our Group after the reorganization had been in existence throughout the periods presented. Accordingly, the effect of the ordinary shares and the preferred shares issued by our Company pursuant to the reorganization have been retrospectively presented as of the beginning of the earliest period presented on the consolidated financial statement or the original issue date, whichever is later.

Principles of consolidation

        Our consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of our company, our subsidiaries, our VIE and its subsidiaries for which we are the ultimate primary beneficiary.

        Subsidiaries are those entities in which we, directly or indirectly, control more than one half of the voting power or have the power to appoint or remove the majority of the members of the board of

89


Table of Contents

directors, or to cast a majority of votes at the meeting of the board of directors, or to govern the financial and operating policies of the investee under a statute or agreement among the shareholders or equity holders.

        A VIE is an entity in which we, or our subsidiary, through contractual arrangements, has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance, bears the risks of and enjoys the rewards normally associated with ownership of the entity, and therefore is the primary beneficiary of the entity.

        All significant intercompany transactions and balances between ourselves, our subsidiaries, our VIE and subsidiaries of the VIE have been eliminated upon consolidation.

        We early adopted ASC Topic 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" (ASC 606) for all years presented. According to ASC 606, revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to the customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. We determine revenue recognition through the following steps:

        The following is a description of the accounting policy for our principal revenue streams.

        Online advertising revenue is derived principally from advertising contracts with customers, which allow advertisers to place advertisements on agreed areas of our platform in different formats and over a particular period of time. We display advertisement provided by customers in a variety of forms such as full screen display, banners, and pop-ups. We also help produce advertisements based on the customers' requests, and post the advertisements on our platform to help promote customers' products and enhance their brand awareness. We have developed capabilities in generating and distributing our own and third-party high-quality content on our self-operated platforms. There is no third-party content for fulfilling a promise to the customers for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018.

        We generate our online advertising service revenue primarily (i) at a fixed fee per each day's advertisement display, which is known as the Cost Per Day ("CPD") model, and (ii) at a fixed fee per each advertisement posted on our platform, which we refer as the cost-per-advertisement model. We recognize revenue for the amount of fees we receive from our advertisers, after deducting discounts and net of value-added tax ("VAT") under ASC 606.

        Our online advertising contracts with customers may include multiple performance obligations. For such arrangements, we allocate revenues to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. We generally determine standalone selling prices of each distinct performance obligation based on the prices charged to customers when sold on a standalone basis.

        Under the CPD model, a contract is signed to establish a fixed price for the advertising services to be provided over a period of time. Given the advertisers benefit from the advertising evenly, we recognize revenue on a straight-line basis over the period of display, provided all revenue recognition

90


Table of Contents

criteria have been met. Under the cost-per-advertisement model, as all the economic benefit enjoyed by the customer can be substantially realized at the time the advertisements are posted initially, we recognize revenue at a point in time when we post the advertisements initially.

        The principal enterprise value-added services we provide to customers are set out as follows:

        We help our customers develop tailored and diverse marketing strategies to improve their marketing efficiency. Integrated marketing services include providing marketing plan, marketing event organization and execution, and public relations, etc.

        We organize diverse events, such as summits, forums, industry conferences and fan festivals to create brand-building opportunities and to facilitate business cooperation and investment opportunities.

        Our customer who then becomes a sponsor of such events may participate as a speaker, place advertisements at offline events and on our online platform during the course of events.

        We provide consulting services to customers to help them seek new business opportunities and partners by leveraging our extensive network of New Economy participants.

        In certain circumstances, we engage third-party suppliers to perform part of the aforementioned services in fulfilling our contract obligation. In these cases, we control and take responsibilities for such services before the services are transferred to the customer. We have the right to direct the suppliers to perform the service and control the goods or assets transferred to our customers. In addition, we combine and integrate the separate services provided by the suppliers into the specified marketing or business consulting solutions to our customers. Thus, we consider we should recognize revenue as a principal in the gross amount of consideration to which we are entitled in exchange for the specified services transferred.

        Although a bundle of services are provided to the customers in each of the three services mentioned above, our overall commitment in such contract arrangement is to transfer a combined item at a fixed fee, which is an integrated marketing or business consulting solution, to which the individual services are inputs. The integrated services are customized for the customers, and they are interdependent and interrelated. Therefore, we combine such bundle of services in the contracts into a single performance obligation. Most of the offline events are completed within several days, and most of the contracts of integrated marketing solution and business consulting are completed within one year. The revenues are recognized ratably over the duration of such events and activities.

        In addition to the traditional marketing services above, we provide interactive marketing services through interactive marketing dispensers equipped with large display screen, sensors and speakers. We usually use the machines to provide promotion services to new products. Revenue is recognized when these services are rendered and determined based on the customer's number of items dispensed or at a fixed contract price in a period of time.

91


Table of Contents

        We offer institutional investor and enterprise subscription services, a service package to institutional investors and to New Economy companies, which consists of creating their yellow pages on our platform, publishing articles about them on our platform, priority access to our offline activities, etc., and for enterprise subscribers we also offer online courses and one-on-one consulting. We offer such subscription benefits for a fixed period subscription fee.

        Both the institutional investor and enterprise subscription services involve multiple performance obligations. We allocate revenues to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. We generally determine standalone selling prices of each distinct performance obligation based on the prices charged to customers when sold on a standalone basis. Where standalone selling price is not directly observable, the best estimate of the stand-alone selling price is taken into consideration of the pricing of advertisings or enterprise value-added services of us with similar characteristics and advertisements or services with similar formats and quoted prices from competitors and other market conditions. Most of such contracts have all performance obligations completed within one year. The revenue has been recognized over the period when such services are delivered or when the services are rendered based on the transaction price allocated to each performance obligation.

        We provide paid columns, online courses and offline trainings to our individual subscribers. Revenues from paid columns and online courses are derived from providing fee-based online content to individuals on our platform. The revenues generated from paid columns and online courses are recognized evenly over the economic period that individual subscribers can benefit, which is usually less than one year.

        We also provide two forms of offline training services. One is organized by ourselves, and we are responsible for delivering the training to the individual subscribers and have primary responsibility and broad discretion to establish price. Therefore, we are considered the primary obligor in these transactions and recognize the revenues at a gross basis. The other form of offline training services provided by us is to help recruit the trainees and coordinate the training activities instructed by the training organizer and sponsor. The revenue is recognized over the service period on a net basis as we consider ourselves as an agent in such arrangement.

        We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts which reflects our best estimate of amounts that potentially will not be collected. We determine the allowance for doubtful accounts based on factors such as historical experience, credit-worthiness and age of receivable balances. If the financial condition of the customers were to deteriorate and result in an impairment of their ability to make payments, or if the customers decide not to pay us, additional allowances may be required which could materially impact our financial condition and results of operations. In 2017, 2018 and for the six months ended June 30, 2018, allowance for doubtful accounts charged to our consolidated statements of comprehensive income were 0, RMB2.6 million (US$0.4 million) and RMB0.1 million, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, allowance for doubtful accounts credited to our consolidated statements of comprehensive loss was RMB0.8 million (US$0.1 million).

92


Table of Contents

        All share-based awards granted to employees are restricted share units, which are measured at fair value on grant date. Share-based compensation expense is recognized using the straight-line method, over the requisite service period, which is the vesting period.

        In determining the grant date fair value of our ordinary shares for purposes of recording share-based compensation in connection with the restricted share units, we, with the assistance of an independent valuation firm, evaluated the use of income approach to estimate the enterprise value of our company and income approach (discounted cash flow, or DCF method) was relied on for value determination.

        The following table sets forth the fair value of our ordinary shares estimated at the grant date of share-based awards.

Date of Valuation
  Fair Value
Per Share
(RMB)
  DLOM   Discount
Rate
 

June 19, 2017

    0.47     30 %   27 %

        The determination of the fair value of our ordinary shares requires complex and subjective judgments to be made regarding our projected financial and operating results, our unique business risks, the liquidity of our shares and our operating history and prospects at the time of valuation.

        The major assumptions used in calculating the fair value of ordinary shares include:

        The income approach involves applying appropriate WACCs to estimated cash flows that are based on earnings forecasts. Our revenues and earnings growth rates, as well as major milestones that we have achieved, contributed to the increase in the fair value of our ordinary shares from 2016 to 2017. However, these fair values are inherently uncertain and highly subjective. The assumptions used in deriving the fair values are consistent with our business plan. These assumptions include: no material changes in the existing political, legal and economic conditions in China; our ability to retain competent management, key personnel and staff to support our ongoing operations; and no material deviation in market conditions from economic forecasts. These assumptions are inherently uncertain. The risk associated with achieving our forecasts were assessed in selecting the appropriate WACCs, which were 27%.

        The option-pricing method was used to allocate equity value to preferred and ordinary shares. This method involves making estimates of the anticipated timing of a potential liquidity event, such as a sale of our company, a redemption event or an initial public offering, and estimates of the volatility of our equity securities. The anticipated timing is based on the plans of our board of directors and management.

Results of Operations

        The following table sets forth our consolidated results of operations for the periods indicated, both in absolute amounts and as percentages of total revenues. This information should be read together

93


Table of Contents

with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. The operating results in any period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period.

 
  For the Year Ended December 31,   For the Six Months Ended June 30,  
 
  2017   2018   2018   2019  
 
  RMB   %   RMB   US$   %   RMB   %   RMB   US$   %  
 
  (in thousands, except percentages)
   
   
   
   
   
 

Revenues

                                                             

Online advertising services

    73,958     61.4     173,783     25,314     58.1     50,960     70.4     79,477     11,577     39.4  

Enterprise value-added services

    42,465     35.2     100,238     14,601     33.5     16,608     22.9     101,072     14,723     50.0  

Subscription services

    4,084     3.4     25,072     3,652     8.4     4,860     6.7     21,325     3,106     10.6  

Total revenues

    120,507     100.0     299,093     43,567     100.0     72,428     100.0     201,874     29,406     100.0  

Cost of revenues

    (60,749 )   (50.4 )   (140,317 )   (20,439 )   (46.9 )   (48,042 )   (66.3 )   (138,120 )   (20,119 )   (68.4 )

Gross profit

   
59,758
   
49.6
   
158,776
   
23,128
   
53.1
   
24,386
   
33.7
   
63,754
   
9,287
   
31.6
 

Operating expenses

                                                             

Sales and marketing

    (32,275 )   (26.8 )   (66,984 )   (9,757 )   (22.4 )   (24,462 )   (33.8 )   (49,880 )   (7,266 )   (24.7 )

General and administrative

    (10,040 )   (8.3 )   (24,125 )   (3,514 )   (8.0 )   (7,949 )   (11.0 )   (46,849 )   (6,824 )   (23.2 )

Research and development

    (6,429 )   (5.3 )   (22,075 )   (3,216 )   (7.4 )   (6,335 )   (8.7 )   (16,948 )   (2,469 )   (8.4 )

Total operating expenses

    (48,744 )   (40.4 )   (113,184 )   (16,487 )   (37.8 )   (38,746 )   (53.5 )   (113,677 )   (16,559 )   (56.3 )

Income/(loss) from operations

    11,014     9.2     45,592     6,641     15.3     (14,360 )   (19.8 )   (49,923 )   (7,272 )   (24.7 )

Other income/(expenses)

                                                             

Share of loss from equity method investments

    (549 )   (0.5 )   (2,794 )   (407 )   (1.0 )   (2,053 )   (2.8 )            

Short-term investment income

    371     0.3     9,300     1,355     3.1     5,018     6.8     2,381     347     1.2  

Interest income

    12     0.0     22     3     0.0     14     0.0     13     2     0.0  

Interest expenses

    (185 )   (0.2 )   (97 )   (14 )   (0.0 )   (3 )   (0.0 )   (59 )   (9 )   (0.0 )

Others, net

    1,169     1.0     3,322     484     1.1     42     0.1     (17 )   (2 )   (0.0 )

Income/(loss) before income tax

    11,832     9.8     55,345     8,062     18.5     (11,342 )   (15.7 )   (47,605 )   (6,934 )   (23.5 )

Income tax (expense)/credit

    (3,909 )   (3.2 )   (14,827 )   (2,160 )   (5.0 )   3,029     4.2     2,107     307     1.0  

Net income/(loss)

    7,923     6.6     40,518     5,902     13.5     (8,313 )   (11.5 )   (45,498 )   (6,627 )   (22.5 )

        Our revenues increased by 178.7% from RMB72.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 to RMB201.9 million (US$29.4 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2019.

        Our revenues generated from online advertising services increased by 56.0% from RMB51.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 to RMB79.5 million (US$11.6 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The increase was primarily attributable to (i) the increased number of our online advertising services end customers from 155 in the first half of 2018 to 210 in the first half of 2019, and (ii) increased average revenue per online advertising services end customer.

94


Table of Contents

        Our revenues generated from enterprise value-added services increased by 508.6% from RMB16.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 to RMB101.1 million (US$14.7 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The increase was primarily attributable to (i) the increased number of our enterprise value-added services end customers from 52 in the first half of 2018 to 131 in the first half of 2019, and (ii) increased average revenue per enterprise value-added services end customer. Specifically, the increase in our revenues generated from enterprise value-added services was primarily attributable to a 793.5% increase in integrated marketing services revenues from RMB10.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 to RMB91.3 million (US$13.3 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2019.

        Our revenues generated from subscription services increased by 338.8% from RMB4.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 to RMB21.3 million (US$3.1 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The increase in our revenues generated from subscription services was attributable to (i) a 778.2% increase in individual subscription services revenues from RMB1.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 to RMB12.0 million (US$1.7 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2019, primarily due to increased offline trainings held in the first half of 2019, and (ii) a 133.5% increase in V-club services revenues from RMB3.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 to RMB8.2 million (US$1.2 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2019.

        Our cost of revenues increased by 187.5% from RMB48.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 to RMB138.1 million (US$20.1 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2019, which was generally in line with the growth of our business. The increase in cost of revenues was primarily due to the increase in (i) site fee and execution fee of enterprise value-added services and offline training, (ii) advertisement production costs, and (iii) equipment location rental fee and operation costs for the six months ended June 30, 2019. Site fee and execution fee of enterprise value-added services and offline training increased by 506.2% from RMB13.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 to RMB80.1 million (US$11.7 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2019 due to our business growth. Advertisement production costs increased by 53.5% from RMB9.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 to RMB13.8 million (US$2.0 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2019 primarily due to the growth of our online advertising services and our efforts to enhance our service quality. We incurred equipment location rental fee and operation costs for the six months ended June 30, 2019 as we launched our interactive marketing service after the first half of 2018. Cost of revenues as a percentage of our revenues slightly increased from 66.3% for the six months ended June 30, 2018 to 68.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2019.

        As a result of the foregoing, our gross profit increased by 161.4% from RMB24.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 to RMB63.8 million (US$9.3 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2019. Gross profit margin slightly decreased from 33.7% for the six months ended June 30, 2018 to 31.6% for the six months ended June 30, 2019.

        Our total operating expenses increased by 193.4% from RMB38.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 to RMB113.7 million (US$16.6 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The growth of our operating expenses was generally in line with our business expansion.

95


Table of Contents

        Our sales and marketing expenses increased by 103.9% from RMB24.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 to RMB49.9 million (US$7.3 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The increase in our sales and marketing expenses was primarily due to increased staff expenses. Staff expenses increased by 106.9% from RMB20.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 to RMB42.3 million (US$6.2 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2019, primarily because of increased headcount in relation to our enhanced sales and marketing efforts.

        Our general and administrative expenses increased by 489.4% from RMB7.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 to RMB46.8 million (US$6.8 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The increase in our general and administrative expenses was primarily due to increased payroll and related expenses. Staff expenses increased by 686.4% from RMB5.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 to RMB40.2 million (US$5.9 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2019, primarily as a result of increased share-based compensation expenses in relation to the re-designation of ordinary shares into Series B-3 and Series B-4 preferred shares.

        Our research and development expenses increased by 167.5% from RMB6.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 to RMB16.9 million (US$2.5 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The increase in research and development expenses was primarily attributable to increased staff expenses. Staff expenses increased by 193.0% from RMB4.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 to RMB14.5 million (US$2.1 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2019, primarily because of increased headcount, which reflected our continuing investments in developing our existing and new technology and products.

        Our other income decreased by 23.2% from RMB3.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 to RMB2.3 million (US$0.3 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease was primarily attributable to the decreased short-term investment income due to a decrease in short-term investments we held in the first half of 2019.

        Our income tax credit decreased by 30.4% from RMB3.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 to RMB2.1 million (US$0.3 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2019.

        As a result of the foregoing, our net loss increased by 447.3% from RMB8.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 to RMB45.5 million (US$6.6 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2019.

96


Table of Contents

Year Ended December 31, 2018 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2017

        Our revenues increased by 148.2% from RMB120.5 million in 2017 to RMB299.1 million (US$43.6 million) in 2018.

        Our revenues generated from online advertising services increased by 135.0% from RMB74.0 million in 2017 to RMB173.8 million (US$25.3 million) in 2018. The increase was primarily attributable to (i) the increased number of our online advertising services end customers from 187 in 2017 to 320 in 2018, and (ii) increased average revenue per online advertising services end customer.

        Our revenues generated from enterprise value-added services increased by 136.0% from RMB42.5 million in 2017 to RMB100.2 million (US$14.6 million) in 2018. The increase was primarily attributable to (i) the increased number of our enterprise value-added services end customers from 140 in 2017 to 263 in 2018 and (ii) increased average revenue per enterprise value-added services end customer. Specifically, the increase in our revenues generated from enterprise value-added services was attributable to (i) a 289.3% increase in revenues generated from integrated marketing services from RMB10.3 million in 2017 to RMB40.0 million (US$5.8 million) in 2018; (ii) a 69.6% increase in revenues generated from offline events from RMB31.7 million in 2017 to RMB53.7 million (US$7.8 million) in 2018; and (iii) a significant increase in revenues generated from consulting services from RMB0.5 million in 2017 to RMB6.5 million (US$0.9 million) in 2018.

        Our revenues generated from subscription services increased by 513.9% from RMB4.1 million in 2017 to RMB25.1 million (US$3.7 million) in 2018. The increase was primarily attributable to (i) the offline trainings and comprehensive packaged V-club subscription services we started to offer in 2018; and (ii) the increased number of individual subscribers in 2018. Specifically, the increase in our revenues generated from subscription services was attributable to (i) a significant increase in revenues generated from V-club services from RMB2.3 million in 2017 to RMB14.4 million (US$2.1 million) in 2018; and (ii) a significant increase in revenues generated from individual subscription services from RMB1.8 million in 2017 to RMB10.7 million (US$1.6 million) in 2018.

        Our cost of revenues increased by 131.0% from RMB60.7 million in 2017 to RMB140.3 million (US$20.4 million) in 2018, which was generally in line with the growth of our business. The increase in cost of revenues was primarily due to the (i) increase in staff costs, advertisement production costs and other costs, and (ii) the equipment location rental fee and operation costs incurred in 2018, which was in relation to the launch of our interactive marketing service in 2018. Staff costs increased by 148.0% from RMB18.2 million in 2017 to RMB45.2 million (US$6.6 million) in 2018, primarily due to the increase in headcount. Advertisement production costs increased by 366.3% from RMB5.8 million in 2017 to RMB27.2 million (US$4.0 million) in 2018, primarily due to the growth of our online advertising services and our efforts to enhance our service quality. Other costs increased by 304.1% from RMB3.6 million in 2017 to RMB14.5 million (US$2.1 million) in 2018, primarily due to our business expansion. Cost of revenues as a percentage of our revenues decreased from 50.4% in 2017 to 46.9% in 2018.

97


Table of Contents

        As a result of the foregoing, our gross profit increased by 165.7% from RMB59.8 million in 2017 to RMB158.8 million (US$23.1 million) in 2018. Gross profit margin increased from 49.6% in 2017 to 53.1% in 2018.

        Our total operating expenses increased by 132.2% from RMB48.7 million in 2017 to RMB113.2 million (US$16.5 million) in 2018. The growth of our operating expenses was generally in line with our business expansion.

        Our sales and marketing expenses increased by 107.5% from RMB32.3 million in 2017 to RMB67.0 million (US$9.8 million) in 2018. The increase in our sales and marketing expenses was primarily due to increased staff expenses and increased rental and depreciation expenses. Staff expenses increased by 104.6% from RMB26.0 million in 2017 to RMB53.1 million (US$7.7 million) in 2018, primarily because of increased headcount in relation to our enhanced sales and marketing efforts. Rental and depreciation expenses increased by 452.1% from RMB0.7 million in 2017 to RMB3.6 million (US$0.5 million) in 2018, primarily in relation to office expansion.

        Our general and administrative expenses increased by 140.3% from RMB10.0 million in 2017 to RMB24.1 million (US$3.5 million) in 2018. The increase in our general and administrative expenses was primarily due to increased associated facilities and equipment expenses and increased payroll and related expenses. Associated facilities and equipment costs increased by 403.4% from RMB2.2 million in 2017 to RMB11.0 million (US$1.6 million) in 2018, primarily in relation to office expansion. Staff expenses increased by 67.3% from RMB7.9 million in 2017 to RMB13.2 million (US$1.9 million) in 2018, primarily as a result of increased headcount, which was in line our business growth.

        Our research and development expenses increased by 243.4% from RMB6.4 million in 2017 to RMB22.1 million (US$3.2 million) in 2018. The increase in research and development expenses was primarily attributable to increased staff expenses. Staff expenses increased by 269.6% from RMB5.0 million in 2017 to RMB18.3 million (US$2.7 million) in 2018, primarily because of increased headcount, which reflected our continuing investments in developing our existing and new technology and products.

        Our other income increased from RMB0.8 million in 2017 to RMB9.8 million (US$1.4 million) in 2018. The increase was primarily attributable to (i) increased short-term investment income due to an increase in short-term investments we held in 2018, and (ii) increased government grants in 2018.

        Our income tax expenses increased by 279.3% from RMB3.9 million in 2017 to RMB14.8 million (US$2.2 million) in 2018, which was in line with our revenue growth.

98


Table of Contents

        As a result of the foregoing, our net income increased by 411.4% from RMB7.9 million in 2017 to RMB40.5 million (US$5.9 million) in 2018.

Selected Quarterly Results of Operations

        The following table sets forth our unaudited consolidated quarterly results of operations for the periods indicated. You should read the following table in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. We have prepared the unaudited consolidated quarterly financial information on the same basis as our consolidated financial statements. The unaudited consolidated quarterly financial information includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments, that we consider necessary for a fair representation of our operating results for the quarters presented.

 
  For the three months ended  
 
  September 30,
2017
  December 31,
2017
  March 31,
2018
  June 30,
2018
  September 30,
2018
  December 31,
2018
  March 31,
2019
  June 30,
2019
 
 
  RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB  
 
  (in thousands)
 

Revenues:

                                                 

Online advertising services

    17,409     45,213     17,057     33,903     51,705     71,118     34,778     44,699  

Enterprise value-added services

    7,561     22,696     6,339     10,269     21,128     62,502     41,397     59,675  

Subscription services

    1,325     1,551     2,532     2,328     9,449     10,763     7,627     13,698  

Total revenues

    26,295     69,460     25,928     46,500     82,282     144,383     83,802     118,072  

Cost of revenues

    (14,222 )   (25,015 )   (19,788 )   (28,254 )   (37,605 )   (54,670 )   (59,393 )   (78,727 )

Gross profit

    12,073     44,445     6,140     18,246     44,677     89,713     24,409     39,345  

Operating expenses:

                                                 

Sales and marketing expenses

    (10,541 )   (12,956 )   (10,695 )   (13,767 )   (18,794 )   (23,728 )   (24,093 )   (25,787 )

General and administrative expenses

    (2,423 )   (3,513 )   (3,769 )   (4,180 )   (6,521 )   (9,655 )   (7,955 )   (38,894 )

Research and development expenses

    (1,745 )   (2,056 )   (2,740 )   (3,595 )   (7,241 )   (8,499 )   (9,708 )   (7,240 )

Total operating expenses

    (14,709 )   (18,525 )   (17,204 )   (21,542 )   (32,556 )   (41,882 )   (41,756 )   (71,921 )

(Loss)/Income from operations

    (2,636 )   25,920     (11,064 )   (3,296 )   12,121     47,831     (17,347 )   (32,576 )

Other income/(expenses):

                                                 

Share of loss from equity method investments

        (549 )   (1,012 )   (1,041 )   (741 )            

Short-term investment income

    14     357     2,368     2,650     2,459     1,823     1,507     874  

Interest income

    2     5     10     4     6     2     6     7  

Interest expenses

    (73 )   (84 )   (2 )   (1 )   (24 )   (70 )   (9 )   (50 )

Others, net

    1,000     169     50     (8 )   521     2,759     (82 )   65  

(Loss)/Income before income tax

    (1,693 )   25,818     (9,650 )   (1,692 )   14,342     52,345     (15,925 )   (31,680 )

Income tax credit/(expense)

    165     (6,650 )   2,531     498     (4,561 )   (13,295 )   2,321     (214 )

Net (loss)/income

    (1,528 )   19,168     (7,119 )   (1,194 )   9,781     39,050     (13,604 )   (31,894 )

Accretion on redeemable non-controlling interests to redemption value

                (338 )   (350 )   (337 )   (162 )   (169 )

Accretion of convertible redeemable preferred shares to redemption value

    (515 )   (1,372 )   (5,764 )   (6,787 )   (37,967 )   (69,542 )   (89,485 )   (151,526 )

Re-designation of Series A-1 into Series B-3 convertible redeemable preferred shares

                            (26,787 )    

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests

                                136  

Net (loss)/income attributable to 36Kr Holdings Inc.'s ordinary shareholders

    (2,043 )   17,796     (12,883 )   (8,319 )   (28,536 )   (30,829 )   (130,038 )   (183,453 )

        Notwithstanding the fluctuations of our quarterly results of operations as discussed below, we have experienced rapid revenue growth in the last nine quarters. Our quarterly revenues were primarily generated from our online advertising services and enterprise value-added services. The increase in revenues generated from online advertising services was mainly attributable to the increased number of

99


Table of Contents

our online advertising services end customers and increased average revenue per online advertising services end customer. The increase in revenues generated from enterprise value-added services was mainly attributable to the increased number of our enterprise value-added services end customers and increased average revenue per enterprise value-added services end customer.

        We experience seasonality in our business, primarily our online advertising services. We have experienced lower online advertising services revenues in the first quarter of each year as companies tend to limit their advertising and marketing spending during Chinese New Year holiday season. We have achieved higher online advertising services revenues in the fourth quarter of each year as companies generally increase advertising and marketing spending near the end of each calendar year. Moreover, as most of our offline events are hosted in the fourth quarter of each year, we also experience an increase in enterprise value-added services revenues during that period. See also "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate, which makes our results of operations difficult to predict and may cause our quarterly results of operations to fall short of expectations."

        In line with our revenues, our quarterly operating expenses also experience similar seasonal fluctuations. Despite the seasonal fluctuations, our quarterly operating expenses generally increased in absolute amounts during in the last eight quarters, which was in line with our revenue growth and business expansion. Meanwhile, our operating expenses as a percentage of our revenues generally decreased on a year over year basis, primarily as a result of economies of scale and continuous improvement of operating efficiency.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

        In evaluating our business, we consider and use two non-GAAP measures, adjusted net income/(loss) and adjusted EBITDA, as supplemental measures to review and assess our operating performance. The presentation of these two non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We define adjusted net income/(loss) as net income/(loss) excluding share-based compensation. We define adjusted EBITDA as adjusted net income/(loss) before interest income, interest expenses, income tax expense/(credit), depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of intangible assets. We present these non-GAAP financial measures because they are used by our management to evaluate our operating performance and formulate business plans. We also believe that the use of these non-GAAP measures facilitate investors' assessment of our operating performance.

        These non-GAAP financial measures are not defined under U.S. GAAP and are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools. One of the key limitations of using these non-GAAP financial measures is that they do not reflect all items of income and expense that affect our operations. Further, these non-GAAP measures may differ from the non-GAAP information used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore their comparability may be limited.

        We compensate for these limitations by reconciling these non-GAAP financial measures to the nearest U.S. GAAP performance measure, all of which should be considered when evaluating our performance. We encourage you to review our financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.

100


Table of Contents

        The following table reconciles our adjusted net income/(loss) and adjusted EBITDA in 2017, 2018 and the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019 to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which is net income/(loss):

 
  For the Year Ended
December 31,
  For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
 
  2017   2018   2018   2019  
 
  RMB   RMB   US$   RMB   RMB   US$  
 
  (in thousands)
   
   
   
 

Net income/(loss)

    7,923     40,518     5,902     (8,313 )   (45,498 )   (6,627 )

Adjustments:

                                     

Share-based compensation expenses

    4,888     5,111     745     2,734     29,108     4,240  

Adjusted net income/(loss)

    12,811     45,629     6,647     (5,579 )   (16,390 )   (2,387 )

Interest income

    (12 )   (22 )   (3 )   (14 )   (13 )   (2 )

Interest expenses

    185     97     14     3     59     9  

Income tax expense/(credit)

    3,909     14,827     2,160     (3,029 )   (2,107 )   (307 )

Depreciation of property and equipment

    487     1,585     231     482     1,901     276  

Amortization of intangible assets

        18     3     6     14     2  

Adjusted EBITDA

    17,380     62,134     9,052     (8,131 )   (16,536 )   (2,409 )

Liquidity and Capital Resources

        Our principal sources of liquidity have been cash generated from historical equity financing activities. As of June 30, 2019, we had RMB26.2 million (US$3.8 million) in cash and cash equivalents. Our cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and demand deposits or other highly liquid investments placed with banks or other financial institutions which are unrestricted as to withdrawal and use and have original maturities of less than three months. Our cash and cash equivalents are primarily denominated in Renminbi, U.S. dollars and Singapore dollars, including (i) RMB23.4 million (US$3.4 million) denominated in Renminbi and held in the PRC by our VIE and its subsidiaries, (ii) RMB2.3 million (US$0.3 million) denominated in U.S. dollar and held in Singapore by KrAsia and (iii) RMB0.5 million (US$0.1 million) denominated in Singapore dollar and held in Singapore by KrAsia. As of June 30, 2019, we had RMB78.0 million (US$11.4 million) in short-term investments, all of which were denominated in Renminbi and held in the PRC by our VIE and its subsidiaries. We believe that our current cash and anticipated cash flow from operations will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs, including our cash needs for working capital and capital expenditures, for at least the next 12 months.

        Our accounts receivable, net increased by 190.2% from RMB62.8 million as of December 31, 2017 to RMB182.3 million (US$26.6 million) as of December 31, 2018, and further increased by 48.6% to RMB270.9 million (US$39.5 million) as of June 30, 2019, which was generally in line with our revenue growth. We experience seasonality in our online advertising services and enterprise value-added services, such that we generate more revenues during the fourth quarter of each year. Therefore we generally record larger amounts of account receivables at calendar year-ends. We generally provide credit terms ranging from 90 to 180 days to our customers. We have been increasingly focused on the collection of accounts receivable.

        We intend to finance our future working capital requirements and capital expenditures from cash generated from operating activities and funds raised from financing activities, including the net proceeds we will receive from this offering. We may, however, require additional cash due to changing business conditions or other future developments, including any investments or acquisitions we may

101


Table of Contents

decide to pursue. If our existing cash is insufficient to meet our requirements, we may seek to issue debt or equity securities or obtain additional credit facilities. Financing may be unavailable in the amounts we need or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Issuance of additional equity securities or equity-linked securities, including convertible debt securities, would dilute our earnings per share. The incurrence of debt would divert cash for working capital and capital expenditures to service debt obligations and could result in operating and financial covenants that restrict our operations and our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders. If we are unable to obtain additional equity or debt financing as required, our business operations and prospects may suffer.

        As a holding company with no material operations of our own, we conduct our operations primarily through our PRC subsidiaries and consolidated VIE in China. We are permitted under PRC laws and regulations to provide funding to our PRC subsidiaries in China through capital contributions or loans, subject to the approval of government authorities and limits on the amount of capital contributions and loans. See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—PRC regulation of loans to, and direct investment in, PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may restrict or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans to our PRC subsidiary and our VIE, or to make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiary" and "Use of Proceeds." The ability of our subsidiaries in China to make dividends or other cash payments to us is subject to various restrictions under PRC laws and regulations. See Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—We may rely to a significant extent on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our principal operating subsidiaries to fund offshore cash and financing requirements. Any limitation on the ability of our operating subsidiaries to make payments to us could have a material and adverse impact on our ability to operate our business." and "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—PRC regulations relating to investments in offshore companies by PRC residents may subject our PRC-resident beneficial owners or our PRC subsidiaries to liability or penalties, limit our ability to inject capital into our PRC subsidiaries or limit our PRC subsidiaries' ability to increase their registered capital or distribute profits.

        The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flows for the periods indicated:

 
  For the Year Ended December 31,   For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
 
  2017   2018   2018   2019  
 
  RMB   RMB   US$   RMB   RMB   US$  
 
  (in thousands)
   
   
   
 

Net cash used in operating activities

    (11,444 )   (45,598 )   (6,643 )   (22,552 )   (94,884 )   (13,822 )

Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities

    (105,892 )   (56,294 )   (8,200 )   (117,733 )   66,261     9,653  

Net cash provided by financing activities

    162,979     104,716     15,254     104,716     5,840     851  

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, and cash equivalents held in foreign currencies

        501     73     303     (31 )   (5 )

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    45,643     3,325     484     (35,266 )   (22,814 )   (3,323 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period/year

        45,643     6,649     45,643     48,968     7,133  

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period/year

    45,643     48,968     7,133     10,377     26,154     3,810  

102


Table of Contents

        Net cash used in operating activities was RMB94.9 million (US$13.8 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The difference between our net cash used in operating activities and our net loss of RMB45.5 million (US$6.6 million) was mainly due to (i) an increase of RMB87.8 million (US$12.8 million) in our accounts receivable primarily as a result of our business growth, and (ii) an increase of RMB12.4 million (US$1.8 million) in our prepayments and other current assets, partially offset by an increase of RMB30.8 million (US$4.5 million) in our accounts payable primarily as a result of our business growth.

        Net cash used in operating activities was RMB45.6 million (US$6.6 million) in 2018. In 2018, the difference between our net cash used in operating activities and our net income of RMB40.5 million (US$5.9 million) was mainly due to an increase of RMB121.5 million (US$17.7 million) in our accounts receivable primarily as a result of our business growth.

        Net cash used in operating activities was RMB11.4 million in 2017. In 2017, the difference between our net cash used in operating activities and our net income of RMB7.9 million was mainly due to an increase of RMB60.8 million in our accounts receivable primarily as a result of our business growth.

        Net cash provided by investing activities was RMB66.3 million (US$9.7 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2019, which was attributable to short-term investments, including investments in wealth management products of RMB68.8 million (US$10.0 million).

        Net cash used in investing activities was RMB56.3 million (US$8.2 million) in 2018, which was primarily attributable to (i) short-term investments, including investments in wealth management products of RMB39.6 million (US$5.8 million), and (ii) purchase of property and equipment of RMB16.4 million (US$2.4 million) in relation to our launch of interactive marketing service and office expansion in 2018.

        Net cash used in investing activities was RMB105.9 million in 2017, which was attributable to net increase in short-term investments, including investments in wealth management products of RMB102.0 million.

        Net cash provided by financing activities was RMB5.8 million (US$0.9 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2019, representing capital injection from non-controlling shareholders.

        Net cash provided by financing activities was RMB104.7 million (US$15.3 million) in 2018, and was mainly attributable to the proceeds from issuance of Series C-1 preferred shares to our shareholders which amounted to RMB100.0 million (US$14.6 million), and the proceeds from issuance of convertible redeemable preferred shares to non-controlling shareholders, which amounted to RMB5.7 million (US$0.8 million).

        Net cash provided by financing activities was RMB163.0 million in 2017, and was mainly attributable to the proceeds from issuance of Series C-1 preferred shares to our shareholders which amounted to RMB152.0 million, and the capital injection from shareholders, which amounted to RMB10.0 million.

        Our capital expenditures are incurred primarily in connection with purchases of equipment and intangible assets, and leasehold improvements. Our capital expenditures were RMB0.4 million, RMB16.7 million (US$2.4 million), RMB4.0 million, and RMB2.5 million (US$0.4 million), in 2017 and 2018 and for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019, respectively. We intend to fund our future

103


Table of Contents

capital expenditures with our existing cash balance and proceeds from this offering. We will continue to make capital expenditures to meet the expected growth of our business.

Contractual Obligations

        The following table sets forth our contractual obligations as of June 30, 2019:

 
  Payment due by period  
 
  Less than
1 year
  1 - 3 years   3 - 5 years   More than
5 years
  Total  
 
  (in RMB thousands)
 

Operating lease commitment(1)

    6,850     28,261     14,560     0     49,671  

Notes:

(1)
Operating lease commitment represents minimum payments under non-cancelable operating leases related to offices. Payments made under operating leases are charged to the consolidated statements of comprehensive income on a straight-line basis over the lease periods.

Holding Company Structure

        36Kr Holdings Inc. is a holding company with no material operations of its own. We conduct our operations primarily through our PRC subsidiaries and VIE and its subsidiaries. As a result, our ability to pay dividends depends upon dividends paid by our subsidiaries. If our subsidiaries or any newly formed subsidiaries incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing their debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends to us.

        In addition, our subsidiaries in China are permitted to pay dividends to us only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with the Accounting Standards for Business Enterprise as promulgated by the Ministry of Finance of the PRC, or PRC GAAP. In accordance with PRC company laws, our VIE and its subsidiaries in China must make appropriations from their after-tax profit to non-distributable reserve funds including (i) statutory surplus fund and (ii) discretionary surplus fund. The appropriation to the statutory surplus fund must be at least 10% of the after-tax profits calculated in accordance with PRC GAAP. Appropriation is not required if the statutory surplus fund has reached 50% of the registered capital of our VIE. Appropriation to discretionary surplus fund is made at the discretion of our VIE. Pursuant to the law applicable to China's foreign investment enterprise, our subsidiaries that are foreign investment enterprise in the PRC have to make appropriation from their after-tax profit, as determined under PRC GAAP, to reserve funds including (i) general reserve fund, (ii) enterprise expansion fund and (iii) staff bonus and welfare fund. The appropriation to the general reserve fund must be at least 10% of the after-tax profits calculated in accordance with PRC GAAP. Appropriation is not required if the reserve fund has reached 50% of the registered capital of our subsidiary. Appropriations to the other two reserve funds are at our subsidiary's discretion.

        As an offshore holding company, we are permitted under PRC laws and regulations to provide funding from the proceeds of our offshore fund raising activities to our PRC subsidiaries only through loans or capital contributions, and to our consolidated affiliated entity only through loans, in each case subject to the satisfaction of the applicable government registration and approval requirements. See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—PRC regulation of loans to, and direct investment in, PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may restrict or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans to our PRC subsidiary and our VIE, or to make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiary." for details. As a result, there is uncertainty with respect to our ability to provide prompt financial support to our PRC subsidiaries and our consolidated VIE when needed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our PRC subsidiaries and our consolidated VIE may use their own retained earnings (rather than Renminbi

104


Table of Contents

converted from foreign currency denominated capital) to provide financial support to our consolidated affiliated entity either through entrustment loans from our PRC subsidiaries to our VIE or direct loans to such consolidated affiliated entity's nominee shareholders, which would be contributed to the consolidated variable entity as capital injections. Such direct loans to the nominee shareholders would be eliminated in our consolidated financial statements against the consolidated affiliated entity's share capital.

Off-Balance Sheet Commitments and Arrangements

        We have not entered into any financial guarantees or other commitments to guarantee the payment obligations of any third parties. We have not entered into any derivative contracts that are indexed to our shares and classified as shareholder's equity or that are not reflected in our consolidated financial statements. Furthermore, we do not have any retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to such entity. We do not have any variable interest in any unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit support to us or engages in leasing, hedging or product development services with us.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

        Our credit risk primarily arises from cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, receivables due from its customers, related parties and other parties. The maximum exposure of such assets to credit risk is the assets' carrying amounts as of the balance sheet dates. We expect that there is no significant credit risk associated with cash and cash equivalents and short term investments which were held by reputable financial institutions in the jurisdictions where we, our subsidiaries, VIE and the subsidiaries of the VIE are located. We believe that we are not exposed to unusual risks as these financial institutions have high credit quality.

        We believe that there is no significant credit risk associated with amounts due from related parties. Receivables due from customers are typically unsecured in the PRC and the credit risk with respect to which is mitigated by credit evaluations we perform on our customers and our ongoing monitoring process of outstanding balances.

        Our operating transactions are mainly denominated in RMB, which is not freely convertible into foreign currencies. The value of the RMB is subject to changes by the central government policies and to international economic and political development. In the PRC, certain foreign exchange transactions are required by law to be transacted only by authorized financial institutions at exchange rates set by the PBOC. Remittances in currencies other than RMB by us in China must be processed through PBOC or other China foreign exchange regulatory bodies which require certain supporting documentation in order to effect the remittance.

        To date, we have not entered into any hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk.

        We estimate that we will receive net proceeds of approximately US$                 million from this offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us, based on the initial offering price of US$                per ADS. Assuming that we convert the full amount of the net proceeds from this offering into RMB, a 10% appreciation of the U.S. dollar against RMB, from a rate of RMB6.8650 to US$1.00, the rate in effect as of June 28, 2019, to a rate of RMB                to US$1.00, will result in an increase of RMB                 million in our net proceeds from

105


Table of Contents

this offering. Conversely, a 10% depreciation of the U.S. dollar against the RMB, from a rate of RMB6.8650 to US$1.00, the rate in effect as of June 28, 2019, to a rate of RMB                to US$1.00, will result in a decrease of RMB                 million in our net proceeds from this offering.

        Since our inception, inflation in China has not materially impacted our results of operations. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the year-over-year percent changes in the consumer price index for December 2017 and 2018 were increases of 1.8% and 1.9%, respectively. Although we have not in the past been materially affected by inflation since our inception, we can provide no assurance that we will not be affected in the future by higher rates of inflation in China.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

        A list of recent relevant accounting pronouncements is included in Note 3 "Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements" of our Consolidated Financial Statements.

106


Table of Contents


INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

        Certain information, including statistics and estimates, set forth in this section and elsewhere in this prospectus and all tables and graphs set forth in this section has been derived from an industry report commissioned by us and independently prepared by CIC in connection with this offering. We believe that the sources of such information are appropriate, and we have taken reasonable care in extracting and reproducing such information. We have no reason to believe that such information is false or misleading in any material respect or that any fact has been omitted that would render such information false or misleading in any material respect. However, neither we nor any other party involved in this offering has independently verified such information, and neither we nor any other party involved in this offering makes any representation as to the accuracy or completeness of such information. Therefore, investors are cautioned not to place any undue reliance on the information, including statistics and estimates, set forth in this section or similar information included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Development of China's New Economy

        New Economy in China has experienced a robust growth in recent years and has become a key growth engine for China's economy. As defined in the CIC Report, New Economy generally refers to businesses that realize rapid growth primarily through cutting-edge technology and innovative business models. The scope of New Economy is broad and expanding. New Economy covers a wide spectrum of industries that rely inherently on technological advancements, including the Internet, business services, hardware and software technologies as well as media and entertainment industries. At the same time, New Economy also covers traditional industries that are transforming and innovating their business models by leveraging such technological advancements, such as consumer and retail, healthcare, finance, and energy industries. The Chinese government has introduced favorable regulations promoting innovation-driven development and mass entrepreneurship to aid the development of New Economy. As innovations in business models and advancements in technology continue to thrive, additional industries will gradually emerge and the transformation of traditional industries will accelerate, expanding the scope of New Economy.

        According to the CIC Report, the scale of New Economy in China, as measured by GDP, grew from approximately US$0.6 trillion in 2014 to approximately US$2.0 trillion in 2018, representing a CAGR of approximately 34.8%, which is more than five times faster than the economic growth of China during the same period. Meanwhile, the GDP for China's New Economy is expected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 23.3% from 2018 to reach US$5.7 trillion in 2023, and the GDP for New Economy as a percentage of the overall GDP is expected to increase from 16.1% in 2018 to 33.5% in 2023.

        New Economy in China has experienced robust growth and is expected to continue to grow rapidly, driven by the following factors:

107


Table of Contents

        The flourishing New Economy in China has brought tremendous opportunities to New Economy companies, traditional companies being transformed by cutting-edge technology and innovative business models, institutional investors and individuals involved in New Economy. In particular, New Economy companies have grown rapidly in size and number. According to the CIC Report, the number of New Economy companies in China grew from approximately 39.4 thousand as of December 31, 2014 to approximately 95.7 thousand as of December 31, 2018, and the total valuation of all New Economy companies increased at a robust CAGR of approximately 30.3% from US$1.4 trillion as of December 31, 2014 to US$4.1 trillion as of December 31, 2018. According to the CIC Report, China is among the countries with the largest number of startup companies with a valuation of over US$1 billion, or unicorns, in the world. As of December 31, 2018, China is home to 164 unicorns, increased significantly from 16 unicorns in 2014. These unicorns are redefining existing industries as well as creating new industries in the New Economy market.

        The booming growth of New Economy in China has attracted strong capital investment. According to the CIC Report, increasing complexity of new business models, technology breakthroughs and fierce competition require more investments for New Economy companies. The total amount of equity investment in New Economy companies increased from US$48.0 billion in 2014 to US$122.1 billion in 2018, representing a CAGR of approximately 26.3%. Equity investment in New Economy companies is expected to reach US$304.9 billion by 2023, accounting for approximately 64.3% of the total equity investment market in China, as compared to 39.6% in 2014 and 58.4% in 2018.

China's New Economy-focused Business Services Market

        The New Economy-focused business services market primarily consists of online advertising services, enterprise value-added services and subscription services, which together serve the entire lifecycle of New Economy companies. According to the CIC Report, these three segments are the main revenue drivers for New Economy-focused business services providers, and have been experiencing phenomenal growth in market size and penetration. According to the CIC Report, the total market size of these three segments increased from US$7.0 billion in 2014 to US$20.2 billion in 2018, representing a CAGR of approximately 30.3%, and is expected to further grow at a CAGR of approximately 22.5% from 2018 to reach US$55.6 billion by 2023.


Market size of New Economy-focused business services, by revenue, China, 2014-2023E

GRAPHIC


Source: CIC Report

Note: (1)    Enterprise value-added services include integrated marketing, training, information consulting and offline events.

           (2)    Subscription services include enterprise subscription services and individual subscription services.

108


Table of Contents

        The continuous growth of New Economy and its participants have generated increasing demands for premium and professional New Economy-focused business services. According to the CIC Report, such demands mainly involve the following aspects:

New Economy-focused Online Advertising Services

        New Economy-focused online advertising services refer to a series of basic and value-added advertising services provided to New Economy companies and traditional companies through online channels. New Economy-focused online advertising services primarily include advertisements on digital media, such as web portals, vertical media, social media and content distribution platforms. According to the CIC Report, digital media has replaced traditional media as the major media channel of news and entertainment for Chinese netizens since 2016.

        Thanks to the development of Internet technology, the growing number of Internet users and the increasing time they spend on Internet and mobile devices, New Economy-focused online advertising services market in China has undergone significant development. According to the CIC Report, the size of this market, in terms of revenue, increased from US$5.3 billion in 2014 to US$12.1 billion in 2018, representing a CAGR of approximately 23.0%. Driven by branding needs of New Economy companies and rebranding needs of traditional companies, the size of the New Economy-focused online advertising services market in China is expected to further grow at a CAGR of approximately 16.5% from 2018 to reach US$25.9 billion in 2023, according to the CIC Report.

New Economy-focused Enterprise Value-added Services

        According to the CIC Report, New Economy-focused enterprise value-added services mainly refer to a series of business services to enable New Economy enterprises at different stages to realize innovation, transformation, and advancement. Such services primarily include integrated marketing, offline events, consulting services and training services, among others.

109


Table of Contents

        Driven by the strong demands from an increasing number of New Economy-focused enterprises, New Economy-focused enterprise value-added services market in China has experienced rapid growth. According to the CIC Report, the market size of the New Economy-focused enterprise value-added services in China, in terms of revenue, increased significantly from US$1.4 billion in 2014 to US$5.8 billion in 2018, representing a CAGR of approximately 41.6%, and is expected to further grow at a CAGR of approximately 27.3% from 2018 to reach US$19.3 billion by 2023.

New Economy-focused Subscription Services

        According to the CIC Report, New Economy-focused subscription services providers offer high-quality content or services for a recurring price based on the type of content or services provided. New Economy-focused subscription services can be generally divided into individual and enterprise subscription services, which can be further categorized into institutional investor and other enterprise subscription services. Individual subscription services primarily include offline and online events, courses and trainings designed for individual customers to enhance their knowledge about New Economy. Institutional investor subscription services mainly include brand promotion, offline events and referral of investment opportunities. Other enterprise subscription services mainly include brand promotion, crowdsourcing, offline events, referral of investment and business opportunities, ancillary services and other services.

        The New Economy-focused subscription services market in China has experienced rapid growth in the past few years, according to the CIC Report. The market size of New Economy-focused subscription services market, in terms of revenue, has increased from US$0.3 billion in 2014 to US$2.3 billion in 2018, representing a robust CAGR of approximately 69.7%. In 2018, the market size of individual subscription services and enterprise subscription services amounted to US$0.9 billion and US$1.5 billion, accounting for 37.5% and 62.5% of the total market size of New Economy-focused subscription services, respectively. Primarily driven by the substantial growth of New Economy sectors, and wider acceptance of paid knowledge, the New Economy-focused subscription services market in China is expected to further grow to reach US$10.4 billion by 2023, representing a CAGR of approximately 34.9% from 2018.

Key Success Factors for China's New Economy-focused Business Service Market

        A proven track record of providing high-quality and comprehensive services is essential for New Economy-focused business services providers to establish a strong brand. Leveraging strong brand recognition, they can better attract, engage and retain users and customers with high loyalty and spending power.

        The development of New Economy sectors are significantly influenced by evolving demands of its participants for technological innovations, business expansion and industry upgrades. New Economy-focused business services providers with deep understanding of New Economy and its participants are able to timely attend to such demands and identify new trends. In turn, they are able to attract more customers and provide services with better quality.

        With the ability to integrate resources across the value chain, New Economy-focused business services providers are able to tailor their services to address clients' various needs across different sectors. Such integration also enables players to explore cross-selling opportunities and enhance monetization capabilities.

        Advanced technology and data analytics capabilities enable New Economy-focused business services providers to gain better insights of target users and customers. Leveraging on such insights, they are able to offer unique value propositions to gain competitive edge.

110


Table of Contents


BUSINESS

Mission

        Our mission is to empower New Economy participants to achieve more.

Overview

        We are a prominent brand and a pioneering platform dedicated to serving New Economy participants in China.

        New Economy is rapidly transforming businesses through cutting-edge technology and innovative business models. New Economy covers a wide and expanding spectrum of industries, including the Internet, hardware and software technologies, consumer and retail and finance industries. It has brought tremendous opportunities to New Economy participants in China, including New Economy companies driven by and traditional companies being transformed by cutting-edge technology and innovative business models, institutional investors and individuals involved in New Economy.

        We started our business with high-quality New Economy-focused content offerings. Leveraging traffic brought by high-quality content, we have expanded our offerings to business services, including online advertising services, enterprise value-added services and subscription services. According to the CIC survey, we are one of the most recognized platforms among New Economy participants in China. With our significant brand influence, we are well-positioned to continuously capture the high growth potentials of China's New Economy.

        High-quality New Economy-focused content is the foundation of our business. We provide insightful reports on companies, timely market updates and thought-provoking editorials and commentaries. We especially take pride in our ability to discover startup companies with great potentials and introduce them to the investment community. We were the first to report on a number of startup companies that later became industry leaders. For example, in January 2013, we were the first to report on ByteDance, which later became a world-leading technology company. Meanwhile, our content covers a variety of industries in China's New Economy, such as technology, consumer and retail, and healthcare. With diverse distribution channels, we are the largest New Economy-focused content platform in terms of average monthly PV in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2018, according to the CIC Report.

        We offer business services, including online advertising services, enterprise value-added services and subscription services to our customers. We address the evolving needs of New Economy companies and upgrading needs of traditional companies by providing them with tailored advertising and marketing solutions and other enterprise value-added services. We also help institutional investors identify promising targets, source investment opportunities and connect them with startup companies directly. Additionally, we have cultivated a large number of subscribers who purchase our premium content and other benefits. Through our diverse service offerings, we have captured extensive monetization opportunities.

        With high-quality content and diverse business service offerings, we have fostered an affluent and sophisticated user base and as such, attracted a valuable customer base. As of December 31, 2018, we provided business services to 23 of the Global Fortune 100 companies. Additionally, as of December 31, 2018, we also provided business services to 59 of the Top 100 New Economy companies in China as measured by market capitalization and valuation, according to the CIC Report. While we started our institutional investors subscription services in the first quarter of 2017, we already covered 46 of the Top 200 institutional investors in China as of December 31, 2018 as measured by assets under management, according to the CIC Report.

        We are supported by comprehensive database and strong data analytics capabilities. With a massive corporation information database covering over 800,000 enterprises, we are able to gain valuable

111


Table of Contents

insights into the latest development of New Economy. Through data analysis on user and customer preferences, we are able to recommend our content and tailor business service offerings accordingly.

        We have achieved significant revenue growth and profitability. Our revenue increased by 148.2% from RMB120.5 million in 2017 to RMB299.1 million (US$43.6 million) in 2018. Our revenue increased by 178.7% from RMB72.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 to RMB201.9 million (US$29.4 million) for the same period in 2019. Our net income increased by 411.4% from RMB7.9 million in 2017 to RMB40.5 million (US$5.9 million) in 2018 and our net profit margin increased from 6.6% in 2017 to 13.5% in 2018. We had net loss of RMB8.3 million and RMB45.5 million (US$6.6 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019, respectively.

Our Strengths

Prominent brand and pioneering platform

        We are a prominent brand and a pioneering platform dedicated to serving New Economy participants in China, offering New Economy-focused content and business services. According to the CIC Survey, we are one of the most recognized platforms among New Economy participants in China. As we offer timely and insightful New Economy-focused content, our users regard us as an informative, credible and influential source of information. As we cultivate the growth of New Economy participants, we have become their preferred platform for New Economy-focused content and business services. As New Economy companies flourish and traditional companies seek upgrades, the demands for New Economy-focused content and business services in China have significantly increased. Leveraging our first-mover advantage and significant brand appeal among New Economy participants, we are well-positioned to continuously capture the high growth potentials of China's New Economy.

High-quality content

        We have developed outstanding capabilities in generating and distributing high-quality content, including insightful reports on companies, timely market updates and thought-provoking editorials and commentaries. We especially take pride in our ability to discover startup companies with great potentials and introduce them to the investment community. We were the first to report on a number of startup companies that later became industry leaders. For example, we were the first to report on ByteDance in January 2013, which later became a world-leading technology company. In addition to our astute insights in New Economy and its participants, we maintain a professional in-house content creation team of 60 personnel with in-depth knowledge of different New Economy sectors. Our platform has also attracted many third-party professional content providers, including reputable media, research institutions and KOLs, further enriching the content offered on our platform and enhancing our brand.

        In addition to our own mobile app and website, we partner with leading third-party Internet and social networking platforms to expand the distribution channels for our content. We have become the top New Economy-focused content provider in terms of average monthly PV across our self-operated platforms and our accounts on major third-party platforms, including Weibo, Weixin/WeChat, Toutiao and Zhihu, according to the CIC Report. We have also recently partnered with Nikkei, a leading international media group, to boost coverage of China's New Economy and its participants overseas. According to the CIC Report, we are the largest New Economy-focused content platform with an average monthly PV of 196.2 million in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2018.

Comprehensive service offerings

        We capture extensive monetization opportunities and offer unique values to our customers through online advertising services, enterprise value-added services and subscription services. We support the growth of New Economy companies and offer them tailored services addressing their evolving needs.

112


Table of Contents

We provide startup companies seeking publicity and financing with online advertising services, integrated marketing solutions and consulting services, and connect them with institutional investors. As these companies mature, they demand more complicated enterprise value-added services, which we are able to continuously provide.

        We have cultivated a large number of subscribers who purchase our premium content and other benefits. Our subscribers primarily consist of institutional investors, individuals and enterprises involved in New Economy. We provide institutional investors with insightful industry and company intelligence to help them source and assess investment opportunities. We also offer courses and trainings on industry trends, market analysis and career development to individuals and enterprises in New Economy. With diverse business service offerings, we are able to explore more cross-selling opportunities and enhance monetization capabilities.

Vibrant and self-reinforcing community

        We have fostered a vibrant and self-reinforcing community of New Economy participants. Our high-quality content offerings generate organic traffic and attract New Economy participants to our platform. As we accumulate more affluent and sophisticated users on our platform, we become more appealing to New Economy companies as they seek exposure to this user segment. As we develop an expansive network of New Economy companies, we may further draw institutional investors' interests by presenting them with a large pool of investment candidates.

        Leveraging our established and growing community of New Economy participants, we are able to gain deeper insights into China's New Economy and generate more high-quality content. At the same time, we can offer more effective and tailored business solutions to our customers. These in turn enhance our value propositions to and increase the engagement of our users and customers.

Strong data analytics capabilities

        We are supported by comprehensive database and strong data analytics capabilities. Through our strategic partnership with JingData, a leading primary market financial data services provider in China and our related party, we collectively contribute to and manage a massive database covering over 800,000 enterprises. Through this database, we may obtain corporate information, operating data, financial performance and financing activities of these enterprises and updates in New Economy sectors in China. Thus, we are able to gain valuable insights into the latest development and trends of China's New Economy.

        We leverage big data analytics to enhance our user and customer experience, and improve our operational efficiency. Through data analysis on user preferences, we are able to personalize content recommendations. We further study customers' prior purchases to identify their demands and tailor our business service offerings accordingly.

Visionary management team and strong shareholder support

        We have a visionary management team with strong passion for the development of New Economy and extensive experience in the media and technology Internet and finance sectors. Our chief executive officer and co-chairman, Dagang Feng, with over 10 years of managerial experience and expertise in media and investment sectors, previously served as a senior investment manager at Matrix Partners China and co-founded CBN Weekly, the most circulated financial magazine in China. Our founder and co-chairman, Chengcheng Liu, with the spirit of entrepreneurship, was awarded "30 Under 30" by Forbes in 2013.

        We also benefit from strong support from our prominent strategic and financial investor base. We believe the strategic collaboration with our shareholders will continue to reinforce and strengthen our

113


Table of Contents

leading position in New Economy-focused business service market. Our shareholders have leveraged their wealth of experience, resources and influence as industry leaders to support our business operations and strategic planning.

Our Strategies

        To further enhance our brand value and maintain our competitive edge, we intend to pursue the following strategies:

Enrich our content offerings

        We will continue to strengthen our market-leading position in content offerings in the industries that we currently cover, and expand our coverage to shed more light upon other sectors in the New Economy, including new energy vehicles, finance and AI. We also intend to cooperate with more business partners overseas to generate more content tailored to overseas users.

        At the same time, we will continue to devote resources to our editorial team to maintain and enhance the quality and efficiency of our content generation. In addition, we will explore new partnership with professional third-party content providers to ensure sustainable and sufficient supply of diverse high-quality content. By enriching our content offerings, we endeavor to attract and retain more users and customers.

Expand our service offerings and further strengthen our monetization capabilities

        We intend to expand our service offerings and achieve synergies among our business segments. We endeavor to further explore the diverse and evolving demands of our customers and offer more tailored business services to enhance their experience on our platform and increase customer loyalty. As a result, we will diversify our monetization channels and strengthen our monetization capabilities.

Grow our user and customer base more efficiently

        As we continue to improve and expand our content and business service offerings, we intend to attract more companies, institutional investors and individuals to our platform, and improve retention rate and paying ratio. We will also explore various ways to funnel user traffic from third-party platforms to our platform. With our diversified user and customer base, we will be able to seek additional cross-selling opportunities and further drive organic growth.

Broaden our data access and enhance data analytics capabilities

        As we serve more New Economy participants, we will independently collect more data and build our own database. With an expansive proprietary database, we will be able to further understand user preferences and customer needs, and enhance and tailor our content and business service offerings accordingly.

Explore strategic collaboration, acquisition and expansion opportunities

        We will continue to selectively pursue collaborations, investments and acquisitions to complement our current businesses and enhance our growth potentials. We will identify potential complementary businesses and assess investment opportunities prudently following a holistic approach. Specifically, we will seek opportunities to geographically expand our content and service offerings into lower-tier cities in China as well as overseas markets with rapid New Economy development. We also intend to further explore strategic cooperation opportunities with our shareholders.

114


Table of Contents

Our Business Model

GRAPHIC

        We empower New Economy participants through our high-quality content and comprehensive business service offerings tailored to our customers to address their pain points.

115


Table of Contents

Our Content

        As we offer timely and insightful New Economy-focused content, our users regard us as an informative, credible and influential source of information. We have developed outstanding capabilities in generating and distributing high-quality content, including insightful reports on companies, timely market updates as well as thought-provoking editorials and commentaries. Meanwhile, our content covers a variety of industries in China's New Economy, such as technology, consumer and retail, and healthcare.

        Our content is presented in various forms, such as text, pictures, audio and video clips. We create such content through our in-house content creation team, and we also source content from selected third-party professional content providers. Meanwhile, we write and publish themed columns to address various needs of our users. Our most popular columns include:

        With our insights and expertise in New Economy sectors, we especially take pride in our ability to discover startup companies with great potentials and introduce them to the investment community. We were the first to report on a number of startup companies that later became industry leaders. For example, we were the first to report on ByteDance, the operator of Toutiao in January 2013.

GRAPHIC

First report on ByteDance

116


Table of Contents

        In addition to our ability to identify promising companies at early stages, we are also able to deliver timely, exclusive and insightful content. Leveraging our established brand influence and connections, we are able to obtain first-hand exclusive content and timely provide the latest breaking updates to our users. Moreover, through our in-depth analysis, we offer our users insightful and informative New Economy-focused content.

        Our users are participants in different New Economy sectors, such as technology, consumer and retail, and healthcare. We provide our users with an abundance of New Economy-focused content. In 2017 and 2018, we published over 98,000 and over 108,000 pieces of content, including both content produced by our in-house team and those sourced from third-party professional content providers. Leveraging our significant brand influence across our diversified distribution channels, we have achieved an average monthly PV of 347.7 million in the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2019 across our self-operated platforms and our accounts on major third-party platforms, including Weibo, Weixin/WeChat, Toutiao and Zhihu.

        Our content production process includes content creation, content editing, screening and monitoring, and content distribution.

GRAPHIC

Content Creation

In-house Content Creation

        We maintain a professional in-house content creation team of 60 personnel, including 42 seasoned writers, with in-depth knowledge in New Economy sectors. Our writers are responsible for information gathering, researching, analyzing market information and trends and drafting. We leverage the diverse background of our writers and assign them to cover the industries they specialize in. Our high-quality New Economy-focused content are well-received by our users. All content undergo detailed review and are carefully edited by our professional editorial team. The entire process of topic selection, market

117


Table of Contents

research and analysis, and content creation is conducted independently by our writers to ensure the objectivity of our content.

        We devote significant efforts to recruit highly qualified writers, which is crucial to our content creation. We select candidates based on their experience, expertise, drafting skills and academic and professional qualifications. As of June 30, 2019, substantially all of our writers hold bachelor's degree or above, approximately 50% of whom hold master's degree or above. To maintain high editorial standards, we offer our writers regular professional trainings and mentorship programs, such as seminars on financial statement analysis, industry updates and drafting skills.

Third-party Professional Content

        In addition to creating content in-house, we also source content from selected third-party professional content providers with expertise in New Economy sectors, such as reputable media, research institutions and KOLs. We specify the sources of all third-party professional content. We believe that the quality and breadth of our third-party professional content contribute to our knowledge library and enhance the influence of our platform. We have cooperated with approximately 600 third-party professional content providers. Pursuant to our arrangements, we are allowed to select, review and edit content created by them and post their content on our platforms.

Interactive Content

        We also operate discussion forum, blog, mini blog, comment section and user survey for our users to interact on our platform. We believe such content adds an important interactive and social component to our platform and enhances user engagement. Our users can voice their opinions, express their views, discuss with each other and provide feedbacks to our content. In particular, interactive content on our platform is valuable given our affluent and sophisticated user base, which primarily consists of entrepreneurs, investors and other New Economy participants.

Content Editing, Screening and Monitoring

        Our professional and experienced editorial team reviews and edits our content before posting to ensure their quality. Our editors oversee the quality of and opinions voiced in our content to be posted. They work closely with our writers to improve their works by providing feedback and suggestions.

        We also place strong emphasis on content screening and monitoring to ensure that our in-house content, third-party professional content and interactive content do not infringe copyright and other intellectual property rights, and fully comply with the applicable laws and regulations. Our online content screening and monitoring procedures consist of automated screening performed by an automated filtering system as well as a set of manual review procedures conducted by our editors. We hold regular internal trainings for our editors on latest compliance requirements and development. We also closely supervise the screening and monitoring work performed by our editors.

        Automated Content Screening Process.    All content on our platform are first screened by an automated filtering system. This system identifies and flags suspicious content using a regularly updated repository of keywords based on the latest regulations in China. All flagged content identified in the automated content screening process is further reviewed by our editors. We have implemented a 24-hour automated monitoring mechanism to timely remove any inappropriate or illegal content.

        Manual Content Reviewing Process.    In addition to automated review, all of our in-house content and third-party professional content are further subject to manual review by our editors. Our manual screening procedure is multi-layered, with each piece of content subject to review and cross-review by different editors. Occasionally, we also engage third-party consultants with specialized understanding of China's regulatory environment to review certain content on our platform. In addition to automated

118


Table of Contents

review, our interactive content is also subject to random sample review by our editors to remove content that appear to violate relevant laws and regulations or are otherwise inappropriate for our platform.

Distribution Channels

        We distribute our content through a variety of channels, including both self-operated and major third-party platforms. In the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2019, we have achieved an average monthly PV of 347.7 million across our self-operated platforms and our accounts on major third-party platforms, including Weibo, Weixin/WeChat, Toutiao and Zhihu, and ranked the largest New Economy-focused content platform, according to CIC.

        Our self-operated channels include our mobile app "36Kr" and website "36kr.com." We provide user-friendly interfaces on our mobile app and website. Leveraging our AI technology and massive user data, we are able to generate a front page with individualized content recommendations for each user. Our users may browse the content categories, or use key words to locate content, and may locate historical content by date. Our users may also share links to our content to other social media platforms.

119


Table of Contents

        In addition to our own mobile app and website, we also leverage leading third-party Internet and social networking platforms, including Weibo, Weixin/WeChat, Toutiao and Zhihu, to further distribute selected and customized content of us. For example, we selectively repost trending articles on our Weixin/WeChat public account on a daily basis. We have become the top New Economy-focused content provider in terms of average monthly PV across our self-operated platforms and our accounts on major third-party platforms, including Weibo, Weixin/WeChat, Toutiao and Zhihu, according to the CIC Report.

        We are required to comply with the terms in the standard service agreements with these third-party platforms when opening our accounts. Opening accounts on these third-party platforms is free of charge. Pursuant to the service agreements, we are responsible for the operation and maintenance of our accounts and our contents. These third-party platforms are able to provide us with certain user data, such as page views, upon request.

        The following table presents a breakdown of our average monthly PV by platforms for the twelve-month periods ended the dates indicated.

 
  For the twelve-month period ended  
 
  March 31,
2018
  June 30,
2018
  September 30,
2018
  December 31,
2018
  March 31,
2019
  June 30,
2019
 
 
  (in millions)
 

Self-operated platforms

    12.0     13.5     15.0     17.5     18.0     18.2  

Major third-party platforms(1)

    108.9     113.5     130.6     178.7     207.4     329.5  

Total

    120.9     127.0     145.6     196.2     225.4     347.7  

Notes:

(1)
Major third-party platforms include Weibo, Weixin/WeChat, Toutiao and Zhihu.

120


Table of Contents

        To showcase China's New Economy to overseas users as well as to further extend our business reach, we have cooperated with local agencies and launched certain overseas websites. The overseas websites provide content about New Economy, in particular the New Economy development and participants in China. In September 2019, we entered into an investment agreement with Lotus Walk Inc. to jointly explore business opportunities in overseas market through 36Kr Global Holding, which will operate kr-asia.com in Singapore and 36kr.jp in Japan. We have also recently partnered with Nikkei, a leading international media group, to boost our overseas coverage of China's New Economy participants and their activities. Specifically, we collaborate with Nikkei for content sharing, premium content development, services development and customer referrals.

Our Business Services

        Leveraging traffic brought by our high-quality content offerings, we have expanded to offer a variety of New Economy-focused business services tailored to the different needs of our target customers. Our business services include online advertising services, enterprise value-added services and subscription services.

Online Advertising Services

        Utilizing our affluent and sophisticated user base, we offer customers quality brand-based online advertising services. Specifically, we help our online advertising services end customers establish and enhance their brand influence and build up connections with our users over time. Our online advertising services are charged either on a cost-per-day basis or a cost-per-advertisement basis. We display advertisement provided by customers in a variety of forms such as full screen display, banners and pop-ups. Leveraging our strong content creation capabilities, we also help produce advertisements based on the customers' requests, and post the advertisements on our platform to help promote customers' products and enhance their brand awareness.

Our advertising formats

GRAPHIC

121


Table of Contents

        Maintaining a healthy balance between advertisement and content is essential to our platform. While we improve the effectiveness of our advertisements, we also value the objectivity of our content and users' experience with our platform. It is important for us to make sure that our users can quickly distinguish objective content and advertisements. Therefore, we clearly label all advertisements on our platform.

        We offer online advertising services either through third-party advertising agencies or directly to advertisers, consistent with market practice in China's online advertising industry. In 2018, our largest customer was a third-party advertising agency which accounted for 19% of our total revenues, through which we provided online advertising services to 45 end customers. We entered into a one-year advertising framework agreement with this advertising agency. Pursuant to the framework agreement, we offer the advertising agency a discount on the listing prices of our online advertising services and we require its payment be made within three months after the delivery of our services.

        The customers of our online advertising services include both New Economy companies and traditional companies. In 2017 and 2018, we provided online advertising services to 187 and 320 customers, respectively.

Enterprise Value-added Services

        We provide a variety of enterprise value-added services tailored to our customers, including both New Economy companies and traditional companies. Our comprehensive enterprise value-added service offerings, which include integrated marketing, offline events and consulting services, cover different demands of our customers. With diverse enterprise value-added service offerings, we are able to explore cross-selling opportunities and enhance monetization capabilities.

Integrated marketing

        We help our enterprise value-added services end customers with marketing plans, marketing events, public relations, advertisement distribution, interactive marketing and other aspects of marketing. Leveraging our extensive marketing experience and deep understanding of customers' marketing needs, we help our customers develop tailored and diverse marketing strategies to improve their marketing efficiency. In addition to traditional marketing services, we are also exploring innovative marketing services. For example, in 2018 we launched interactive marketing dispensers to help customers promote their products and enhance brand recognition by providing users with an engaging and fun experience through games and activities.

        By offering high quality integrated marketing services, we help our customers enhance brand recognition and acquire and monetize traffic.

122


Table of Contents

    Case study: Li-Ning

        In 2018, we provided integrated marketing services to Li-Ning, a leading sportswear brand in China, to promote its newest model of running shoes. Specifically, we proposed to produce a documentary-style commercial focusing on the designer's experience and how this model was created. We selectively distributed the advertisements on various social media and video platforms to reach targeted audiences and to increase marketing effectiveness.

GRAPHIC


Screenshots of the commercial

    Case study: NetEase Yeation

        In 2018, we provided integrated marketing services to NetEase Yeation, a leading e-commerce platform in China, and helped it launch a pop-up exhibit in Chengdu to promote its brand. We creatively designed the pop-up exhibit as a "underwater house", to convey NetEase Yeation's brand message of "Beauty of Life." The unique and artistic design quickly attracted significant public attention in Chengdu. In addition, to further expand the audience reach and enhance brand reputation for NetEase Yeation, we offered tailored marketing strategies to increase public exposure of the pop-up exhibit through various social media and other platforms. As a result, the pop-up exhibit became a phenomenal event.

GRAPHIC

Pictures of the pop-up exhibit

123


Table of Contents

Offline events

        We organize diverse offline events focusing on New Economy, including summits, forums, industry conferences and fans festivals. New Economy participants gather at our offline events. Leveraging our influence in New Economy, we host some of the largest New Economy-focused offline events in China, in terms of number of participants. We believe our offline events create great brand-building opportunities for our customers. These events also provide a networking platform for New Economy participants, offering them business cooperation and investment opportunities. Offline events further enhance our influence and increase customer loyalty.

    Case study: WISE conference

        WISE conference is one of the largest and most influential annual New Economy conferences in China. WISE stands for where innovation and startup companies emerge. Since 2013, we have been hosting WISE conference annually in the fourth quarter. WISE conference gathers leading entrepreneurs, investors and KOLs for discussion on various topics in New Economy, such as technological advancements, business innovations, industry trends and development opportunities. At WISE 2018, we invited 163 companies, such as Focus Media, Meituan Dianping and Unilever, and 108 institutional investors, such as IDG Capital, Softbank China Venture Capital and China Renaissance, and attracted over 15,000 audiences, as compared to 104 companies and 34 institutional investors and over 8,000 audiences at WISE 2017. To further foster the spirit of entrepreneurship, we announce various awards and rankings at WISE conference, including our annual "New Economy King" award, one of the most recognized awards in New Economy. Enterprises and institutional investors are also able to build brand recognition and establish business and investment connections at WISE conference.

124


Table of Contents

GRAPHIC


Audience at WISE 2018

GRAPHIC


Nanchun Jiang, founder of Focus Media, giving keynote address at WISE 2018

125


Table of Contents

Consulting

        Leveraging our insights and established connections in New Economy, we provide consulting services to help traditional companies embrace technological innovations and digitalization, and refer them to business opportunities in New Economy. We also provide customized market research and industry reports to established companies.

A case study illustrating our full suite services

        We have developed long-term relationship with certain customers and provided customized online advertising and enterprise value-added services at different stages of their growths. Our trusted and long-term relationship with customers has in turn enhanced our customer retention and cross-selling capabilities. In 2018, 68 customers used both our online advertising service and enterprise value-added services, as compared to 34 customers in 2017.

    Case study: So-Young

        So-Young is a leading online platform providing medical aesthetic services in China, which was listed on NASDAQ in May 2019. We first provided online advertising services to So-Young. Having acquired deep understanding in So-Young's marketing objectives, we designed and produced various advertisements for this company and placed them on both our self-operated platforms and major third-party distribution platforms. Along with the rapid growth of So-Young, we began to offer additional enterprise value-added services. For example, we invited So-Young to various offline events we organized, including WISE conference. We were involved in the design of exhibition space for So-Young at the conference and enabled them to showcase their achievements and vision to New Economy participants in China.

GRAPHIC

126


Table of Contents

Subscription Services

        We provide subscription services to individuals, institutional investors and enterprises.

Individual subscription

        Our individual subscription services mainly target individuals interested in the development of New Economy. Certain of our content are offered to our users for a fee. We offer a rich selection of paid columns and online courses, covering various aspects from industry trends and market analysis, to career development and advice. Users can subscribe for a specific training session at a fixed fee. We also offer monthly subscription packages of our paid columns to users. In addition to online content, we also offer various offline trainings on investment and New Economy business management to our users. These trainings are usually taught by well-known entrepreneurs, experienced investors and KOLs in New Economy, which provides users with face-to-face communication with these lecturers.

GRAPHIC

Screenshot of our paid content

        Our individual subscribers increased significantly from approximately 15.9 thousand in 2017 to approximately 52.6 thousand in 2018. To attract more individual subscribers, we have been constantly improving our content quality, expanding our topics and enhancing our user-friendly interface.

Institutional investor subscription

        We launched our institutional investor subscription services, or V-club, in the first quarter of 2017, offering industry reports and market updates to institutional investor subscribers. Since 2018, we started to offer more comprehensive subscription benefits to institutional investor subscribers for an annual subscription fee. For example, we enhance the exposure of our institutional investor subscribers and their investment portfolios on our platform. We help them create their investor yellow pages on our platform and organize branding promotion events. We refer promising companies to institutional investor subscribers seeking investment opportunities. Our institutional investor subscribers also enjoy priority access to our offline events. Meanwhile, we help institutional investor subscribers increase their recognition by displaying their logos in different occasions, including at our offline events. In 2018, we had 121 institutional investor subscribers, compared to 14 institutional investor subscribers in 2017.

127


Table of Contents

GRAPHIC

Offline event for institutional investor subscribers

Enterprise subscription

        Our enterprise subscribers primarily consist of New Economy companies. We launched our enterprise subscription services in April 2019, offering a variety of packaged membership benefits for an annual subscription fee. We offer online courses and one-on-one consulting to enterprise subscribers to enhance their managerial and operational capabilities. We enhance the exposure of our enterprise subscribers by creating their enterprise yellow pages on our platform. We also refer institutional investors to enterprise subscribers seeking financing.

Sales, Marketing and Branding

        We are able to attract and retain users efficiently and draw significant traffic to our platform. In addition to our established brand and word-of-mouth marketing, we promote our brand and platform through online marketing, offline promotional events and sponsorship.

        We sell our services mainly through our experienced in-house sales teams of 217 employees as of June 30, 2019. Our sales team is equipped with specialized New Economy sector knowledge and expertise, and understands our customers' needs. Our sales team also maintains close relationship with our customers by providing support and customer services during course of services.

        We are also committed to extending our footprint overseas and developing local business opportunities. As of June 30, 2019, we have established overseas stations in Singapore and Japan. We have also sent sales agents to different regions across China for local business development.

128


Table of Contents

Competition

        We operate in the New Economy-focused business services market in China. We believe we are one of the few companies capable of providing a full suite of New Economy-focused business services, but we face competition from other New Economy-focused business services providers in the respective market segments we operate in.

        Specifically, our online advertising services face competition from other content-based online advertising services providers as well as technology verticals of major Internet information portals, such as Sina and Tencent News. For our enterprise value-added services, we face competition from other New Economy-focused enterprise value-added services providers as well as traditional marketing, consulting and public relations companies. We also compete with paid content services providers with respect to our subscription services.

        Our ability to compete successfully depends on many factors, including the quality and coverage of our content, our industry expertise, brand recognition, user and customer experience, big data and technological capabilities. We believe we are well-positioned to effectively compete against our competitors and capture market opportunities. However, our competitors may have broader content and service offerings, greater brand recognition, more capital and larger user and customer base. For discussion of risks related to our competitor, see "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—We face competition in major aspects of our business. If we are unable to compete effectively in the industry we operate, our business, results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected."

Technology

        We continuously upgrade our technology to deliver superior user experience and enhance our operational efficiency.

Corporate Database

        Through our strategic partnership with JingData, a leading primary market financial data service provider in China and our related party, we collectively contribute to and manage a massive database of over 800,000 enterprises. This massive database covers corporate information, operating data, financial performance, financing activities and industry updates. Through this database, we have gained valuable insights into the latest development and trends of the New Economy sector, which contribute to our content creation and service offerings.

AI and big data analytics

        Through data analysis, we study and analyze the preferences and demands of our users and customers, and tailor our content and service offerings accordingly. For example, we analyze user preferences gathered through our platform to personalize content recommendations. We have adopted AI technology in content screening, such as AI automated review, to expedite the publishing process and enhance efficiency.

        As of June 30, 2019, we had 64 employees dedicated to research and development. Our research and development team primarily consists of senior software engineers and IT infrastructure architects.

Data Security and Privacy

        We believe data security is critical to our business operation. All our users consent to our collection, use and disclosure of their data in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. To protect users' information, we have internal policies governing how we may use and share personal information, and protocols, technologies and systems guarding against improper access or disclosure of

129


Table of Contents

personal information. See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—If our security measures are breached, or if our services are subject to attacks that degrade or deny the ability of users to access our services, our services may be perceived as not being secure, users may curtail or stop using our services and our business, results of operations and financial condition may be harmed."

        We limit access to our servers that store our user information and internal data on a "need-to-know" basis. We have also adopted a data encryption system to ensure secure storage and transmission of data, and prevent any unauthorized access and use of our data. Furthermore, we have implemented comprehensive data masking to fend off potential security attacks.

Intellectual Property

        Our intellectual property includes trademarks and trademark applications related to our brands and services, software copyrights, trade secrets and other intellectual property rights and licenses. We seek to protect our intellectual property assets and brands through a combination of trademark, patent, copyright and trade secret protection laws in the PRC and other jurisdictions, as well as through confidentiality agreements and other measures.

        We hold "36Kr" and "36 GRAPHIC " trademarks in China. In addition, we hold 205 registered trademarks and 17 registered software copyrights in China as of the date of this prospectus. We have 12 registered domain names as of the date of this prospectus, including our website domain name, 36kr.com.

Employees

        As of December 31, 2017 and 2018 and June 30, 2019, we had a total of 194, 411 and 478 employees, respectively. Substantially all of our employees are located in China. The following table sets forth the breakdown of our full-time employees as of June 30, 2019 by function:

Function/Department
  Number of
Employees
  % of Total  

Content and operations

    141     29.5  

Sales and marketing

    217     45.4  

Research and development

    64     13.4  

General and administration

    56     11.7  

Total

    478     100.0  

        We enter into standard labor contracts with our employees, and additionally, we enter into confidentiality and non-compete agreements with our key employees. In addition to salaries and benefits, we provide commission-based compensation to our sales and marketing force and performance-based bonuses to other full-time employees.

        Under PRC law, we participate in various employee social security plans that are organized by municipal and provincial governments for our PRC-based full-time employees, including pension, unemployment insurance, work-related injury insurance, medical insurance and housing insurance. We are required under PRC law to make contributions from time to time to employee benefit plans for our PRC-based full-time employees at specified percentages of the salaries, bonuses and certain allowances of such employees, up to a maximum amount specified by the local governments in China. See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—The enforcement of the PRC Labor Contract Law and other labor-related regulations in the PRC may adversely affect our business and results of operations."

        We believe we offer our employees competitive compensation packages and a merit-based work environment that encourages initiatives. We believe our brand reputation, corporate culture and selection and training system also contribute to attracting and retaining our employees. As a result, we

130


Table of Contents

are generally able to attract and retain qualified personnel and maintain a stable core management team.

        We maintain a good working relationship with our employees, and as of the date of this prospectus, we have not experienced any material labor disputes. None of our employees are represented by labor unions.

Facilities and Property

        As of June 30, 2019, we leased office spaces in China with an aggregate gross floor area of approximately 3,599.0 square meters.

Insurance

        We provide social security insurance including medical insurance, maternity insurance, workplace injury insurance, unemployment insurance and pension benefits for our employees. Consistent with customary industry practice in China, we do not maintain business interruption insurance, nor do we maintain key-man life insurance.

Legal Proceedings

        We are currently not a party to any material legal or administrative proceedings. We may from time to time be subject to various legal or administrative claims and proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Litigation or any other legal or administrative proceeding, regardless of the outcome, may result in substantial cost and diversion of our resources, including our management's time and attention.

131


Table of Contents


REGULATION

        This section sets forth a summary of the most significant rules and regulations that affect our business activities in China.

Foreign Investment Law

        The Foreign Investment Law was formally adopted by the 2nd session of the thirteenth National People's Congress on March 15, 2019, which will come into effect on January 1, 2020 and replace the trio of existing laws regulating foreign investment in China, namely, the Sino-foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law, the Sino-foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law and the Wholly Foreign-invested Enterprise Law, together with their implementation rules and ancillary regulations. The organization form, organization and activities of foreign-invested enterprises shall be governed, among others, by the PRC Company Law and the PRC Partnership Enterprise Law. Foreign-invested enterprises established before the implementation of this Law may retain the original business organization and so on within five years after the implementation of this Law.

        According to the Foreign Investment Law, foreign investments are entitled to pre-entry national treatment and are subject to negative list management system. The pre-entry national treatment means that the treatment given to foreign investors and their investments at the stage of investment access is not lower than that of domestic investors and their investments. The negative list management system means that the state implements special administrative measures for access of foreign investment in specific fields. Foreign investors shall not invest in any forbidden fields stipulated in the negative list and shall meet the conditions stipulated in the negative list before investing in any restricted fields. Foreign investors' investment, earnings and other legitimate rights and interests within the territory of China shall be protected in accordance with the law, and all national policies on supporting the development of enterprises shall equally apply to foreign-invested enterprises.

        Investment activities in the PRC by foreign investors are principally governed by the Guidance Catalogue of Industries for Foreign Investment, or the Catalogue, which was promulgated and is amended from time to time by the Ministry of Commerce (the "MOFCOM") and the NDRC. Industries listed in the Catalogue are divided into three categories: encouraged, restricted and prohibited. Industries not listed in the Catalogue are generally deemed as constituting a fourth "permitted" category. On June 30, 2019, the NDRC and the MOFCOM promulgated the Special Administrative Measures for Access of Foreign Investment (the "Negative List 2019"), which came into effect on July 30, 2019 and replaced the previous Foreign Investment Catalogue or negative list. Our business like value-added telecommunications services, internet news services, internet audio-visual program services and internet publishing services are under special administrative measures in the Negative List 2019.

Regulations on Value-added Telecommunication Services

        Among all of the applicable laws and regulations, the Telecommunications Regulations of the People's Republic of China (the "Telecom Regulations") promulgated by the PRC State Council on September 25, 2000 and last amended on February 6, 2016, is the primary governing law, and sets out the general framework for the provision of telecommunications services by domestic PRC companies. Under the Telecom Regulations, telecommunications services providers are required to procure operating licenses prior to their commencement of operations. The Telecom Regulations distinguish "basic telecommunications services" from value-added telecommunication services (the "VATS"). VATS are defined as telecommunications and information services provided through public networks. The Catalogue of Telecommunications Business (the "Telecom Catalogue") was issued as an attachment to the Telecom Regulations to categorize telecommunications services as either basic or value-added. In

132


Table of Contents

February 2003 and December 2015, the Telecom Catalogue was updated respectively, categorizing online data and transaction processing, information services, among others, as VATS.

        Foreign direct investment in telecommunications companies in China is governed by the Provisions on the Administration of Foreign-Invested Telecommunications Enterprises, or the FITE Regulations, which were issued by the State Council on December 11, 2001, became effective on January 1, 2002 and last amended on February 6, 2016. Under the aforesaid regulations, foreign-invested telecommunications enterprises in the PRC, or FITEs, must be established as Sino-foreign equity joint ventures, and the geographical area it may conduct telecommunications services is provided by the MIIT accordingly. The foreign party to a FITE engaging in value-added telecommunications services may hold up to 50% of the equity of the FITE. In addition, the major foreign investor in a value-added telecommunications business in China must satisfy a number of stringent performance and operational experience requirements, including demonstrating a good track record and experience in operating a value-added telecommunications business. Moreover, approvals from the MIIT and the MOFCOM or their authorized local counterparts must be obtained prior to the operation of the FITE and the MIIT and the MOFCOM retain considerable discretion in granting such approvals.

        In September 2000, the State Council promulgated the Administrative Measures on Internet Information Services (the "Internet Measures"), most recently amended on January 8, 2011. Under the Internet Measures, commercial Internet content-related services operators shall obtain a VATS License for Internet content provision business, or the ICP License, from the relevant government authorities before engaging in any commercial Internet content-related services operations within China.

        The Administrative Measures on Telecommunications Business Operating Licenses or the Licenses Measures, issued on March 1, 2009 and most recently amended on July 3, 2017, which set forth more specific provisions regarding the types of licenses required to operate VATS, the qualifications and procedures for obtaining such licenses and the administration and supervision of such licenses. Under these regulations, a commercial operator of VATS must first obtain a VATS License, from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (the "MIIT") or its provincial level counterparts, otherwise such operator might be subject to sanctions including corrective orders and warnings from the competent administration authority, fines and confiscation of illegal gains and, in the case of significant infringements, the related websites may be ordered to close.

        Under the Licenses Measures, where telecommunications operators change the name, legal representative or registered capital within the validity period of their operating licenses, they shall file an application for update of the operating license to the original issuing authority within 30 days after completing the administration for industry and commerce. Those fail to comply with the procedure may be ordered to make rectifications, issued a warning or imposed a fine of RMB 5,000 to RMB 30,000 by the relevant telecommunications administrations.

        We engage in business activities that are value-added telecommunications services as defined in the Telecom Regulations and the Catalog. To comply with the relevant laws and regulations, Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd, has obtained the ICP License, which will remain effective until March 13, 2020. As Beijing Pinxin has changed its name, registered capital and shareholders within the validity period of its ICP license, we are required and have applied for the update of the ICP license. However, there can be no assurance that we will timely complete the update. See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—If we fail to complete the update procedures of or maintain the value-added telecommunication license, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected."

Regulation of Internet Information Services

        The Administrative Measures on Internet Information Services, or the Internet Content Measures, which were promulgated by the State Council on September 25, 2000 and amended on January 8, 2011,

133


Table of Contents

set out guidelines on the provision of Internet information services. The Internet Content Measures specify that Internet information services regarding news, publications, education, medical and health care, pharmacy and medical appliances, among other things, are required to be examined, approved and regulated by the relevant authorities. Internet information providers are prohibited from providing services beyond those included in the scope of their licenses or filings. Furthermore, the Internet Content Measures specify a list of prohibited content. Internet information providers are prohibited from producing, copying, publishing or distributing information that is humiliating or defamatory to others or that infringes the legal rights of others. Internet information providers that violate such prohibition may face criminal charges or administrative sanctions. Internet information providers must monitor and control the information posted on their websites. If any prohibited content is found, they must remove the content immediately, keep a record of such content and report to the relevant authorities.

        The Internet Content Measures classify Internet information services into commercial Internet information services and non-commercial Internet information services. Commercial Internet information services refer to services that provide information or services to Internet users with charge. A provider of commercial Internet information services must obtain an ICP License.

Regulation on Internet News Services

        Pursuant to the Provisions for the Administration of Internet News Information Services promulgated by the Cyberspace Administration of China, or CAC, which was issued on May 2, 2017 and became effective on June 1, 2017, an Internet news license shall be obtained from CAC by the service provider for the provision of internet news information services to the public in a variety of ways, including offering platforms for such dissemination. "News information" as mentioned therein includes reports and comments relating to social and public affairs such as politics, economy, military affairs and foreign affairs, as well as relevant reports and comments on social emergencies. The services providers shall meet various qualifications and requirements as listed in such regulation, and further, to provide Internet-based news information services, the services providers are also required to complete formalities for ICP License or filing with the competent telecommunications authorities in accordance with the law. In practice, Internet news information services providers that are not state-owned are required to introduce a state-owned shareholder in order to apply for the Internet news license.

        In addition to the above, such regulation also stipulates that no organization may establish Internet-based news information service agencies in the form of Sino-foreign joint ventures, Sino-foreign cooperative ventures or wholly foreign-owned enterprises. Any cooperation involving Internet-based news information services and between Internet-based news information service agencies and foreign-invested enterprises shall be reported to the national CAC for security assessment.

        We plan to apply for the Internet news information license from the CAC through our VIE when it is feasible to do so. However, there can be no assurance that our application will be accepted or approved by the CAC. See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—Lack of Internet news information license may expose us to administrative sanctions, which would materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition."

Regulations on Internet Audio-visual Program Services

        On December 20, 2007, MIIT and SARFT jointly issued the Administrative Provisions for the Internet Audio-visual Program Service, or the Audio-video Program Provisions 2015, which came into effect on January 31, 2008 and was amended on August 28, 2015. The Audio-video Program Provisions defines "Internet audio-visual program services" as producing, editing and integrating of audio-video programs, supplying audio-video programs to the public via the Internet, and providing audio-video programs uploading and transmission services to a third party. Entities providing Internet audio-visual

134


Table of Contents

programs services must obtain an Internet audio-visual program transmission license. Applicants for such licenses shall be state-owned or state-controlled entities unless an Internet audio-visual program transmission license has been obtained prior to the effectiveness of the Audio-video Program Provisions 2015 in accordance with the then-in-effect laws and regulations. In addition, foreign-invested enterprises are not allowed to engage in the above-mentioned services.

        According to the Audio-video Program Provisions 2015 and other relevant laws and regulations, audio-video programs provided by the entities supplying Internet audio-visual program services shall not contain any illegal content or other content prohibited by the laws and regulations, such as any content against the basic principles in the PRC Constitution, any content that damages the sovereignty of the country or national security, and any content that disturbs social order or undermine social stability. An audio-video program that has already been broadcast shall be retained in full for at least 60 days. Movies, television programs and other media content used as Internet audio-visual programs shall comply with relevant administrative regulations on programs broadcasts through radio, movie and television channels. Entities providing services related to Internet audio-visual programs shall immediately delete the audio-video programs violating laws and regulations, keep relevant records, report relevant authorities and implement other regulatory requirements.

        The Classified Categories of the Internet Audio-visual Program Services(for Trial Implementation), or the Audio-video Program Categories, promulgated by the SAPPRFT on March 10, 2017, classifies Internet audio/video program services into detailed categories.

        On October 31, 2018, the National Radio and Television Administration (the "NRTA") issued the Notice on Further Strengthening the Management of Radio and Television and Network Audiovisual Programs ("Notice 60"). According to Notice 60, all radio and television broadcasting institutes, network audiovisual program service institutes and program production institutes shall stick to the right political direction and strengthen value guidance; pursue people-centered creative orientation to curb bad tendencies such as pursuing celebrities, pan-entertainment and so on; persist in providing high-quality content, constantly innovate programs, and strictly control the remuneration of guests.

        We are required to obtain an Internet audio-visual program transmission license for the Internet audio-visual program services. See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—Lack of Internet audio-visual program transmission license may expose us to administrative sanctions, which would materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition."

Regulations on Online Culture Administration

        According to the Interim Administrative Provisions on Internet Culture, or the Internet Culture Provisions, promulgated by the MOC on February 17, 2011, and amended on December 15, 2017 Internet culture activities include: (i) production, reproduction, import, release or broadcast of Internet culture products (such as online music, online game, online performance and cultural products by certain technical means and copied to the Internet for spreading); (ii) distribution or publication of cultural products on Internet; and (iii) exhibitions, competitions and other similar activities concerning Internet culture products. The Internet Culture Provisions further classifies Internet cultural activities into commercial Internet cultural activities and non-commercial Internet cultural activities. Entities engaging in commercial Internet cultural activities must apply to the relevant authorities for a Network Cultural Business Permit, while non-commercial cultural entities are only required to report to related culture administration authorities within 60 days of the establishment of such entity. If any entity engages in commercial Internet culture activities without approval, the cultural administration authorities or other relevant government may order such entity to cease to operate Internet culture activities as well as levying penalties including administrative warning, fines up to RMB30,000 and listing such entity on the cultural market blacklist to impose credit penalty in case of continued

135


Table of Contents

non-compliance. In addition, foreign-invested enterprises are not allowed to engage in the above-mentioned services except online music.

        Based on our understanding of the current PRC laws and regulations as well as inquiry with PRC government, our content and services may not be considered as "online culture product." However, there is uncertainty with respect to the interpretation and application of PRC laws. See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—Lack of online culture operating permit may expose us to administrative sanctions, which would materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition."

Regulations on Internet Publishing

        On February 4, 2016, the SAPPRFT and MIIT jointly issued the Rules for the Administration for Internet Publishing Services, or the Internet Publishing Rules, which became effective on March 10, 2016, to replace the Provisional Rules for the Administration for Internet Publishing that had been jointly issued by the General Administration of Press and Publication (the "GAPP") and the MII on June 27, 2002. The Internet Publishing Rules defines "Internet publications" as digital works that are edited, produced, or processed to be published and provided to the public through the Internet, including (i) original digital works, such as pictures, maps, games, and comics; (ii) digital works with content that is consistent with the type of content that has been published in media such as books, newspapers, periodicals, audio-visual products, and electronic publications; (iii) digital works in the form of online databases compiled by selecting, arranging, and compiling other types of digital works; and (iv) other types of digital works identified by the SAPPRFT. Under the Internet Publishing Rules, Internet operators distributing such publications via the Internet are required to apply for an Internet publishing license with the relevant governmental authorities and the approval of SAPPRFT before distributing Internet publications.

        We plan to apply for the Internet publishing license through our VIE when it is feasible to do so. However, there can be no assurance that the application will be accepted or approved by the relevant regulatory authorities. See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—Lack of Internet publishing license may expose us to administrative sanctions, which would materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition."

Regulations on the Administration of Production and Operation of Radio and Television Program

        On July 19, 2004, the SAPPRFT promulgated the Administrative Measures on the Production and Operation of Radio and Television Programs, or the Radio and Television Program Production Measures, which came into effect on August 20, 2004 and was amended on August 28, 2015. The Radio and Television Program Production Measures is applicable for establishing institutions that produce and distribute radio and television programs or for the production of radio and television programs like programs with a special topic, column programs, variety shows, animated cartoons, radio plays and television dramas and for activities like transactions and agency transactions of program copyrights. And it provides that any business that produces or operates radio or television programs must first obtain a Radio and Television Program Production and Operation Permit. Entities holding such permits shall conduct their business within the permitted scope as provided in their permits. In addition, foreign-invested enterprises are not allowed to engage in the above-mentioned services.

        If our in-house generated audio and video content are considered as radio and television programs, we will be required to obtain the production and operation of radio and television program license. See "Risk Factors—Lack of production and operation of radio and television programs license may expose us to administrative sanctions, which would materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition."

136


Table of Contents

Regulation on Privacy Protection

        On December 28, 2012, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (the "SCNPC") enacted the Decision to Enhance the Protection of Network Information, or the Information Protection Decision, to enhance the protection of personal information in electronic form. The Information Protection Decision provides that Internet services providers must expressly inform their users of the purpose, manner and scope of the Internet services providers' collection and use of personal information, publish the Internet services providers' standards for their collection and use of User Personal Information, and collect and use personal information only with the consent of the users and only within the scope of such consent. The Information Protection Decision also mandates that Internet services providers and their employees must keep strictly confidential personal information that they collect, and that Internet services providers must take such technical and other measures as are necessary to safeguard the information against disclosure.

        On July 16, 2013, the MIIT issued the Order for the Protection of Telecommunication and Internet User Personal Information (the "Order"). Most of the requirements under the Order that are relevant to Internet services providers are consistent with the requirements already established under the MIIT provisions discussed above, except that under the Order the requirements are often more strict and have a wider scope. If an Internet services provider wishes to collect or use personal information, it may do so only if such collection is necessary for the services it provides. Further, it must disclose to its users the purpose, method and scope of any such collection or use, and must obtain consent from the users whose information is being collected or used. Internet services providers are also required to establish and publish their protocols relating to personal information collection or use, keep any collected information strictly confidential, and take technological and other measures to maintain the security of such information. Internet services providers are also required to cease any collection or use of the user personal information, and de-register the relevant user account, when a given user stops using the relevant Internet service. Internet services providers are further prohibited from divulging, distorting or destroying any such personal information, or selling or providing such information unlawfully to other parties. The Order states, in broad terms, that violators may face warnings, fines, and disclosure to the public and, in the most severe cases, criminal liability.

        On January 5, 2015, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (the "SAIC") promulgated the Measures on Punishment for Infringement of Consumer Rights, pursuant to which business operators collecting and using personal information of consumers must comply with the principles of legitimacy, propriety and necessity, specify the purpose, method and scope of collection and use of the information, and obtain the consent of the consumers whose personal information is to be collected. Business operators may not: (i) collect or use personal information of consumers without their consent; (ii) unlawfully divulge, sell or provide personal information of consumers to others; (iii) send commercial information to consumers without their consent or request, or when a consumer has explicitly declined to receive such information.

        In addition, National Internet Information Office published Measures for the Security Assessment of Personal Information and Important Data to be Transmitted Abroad, or the Draft Security Assessment Notice to seek for public comments on April 11, 2017. The Draft Security Assessment Notice emphasizes the security evaluation requirements, any company found to be non-compliant with the obligations under the Draft Security Assessment Notice may potentially be subject to fines, administrative and/or criminal liabilities. It is still uncertain when the Draft Security Assessment Notice would be signed into law and whether the final version would have any substantial changes from this draft. Although we do not transfer any users' personal information outside the PRC currently, we cannot guarantee that we will not transfer such information outside the PRC in the future subject to the requests or orders of governmental authorizations outside the PRC. We may not be able to fulfill the obligations then we are subjected to, among other, the security assessment at acceptable cost, or at all. In order for us to maintain or become compliant with applicable laws as they come into effect, it

137


Table of Contents

may require substantial expenditures on resources to continually evaluate our policies and processes and adapt to new requirements that are or become applicable to us.

Regulation on Cybersecurity and Censorship

        On November 7, 2016, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress promulgated the PRC Cybersecurity Law, which took effect on June 1, 2017. The PRC Cybersecurity Law applies to the construction, operation, maintenance, and use of networks as well as the supervision and administration of Internet security in the PRC. The PRC Cybersecurity Law defines "networks" as systems that are composed of computers or other information terminals and relevant facilities used for the purpose of collecting, storing, transmitting, exchanging, and processing information in accordance with certain rules and procedures. "Network operators," who are broadly defined as owners and administrator of networks and network services providers, shall meet their cyber security obligations and shall take technical and other necessary measures to protect the safety and stability of their networks. Under the Cybersecurity Law, network operators are subject to various security protection-related obligations, including:

        On May 2, 2017, the CAC issued the Measures for Security Review of Cyber Products and Services (for Trial Implementation), or the Cybersecurity Review Measures, which came into effect on June 1, 2017. Under the Cybersecurity Review Measures, the following cyber products and services will be subject to cybersecurity: cyber products and services purchased by networks, and information systems related to national security.

        The purchase of cyber products and services by operators of critical information infrastructure in key industries and fields, such as public communications and information services, energy, transportation, water resources, finance, public service, and electronic administration, and other critical information infrastructure, that may affect national security.

138


Table of Contents

        To comply with the above PRC laws and regulations, we have adopted internal procedures to monitor content displayed on our website and application. However, due to the large amount of user uploaded content, we may not be able to identify all the content that may violate relevant laws and regulations. See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—If our security measures are breached, or if our services are subject to attacks that degrade or deny the ability of users to access our services, our services may be perceived as not being secure, users may curtail or stop using our services and our business, results of operations and financial condition may be harmed."

Regulation on Mobile Internet Applications Information Services

        On June 28, 2016, the CAC issued the Provisions on the Administration of Mobile Internet Applications Information Services, or the APP Provisions, which became effective on August 1, 2016. Under the APP Provisions, mobile application providers and application store services providers are prohibited from engaging in any activity that may endanger national security, disturb the social order, or infringe the legal rights of third parties, and may not produce, copy, issue or disseminate through mobile applications any content prohibited by laws and regulations. The APP Provisions also require mobile application providers to procure relevant approval to provide services through such applications, and shall strictly fulfill their responsibilities of information security management, including (i) verifying authentic identities with the registered users through mobile phone numbers; (ii) establishing and improving the verification and management mechanism for the information content, adopting proper sanctions and measures such as warning, limiting functions, suspending updates, and closing accounts for releasing illegal information content; (iii) keeping records and reporting to competent authorities; (iv) protecting and safeguarding users' rights to know and choose during installation or use; (v) protecting intellectual property rights concerned and (vi) keeping records of user log information for 60 days.

Regulations on Online Advertising Services

        On April 24, 2015, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress enacted the Advertising Law of the PRC, or the New Advertising Law, effective on September 1, 2015 and was amended in 2018. The New Advertising Law increases the potential legal liability of advertising services providers and strengthens regulations of false advertising. On July 4, 2016, the SAIC issued the Interim Measures of the Administration of Online Advertising, or the SAIC Interim Measures, effective on September 1, 2016. The New Advertising Law and the SAIC Interim Measures require that Internet advertisements may not affect users' normal Internet use and Internet pop-up ads must display a "close" sign prominently and ensure one-key closing of the pop-up windows. The SAIC Interim Measures provide that all online advertisements must be marked with the word "Advertisement" so that viewers can easily identify them as such. Moreover, the SAIC Interim Measures treat paid search results as advertisements that are subject to PRC advertisement laws, and requires that paid search results be conspicuously identified on search result pages as advertisements.

        The New Advertising Law and SAIC Interim Measures require us to monitor the advertising content shown on our mobile applications to ensure that such content is true, accurate and in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations. However, we cannot assure you that all of the content contained in such advertisements is true and accurate as required by the advertising laws and regulations. For details, please see "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—Advertisements on our platform may subject us to penalties and other administrative actions."

139


Table of Contents

Regulations on Intellectual Property Rights

Regulations on Copyright

        The Copyright Law of the PRC, or the Copyright Law, which took effect on June 1, 1991 and was amended in 2001 and in 2010, provides that Chinese citizens, legal persons, or other organizations shall, whether published or not, own copyright in their copyrightable works, which include, among others, works of literature, art, natural science, social science, engineering technology and computer software. Copyright owners enjoy certain legal rights, including right of publication, right of authorship and right of reproduction. The Copyright Law as revised in 2001 extends copyright protection to Internet activities and products disseminated over the Internet. In addition, PRC laws and regulations provide for a voluntary registration system administered by the Copyright Protection Center of China, or the CPCC. According to the Copyright Law, an infringer of the copyrights shall be subject to various civil liabilities, which include ceasing infringement activities, apologizing to the copyright owners and compensating the loss of copyright owner. Infringers of copyright may also subject to fines and/or administrative or criminal liabilities in severe situations.

        The Computer Software Copyright Registration Measures, or the Software Copyright Measures, promulgated by the National Copyright Administration on April 6, 1992 and amended on May 26, 2000 and February 20, 2002, regulates registrations of software copyright, exclusive licensing contracts for software copyright and assignment agreements. The National Copyright Administration, or the NCA administers software copyright registration and the CPCC, is designated as the software registration authority. The CPCC shall grant registration certificates to the Computer Software Copyrights applicants which meet the requirements of both the Software Copyright Measures and the Computer Software Protection Regulations (Revised in 2013).

        The Provisions of the Supreme People's Court on Certain Issues Related to the Application of Law in the Trial of Civil Cases Involving Disputes on Infringement of the Information Network Dissemination Rights specifies that disseminating works, performances or audio-video products by the Internet users or the Internet services providers via the Internet without the permission of the copyright owners shall be deemed to have infringed the right of dissemination of the copyright owner.

        The Measures for Administrative Protection of Copyright Related to Internet, which was jointly promulgated by the NCA and the MII on April 29, 2005 and became effective on May 30, 2005, provides that upon receipt of an infringement notice from a legitimate copyright holder, an ICP operator must take remedial actions immediately by removing or disabling access to the infringing content. If an ICP operator knowingly transmits infringing content or fails to take remedial actions after receipt of a notice of infringement that harms public interest, the ICP operator could be subject to administrative penalties, including an order to cease infringing activities, confiscation by the authorities of all income derived from the infringement activities, or payment of fines.

        On May 18, 2006, the State Council promulgated the Regulations on the Protection of the Right to Network Dissemination of Information (as amended in 2013). Under these regulations, an owner of the network dissemination rights with respect to written works, performance or audio or video recordings who believes that information storage, search or link services provided by an Internet service provider infringe his or her rights may require that the Internet service provider delete, or disconnect the links to, such works or recordings.

        As of the date of this prospectus, we have registered 17 software copyrights in the PRC.

Patent Law

        According to the Patent Law of the PRC (Revised in 2008), the State Intellectual Property Office is responsible for administering patent law in the PRC. The patent administration departments of provincial, autonomous region or municipal governments are responsible for administering patent law

140


Table of Contents

within their respective jurisdictions. The Chinese patent system adopts a first-to-file principle, which means that when more than one person file different patent applications for the same invention, only the person who files the application first is entitled to obtain a patent of the invention. To be patentable, an invention or a utility model must meet three criteria: novelty, inventiveness and practicability. A patent is valid for twenty years in the case of an invention and ten years in the case of utility models and designs.

        As of the date of this prospectus, we had no registered patents in the PRC.

Trademark Law

        Trademarks are protected by the Trademark Law of the PRC (Revised in 2013) which was adopted in 1982 and subsequently amended in 1993, 2001 and 2013 respectively as well as by the Implementation Regulations of the PRC Trademark Law adopted by the State Council in 2002 and as most recently amended on April 29, 2014. The Trademark Office of the State Administration for Market Regulation of the PRC handles trademark registrations. The Trademark Office grants a ten-year term to registered trademarks and the term may be renewed for another ten-year period upon request by the trademark owner. A trademark registrant may license its registered trademarks to another party by entering into trademark license agreements, which must be filed with the Trademark Office for its record. As with patents, the Trademark Law has adopted a first-to-file principle with respect to trademark registration. If a trademark applied for is identical or similar to another trademark which has already been registered or subject to a preliminary examination and approval for use on the same or similar kinds of products or services, such trademark application may be rejected. Any person applying for the registration of a trademark may not injure existing trademark rights first obtained by others, nor may any person register in advance a trademark that has already been used by another party and has already gained a "sufficient degree of reputation" through such party's use.

        As of the date of this prospectus, we have registered 205 trademarks in the PRC.

Regulations on Domain Names

        The MIIT promulgated the Measures on Administration of Internet Domain Names, or the Domain Name Measures on August 24, 2017, which took effect on November 1, 2017 and replaced the Administrative Measures on China Internet Domain Names promulgated by MII on November 5, 2004. According to the Domain Name Measures, the MIIT is in charge of the administration of PRC Internet domain names. The domain name registration follows a first-to-file principle. Applicants for registration of domain names shall provide the true, accurate and complete information of their identities to domain name registration service institutions. The applicants will become the holder of such domain names upon the completion of the registration procedure.

        As of the date of this prospectus, we have registered 12 domain names in the PRC.

Regulations on Foreign Exchange and Offshore Investment

        Under the PRC Foreign Currency Administration Rules promulgated on January 29, 1996 and most recently amended on August 5, 2008 and various regulations issued by the SAFE and other relevant PRC government authorities, Renminbi is convertible into other currencies for current account items, such as trade-related receipts and payments and payment of interest and dividends. The conversion of Renminbi into other currencies and remittance of the converted foreign currency outside the PRC for of capital account items, such as direct equity investments, loans and repatriation of investment, requires the prior approval from the SAFE or its local office.

        Payments for transactions that take place within the PRC must be made in Renminbi. Unless otherwise approved, PRC companies may not repatriate foreign currency payments received from

141


Table of Contents

abroad or retain the same abroad. Foreign-invested enterprises may retain foreign exchange in accounts with designated foreign exchange banks under the current account items subject to a cap set by the SAFE or its local office. Foreign exchange proceeds under the current accounts may be either retained or sold to a financial institution engaged in settlement and sale of foreign exchange pursuant to relevant SAFE rules and regulations. For foreign exchange proceeds under the capital accounts, approval from the SAFE is generally required for the retention or sale of such proceeds to a financial institution engaged in settlement and sale of foreign exchange.

        Under the Circular of the SAFE on Issues Concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration over the Overseas Investment and Financing and Round-trip Investment by Domestic Residents via Special Purpose Vehicles, or the SAFE Circular 37, issued by the SAFE and effective on July 4, 2014, PRC residents are required to register with the local SAFE branch prior to the establishment or control of an offshore special purpose vehicle, or SPV, which is defined as offshore enterprises directly established or indirectly controlled by PRC residents for offshore equity financing of the enterprise assets or interests they hold in China. An amendment to registration or subsequent filing with the local SAFE branch by such PRC resident is also required if there is any change in basic information of the offshore company or any material change with respect to the capital of the offshore company. At the same time, the SAFE has issued the Operation Guidance for the Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration over Round-trip Investment regarding the procedures for SAFE registration under the SAFE Circular 37, which became effective on July 4, 2014 as an attachment of Circular 37.

        Under the relevant rules, failure to comply with the registration procedures set forth in the SAFE Circular 37 may result in restrictions on the foreign exchange activities of the relevant onshore company, including the payment of dividends and other distributions to its offshore parent or affiliates, and may also subject relevant PRC residents to penalties under PRC foreign exchange administration regulations.

        Pursuant to the Circular on Further Simplifying and Improving the Foreign Currency Management Policy on Direct Investment, or the SAFE Circular No. 13, effective from June 1, 2015, which cancels the administrative approvals of foreign exchange registration of direct domestic investment and direct overseas investment and simplifies the procedure of foreign exchange-related registration, the investors shall register with banks for direct domestic investment and direct overseas investment.

        Based on the SAFE Circular No.13 and other laws and regulations relating to foreign exchange, when setting up a new foreign-invested enterprise, the foreign invested enterprise shall register with the bank located at its registered place after obtaining the business license, and if there is any change in capital or other changes relating to the basic information of the foreign-invested enterprise, including without limitation any increase in its registered capital or total investment, the foreign invested enterprise shall register such changes with the bank located at its registered place after obtaining the approval from or completing the filing with competent authorities. Pursuant to the relevant foreign exchange laws and regulations, the above-mentioned foreign exchange registration with the banks will typically take less than four weeks upon the acceptance of the registration application.

Regulations on Dividend Distribution

        The principal laws and regulations regulating the dividend distribution of dividends by foreign-invested enterprises in the PRC include the Company Law of the PRC, as amended in 2004, 2005, 2013 and 2018, the Wholly Foreign-owned Enterprise Law promulgated in 1986 and amended in 2000 and 2016 and its implementation regulations promulgated in 1990 and subsequently amended in 2001 and 2014, the Sino-Foreign Equity Joint Venture Law of the PRC promulgated in 1979 and subsequently amended in 1990, 2001 and 2016 and its implementation regulations promulgated in 1983 and subsequently amended in 1986, 1987, 2001, 2011, 2014 and 2019, and the Sino-Foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Law of the PRC promulgated in 1988 and amended in 2000, 2016 and 2017 and its

142


Table of Contents

implementation regulations promulgated in 1995 and amended in 2014 and 2017. The Wholly Foreign-owned Enterprise Law, the Sino-Foreign Equity Joint Venture Law of the PRC and the Sino-Foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Law of the PRC will be replaced by the Foreign Investment Law on January 1, 2020. Under the current regulatory regime in the PRC, foreign-invested enterprises in the PRC may pay dividends only out of their retained earnings, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. A PRC company is required to set aside as statutory reserve funds at least 10% of its after-tax profit, until the cumulative amount of such reserve funds reaches 50% of its registered capital unless laws regarding foreign investment provide otherwise. A PRC company shall not distribute any profits until any losses from prior fiscal years have been offset. Profits retained from prior fiscal years may be distributed together with distributable profits from the current fiscal year.

Regulations on Taxation

Enterprise Income Tax

        On March 16, 2007, the SCNPC promulgated the Law of the PRC on Enterprise Income Tax, or the EIT Law, which was amended on February 24, 2017 and December 29, 2018. On December 6, 2007, the State Council enacted the Regulations for the Implementation of the Law on Enterprise Income Tax, which came into effect on January 1, 2008 and was amended in 2019. Under the EIT Law and its implementing regulations, both resident enterprises and non-resident enterprises are subject to tax in the PRC. Resident enterprises are defined as enterprises that are established in China in accordance with PRC laws, or that are established in accordance with the laws of foreign countries but are actually or in effect controlled from within the PRC. Non-resident enterprises are defined as enterprises that are organized under the laws of foreign countries and whose actual management is conducted outside the PRC, but have established institutions or premises in the PRC, or have no such established institutions or premises but have income generated from inside the PRC. Under the EIT Law and relevant implementing regulations, a uniform corporate income tax rate of 25% is applied. However, if non-resident enterprises have not formed permanent establishments or premises in the PRC, or if they have formed permanent establishment or premises in the PRC but there is no actual relationship between the relevant income derived in the PRC and the established institutions or premises set up by them, enterprise income tax is set at the rate of 10% with respect to their income sourced from inside the PRC.

Value-added Tax

        The Provisional Regulations of the PRC on Value-added Tax were promulgated by the State Council on December 13, 1993 and came into effect on January 1, 1994, were subsequently amended on November 10, 2008 and came into effect on January 1, 2009 and were most recently amended on February 6, 2016 and November 19, 2017. The Detailed Rules for the Implementation of the Provisional Regulations of the PRC on Value-added Tax (Revised in 2011) were promulgated by the Ministry of Finance on December 25, 1993 and subsequently amended on December 15, 2008 and October 28, 2011, or collectively, the VAT Law. On November 19, 2017, the State Council promulgated The Decisions on Abolishing the Provisional Regulations of the PRC on Business Tax and Amending the Provisional Regulations of the PRC on Value-added Tax, or Order 691. According to the VAT Law and Order 691, all enterprises and individuals engaged in the sale of goods, the provision of processing, repair and replacement services, sales of services, intangible assets, real property and the importation of goods within the territory of the PRC are the taxpayers of VAT. The VAT tax rates generally applicable are simplified as 17%, 11%, 6% and 0%, and the VAT tax rate applicable to the small-scale taxpayers is 3%. The Notice of the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation on Adjusting Value-added Tax Rates, or the Notice, was promulgated on April 4, 2018 and came into effect on May 1, 2018. According to the Notice, the VAT tax rates of 17% and 11% are changed to 16% and 10%,

143


Table of Contents

respectively. On March 20, 2019, the Ministry of Finance, State Taxation Administration and General Administration of Customs jointly promulgated the Relevant Policies Notice on Deepening Reform of VAT Tax, or Notice 39, which will be effective on April 1, 2019. Notice 39 further changes the VAT tax rates of 16% and 10% to 13% and 9%, respectively.

Regulations on Employment and Social Welfare

Labor Contract Law

        The Labor Contract Law of the PRC, or the Labor Contract Law, which took effect on January 1, 2008 and was amended on December 28, 2012, is primarily aimed at regulating rights and obligations of employer and employee relationships, including the establishment, performance and termination of labor contracts. Pursuant to the Labor Contract Law, labor contracts shall be concluded in writing if labor relationships are to be or have been established between employers and the employees. Employers are prohibited from forcing employees to work above certain time limit and employers shall pay employees for overtime work in accordance to national regulations. In addition, employee wages shall be no lower than local standards on minimum wages and shall be paid to employees timely.

Social Insurance and Housing Fund

        As required under the Regulation of Insurance for Labor Injury implemented on January 1, 2004 and amended in 2010, the Provisional Measures for Maternity Insurance of Employees of Corporations implemented on January 1, 1995, the Decisions on the Establishment of a Unified Program for Old-Aged Pension Insurance of the State Council issued on July 16, 1997, the Decisions on the Establishment of the Medical Insurance Program for Urban Workers of the State Council promulgated on December 14, 1998, the Unemployment Insurance Measures promulgated on January 22, 1999 and the Social Insurance Law of the PRC implemented on July 1, 2011 and amended on December 29, 2018, employers are required to provide their employees in the PRC with welfare benefits covering pension insurance, unemployment insurance, maternity insurance, labor injury insurance and medical insurance.

        In accordance with the Regulations on the Management of Housing Fund which was promulgated by the State Council in 1999 and amended in 2002 and 2019, respectively, employers must register at the designated administrative centers and open bank accounts for depositing employees' housing funds. Employer and employee are also required to pay and deposit housing funds, with an amount no less than 5% of the monthly average salary of the employee in the preceding year in full and on time.

Employee Stock Incentive Plan

        Pursuant to the Notice of Issues Related to the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Stock Incentive Plan of Overseas Listed Company, or Circular 7, which was issued by the SAFE on February 15, 2012, employees, directors, supervisors, and other senior management who participate in any stock incentive plan of an publicly-listed overseas company and who are PRC citizens or non-PRC citizens residing in China for a continuous period of no less than one year, subject to a few exceptions, are required to register with SAFE through a qualified domestic agent, which may be a PRC subsidiary of such overseas listed company, and complete certain other procedures.

        In addition, the State Administration of Taxation (the "SAT") has issued certain circulars concerning employee stock options and restricted shares. Under these circulars, employees working in the PRC who exercise stock options or are granted restricted shares will be subject to PRC individual income tax. The PRC subsidiaries of an overseas listed company are required to file documents related to employee stock options and restricted shares with relevant tax authorities and to withhold individual income taxes of employees who exercise their stock option or purchase restricted shares. If the employees fail to pay or the PRC subsidiaries fail to withhold income tax in accordance with relevant

144


Table of Contents

laws and regulations, the PRC subsidiaries may face sanctions imposed by the tax authorities or other PRC governmental authorities.

M&A Rules and Overseas Listing

        On August 8, 2006, six PRC governmental and regulatory agencies, including MOFCOM and the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, promulgated the Rules on Acquisition of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, governing the mergers and acquisitions of domestic enterprises by foreign investors that became effective on September 8, 2006 and was revised on June 22, 2009. The M&A Rules, among other things, requires that if an overseas company established or controlled by PRC companies or individuals, or PRC Citizens, intends to acquire equity interests or assets of any other PRC domestic company affiliated with the PRC Citizens, such acquisition must be submitted to the MOFCOM for approval. The M&A Rules also requires that an offshore SPV formed for overseas listing purposes and controlled directly or indirectly by the PRC Citizens shall obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to overseas listing and trading of such SPV's securities on an overseas stock exchange.

145


Table of Contents


MANAGEMENT

Directors and Executive Officers

        The following table sets forth information regarding our executive officers and directors as of the date of this prospectus.

Directors and Executive Officers
  Age   Position/Title
Dagang Feng     40   Chief Executive Officer, Co-chairman of the Board of Directors
Chengcheng Liu     30   Founder, Co-chairman of the Board of Directors
Jihong Liang     46   Chief Financial Officer, Director
Yang Li     42   Chief Content Officer
Chao Zhu     39   Director
Lingye Zuo     41   Director
Yifan Li     52   Independent Director*
Peng Su     39   Independent Director*
Hendrick Sin     45   Independent Director*

*
Each of Yifan Li, Peng Su and Hendrick Sin has accepted appointments as our independent directors, effective upon the SEC's declaration of effectiveness of our registration statement on Form F-1, of which this prospectus is a part.

        Dagang Feng has served as our chief executive officer and the co-chairman of our board of directors since August 2019. Mr. Feng has served as Beijing Duoke's chief executive officer since December 2016 and its director since August 2018, and is responsible for the overall business strategies and operation. Mr. Feng has also served as a director at Xieli Zhucheng since September 2016. Mr. Feng has over 10 years of managerial experience and over 15 years of expertise in media and investment sectors. Before joining us, Mr. Feng served as a senior investment manager at Matrix Partners China from 2012 to 2016, where he primarily focused on investments in Internet and technology sectors. Prior to that, Mr. Feng co-founded YiMagazine, previously known as CBNweekly which is sponsored by Shanghai Oriental Media Group, a leading business magazine in China, where he served as the associate chief editor and the general manager of marketing department from 2007 and 2012. Before YiMagazine, Mr. Feng was a senior journalist at ChinaByte.com, an IT-focused vertical portal based in China, from 2005 to 2007, and a senior journalist at the Economic Observer, one of China's most influential economic-focused newspapers in China, from 2003 to 2005, respectively. Mr. Feng currently serves as a board member of several private companies. Mr. Feng received his bachelor's degree in economics from Dalian Maritime University in 2002, and a post-graduate diploma in journalism and communication from Tsinghua University in 2017.

        Chengcheng Liu has served as the co-chairman of our board of directors since August 2019. Mr. Liu founded our 36Kr.com website in 2010 and has served as chairman of board of directors of Beijing Duoke since its incorporation. Since the inception of our 36Kr, Mr. Liu has been the key architect of our success and has led us to achieve a number of our milestones and transformations, and he has accumulated extensive knowledge and expertise in the New Economy sector as well as rich experience in managing our company. Mr. Liu was named by Forbes as one of China's "30 Under 30" in 2013, a list of top Chinese entrepreneurs under the age of 30. Mr. Liu currently serves as a board member of several private companies. Mr. Liu received his bachelor's degree in communication engineering from Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications in 2010 and his master's degree in data mining from University of Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2014.

        Jihong Liang has served as our chief financial officer and our director since August 2019. Ms. Liang has served as Beijing Duoke's chief financial officer since February 2019 and its director since August 2018. Ms. Liang served as the chief financial officer of Xieli Zhucheng from November 2014 to January 2019 where she was in charge of the company's financial function. Prior to joining us, Ms. Liang served as a financial director at Yeepay Inc., an e-payment service provider based in China,

146


Table of Contents

from 2013 to 2014, and as a financial director at Tujia.com, a Chinese lodging-service sharing and booking platform, in 2012, respectively. Prior to that, Ms. Liang served as a senior financial manager at the Beijing branch of Ctrip.com, an online ticket and hotel booking platform based in China, from 2011 to 2012, and as a financial manager at the Beijing branch of Mangocity.com, an online ticket and hotel booking platform based in China, from 2006 to 2011, respectively. Ms. Liang received her bachelor's degree in statistics from Capital University of Economics and Business in 1995, and master's degree in software engineering from Beihang University in 2016. Ms. Liang was admitted as a Certified Public Accountant by the Chinese Institute of Certified Public Accountants in 2005.

        Yang Li has served as our chief content officer since August 2019. Ms. Li has served as Beijing Duoke's chief content officer since September 2016 and is responsible for the content creation for our platform. Ms. Li will be appointed as our chief content officer. Ms. Li has extensive experience in the media sector. Prior to joining us, Ms. Li served at YiMagazine, previously known as CBNweekly which is sponsored by Shanghai Oriental Media Group, a leading business magazine in China, where she joined as a founding member, and held various positions, including the chief editor of the magazine and the chief commentator for an editorial column called the Observer from 2008 to 2016. Before YiMagazine, Ms. Li served as a journalist at China Internet Weekly magazine and China Information World newspaper. Ms. Li received a bachelor's degree in computer science from Shenyang University of Technology in 1999, a bachelor's degree in editing and publishing science from Tsinghua University in 2005, and a post-graduate diploma in integrated and practicing management from Hong Kong University in 2016.

        Chao Zhu has served as our director since August 2019. Mr. Zhu has been a director and later, a senior director of the strategic investment division of Ant Financial since 2014. From 2006 to 2014, he served in the investment banking department of China International Capital Corporation Ltd., an investment bank listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, as an associate, vice president and executive director. Mr. Zhu received a bachelor's degree in economics from Fudan University in 2002 and a master's degree in economics from Fudan University in 2006.

        Lingye Zuo has served as our director since August 2019. Mr. Zuo is a partner at Shanghai Jingzhuo Beijing Investment Management Limited, and also one of the founding members of Matrix Partners (China) and has strong investment expertise. Mr. Zuo joined WI Harper after graduating from Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management in 2002, and played an instrumental role in WI Harper's investment in Focus Media in 2004. At Matrix Partners (China), Mr. Zuo focuses on the marketplace and enterprise services sectors and is actively involved in making investment decisions.

        Yifan Li will serve as our independent director upon the effectiveness of our registration statement on Form F-1, of which this prospectus is a part. Mr. Li has served as vice president at Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Company Ltd since September 2014, and also served as its chief financial officer during September 2014 to September 2016. The primary business of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Company Ltd is designing, engineering and manufacturing automobile. Mr. Li's responsibilities include corporate financial and risk management, investment, new business initiatives, etc.

        Peng Su will serve as our independent director upon the effectiveness of our registration statement on Form F-1, of which this prospectus is a part. Mr. Su has served as Youdao's vice president since March 2019. Prior to joining Youdao, Mr. Su worked at the New York Stock Exchange (China) for over 12 years in various roles, including its representative and later its chief representative. Mr. Su received his master's degree from North Carolina State University.

        Hendrick Sin will serve as our independent director upon the effectiveness of our registration statement on Form F-1, of which this prospectus is a part. Mr. Sin has approximately 22 years of experience in corporate management, finance and investment banking. Mr. Sin is a co-founder and the vice chairman of CMGE Technology Group Limited, a leading mobile game company in China. Mr. Sin graduated from Stanford University in 1997 with a master's degree in engineering-economic systems

147


Table of Contents

and operations research, and received three bachelor's degrees in computer science/mathematics, economics and industrial management with honors from Carnegie Mellon University in 1996. Mr. Sin is the president of the Hong Kong Internet Professional Association and the executive vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Software Industry Association. Mr. Sin has been appointed as a member of the fourteenth session of Tianjin Municipal's Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Mr. Sin has also been appointed by the Hong Kong Government as a committee member of the Youth Development Commission and a director of Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited.

Employment Agreements and Indemnification Agreements

        We have entered into employment agreements with each of our executive officers. Pursuant to these employment agreements, each of our executive officers is employed for a specified time period, which will be renewed automatically unless a notice of non-renewal is given. We may terminate an executive officer's employment for cause at any time without advance notice in certain events, and may terminate an executive officer's employment by giving a prior written notice and paying certain compensation. An executive officer may terminate his or her employment at any time by giving a prior written notice. Under these employment agreements, each executive officer agrees to hold, unless expressly consented to by us, at all times during and after the termination of his or her employment agreement, in strict confidence and not to use, any of our confidential information or the confidential information of our customers and suppliers. In addition, under these agreements, each executive officer agrees to be bound by certain non-competition restrictions during the term of his or her employment and for two years following the last date of employment.

        We will also enter into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. Under these agreements, we agree to indemnify our directors and executive officers against all liabilities and expenses incurred by such persons in connection with claims made by reason of their being a director or officer of our company to the fullest extent permitted by law with certain limited exceptions.

Board of Directors

        Our Board of Directors will consist of eight directors, including three independent directors, namely Yifan Li, Peng Su and Hendrick Sin, upon the SEC's declaration of effectiveness of our registration statement on Form F-1 to which this prospectus forms a part. A director is not required to hold any shares in our company to qualify to serve as a director. The Listing Rules of the NASDAQ generally require that a majority of an issuer's board of directors must consist of independent directors. However, the Listing Rules of the NASDAQ permit foreign private issuers like us to follow "home country practice" in certain corporate governance matters. We rely on this "home country practice" exemption and do not have a majority of independent directors serving on our Board of Directors.

        A director who is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a contract or proposed contract with our company is required to declare the nature of his or her interest at a meeting of our directors. A general notice given to the directors by any director to the effect that he or she is a member, shareholder, director, partner, officer or employee of any specified company or firm and is to be regarded as interested in any contract or transaction with that company or firm shall be deemed a sufficient declaration of interest for the purposes of voting on a resolution in respect to a contract or transaction in which he/she has an interest, and after such general notice it shall not be necessary to give special notice relating to any particular transaction. A director may vote in respect of any contract or proposed contract or arrangement notwithstanding that he/she may be interested therein (unless disqualified by the chairman of the relevant board meeting) and if he/she does so, his/her vote shall be counted and he/she may be counted in the quorum at any meeting of the directors at which any such contract or proposed contract or arrangement is considered. Our board of directors may exercise all of

148


Table of Contents

the powers of our company to borrow money, to mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and uncalled capital, or any part thereof, and to issue debentures, debenture stock or other securities whenever money is borrowed or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of our company or of any third party. None of our directors has a service contract with us that provides for benefits upon termination of service as a director.

Committees of the Board of Directors

        We have established an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee under our Board of Directors. We have adopted a charter for each of the three committees. Each committee's members and functions are described below.

        Audit Committee.    Our audit committee consists of Yifan Li, Peng Su and Hendrick Sin, and will be chaired by Yifan Li. We have determined that each of Yifan Li, Peng Su and Hendrick Sin satisfies the "independence" requirements of Rule 5605(c)(2) of the Listing Rules of the NASDAQ and meet the independence standards under Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. We have determined that Yifan Li qualifies as an "audit committee financial expert." as set forth under the applicable rules of the SEC. The audit committee will oversee our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the financial statements of our company. The audit committee will be responsible for, among other things:

        Compensation Committee.    Our compensation committee consists of Dagang Feng, Hendrick Sin and Jihong Liang and will be chaired by Dagang Feng. We have determined that Hendrick Sin satisfies the "independence" requirements of Rule 5605(c)(2) of the Listing Rules of the NASDAQ. The compensation committee will assist the board in reviewing and approving the compensation structure, including all forms of compensation, relating to our directors and executive officers. Our chief executive

149


Table of Contents

officer may not be present at any committee meeting during which their compensation is deliberated upon. The compensation committee will be responsible for, among other things:

        Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.    Our nominating and corporate governance committee consists of Dagang Feng, Peng Su and Chao Zhu, and is chaired by Dagang Feng. We have determined that Peng Su satisfies the "independence" requirements of Rule 5605(c)(2) of the Listing Rules of the NASDAQ. The nominating and corporate governance committee will assist the board in selecting individuals qualified to become our directors and in determining the composition of the board and its committees. The nominating and corporate governance committee will be responsible for, among other things:

Duties and Functions of Directors

        Under Cayman Islands law, our directors owe fiduciary duties to our company, including a duty of loyalty, a duty to act honestly, and a duty to act in what consider in good faith to be in our best interests. Our directors must also exercise their powers only for a proper purpose. Our directors also owe to our company a duty to exercise the care, diligence and skills that a reasonable prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. In fulfilling their duty of care to us, our directors must ensure compliance with our memorandum and articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time. Our company has the right to seek damages if a duty owed by our directors is breached. In certain limited exceptional circumstances, a shareholder may have the right to seek damages in our name if a duty owed by our directors is breached. Our board of directors has all the powers necessary

150


Table of Contents

for managing, and for directing and supervising, our business affairs. The functions and powers of our board of directors include, among others, (i) convening shareholders' annual and extraordinary general meetings and reporting its work to shareholders at such meetings, (ii) declaring dividends and distributions, (iii) appointing officers and determining their terms of offices and responsibilities, (iv) approving the transfer of shares of our company, including the registering of such shares in our share register, and (v) exercising the borrowing powers of our company and mortgaging the property of our company.

Terms of Directors and Officers

        Our officers may be elected by and serve at the discretion of the board. The Company may by ordinary resolution appoint any person to be a director. Each director is not subject to a term of office and holds office until such time as his successor takes office or until the earlier of his death, resignation or removal from office by an ordinary resolution of the shareholders of the Company or the affirmative vote of no less than two-thirds of the other directors present and voting at a board meeting. A director's office shall also be vacated if, among other things, the director (i) resigns his office by notice in writing to the company; (ii) dies, becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors; (iii) is found to be or becomes of unsound mind; (iv) is prohibited by law or NASDAQ rules from being a director; or (v) is removed from office pursuant to our post-offering amended and restated articles of association.

Interested Transactions

        A director may, subject to any separate requirement for audit and risk committee approval under applicable law or applicable NASDAQ rules, vote in respect of any contract or transaction in which he or she is interested, provided that the nature of the interest of any directors in such contract or transaction is disclosed by him or her at or prior to its consideration and any vote in that matter.

Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers

        In 2018, we paid an aggregate of RMB2.5 million (US$0.4 million) in cash to the existing directors and executive officers of Beijing Duoke who have become our directors and executive officers and we did not pay any cash compensation to our non-executive directors. We have not set aside or accrued any amount to provide pension, retirement or other similar benefits to our executive officers and directors. Our PRC subsidiaries and our variable interest entity are required by law to make contributions equal to certain percentages of each employee's salary for his or her pension insurance, medical insurance, unemployment insurance and other statutory benefits and a housing provident fund. For share incentive grants to our directors, executive officers and employees, see "—Share Incentive Plan."

Share Incentive Plan

        Beijing Duoke adopted a share incentive plan in 2016, which we refer to as the 2016 Share Incentive Plan. In September 2019, 36Kr Holdings Inc. adopted a share incentive plan, which we refer to as the 2019 Share Incentive Plan. The 2016 Share Incentive Plan was canceled concurrently upon the adoption of the 2019 Share Incentive Plan, and each participant of the 2016 Share Incentive Plan is expected to receive corresponding grants under the 2019 Share Incentive Plan. As of the date of this prospectus, the maximum aggregate number of ordinary shares which may be issued pursuant to all awards under the 2019 Share Incentive Plan is 137,186,000. As of the date of this prospectus, awards to purchase 101,695,654 ordinary shares under the 2019 Share Incentive Plan have been granted and outstanding.

151


Table of Contents

        The following paragraphs summarize the terms of our 2019 Share Incentive Plan.

        Types of Awards.    Our 2019 Share Incentive Plan permits awards of share options.

        Plan Administration.    Our 2019 Share Incentive Plan shall be administered by Dagang Feng.

        Grant Letter.    Awards granted under our 2019 Share Incentive Plan are evidenced by a grant letter that sets forth terms, conditions and limitations for each award.

        Exercise Price.    The plan administrator determines the purchase price or exercise price for each award, subject to the conditions set forth in our 2019 Share Incentive Plan.

        Eligibility.    We may grant awards to any director, employee or business associate who the plan administrator, in his or her sole discretion, has contributed or will contribute to the Group.

        Vesting Schedule.    In general, the plan administrator determines the vesting schedule, which is set forth in the grant letter.

        Transfer Restrictions.    Options may not be assignable or transferable, except as otherwise provided in the 2019 Share Incentive Plan.

        Termination and Amendment.    The 2019 Share Incentive Plan shall be valid and effective for ten years commencing from its adoption. The board of directors, or the Company by resolution of the shareholders, may at any time terminate the operation of the 2019 Share Incentive Plan, after which period no further options will be granted but the provisions of the 2019 Share Incentive Plan shall remain in force to the extent necessary to give effect to the exercise of any options which are granted during the life of the 2019 Share Incentive Plan or otherwise as may be required in accordance with the provisions of the 2019 Share Incentive Plan. The board of directors may amend any of the provisions of the 2019 Share Incentive Plan at any time, but not so as to affect adversely any rights which have accrued to any grantee at that date.

        The following table summarizes, as of the date of this prospectus, the outstanding options that were granted to our directors and executive officers under the 2019 Share Incentive Plan:

Name
  Ordinary Shares
Underlying
Outstanding
Options Granted
  Exercise Price
(US$/Share)
  Date of Grant   Date of Expiration

Dagang Feng

    27,246,622   Nominal   September 7, 2019   September 7, 2029

Jihong Liang

    *   Nominal   September 7, 2019   September 7, 2029

Yang Li

    *   Nominal   September 7, 2019   September 7, 2029

    Notes:

*
Less than l% of our total outstanding ordinary shares

152


Table of Contents


PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

        The following table sets forth information concerning the beneficial ownership of the ordinary shares of 36Kr Holdings Inc. as of the date of this prospectus assuming conversion of all of our outstanding preferred shares into ordinary shares, on a one-to-one basis by:

        The calculations in the table below are based on 902,813,999 ordinary shares outstanding on an as-converted basis as of the date of this prospectus and                        ordinary shares outstanding immediately after the completion of this offering, including (i)             Class A ordinary shares to be sold by us in this offering in the form of ADSs, and (ii)                         Class B ordinary shares converted from outstanding ordinary shares held by Palopo Holding Limited and 36Kr Heros Holding Limited and preferred shares, assuming that the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs.

        Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, we have included shares that the person has the right to acquire within 60 days, including through the exercise of any option, warrant, or other right or the conversion of any other security. These shares, however, are not included in the computation of the percentage ownership of any other person.

 
   
   
  Ordinary Shares Beneficially
Owned After this Offering
   
 
 
  Ordinary
Shares
(as converted
basis)
Beneficially
Owned Prior to
this Offering
  Class A   Class B    
 
 
   
  Percentage
of total
ordinary
shares on an
as-converted
basis
   
  Percentage
of total
ordinary
shares on an
as-converted
basis
   
 
 
   
   
  Percentage of
aggregate
voting power***
 
 
  Number   %**   Number   Number  

Directors and Executive Officers:†

                                           

Dagang Feng(1)

    164,445,601     17.5 %                              

Chengcheng Liu(2)

    58,749,000     6.2 %                              

Jihong Liang

    *     *                                

Yang Li

    *     *                                

Chao Zhu

                                       

Lingye Zuo(7)

    62,688,000     6.7 %                              

Yifan Li†[nc_cad,217]

                                       

Peng Su†[nc_cad,217]

                                       

Hendrick Sin†[nc_cad,217]

                                       

All directors and executive officers as a group

    234,324,181     24.9 %                              

Principal Shareholders:

                                           

Holding group of Dagang Feng(1)

    164,445,601     17.5 %                              

36Kr Heros Holding Limited(2)

    58,749,000     6.2 %                              

API (Hong Kong) Investment Limited(3)

    151,772,000     16.1 %                              

Tembusu Limited(4)

    101,261,000     10.8 %                              

China Prosperity Capital Alpha Limited(5)

    71,429,000     7.6 %                              

Beijing Jiuhe Yunqi Investment Center L.P.(6)

    65,307,000     6.9 %                              

M36 Investment Limited(7)

    62,688,000     6.7 %                              

Notes:

*
Less than 1% of our total outstanding ordinary shares on an as converted basis.

153


Table of Contents

**
For each person and group included in this table, percentage ownership is calculated by dividing the number of shares beneficially owned by such person or group by the sum of (i) 902,813,999, being the number of ordinary shares on an as-converted basis outstanding as of the date of this prospectus and (ii) the number of ordinary shares underlying share options held by such person or group that are exercisable within 60 days after the date of this prospectus.

***
For each person and group included in this column, percentage of voting power is calculated by dividing the voting power beneficially owned by such person or group by the voting power of all of our ordinary shares as a single class.

Except as indicated otherwise as below, the business address of our directors and executive officers is 5-6/F, Tower A1, Junhao Central Park Plaza, No. 10 South Chaoyang Park Avenue, Chaoyang District, Beijing, People's Republic of China.

††
Each of Yifan Li, Peng Su and Hendrick Sin has accepted appointments as our independent directors, effective upon the SEC's declaration of effectiveness of our registration statement on Form F-1, of which this prospectus is a part.

(1)
Represents an aggregate of 164,445,601 ordinary shares, consisting of (i) 78,512,000 ordinary shares held by Palopo Holding Limited, a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands wholly owned by Lording Global Limited and ultimately controlled by The Lording Trust. The Lording Trust is a trust established under the laws of the Cayman Islands and managed by TMF (Cayman) Ltd. as the trustee. Dagang Feng, our chief executive officer and the co-chairman of our board of directors, is the settlor of the trust, and Dagang Feng and his family members are the trust's beneficiaries. 54,958,400 of these shares will be redesignated as Class B ordinary shares conditional upon and effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering; (ii) 58,749,000 ordinary shares held by 36Kr Heros Holding Limited, a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands wholly owned by Chengcheng Liu, the co-chairman of our board of directors. 41,124,300 of these shares will be redesignated as Class B ordinary shares conditional upon and effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering; (iii) 15,184,000 series C-1 preferred shares held by China Prosperity Capital Alpha Limited, a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of Samoa ultimately controlled by Hendrick Sin. All of these shares will be redesignated or converted into ordinary shares on a one-to-one basis immediately prior to the completion of this offering; and (iv) 12,000,601 Class A ordinary shares underlying share options held by Dagang Feng that are exercisable within 60 days after the date of this prospectus. The registered address of Palopo Holding Limited and 36Kr Heros Holding Limited is Craigmuir Chambers, Road Town, Tortola, VG 1110, British Virgin Islands.

Palopo Holding Limited entered into an acting-in-concert agreement with 36Kr Heros Holding Limited in September 2019, pursuant to which the parties agreed to vote on the matters that require action in concert, with respect to all shares held by the parties, and if the parties thereof are unable to reach a unanimous consensus in relation to the matters requiring action in concert, a decision made by Palopo Holding Limited will be deemed a decision unanimously passed by the parties and will be binding on the parties. Palopo Holding Limited entered into an acting-in-concert agreement with China Prosperity Capital Alpha Limited in September 2019, pursuant to which the parties agreed to vote on the matters that require action in concert, with respect to all shares held by Palopo Holding Limited and 15,184,000 series C-1 preferred shares held by China Prosperity Capital Alpha Limited, and if the parties thereof are unable to reach a unanimous consensus in relation to the matters requiring action in concert, a decision made by Palopo Holding Limited will be deemed a decision unanimously passed by the parties and will be binding on the parties.

(2)
Represents 58,749,000 ordinary shares held by 36Kr Heros Holding Limited, a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands. 36Kr Heros Holding Limited is wholly owned by Chengcheng Liu, our founder and chairman of the board of Beijing Duoke. 41,124,300 of these shares will be redesignated as Class B ordinary shares conditional upon and effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering. The registered address of 36Kr Heros Holding Limited is Craigmuir Chambers, Road Town, Tortola, VG 1110, British Virgin Islands.

(3)
Represents 151,772,000 series B-1 preferred shares held by held by API (Hong Kong) Investment Limited, a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of Hong Kong. All of these shares will be redesignated or converted into ordinary shares on a one-to-one basis immediately prior to the completion of this offering. API (Hong Kong) Investment Limited is wholly owned by Ant Small and Micro Financial Services Group Co., Ltd.. The registered address of API (Hong Kong) Investment Limited is 26/F, Tower One, Times Square, 1 Matheson ST, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.

(4)
Represents 101,261,000 series A-2 preferred shares held by Tembusu Limited, a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of British Virgin Islands. Tembusu Limited is wholly owned by David Su Tuong Sing. The registered address of Tembusu Limited is Trinity Chambers, PO Box 4301, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

(5)
Represents 58,884,000 series C-1 preferred shares and 12,545,000 series C-2 preferred shares held by China Prosperity Capital Alpha Limited, a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of Samoa. All of these shares will be redesignated or converted into ordinary shares on a one-to-one basis immediately prior to the completion of this offering. China Prosperity Capital Alpha Limited is ultimately controlled by Hendrick Sin. The business address of China Prosperity Capital Alpha Limited is 13/F, 8 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong.

(6)
Represents 65,307,000 series A-1 preferred shares held by held by Beijing Jiuhe Yunqi Investment Center L.P., a limited partnership incorporated under the laws of the PRC. All of these shares will be redesignated or converted into ordinary shares on a one-to-one basis immediately prior to the completion of this offering. Beijing Jiuhe Yunqi Investment Center L.P. is ultimately controlled by Xiao Wang. The registered address of Beijing Jiuhe Yunqi Investment Center L.P. is Room 530, 5/F, Danling Soho, No. 6 Danlin Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China.

(7)
Represents 62,688,000 series B-1 preferred shares held by M36 Investment Limited, a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of British Virgin Islands. M36 Investment Limited is wholly owned by Shanghai Chuangji Investment Center

154


Table of Contents

    (Limited Partnership), the general partner of which is Shanghai Changchuang Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership). The general partner of Shanghai Changchuang Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership) is Shanghai Jingsheng Investment Management Co., Ltd.. Shanghai Jingsheng Investment Management Co., Ltd. is wholly owned by Lingye Zuo and Ping Xiao, who disclaim beneficial ownership of the shares held by M36 Investment Limited, except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein. The registered office of M36 Investment Limited is SHRM Trustees (BVI) Limited of Trinity Chambers, PO Box 4301, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

        As of the date of this prospectus, none of our outstanding ordinary shares or outstanding preferred shares are held by record holders in the United States. We are not aware of any arrangement that may, at a subsequent date, result in a change of control of our company. See "Description of Share Capital—History of Securities Issuances" for a description of issuances of our ordinary shares that have resulted in significant changes in ownership held by our major shareholders.

155


Table of Contents


RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Contractual Arrangements

        See "Corporate History and Structure—Contractual Arrangements with the VIE and its Shareholders."

Shareholders Agreement

        See "Description of Share Capital—Shareholders Agreement"

Employment Agreements and Indemnification Agreements

        See "Management—Employment Agreements and Indemnification Agreements."

Share Incentives Plan

        See "Management—Share Incentive Plan."

Related Party Transactions

Transaction with Xieli Zhucheng

        In 2017, we received a one-year unsecured loan amounted to RMB8.5 million from Xieli Zhucheng, our related party, with imputed interest rate of 4.35% per annum, which was determined by our management based on interest rates promulgated by the People's Bank of China for one-year fixed loans. We repaid the loan of RMB7.5 million and RMB1.0 million (US$0.1 million) in 2017 and 2018, respectively. The interest expense for the loan was RMB0.2 million in 2017. Xieli Zhucheng forgave such interest expense, and the expense was recognized in the financial statements. The amount forgiven was recorded as a shareholder's contribution from Xieli Zhucheng from the accounting perspective.

        In 2017, 2018 and for the six months ended June 30, 2019, Xieli Zhucheng incurred the payroll expenses for certain senior officers of Xieli Zhucheng who also provided services to us, which amounted to RMB0.7 million, RMB0.8 million (US$0.1 million) and RMB0.1 million (US$0.01 million), respectively. Xieli Zhucheng forgave such payroll expense, and the expense was recognized in the financial statements. The amount forgiven was recorded as a shareholder's contribution from Xieli Zhucheng from the accounting perspective.

        In 2017, 2018 and for the six months ended June 30, 2019, we rented some office areas from Xieli Zhucheng, and the rental expenses was RMB0.5 million, RMB0.5 million (US$0.1 million) RMB0.2 million (US$0.03 million), respectively. Xieli Zhucheng forgave such rental expense, and the expense was recognized in the financial statements. The amount forgiven was recorded as a shareholder's contribution from Xieli Zhucheng from the accounting perspective.

Transaction with JingData

        In 2018 and for the six months ended June 30, 2019, we purchased electronic equipment, software use right and advertising services amounted to RMB2.8 million (US$0.4 million) and RMB0.3 million (US$0.04 million), respectively from JingData, our affiliate. As of June 30, 2019, amount due to JingData for advertising services was 0.

        In 2017 and 2018, we received revenue for providing online advertising services to JingData amounted to RMB0.3 million and RMB1.0 million (US$0.1 million), respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, we received revenue for providing enterprise value-added services to JingData amounted to RMB0.2 million (US$0.03 million).

156


Table of Contents

        We and JingData have entered into a data sharing agreement in June 2019, pursuant to which we and JingData collectively contribute to and manage a data sharing platform. Representatives appointed by us and JingData may also approve affiliates of us and JingData to become a participant of the data sharing platform and have certain access to and contribute data to the platform, subject to execution of a data sharing confirmation letter undertaking to abide with the data sharing agreement. We are responsible for the costs of the operation and maintenance of the data platform. No fees or other compensation are required to be paid by any participant of the data sharing platform for access to the data platform. The data sharing agreement provides that none of the participants may sell, grant access or permission to use, transfer or disclose data shared by other participants to any non-participating third parties, unless such participant has obtained authorization from the contributing party or is legally required to disclose such data. Moreover, each participant may not sell, grant access or permission to use, transfer or disclose data shared by it to certain competitors of other participants, as agreed in the data sharing agreement, except that each of us and JingData has one strike right requesting the other party to terminate data sharing cooperation with one third party each year.

        The data sharing agreement initially had a minimum term of ten years. Within 180 days of our becoming a pubic company, our board may resolve to extend the term of the agreement to a total of 20 years.

Transaction with Jiaxing Chuangke

        In 2018, we generated RMB2.8 million (US$0.4 million), in revenue from Jiaxing Chuangke Business Information Consulting Co., Ltd., or Jiaxing Chuangke, a subsidiary of Xieli Zhucheng, for providing online advertising services. As of June 30, 2019, the amount due from Jiaxing Chuangke including the value-added tax was RMB2.9 million (US$0.4 million).

Transaction with FMM

        We received revenue for providing online advertising services to FMM Network Technology Co., Ltd., or FMM, in the amount of RMB4.7 million (US$0.7 million) in 2018. The founder and co-chairman of the board of directors, Chengcheng Liu, is also a director of FMM. As of June 30, 2019, the amount due from FMM including the value-added tax was RMB5.0 million (US$0.7 million).

Transaction with Ant Xiaowei

        We entered into an advertising service agreement with Chongqing Ant Xiaowei Small Loan Co., Ltd., or Ant Xiaowei, a subsidiary of Ant Small and Micro Financial Services Group Co., Ltd., or Ant Financial, which is a shareholder of Xieli Zhucheng, and received revenue in the amount of RMB0.9 million, and RMB1.0 million (US$0.1 million) in 2017 and 2018, respectively. As of June 30, 2019, the receivables due from Ant Xiaowei was 0.

Transaction with Zhongdu

        Chengcheng Liu is a director and has a 11.9% equity interest in Beijing Zhongdu Technology Co., Ltd., which owns 40.2% equity interest in Beijing Zhongdu Ecological Technology Co., Ltd., or Zhongdu. In 2018, we purchased advertisement displaying services from Zhongdu amounted to RMB1.0 million (US$0.1 million). As of June 30, 2019, the amount due to Zhongdu was RMB1.0 million (US$0.1 million).

157


Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL

        We are a Cayman Islands company and our affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time, and Companies Law of the Cayman Islands, which we refer to as the "Companies Law" below, and the common law of the Cayman Islands.

        As of the date of this prospectus, the authorized share capital of our company is US$500,000 divided into 5,000,000,000 shares of a par value of US$0.0001 each, of which (i) 4,274,029,001 shares are designated as ordinary shares; (ii) 65,307,000 shares are designated as series A-1 preferred shares; (iii) 101,261,000 shares are designated as series A-2 preferred shares; (iv) 250,302,000 shares are designated series B-1 preferred shares; (v) 14,593,000 shares are designated series B-2 preferred shares; (vi) 56,105,000 shares are designated series B-3 preferred shares; (vii) 20,982,000 shares are designated series B-4 preferred shares; (viii) 164,876,000 shares are designated series C-1 preferred shares; (ix) 12,545,000 shares are designated series C-2 preferred shares and (x) 39,999,999 shares are designated series D preferred shares. As of the date of this prospectus, there are 176,843,000 ordinary shares, 65,307,000 series A-1 preferred shares, 101,261,000 series A-2 preferred shares, 250,302,000 series B-1 preferred shares, 14,593,000 series B-2 preferred shares, 56,105,000 series B-3 preferred shares, 20,982,000 series B-4 preferred shares, 164,876,000 series C-1 preferred shares, 12,545,000 series C-2 preferred shares and 39,999,999 series D preferred shares issued and outstanding.

        Immediately prior to the completion of this offering, our authorized share capital will be US$500,000 divided into 5,000,000,000 shares comprising of (i) 4,903,917,300 Class A ordinary shares of a par value of US$0.0001 each and (ii) 96,082,700 Class B ordinary shares of a par value of US$0.0001 each. Immediately prior to the completion of this offering, all of our issued and outstanding preferred shares and ordinary shares will be converted into, and/or re-designated and re-classified, as Class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis, save and except that the 54,958,400 ordinary shares held by Palopo Holding Limited and the 41,124,300 ordinary shares held by 36Kr Heros Holding Limited, will be converted into, and/or re-designated and re-classified as, Class B ordinary shares. Following such conversion and/or re-designation, we will have              Class A ordinary shares issued and outstanding and              Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding, assuming the underwriters do not exercise the option to purchase additional ADSs. All of our shares issued and outstanding prior to the completion of the offering are and will be fully paid, and all of our shares to be issued in the offering will be issued as fully paid. We will issue                Class A ordinary shares represented by ADSs in this offering, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option. All options, regardless of grant dates, will entitle holders to an equivalent number of ordinary shares once the vesting and exercising conditions are met.

        Our shareholders have conditionally adopted an amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, which will become effective and replace our current memorandum and articles of association in its entirely immediately prior to the completion of this offering.

        The following are summaries of material provisions of our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the Companies Law insofar as they relate to the material terms of our ordinary shares that we expect will become effective upon the closing of this offering.

        The following discussion primarily concerns the ordinary shares and the rights of holders of the ordinary shares. The holders of ADSs will not be treated as our shareholders and will be required to surrender their ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal from the depositary bank facility in which the shares are held in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement in order to exercise directly shareholders' rights in respect of the shares. The depositary bank will agree, so far as it is practical, to vote or cause to be voted the amount of the shares represented by ADSs in accordance with the non-discretionary written instructions of the holders of such ADSs. See "Description of American Depositary Shares—Voting Rights."

158


Table of Contents

Ordinary Shares

        General.    All of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares are fully paid and non-assessable. Our ordinary shares are issued in registered form and are issued when registered in our register of shareholders. We may not issue share to bearer. Our shareholders who are non-residents of the Cayman Islands may freely hold and transfer their ordinary shares.

        A dual-class voting structure has been approved by our board of directors and the existing shareholders of our company in connection with their consideration and approval of our third amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that will become effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering. For risks associated with the dual-class voting structure, see "Risk Factors—Risks Related to the ADSs and This Offering—Our dual-class share structure with different voting rights will limit your ability to influence corporate matters and could discourage others from pursuing any change of control transactions that holders of our Class A ordinary shares and ADSs may view as beneficial."

        Conversion.    Class B ordinary shares may be converted into the same number of Class A ordinary shares by the holders thereof at any time, while Class A ordinary shares cannot be converted into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances. Upon any sale, transfer, assignment or disposition of Class B ordinary shares by a holder thereof to any person or entity which is not an affiliate of such holder of Class B ordinary shares, or upon a change of beneficial ownership of any Class B ordinary shares as a result of which any person who is not an affiliate of the holder of such Class B ordinary shares becomes a beneficial owners of such Class B ordinary shares, such Class B ordinary shares shall be automatically and immediately converted into an equal number of Class A ordinary shares.

        Dividends.    The holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors, subject to our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the Companies Law. In addition, our shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our directors. Our post-offering amended and restated articles of association provide that dividends may be declared and paid out of our profits, realized or unrealized, or from any reserve set aside from profits which our board of directors determine is no longer needed. Dividends may also be declared and paid out of share premium account or any other fund or account which can be authorized for this purpose in accordance with the Companies Law. No dividend may be declared and paid unless our directors determine that, immediately after the payment, we will be able to pay our debts as they become due in the ordinary course of business and we have funds lawfully available for such purpose.

        Voting Rights.    In respect of all matters subject to a shareholders' vote, each Class A ordinary share is entitled to one vote for the holder of each Class A ordinary share registered in his or her name on our register of members and each Class B ordinary share is entitled to 25 votes for the holder of each Class B ordinary share registered in his or her name on our register of members. Voting at any meeting of shareholders is by a poll not on a show of hands.

        A quorum required for a meeting of shareholders consists of shareholders holding shares which carry a majority of the votes attaching to the issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote at general meetings present in person or by proxy or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorized representative. As a Cayman Islands exempted company, we are not obliged by the Companies Law to call shareholders' annual general meetings. Our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that we may (but are not obliged to) in each year hold a general meeting as our annual general meeting in which case we will specify the meeting as such in the notices calling it, and the annual general meeting will be held at such time and place as may be determined by our directors. We, however, will hold an annual shareholders' meeting during each fiscal year, as required by the Listing Rules at the NASDAQ. Each general meeting, other than an annual

159


Table of Contents

general meeting, shall be an extraordinary general meeting. Shareholders' annual general meetings and any other general meetings of our shareholders may be called by a majority of our Board of Directors or our chairman or upon a requisition of shareholders holding at the date of deposit of the requisition not less than ten percent (10%) of the votes attaching to the issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote at general meetings, in which case the directors are obliged to call such meeting and to put the resolutions so requisitioned to a vote at such meeting; however, our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association do not provide our shareholders with any right to put any proposals before annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings not called by such shareholders. Advance notice of at least fifteen (15) days is required for the convening of our annual general meeting and other general meetings unless such notice is waived in accordance with our articles of association.

        An ordinary resolution to be passed at a meeting by the shareholders requires the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the votes attaching to the ordinary shares cast by those shareholders entitled to vote who are present in person or by proxy at a general meeting, while a special resolution also requires the affirmative vote of no less than two-thirds of the votes attaching to the ordinary shares cast by those shareholders entitled to vote who are present in person or by proxy at a general meeting. Both ordinary resolutions and special resolutions may also be passed by a unanimous written resolution signed by all the shareholders of our company, as permitted by the Companies Law and our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. A special resolution will be required for important matters such as a change of name or making changes to our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.

        Transfer of Ordinary Shares.    Subject to the restrictions in our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association as set out below, any of our shareholders may transfer all or any of his or her ordinary shares by an instrument of transfer in the usual or common form or any other form approved by our board of directors.

        Our board of directors may, in its absolute discretion, decline to register any transfer of any ordinary share which is not fully paid up or on which we have a lien. Our Board of Directors may also decline to register any transfer of any ordinary share unless:

        If our directors refuse to register a transfer they shall, within two months after the date on which the instrument of transfer was lodged, send to each of the transferor and the transferee notice of such refusal.

        The registration of transfers may, after compliance with any notice required of the NASDAQ, be suspended and the register closed at such times and for such periods as our Board of Directors may from time to time determine, provided, however, that the registration of transfers shall not be suspended nor the register closed for 30 more than days in any year as our board may determine.

160


Table of Contents

        Liquidation.    On a return of capital on winding up or otherwise (other than on conversion, redemption or purchase of ordinary shares), if the assets available for distribution amongst our shareholders shall be more than sufficient to repay the whole of the share capital at the commencement of the winding up, the surplus shall be distributed amongst our shareholders in proportion to the par value of the shares held by them at the commencement of the winding up, subject to a deduction from those shares in respect of which there are monies due, of all monies payable to our company for unpaid calls or otherwise. If our assets available for distribution are insufficient to repay all of the paid-up capital, the assets will be distributed so that the losses are borne by our shareholders in proportion to the par value of the shares held by them.

        Redemption, Repurchase and Surrender of Ordinary Shares.    We may issue shares on terms that such shares are subject to redemption, at our option or at the option of the holders thereof, on such terms and in such manner as may be determined, before the issue of such shares, by our Board of Directors. Our company may also repurchase any of our shares provided that the manner and terms of such purchase have been approved by our Board of Directors or are otherwise authorized by our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. Under the Companies Law, the redemption or repurchase of any share may be paid out of our company's profits or out of the proceeds of a fresh issue of shares made for the purpose of such redemption or repurchase, or out of capital (including share premium account and capital redemption reserve) if the company can, immediately following such payment, pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. In addition, under the Companies Law no such share may be redeemed or repurchased (a) unless it is fully paid up, (b) if such redemption or repurchase would result in there being no shares outstanding, or (c) if the company has commenced liquidation. In addition, our company may accept the surrender of any fully paid share for no consideration.

        Variations of Rights of Shares.    If at any time our share capital is divided into different classes or series of shares, the rights attached to any class or series of shares (unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class or series), whether or not our company is being wound-up, may be varied with the consent in writing of a majority the holders of the issued shares of that class or series or with the sanction of a special resolution at a separate meeting of the holders of the shares of the class or series. The rights conferred upon the holders of the shares of any class issued shall not, unless otherwise expressly provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class, be deemed to be varied by the creation or issue of further shares ranking pari passu with such existing class of shares.

        Inspection of Books and Records.    Holders of our ordinary shares have no general right under Cayman Islands law to inspect or obtain copies of our list of shareholders or our corporate records. However, we will provide our shareholders with annual audited financial statements. See "Where You Can Find Additional Information."

        Issuance of Additional Shares.    Our post-offering amended and restated memorandum of association authorizes our Board of Directors to issue additional ordinary shares from time to time as our Board of Directors shall determine, to the extent of available authorized but unissued shares.

        Our post-offering amended and restated memorandum of association also authorizes our Board of Directors to establish from time to time one or more series of preferred shares and to determine, with respect to any series of preferred shares, the terms and rights of that series, including:

161


Table of Contents

        Our Board of Directors may issue preferred shares without action by our shareholders to the extent authorized but unissued. Issuance of these shares may dilute the voting power of holders of ordinary shares.

        Anti-Takeover Provisions.    Some provisions of our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association may discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or management that shareholders may consider favorable, including provisions that: (a) authorize our Board of Directors to issue preferred shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preferred shares without any further vote or action by our shareholders; and (b) limit the ability of shareholders to requisition and convene general meetings of shareholders.

        However, under Cayman Islands law, our directors may only exercise the rights and powers granted to them under our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association for a proper purpose and for what they believe in good faith to be in the best interests of our company.

        Exempted Company.    We are an exempted company with limited liability under the Companies Law. The Companies Law distinguishes between ordinary resident companies and exempted companies. Any company that is registered in the Cayman Islands but conducts business mainly outside the Cayman Islands may apply to be registered as an exempted company. The requirements for an exempted company are essentially the same as for an ordinary company except that an exempted company:

        "Limited liability" means that the liability of each shareholder is limited to the amount unpaid by the shareholder on that shareholder's shares of the company.

Register of Members

        Under the Cayman Companies Law, we must keep a register of members and there should be entered therein:

        Under Cayman Companies Law, the register of members of our company is prima facie evidence of the matters set out therein (that is, the register of members will raise a presumption of fact on the

162


Table of Contents

matters referred to above unless rebutted) and a member registered in the register of members is deemed as a matter of Cayman Companies Law to have legal title to the shares as set against its name in the register of members. Upon completion of this offering, we will perform the procedure necessary to immediately update the register of members to record and give effect to the issuance of shares by us to the Depositary (or its nominee) as the depositary. Once our register of members has been updated, the shareholders recorded in the register of members will be deemed to have legal title to the shares set against their name.

        If the name of any person is incorrectly entered in or omitted from our register of members, or if there is any default or unnecessary delay in entering on the register the fact of any person having ceased to be a member of our company, the person or member aggrieved (or any member of our company or our company itself) may apply to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands for an order that the register be rectified, and the Court may either refuse such application or it may, if satisfied of the justice of the case, make an order for the rectification of the register.

Differences in Corporate Law

        The Companies Law is derived, to a large extent, from the older Companies Acts of England, but does not follow recent English law statutory enactments and accordingly there are significant differences between Companies Laws and the current Companies Act of England. In addition, the Companies Law differs from laws applicable to United States corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of the significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Law applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the State of Delaware.

        Mergers and Similar Arrangements.    The Companies Law permits mergers and consolidations between Cayman Islands companies and between Cayman Islands companies and non-Cayman Islands companies. For these purposes, (a) "merger" means the merging of two or more constituent companies and the vesting of their undertaking, property and liabilities in one of such companies as the surviving company, and (b) a "consolidation" means the combination of two or more constituent companies into a consolidated company and the vesting of the undertaking, property and liabilities of such companies to the consolidated company. In order to effect such a merger or consolidation, the directors of each constituent company must approve a written plan of merger or consolidation, which must then be authorized by (a) a special resolution of the shareholders of each constituent company, and (b) such other authorization, if any, as may be specified in such constituent company's articles of association. The written plan of merger or consolidation must be filed with the Registrar of Companies of the Cayman Islands together with a declaration as to the solvency of the consolidated or surviving company, a declaration as to the assets and liabilities of each constituent company and an undertaking that a copy of the certificate of merger or consolidation will be given to the members and creditors of each constituent company and that notification of the merger or consolidation will be published in the Cayman Islands Gazette. Court approval is not required for a merger or consolidation which is effected in compliance with these statutory procedures.

        A merger between a Cayman parent company and its Cayman subsidiary or subsidiaries does not require authorization by a resolution of shareholders of that Cayman subsidiary if a copy of the plan of merger is given to every member of that Cayman subsidiary to be merged unless that member agrees otherwise. For this purpose a company is a "parent" of a subsidiary if it holds issued shares that together represent at least ninety percent (90%) of the votes at a general meeting of the subsidiary.

        The consent of each holder of a fixed or floating security interest over a constituent company is required unless this requirement is waived by a court in the Cayman Islands.

        Save in certain limited circumstances, a shareholder of a Cayman constituent company who dissents from the merger or consolidation is entitled to payment of the fair value of his shares (which, if not agreed between the parties, will be determined by the Cayman Islands court) upon dissenting to

163


Table of Contents

the merger or consolidation, provide the dissenting shareholder complies strictly with the procedures set out in the Companies Law. The exercise of dissenter rights will preclude the exercise by the dissenting shareholder of any other rights to which he or she might otherwise be entitled by virtue of holding shares, save for the right to seek relief on the grounds that the merger or consolidation is void or unlawful.

        Separate from the statutory provisions relating to mergers and consolidations, the Companies Law also contains statutory provisions that facilitate the reconstruction and amalgamation of companies by way of schemes of arrangement, provided that the arrangement is approved by a majority in number of each class of shareholders and creditors with whom the arrangement is to be made, and who must in addition represent three-fourths in value of each such class of shareholders or creditors, as the case may be, that are present and voting either in person or by proxy at a meeting, or meetings, convened for that purpose. The convening of the meetings and subsequently the arrangement must be sanctioned by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. While a dissenting shareholder has the right to express to the court the view that the transaction ought not to be approved, the court can be expected to approve the arrangement if it determines that:

        The Companies Law also contains a statutory power of compulsory acquisition which may facilitate the "squeeze out" of a dissenting minority shareholder upon a tender offer. When a tender offer is made and accepted by holders of 90.0% of the shares affected within four months, the offeror may, within a two-month period commencing on the expiration of such four-month period, require the holders of the remaining shares to transfer such shares to the offeror on the terms of the offer. An objection can be made to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands but this is unlikely to succeed in the case of an offer which has been so approved unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith or collusion.

        If an arrangement and reconstruction is thus approved, or if a tender offer is made and accepted, a dissenting shareholder would have no rights comparable to appraisal rights, which would otherwise ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of Delaware corporations, providing rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of the shares.

        Shareholders' Suits.    In principle, we will normally be the proper plaintiff to sue for a wrong done to us as a company, and as a general rule a derivative action may not be brought by a minority shareholder. However, based on English authorities, which would in all likelihood be of persuasive authority in the Cayman Islands, the Cayman Islands court can be expected to follow and apply the common law principles (namely the rule in Foss v. Harbottle and the exceptions thereto) which permit a minority shareholder to commence a class action against or derivative actions in the name of the company to challenge actions where:

164


Table of Contents

        Indemnification of Directors and Executive Officers and Limitation of Liability.    Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company's memorandum and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our post-offering memorandum and articles of association provide that that we shall indemnify our officers and directors against all actions, proceedings, costs, charges, expenses, losses, damages or liabilities incurred or sustained by such directors or officer, other than by reason of such person's dishonesty, willful default or fraud as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, in or about the conduct of our company's business or affairs (including as a result of any mistake of judgment) or in the execution or discharge of his duties, powers, authorities or discretions, including without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any costs, expenses, losses or liabilities incurred by such director or officer in defending (whether successfully or otherwise) any civil proceedings concerning our company or its affairs in any court whether in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere. This standard of conduct is generally the same as permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law for a Delaware corporation.

        In addition, we will enter into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers that provide such persons with additional indemnification beyond that provided in our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.

        Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers or persons controlling us under the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

        Directors' Fiduciary Duties.    Under Delaware corporate law, a director of a Delaware corporation has a fiduciary duty to the corporation and its shareholders. This duty has two components: the duty of care and the duty of loyalty. The duty of care requires that a director act in good faith, with the care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances. Under this duty, a director must inform himself of, and disclose to shareholders, all material information reasonably available regarding a significant transaction. The duty of loyalty requires that a director acts in a manner he reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation. He must not use his corporate position for personal gain or advantage. This duty prohibits self-dealing by a director and mandates that the best interest of the corporation and its shareholders take precedence over any interest possessed by a director, officer or controlling shareholder and not shared by the shareholders generally. In general, actions of a director are presumed to have been made on an informed basis, in good faith and in the honest belief that the action taken was in the best interests of the corporation. However, this presumption may be rebutted by evidence of a breach of one of the fiduciary duties. Should such evidence be presented concerning a transaction by a director, the director must prove the procedural fairness of the transaction, and that the transaction was of fair value to the corporation.

        As a matter of Cayman Islands law, a director of a Cayman Islands company is in the position of a fiduciary with respect to the company and therefore it is considered that he owes the following duties to the company—a duty to act bona fide in the best interests of the company, a duty not to make a profit based on his position as director (unless the company permits him to do so), a duty not to put himself in a position where the interests of the company conflict with his personal interest or his duty to a third party, and a duty to exercise powers for the purpose for which such powers were intended. A director of a Cayman Islands company owes to the company a duty to act with skill and care. It was previously considered that a director need not exhibit in the performance of his duties a greater degree of skill than may reasonably be expected from a person of his knowledge and experience. However, English and Commonwealth courts have moved towards an objective standard with regard to the required skill and care and these authorities are likely to be followed in the Cayman Islands.

165


Table of Contents

        Shareholder Action by Written Consent.    Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may eliminate the right of shareholders to act by written consent by amendment to its certificate of incorporation. The Companies Law and our post-offering amended and restated articles of association provide that our shareholders may approve corporate matters by way of a unanimous written resolution signed by or on behalf of each shareholder who would have been entitled to vote on such matter at a general meeting without a meeting being held.

        Shareholder Proposals.    Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a shareholder has the right to put any proposal before the annual meeting of shareholders, provided it complies with the notice provisions in the governing documents. A special meeting may be called by the board of directors or any other person authorized to do so in the governing documents, but shareholders may be precluded from calling special meetings.

        The Companies Law provide shareholders with only limited rights to requisition a general meeting, and does not provide shareholders with any right to put any proposal before a general meeting. However, these rights may be provided in a company's articles of association. Our post-offering amended and restated articles of association allow our shareholders holding in aggregate not less than ten percent of all votes attaching to the issued and outstanding shares of our company entitled to vote at general meetings to requisition an extraordinary general meeting of our shareholders, in which case our board is obliged to convene an extraordinary general meeting and to put the resolutions so requisitioned to a vote at such meeting. Other than this right to requisition a shareholders' meeting, our post-offering amended and restated articles of association do not provide our shareholders with any other right to put proposals before annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings not called by such shareholders. As an exempted Cayman Islands company, we are not obliged by law to call shareholders' annual general meetings.

        Cumulative Voting.    Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, cumulative voting for elections of directors is not permitted unless the corporation's certificate of incorporation specifically provides for it. Cumulative voting potentially facilitates the representation of minority shareholders on a board of directors since it permits the minority shareholder to cast all the votes to which the shareholder is entitled on a single director, which increases the shareholder's voting power with respect to electing such director. There are no prohibitions in relation to cumulative voting under the laws of the Cayman Islands but our post-offering amended and restated articles of association do not provide for cumulative voting. As a result, our shareholders are not afforded any less protections or rights on this issue than shareholders of a Delaware corporation.

        Removal of Directors.    Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a director of a corporation with a classified board may be removed only for cause with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under our post-offering amended and restated articles of association, directors may be removed with or without cause, by an ordinary resolution of our shareholders or the affirmative vote of no less than two-thirds of the other directors present and voting at a board meeting. A director shall hold office until the expiration of his or her term or his or her successor shall have been elected and qualified, or until his or her office is otherwise vacated. In addition, a director's office shall be vacated if the director (i) resigns his office by notice in writing to the Company; (ii) dies, becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors; (iii) is found to be or becomes of unsound mind; (iv) is prohibited by law or NASDAQ rules from being a director; or (v) is removed from office pursuant to any other provisions of our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.

        Transactions with Interested Shareholders.    The Delaware General Corporation Law contains a business combination statute applicable to Delaware corporations whereby, unless the corporation has specifically elected not to be governed by such statute by amendment to its certificate of incorporation,

166


Table of Contents

it is prohibited from engaging in certain business combinations with an "interested shareholder" for three years following the date that such person becomes an interested shareholder. An interested shareholder generally is a person or a group who or which owns or owned 15% or more of the target's outstanding voting share within the past three years. This has the effect of limiting the ability of a potential acquirer to make a two-tiered bid for the target in which all shareholders would not be treated equally. The statute does not apply if, among other things, prior to the date on which such shareholder becomes an interested shareholder, the board of directors approves either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the person becoming an interested shareholder. This encourages any potential acquirer of a Delaware corporation to negotiate the terms of any acquisition transaction with the target's board of directors.

        Cayman Islands law has no comparable statute. As a result, we cannot avail ourselves of the types of protections afforded by the Delaware business combination statute. However, although Cayman Islands law does not regulate transactions between a company and its significant shareholders, the directors of the Company are required to comply with fiduciary duties which they owe to the Company under Cayman Islands laws, including the duty to ensure that, in their opinion, any such transactions must be entered into bona fide in the best interests of the company, and are entered into for a proper corporate purpose and not with the effect of constituting a fraud on the minority shareholders.

        Dissolution; Winding up.    Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, unless the board of directors approves the proposal to dissolve, dissolution must be approved by shareholders holding 100% of the total voting power of the corporation. Only if the dissolution is initiated by the board of directors may it be approved by a simple majority of the corporation's outstanding shares. Delaware law allows a Delaware corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation a supermajority voting requirement in connection with dissolutions initiated by the board.

        Under Cayman Islands law, a company may be wound up by either an order of the courts of the Cayman Islands or by a special resolution of its members or, if the company is unable to pay its debts as they fall due, by an ordinary resolution of its members. The court has authority to order winding up in a number of specified circumstances including where it is, in the opinion of the court, just and equitable to do so. Under the Companies Law and our post-offering amended and restated articles of association, our company may be dissolved, liquidated or wound up by a special resolution of our shareholders.

        Variation of Rights of Shares.    Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may vary the rights of a class of shares with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of such class, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under Cayman Islands law and our post-offering amended and restated articles of association, if our share capital is divided into more than one class of shares, we may vary the rights attached to any class with the written consent of the holders of a majority of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a general meeting of the holders of the shares of that class.

        Amendment of Governing Documents.    Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation's governing documents may be amended with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under the Companies Law and our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, our memorandum and articles of association may only be amended by a special resolution of our shareholders.

        Rights of Nonresident or Foreign Shareholders.    There are no limitations imposed by our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association on the rights of nonresident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on our shares. In addition, there

167


Table of Contents

are no provisions in our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association governing the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed.

History of Securities Issuances

        The following is a summary of our securities issuances since our inception.

        On December 3, 2018, we issued one ordinary share to 36Kr Heros Holding Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands and wholly owned by Chengcheng Liu.

        On April 25, 2019, we issued one ordinary share to Palopo Holding Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands and wholly owned by Dagang Feng.

        On August 1, 2019, we issued 226,095 ordinary shares to Palopo Holding Limited, 226,094 ordinary shares to 36Kr Heros Holding Limited.

        On August 2, 2019, we issued 78,285,904 ordinary shares to Palopo Holding Limited, 58,522,905 ordinary shares to 36Kr Heros Holding Limited, 19,550,000 ordinary shares to HappyCAI Limited, 11,440,000 ordinary shares to BLACK ANT GROUP INVESTMENT CO., LIMITED, 5,463,000 ordinary shares to Firefly Spring Ltd. and 3,129,000 ordinary shares to Head & Shoulders Global Investment Limited.

        In August 2019, we issued a total of 65,307,000 series A-1 preferred shares to Beijing Jiuhe Yunqi Investment Center L.P..

        In August 2019, we issued a total of 101,261,000 series A-2 preferred shares to Tembusu Limited.

        In August 2019, we issued a total of 250,302,000 series B-1 preferred shares to API (Hong Kong) Investment Limited, M36 Investment Limited, Neo TH Holdings Limited and Themisclio Limited.

        In August 2019, we issued a total of 14,593,000 series B-2 preferred shares to Themisclio Limited.

        In August 2019, we issued a total of 56,105,000 series B-3 preferred shares to Beijing Zhanjin Management Consulting Center L.P. and Beijing Yunli Hefeng Management Consulting Center L.P..

        In August 2019, we issued a total of 20,982,000 series B-4 preferred shares to SPRIGHT KR CO. LIMITED and Hongtu Capital Investment Limited.

        In August 2019, we issued a total of 164,876,000 series C-1 preferred shares to Runzhi HK Limited, Oasis Angel (HK) Limited, Falcon Investment Holdings Limited, Nova Compass Investment Limited, China Prosperity Capital Alpha Limited, Greentech Tianhong Investment Holding Limited and Sparkle Roll Culture & Entertainment Development Limited.

        In August 2019, we issued a total of 12,545,000 series C-2 preferred shares to China Prosperity Capital Alpha Limited.

        In September 2019, we issued a total of 39,999,999 series D preferred shares to Lotus Walk Inc., Nikkei Inc., Krystal Imagine Investments Limited, Red Better Limited and Homshin Innovations Ltd..

        See "Management—Share Incentive Plan."

Shareholder Agreement

        We entered into the Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement on September 25, 2019 with our then existing shareholders, which consist of holders of our ordinary shares, series A-1 preferred

168


Table of Contents

shares, series A-2 preferred shares, series B-1 preferred shares, series B-2 preferred shares, series B-3 preferred shares, series B-4 preferred shares, series C-1 preferred shares, series C-2 preferred shares and series D preferred shares. The shareholders' agreement provides certain preferential rights, including, among others, information rights, certain corporate governance rights, prohibition on transfer of shares and right of co-sale. These special rights will automatically terminate upon completion of this offering.

        Pursuant to the Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement dated September 25, 2019, we have granted certain registration rights to our shareholders. Set forth below is a description of the registration rights granted under the agreement.

        Demand registration rights.    At any time following the earlier of (i) 180 days after the effective date of the registration statement for a public offering and (ii) the expiration of the period during which the managing underwriters for such public offering shall prohibit the Company from effecting any other public sale or distribution of registrable securities, holders of the registrable securities then outstanding have the right to demand that we file a registration statement covering the registration of all or any portion of the registrable securities.

        We have the right to defer filing of a registration statement for a period of not more than 90 days after the receipt of the request of the initiating holders under certain conditions, but we cannot exercise the deferral right more than once in any 12-month period and we cannot register any other share during such 90-day period. Except for certain circumstances where we are entitled to defer a filing, upon receiving a notice of demand registration, we should promptly give written notice to all holders and make best efforts to register the shares requested to be registered. We are not obligated to effect more than three demand registrations for each investor that have been declared and ordered effective.

        The Company shall be liable for and pay all expenses in connection with any demand registration, regardless of whether such registration is effected.

        Piggyback Registration Rights.    If we propose to register any equity securities under the Securities Act, whether or not for sale for our own account, we shall each time give prompt notice to each shareholder and offer the opportunity to include in such registration statement the number of registrable securities of the same class or series as those proposed to be registered as each such shareholder may request. If, at any time after giving notice of its intention to register any equity securities pursuant and prior to the effective date of the registration statement filed in connection with such registration, we shall determine for any reason not to register such securities, we shall give notice to all such shareholders and, thereupon, shall be relieved of its obligation to register any registrable securities in connection with such registration.

169


Table of Contents


DESCRIPTION OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES

American Depositary Shares

        The Bank of New York Mellon, as depositary, will register and deliver American Depositary Shares, also referred to as ADSs. Each ADS will represent                shares (or a right to receive                shares) deposited with The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, as custodian for the depositary in Hong Kong. Each ADS will also represent any other securities, cash or other property which may be held by the depositary. The deposited shares together with any other securities, cash or other property held by the depositary are referred to as the deposited securities. The depositary's office at which the ADSs will be administered and its principal executive office is located at 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286.

        You may hold ADSs either (A) directly (i) by having an American Depositary Receipt, also referred to as an ADR, which is a certificate evidencing a specific number of ADSs, registered in your name, or (ii) by having uncertificated ADSs registered in your name, or (B) indirectly by holding a security entitlement in ADSs through your broker or other financial institution that is a direct or indirect participant in The Depository Trust Company, also called DTC. If you hold ADSs directly, you are a registered ADS holder, also referred to as an ADS holder. This description assumes you are an ADS holder. If you hold the ADSs indirectly, you must rely on the procedures of your broker or other financial institution to assert the rights of ADS holders described in this section. You should consult with your broker or financial institution to find out what those procedures are.

        Registered holders of uncertificated ADSs will receive statements from the depositary confirming their holdings.

        As an ADS holder, we will not treat you as one of our shareholders and you will not have shareholder rights. Cayman Islands law governs shareholder rights. The depositary will be the holder of the shares underlying the ADSs. As a registered holder of ADSs, you will have ADS holder rights. A deposit agreement among us, the depositary, ADS holders and all other persons indirectly or beneficially holding ADSs sets out ADS holder rights as well as the rights and obligations of the depositary. New York law governs the deposit agreement and the ADSs.

        The following is a summary of the material provisions of the deposit agreement. For more complete information, you should read the entire deposit agreement and the form of ADR. For directions on how to obtain copies of those documents, see "Where You Can Find Additional Information."

Dividends and Other Distributions

        The depositary has agreed to pay or distribute to ADS holders the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on shares or other deposited securities, upon payment or deduction of its fees and expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of shares the ADSs represent.

        Cash.    The depositary will convert any cash dividend or other cash distribution we pay on the shares into U.S. dollars, if it can do so on a reasonable basis and can transfer the U.S. dollars to the United States. If that is not possible or if any government approval is needed and cannot be obtained, the deposit agreement allows the depositary to distribute the foreign currency only to those ADS holders to whom it is possible to do so. It will hold the foreign currency it cannot convert for the account of the ADS holders who have not been paid. It will not invest the foreign currency and it will not be liable for any interest.

170


Table of Contents

        Before making a distribution, any withholding taxes, or other governmental charges that must be paid will be deducted. See "Taxation." The depositary will distribute only whole U.S. dollars and cents and will round fractional cents to the nearest whole cent. If the exchange rates fluctuate during a time when the depositary cannot convert the foreign currency, you may lose some of the value of the distribution.

        Shares.    The depositary may distribute additional ADSs representing any shares we distribute as a dividend or free distribution. The depositary will only distribute whole ADSs. It will sell shares which would require it to deliver a fraction of an ADS (or ADSs representing those shares) and distribute the net proceeds in the same way as it does with cash. If the depositary does not distribute additional ADSs, the outstanding ADSs will also represent the new shares. The depositary may sell a portion of the distributed shares (or ADSs representing those shares) sufficient to pay its fees and expenses in connection with that distribution.

        Rights to purchase additional shares.    If we offer holders of our securities any rights to subscribe for additional shares or any other rights, the depositary may (i) exercise those rights on behalf of ADS holders, (ii) distribute those rights to ADS holders or (iii) sell those rights and distribute the net proceeds to ADS holders, in each case after deduction or upon payment of its fees and expenses. To the extent the depositary does not do any of those things, it will allow the rights to lapse. In that case, you will receive no value for them. The depositary will exercise or distribute rights only if we ask it to and provide satisfactory assurances to the depositary that it is legal to do so. If the depositary will exercise rights, it will purchase the securities to which the rights relate and distribute those securities or, in the case of shares, new ADSs representing the new shares, to subscribing ADS holders, but only if ADS holders have paid the exercise price to the depositary. U.S. securities laws may restrict the ability of the depositary to distribute rights or ADSs or other securities issued on exercise of rights to all or certain ADS holders, and the securities distributed may be subject to restrictions on transfer.

        Other Distributions.    The depositary will send to ADS holders anything else we distribute on deposited securities by any means it thinks is legal, fair and practical. If it cannot make the distribution in that way, the depositary has a choice. It may decide to sell what we distributed and distribute the net proceeds, in the same way as it does with cash. Or, it may decide to hold what we distributed, in which case ADSs will also represent the newly distributed property. However, the depositary is not required to distribute any securities (other than ADSs) to ADS holders unless it receives satisfactory evidence from us that it is legal to make that distribution. The depositary may sell a portion of the distributed securities or property sufficient to pay its fees and expenses in connection with that distribution. U.S. securities laws may restrict the ability of the depositary to distribute securities to all or certain ADS holders, and the securities distributed may be subject to restrictions on transfer.

        The depositary is not responsible if it decides that it is unlawful or impractical to make a distribution available to any ADS holders. We have no obligation to register ADSs, shares, rights or other securities under the Securities Act. We also have no obligation to take any other action to permit the distribution of ADSs, shares, rights or anything else to ADS holders. This means that you may not receive the distributions we make on our shares or any value for them if it is illegal or impractical for us to make them available to you.

Deposit, Withdrawal and Cancellation

        The depositary will deliver ADSs if you or your broker deposits shares or evidence of rights to receive shares with the custodian. Upon payment of its fees and expenses and of any taxes or charges, such as stamp taxes or stock transfer taxes or fees, the depositary will register the appropriate number of ADSs in the names you request and will deliver the ADSs to or upon the order of the person or persons that made the deposit.

171


Table of Contents

        You may surrender the ADSs to the depositary for the purpose of withdrawal. Upon payment of its fees and expenses and of any taxes or charges, such as stamp taxes or stock transfer taxes or fees, the depositary will deliver the shares and any other deposited securities underlying the ADSs to the ADS holder or a person the ADS holder designates at the office of the custodian. Or, at your request, risk and expense, the depositary will deliver the deposited securities at its office, if feasible. However, the depositary is not required to accept surrender of ADSs to the extent it would require delivery of a fraction of a deposited share or other security. The depositary may charge you a fee and its expenses for instructing the custodian regarding delivery of deposited securities.

        You may surrender your ADR to the depositary for the purpose of exchanging your ADR for uncertificated ADSs. The depositary will cancel that ADR and will send to the ADS holder a statement confirming that the ADS holder is the registered holder of uncertificated ADSs. Upon receipt by the depositary of a proper instruction from a registered holder of uncertificated ADSs requesting the exchange of uncertificated ADSs for certificated ADSs, the depositary will execute and deliver to the ADS holder an ADR evidencing those ADSs.

Voting Rights

        ADS holders may instruct the depositary how to vote the number of deposited shares their ADSs represent. If we request the depositary to solicit your voting instructions (and we are not required to do so), the depositary will notify you of a shareholders' meeting and send or make voting materials available to you. Those materials will describe the matters to be voted on and explain how ADS holders may instruct the depositary how to vote. For instructions to be valid, they must reach the depositary by a date set by the depositary. The depositary will try, as far as practical, subject to the laws of the Cayman Islands and the provisions of our articles of association or similar documents, to vote or to have its agents vote the shares or other deposited securities as instructed by ADS holders. If we do not request the depositary to solicit your voting instructions, you can still send voting instructions, and, in that case, the depositary may try to vote as you instruct, but it is not required to do so.

        Except by instructing the depositary as described above, you won't be able to exercise voting rights unless you surrender the ADSs and withdraw the shares and become the registered holder of such shares prior to the record date for the general meeting. However, you may not know about the meeting enough in advance to withdraw the shares. In any event, the depositary will not exercise any discretion in voting deposited securities and it will only vote or attempt to vote as instructed.

        We cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote your shares. In addition, the depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting instructions or for the manner of carrying out voting instructions. This means that you may not be able to exercise voting rights and there may be nothing you can do if your shares are not voted as you requested.

        In order to give you a reasonable opportunity to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of voting rights relating to deposited securities, if we request the Depositary to act, we agree to give the depositary notice of any such meeting and details concerning the matters to be voted upon at least 30 days in advance of the meeting date.

172


Table of Contents

Fees and Expenses

Persons depositing or withdrawing shares or ADS holders
must pay:
  For:

US$5.00 (or less) per 100 ADSs (or portion of 100 ADSs).

 

Issuance of ADSs, including issuances resulting from a distribution of shares or rights or other property

 

Cancellation of ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal, including if the deposit agreement terminates

US$.05 (or less) per ADS

 

Any cash distribution to ADS holders

A fee equivalent to the fee that would be payable if securities distributed to you had been shares and the shares had been deposited for issuance of ADSs

 

Distribution of securities distributed to holders of deposited securities (including rights) that are distributed by the depositary to ADS holders

US$.05 (or less) per ADS per calendar year

 

Depositary services

Registration or transfer fees

 

Transfer and registration of shares on our share register to or from the name of the depositary or its agent when you deposit or withdraw shares

Expenses of the depositary

 

Cable and facsimile transmissions (when expressly provided in the deposit agreement)

 

Converting foreign currency to U.S. dollars

Taxes and other governmental charges the depositary or the custodian has to pay on any ADSs or shares underlying ADSs, such as stock transfer taxes, stamp duty or withholding taxes

 

As necessary

Any charges incurred by the depositary or its agents for servicing the deposited securities

 

As necessary

        The depositary collects its fees for delivery and surrender of ADSs directly from investors depositing shares or surrendering ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal or from intermediaries acting for them. The depositary collects fees for making distributions to investors by deducting those fees from the amounts distributed or by selling a portion of distributable property to pay the fees. The depositary may collect its annual fee for depositary services by deduction from cash distributions or by directly billing investors or by charging the book-entry system accounts of participants acting for them. The depositary may collect any of its fees by deduction from any cash distribution payable (or by selling a portion of securities or other property distributable) to ADS holders that are obligated to pay those fees. The depositary may generally refuse to provide fee-attracting services until its fees for those services are paid.

        From time to time, the depositary may make payments to us to reimburse us for costs and expenses generally arising out of establishment and maintenance of the ADS program, waive fees and expenses for services provided to us by the depositary or share revenue from the fees collected from ADS holders. In performing its duties under the deposit agreement, the depositary may use brokers, dealers, foreign currency dealers or other services providers that are owned by or affiliated with the depositary and that may earn or share fees, spreads or commissions.

173


Table of Contents

        The depositary may convert currency itself or through any of its affiliates and, in those cases, acts as principal for its own account and not as agent, advisor, broker or fiduciary on behalf of any other person and earns revenue, including, without limitation, transaction spreads, that it will retain for its own account. The revenue is based on, among other things, the difference between the exchange rate assigned to the currency conversion made under the deposit agreement and the rate that the depositary or its affiliate receives when buying or selling foreign currency for its own account. The depositary makes no representation that the exchange rate used or obtained in any currency conversion under the deposit agreement will be the most favorable rate that could be obtained at the time or that the method by which that rate will be determined will be the most favorable to ADS holders, subject to the depositary's obligations under the deposit agreement. The methodology used to determine exchange rates used in currency conversions is available upon request.

Payment of Taxes

        You will be responsible for any taxes or other governmental charges payable on the ADSs or on the deposited securities represented by any of the ADSs. The depositary may refuse to register any transfer of the ADSs or allow you to withdraw the deposited securities represented by the ADSs until those taxes or other charges are paid. It may apply payments owed to you or sell deposited securities represented by the ADSs to pay any taxes owed and you will remain liable for any deficiency. If the depositary sells deposited securities, it will, if appropriate, reduce the number of ADSs to reflect the sale and pay to ADS holders any proceeds, or send to ADS holders any property, remaining after it has paid the taxes.

Tender and Exchange Offers; Redemption, Replacement or Cancellation of Deposited Securities

        The depositary will not tender deposited securities in any voluntary tender or exchange offer unless instructed to do by an ADS holder surrendering ADSs and subject to any conditions or procedures the depositary may establish.

        If deposited securities are redeemed for cash in a transaction that is mandatory for the depositary as a holder of deposited securities, the depositary will call for surrender of a corresponding number of ADSs and distribute the net redemption money to the holders of called ADSs upon surrender of those ADSs.

        If there is any change in the deposited securities such as a subdivision, combination or other reclassification, or any merger, consolidation, recapitalization or reorganization affecting the issuer of deposited securities in which the depositary receives new securities in exchange for or in lieu of the old deposited securities, the depositary will hold those replacement securities as deposited securities under the deposit agreement. However, if the depositary decides it would not be lawful and practicable to hold the replacement securities because those securities could not be distributed to ADS holders or for any other reason, the depositary may instead sell the replacement securities and distribute the net proceeds upon surrender of the ADSs.

        If there is a replacement of the deposited securities and the depositary will continue to hold the replacement securities, the depositary may distribute new ADSs representing the new deposited securities or ask you to surrender your outstanding ADRs in exchange for new ADRs identifying the new deposited securities.

        If there are no deposited securities underlying ADSs, including if the deposited securities are cancelled, or if the deposited securities underlying ADSs have become apparently worthless, the depositary may call for surrender or of those ADSs or cancel those ADSs upon notice to the ADS holders.

174


Table of Contents

Amendment and Termination

        We may agree with the depositary to amend the deposit agreement and the ADRs without your consent for any reason. If an amendment adds or increases fees or charges, except for taxes and other governmental charges or expenses of the depositary for registration fees, facsimile costs, delivery charges or similar items, or prejudices a substantial right of ADS holders, it will not become effective for outstanding ADSs until 30 days after the depositary notifies ADS holders of the amendment. At the time an amendment becomes effective, you are considered, by continuing to hold the ADSs, to agree to the amendment and to be bound by the ADRs and the deposit agreement as amended.

        The depositary will initiate termination of the deposit agreement if we instruct it to do so. The depositary may initiate termination of the deposit agreement if

        If the deposit agreement will terminate, the depositary will notify ADS holders at least 90 days before the termination date. At any time after the termination date, the depositary may sell the deposited securities. After that, the depositary will hold the money it received on the sale, as well as any other cash it is holding under the deposit agreement, unsegregated and without liability for interest, for the pro rata benefit of the ADS holders that have not surrendered their ADSs. Normally, the depositary will sell as soon as practicable after the termination date.

        After the termination date and before the depositary sells, ADS holders can still surrender their ADSs and receive delivery of deposited securities, except that the depositary may refuse to accept a surrender for the purpose of withdrawing deposited securities or reserve previous transactions of that kind that have not settled if it would interfere with the selling process. The depositary may refuse to accept a surrender for the purpose of withdrawing sale proceeds until all the deposited securities have been sold. The depositary will continue to collect distributions on deposited securities, but, after the termination date, the depositary is not required to register any transfer of ADSs or distribute any dividends or other distributions on deposited securities to the ADSs holder (until they surrender their ADSs) or give any notices or perform any other duties under the deposit agreement except as described in this paragraph.

175


Table of Contents

Limitations on Obligations and Liability

        The deposit agreement expressly limits our obligations and the obligations of the depositary. It also limits our liability and the liability of the depositary. We and the depositary:

        In the deposit agreement, we and the depositary agree to indemnify each other under certain circumstances.

Requirements for Depositary Actions

        Before the depositary will deliver or register a transfer of ADSs, make a distribution on ADSs, or permit withdrawal of shares, the depositary may require:

        The depositary may refuse to deliver ADSs or register transfers of ADSs when the transfer books of the depositary or our transfer books are closed or at any time if the depositary or we think it advisable to do so.

176


Table of Contents

Your Right to Receive the Shares Underlying the ADSs

        ADS holders have the right to cancel their ADSs and withdraw the underlying shares at any time except:

        This right of withdrawal may not be limited by any other provision of the deposit agreement.

Direct Registration System

        In the deposit agreement, all parties to the deposit agreement acknowledge that the Direct Registration System, also referred to as DRS, and Profile Modification System, also referred to as Profile, will apply to the ADSs. DRS is a system administered by DTC that facilitates interchange between registered holding of uncertificated ADSs and holding of security entitlements in ADSs through DTC and a DTC participant. Profile is a feature of DRS that allows a DTC participant, claiming to act on behalf of a registered holder of uncertificated ADSs, to direct the depositary to register a transfer of those ADSs to DTC or its nominee and to deliver those ADSs to the DTC account of that DTC participant without receipt by the depositary of prior authorization from the ADS holder to register that transfer.

        In connection with and in accordance with the arrangements and procedures relating to DRS/Profile, the parties to the deposit agreement understand that the depositary will not determine whether the DTC participant that is claiming to be acting on behalf of an ADS holder in requesting registration of transfer and delivery as described in the paragraph above has the actual authority to act on behalf of the ADS holder (notwithstanding any requirements under the Uniform Commercial Code). In the deposit agreement, the parties agree that the depositary's reliance on and compliance with instructions received by the depositary through the DRS/Profile system and in accordance with the deposit agreement will not constitute negligence or bad faith on the part of the depositary.

Shareholder Communications; Inspection of Register of Holders of ADSs

        The depositary will make available for your inspection at its office all communications that it receives from us as a holder of deposited securities that we make generally available to holders of deposited securities. The depositary will send you copies of those communications or otherwise make those communications available to you if we ask it to. You have a right to inspect the register of holders of ADSs, but not for the purpose of contacting those holders about a matter unrelated to our business or the ADSs.

Jury Trial Waiver

        The deposit agreement provides that, to the extent permitted by law, ADS holders waive the right to a jury trial of any claim they may have against us or the depositary arising out of or relating to our shares, the ADSs or the deposit agreement, including any claim under the U.S. federal securities laws. If we or the depositary opposed a jury trial demand based on the waiver, the court would determine whether the waiver was enforceable in the facts and circumstances of that case in accordance with applicable case law. However, you will not, by agreeing to the terms of the deposit agreement, be deemed to have waived our or the depositary's compliance with U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

177


Table of Contents


SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

        Upon completion of this offering, we will have                    ADSs outstanding, representing                    Class A ordinary shares, or approximately                    % of our outstanding ordinary shares, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs. All of the ADSs sold in this offering will be freely transferable by persons other than our "affiliates" without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act. Sales of substantial amounts of the ADSs in the public market could adversely affect prevailing market prices of the ADSs. Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our ordinary shares or the ADSs, and while the ADSs have been approved for listing on the NASDAQ, we cannot assure you that a regular trading market will develop in the ADSs. We do not expect that a trading market will develop for our ordinary shares not represented by the ADSs.

Lockup Agreements

        We, [our directors, executive officers, certain existing shareholders and option holders] have agreed, subject to some exceptions, not to transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any of our ordinary shares, in the form of ADSs or otherwise, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for our ordinary shares, in the form of ADSs or otherwise, for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus. After the expiration of the 180-day period, the ordinary shares or ADSs held by our directors, executive officers and our existing shareholders may be sold subject to the restrictions under Rule 144 under the Securities Act or by means of registered public offerings.

Rule 144

        All of our ordinary shares outstanding prior to this offering are "restricted shares" as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act and may be sold publicly in the United States only if they are subject to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements. Under Rule 144 as currently in effect, a person who has beneficially owned our restricted shares for at least six months is generally entitled to sell the restricted securities without registration under the Securities Act beginning 90 days after the date of this prospectus, subject to certain additional restrictions.

        Our affiliates may sell within any three-month period a number of restricted shares that does not exceed the greater of the following:

        Affiliates who sell restricted securities under Rule 144 may not solicit orders or arrange for the solicitation of orders, and they are also subject to notice requirements and the availability of current public information about us.

        Persons who are not our affiliates are only subject to one of these additional restrictions, the requirement of the availability of current public information about us, and this additional restriction does not apply if they have beneficially owned our restricted shares for more than one year.

178


Table of Contents

Rule 701

        In general, under Rule 701 of the Securities Act as currently in effect, each of our employees, consultants or advisors who purchases our ordinary shares from us in connection with a compensatory stock or option plan or other written agreement relating to compensation is eligible to resell such ordinary shares 90 days after we became a reporting company under the Exchange Act in reliance on Rule 144, but without compliance with some of the restrictions, including the holding period, contained in Rule 144.

179


Table of Contents


TAXATION

        The following discussion of Cayman Islands, PRC and United States federal income tax consequences of an investment in the ADSs or ordinary shares is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this prospectus, all of which are subject to change. This discussion does not deal with all possible tax consequences relating to an investment in the ADSs or ordinary shares, such as the tax consequences under state, local and other tax laws. To the extent that the discussion relates to matters of Cayman Islands tax law, it represents the opinion of Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP, our Cayman Islands counsel. To the extent that the discussion relates to matters of PRC tax law, it represents the opinion of Jingtian & Gongcheng, our PRC legal counsel.

Cayman Islands Taxation

        The Cayman Islands currently levies no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon profits, income, gains or appreciation, and there is no taxation in the nature of inheritance tax or estate duty. There are no other taxes likely to be material to us or holders of the ADS's or ordinary shares levied by the government of the Cayman Islands, except for stamp duties which may be applicable on instruments executed in, or after execution brought within the jurisdiction of, the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands is not party to any double tax treaties that are applicable to any payments made to or by our company. There are no exchange control regulations or currency restrictions in the Cayman Islands.

        Payments of dividends and capital in respect of the ADSs or ordinary shares will not be subject to taxation in the Cayman Islands and no withholding will be required on the payment of a dividend or capital to any holder of the ADSs or ordinary shares, nor will gains derived from the disposal of the ADSs or ordinary shares be subject to Cayman Islands income or corporation tax.

People's Republic of China Taxation

        Under the PRC EIT Law, which became effective on January 1, 2008 and was amended on February 24, 2017 and December 29, 2018, respectively, an enterprise established outside the PRC with a "de facto management body" within the PRC is considered a "resident enterprise" for PRC enterprise income tax purposes and is generally subject to a uniform 25% enterprise income tax rate on its worldwide income. Under the implementation rules to the PRC EIT Law, a "de facto management body" is defined as a body that has material and overall management and control over the manufacturing and business operations, personnel and human resources, finances and properties of an enterprise.

        In addition, SAT Circular 82 issued by the SAT in April 2009 specifies that certain offshore incorporated enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise groups will be classified as PRC resident enterprises if the following are located or resident in the PRC: (a) senior management personnel and departments that are responsible for daily production, operation and management; (b) financial and personnel decision-making bodies; (c) key properties, accounting books, company seal, minutes of board meetings and shareholders' meetings; and (d) half or more of the senior management or directors having voting rights. Further to SAT Circular 82, the SAT issued SAT Bulletin 45, which took effect in September 2011, to provide more guidance on the implementation of SAT Circular 82. SAT Bulletin 45 provides for procedures and administration details of determination on resident status and administration on post-determination matters. Our company is a company incorporated outside the PRC. As a holding company, its key assets are its ownership interests in its subsidiaries, and its key assets are located, and its records (including the resolutions of its board of directors and the resolutions of its shareholders) are maintained, outside the PRC. As such, we do not believe that our company meets all of the conditions above or is a PRC resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes. For the same reasons, we believe our other entities outside China are not PRC resident enterprises either. However,

180


Table of Contents

the tax resident status of an enterprise is subject to determination by the PRC tax authorities and uncertainties remain with respect to the interpretation of the term "de facto management body." There can be no assurance that the PRC government will ultimately take a view that is consistent with us. If the PRC tax authorities determine that our Cayman Islands holding company is a PRC resident enterprise for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, a number of unfavorable PRC tax consequences could follow. For example, a 10% withholding tax may be imposed on dividends we pay to our non-PRC enterprise shareholders (including the ADS holders), if such income is treated as sourced from within the PRC. In addition, nonresident enterprise shareholders (including the ADS holders) may be subject to PRC tax at a rate of 10% on gains realized on the sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares, if such income is treated as sourced from within the PRC. Furthermore, if we are deemed a PRC resident enterprise, dividends paid to our non-PRC individual shareholders (including the ADS holders) and any gain realized on the transfer of ADSs or ordinary shares by such shareholders may be subject to PRC tax at a rate of 20% (which, in the case of dividends, may be withheld at source by us), if such income is deemed to be from PRC sources. These rates may be reduced by an applicable tax treaty, but it is unclear whether non-PRC shareholders of our company would be able to claim the benefits of any tax treaties between their country of tax residence and the PRC in the event that we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise. See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—We may be classified as a "PRC resident enterprise" for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, which could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders and ADS holders and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment."

U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

        The following are the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to the U.S. Holders described below of owning and disposing of our ADSs or ordinary shares, but this discussion does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to a particular person's decision to acquire ADSs or ordinary shares.

        This discussion applies only to a U.S. Holder that acquires our ADSs in this offering and holds the ADSs or underlying ordinary shares as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, it does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant in light of a U.S. Holder's particular circumstances, including any alternative minimum or Medicare contribution tax consequences and any tax consequences applicable to U.S. Holders subject to special rules, such as:

181


Table of Contents

        If an entity that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes owns ADSs or ordinary shares, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships owning ADSs or ordinary shares and partners in such partnerships should consult their tax advisers as to the particular U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of ADSs or ordinary shares.

        This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions, final, temporary and proposed Treasury regulations, and the income tax treaty between the United States and the PRC, or the Treaty, all as of the date hereof, any of which is subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. This discussion assumes that each obligation under the deposit agreement will be performed in accordance with its terms.

        As used herein, a "U.S. Holder" is a person that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes a beneficial owner of our ADSs or ordinary shares and:

        In general, a U.S. Holder who owns ADSs will be treated as the owner of the underlying ordinary shares represented by those ADSs for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, no gain or loss will be recognized if a U.S. Holder exchanges ADSs for the underlying ordinary shares represented by those ADSs.

        U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers concerning the U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences of owning and disposing of ADSs or ordinary shares in their particular circumstances.

Taxation of Distributions

        Except as described below under "—Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules," distributions paid on our ADSs or ordinary shares, other than certain pro rata distributions of ADSs or ordinary shares, will be treated as dividends to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Because we do not maintain calculations of our earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax principles, it is expected that distributions generally will be reported to U.S. Holders as dividends. Dividends will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally available to U.S. corporations under the Code. Subject to applicable limitations, dividends paid to certain non-corporate U.S. Holders with respect to the ADSs may be taxable at favorable rates. Non-corporate U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the availability of these favorable rates in their particular circumstances.

        Dividends will be included in a U.S. Holder's income on the date of the U.S. Holder's, or in the case of ADSs, the depositary's, receipt. The amount of any dividend income paid in foreign currency will be the U.S. dollar amount calculated by reference to the spot rate in effect on the date of receipt, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars on such date. If the dividend is converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, a U.S. Holder generally should not be required to recognize foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the amount received. A U.S. Holder may have foreign currency gain or loss if the dividend is converted into U.S. dollars after the date of receipt.

        Dividends will be treated as foreign-source income for foreign tax credit purposes. As described in "—People's Republic of China Taxation," dividends paid by us may be subject to PRC withholding tax. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the amount of the dividend income will include any amounts

182


Table of Contents

withheld in respect of PRC withholding tax. Subject to applicable limitations, which vary depending upon the U.S. Holder's circumstances, PRC taxes withheld from dividend payments (at a rate not exceeding the applicable Treaty rate in the case of a U.S. Holder that is eligible for the benefits of the Treaty) generally will be creditable against a U.S. Holder's U.S. federal income tax liability. The rules governing foreign tax credits are complex, and U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the creditability of foreign taxes in their particular circumstances. In lieu of claiming a credit, a U.S. Holder may elect to deduct any such PRC taxes in computing its taxable income, subject to applicable limitations. An election to deduct foreign taxes instead of claiming foreign tax credits applies to all foreign taxes paid or accrued in the taxable year.

Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of ADSs or Ordinary Shares

        Subject to the discussion below under "—Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules," a U.S. Holder will generally recognize capital gain or loss on a sale or other taxable disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale or disposition and the U.S. Holder's tax basis in the ADSs or ordinary shares disposed of, in each case as determined in U.S. dollars. The gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of the sale or disposition, the U.S. Holder has owned the ADSs or ordinary shares for more than one year. Long-term capital gains recognized by non-corporate U.S. Holders may be subject to a tax rate that is lower than the rate applicable to ordinary income. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

        As described in "—People's Republic of China Taxation," gains on the sale of ADSs or ordinary shares may be subject to PRC taxes. A U.S. Holder is entitled to use foreign tax credits to offset only the portion of its U.S. federal income tax liability that is attributable to foreign-source income. Because under the Code capital gains of U.S. persons are generally treated as U.S.-source income, this limitation may preclude a U.S. Holder from claiming a credit for all or a portion of any PRC taxes imposed on any such gains. However, U.S. Holders that are eligible for the benefits of the Treaty may be able to elect to treat the gain as PRC-source and therefore claim foreign tax credits in respect of PRC taxes on such gain. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding their eligibility for the benefits of the Treaty and the creditability of any PRC tax on disposition gains in their particular circumstances.

Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules

        In general, a non-U.S. corporation is a passive foreign investment company (a "PFIC") for any taxable year in which (i) 75% or more of its gross income consists of passive income or (ii) 50% or more of the average value of its assets (generally determined on a quarterly basis) consists of assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. For purposes of the above calculations, a non-U.S. corporation that owns at least 25% by value of the shares of another corporation is treated as if it held its proportionate share of the assets of the other corporation and received directly its proportionate share of the income of the other corporation. Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, rents, royalties and certain gains. Cash is a passive asset for these purposes. Goodwill is an active asset to the extent attributable to activities that produce active income.

        Based on the expected composition of our income and assets and the value of our assets, including goodwill, which is based on the expected price of our ADSs in this offering, we do not expect to be a PFIC for our current taxable year. However, it is not entirely clear how the contractual arrangements between us and our VIE will be treated for purposes of the PFIC rules, and we may be or become a PFIC if our VIE is not treated as owned by us. Because the treatment of our contractual arrangements with our VIE is not entirely clear, because we will hold a substantial amount of cash following this offering and because our PFIC status for any taxable year will depend on the composition of our income and assets and the value of our assets from time to time (which may be determined, in part, by

183


Table of Contents

reference to the market price of our ADSs, which could be volatile), there can be no assurance that we will not be a PFIC for our current or any future taxable year.

        If we were a PFIC for any taxable year and any entity in which we own or are deemed to own equity interests (including our VIE) were also a PFIC (any such entity, a "Lower-tier PFIC"), U.S. Holders would be deemed to own a proportionate amount (by value) of the shares of each Lower-tier PFIC and would be subject to U.S. federal income tax according to the rules described in the next paragraph on (i) certain distributions by a Lower-tier PFIC and (ii) dispositions of shares of Lower-tier PFICs, in each case as if the U.S. Holder held such shares directly, even though the U.S. Holder did not receive any proceeds of those distributions or dispositions.

        In general, if we were a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder held ADSs or ordinary shares, gain recognized by such U.S. Holder on a sale or other disposition (including certain pledges) of its ADSs or ordinary shares would be allocated ratably over its holding period. The amounts allocated to the taxable year of the sale or disposition and to any year before we became a PFIC would be taxed as ordinary income. The amount allocated to each other taxable year would be subject to tax at the highest rate in effect for individuals or corporations, as appropriate, for that taxable year, and an interest charge would be imposed on the resulting tax liability for each such year. Furthermore, to the extent that distributions received by a U.S. Holder in any year on its ADSs or ordinary shares exceeded 125% of the average of the annual distributions on the ADSs or ordinary shares received during the preceding three years or the U.S. Holder's holding period, whichever is shorter, such distributions would be subject to taxation in the same manner. If we were a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder owned ADSs or ordinary shares, we would generally continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to the U.S. Holder for all succeeding years during which the U.S. Holder owned ADSs or ordinary shares, even if we ceased to meet the threshold requirements for PFIC status.

        Alternatively, if we were a PFIC and if the ADSs were "regularly traded" on a "qualified exchange," a U.S. Holder that held ADSs could make a mark-to-market election that would result in tax treatment different from the general tax treatment for PFICs described in the preceding paragraph. The ADSs would be treated as "regularly traded" for any calendar year in which more than a de minimis quantity of the ADSs were traded on a qualified exchange on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter. The NASDAQ, where our ADSs are expected to be listed, is a qualified exchange for this purpose. If a U.S. Holder makes the mark-to-market election, the U.S. Holder generally will recognize, for each taxable year in which we are a PFIC, as ordinary income any excess of the fair market value of the ADSs at the end of such taxable year over their adjusted tax basis, or as ordinary loss any excess of the adjusted tax basis of the ADSs over their fair market value at the end of such taxable year (but, in the case of loss, only to the extent of the net amount of income previously included as a result of the mark-to-market election). If a U.S. Holder makes the election, the U.S. Holder's tax basis in the ADSs will be adjusted to reflect the income or loss amounts recognized. Any gain recognized on the sale or other disposition of ADSs in a year when we are a PFIC will be treated as ordinary income and any loss will be treated as an ordinary loss to the extent of the net amount of income previously included as a result of the mark-to-market election, with any excess treated as capital loss. If a U.S. Holder makes the mark-to-market election, distributions paid on ADSs will be treated as discussed under "—Taxation of Distributions" above (except that the preferential rate on dividends paid to non-corporate U.S. Holders will not apply). U.S. Holders will not be able to make a mark-to-market election with respect to Lower-tier PFICs, if any. In addition, because our ordinary shares will not be publicly traded, a U.S. Holder that holds ordinary shares that are not represented by ADSs will not be eligible to make a mark-to-market election with respect to such shares.

        If we were a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder owned any ADSs or ordinary shares, the U.S. Holder would generally be required to file annual reports with the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS").

184


Table of Contents

        In addition, if we were treated as a PFIC for a taxable year in which we paid a dividend, or for the prior taxable year, the favorable tax rates described above with respect to dividends paid to certain non-corporate U.S. Holders would not apply.

        U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the determination of whether we are a PFIC for any taxable year and the potential application of the PFIC rules to their ownership of ADSs or ordinary shares.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

        In general, payments of dividends and proceeds from the sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares that are made within the United States or through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding, unless (i) the U.S. Holder is a corporation or other "exempt recipient" or (ii) in the case of backup withholding, the U.S. Holder provides a correct taxpayer identification number and certifies that it is not subject to backup withholding. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a U.S. Holder will be allowed as a credit against its U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle it to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

        Certain U.S. Holders who are individuals (or certain specified entities) may be required to report information relating to their ownership of ADSs or ordinary shares, or non-U.S. accounts through which ADSs or ordinary shares are held. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding their reporting obligations with respect to ADSs and ordinary shares.

185


Table of Contents


UNDERWRITING

        Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in an underwriting agreement dated                        , 2019, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters named below, for whom Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities Limited are acting as representatives, the following respective numbers of ADSs:

Underwriters
  Number of
ADSs

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

   

China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities Limited

   

Total

   

        The underwriters and the representatives are referred to as the "underwriters" and the "representatives," respectively. The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters are obligated to purchase all the ADSs in the offering if any are purchased, other than those ADSs covered by the over-allotment option described below. The underwriting agreement also provides that, if an underwriter defaults, the purchase commitments of non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the offering may be terminated.

        We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters and certain of their controlling persons against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

        We have granted to the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase on a pro rata basis up to                additional ADSs from us at the initial public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions. Any ADSs issued or sold under the option will be issued and sold on the same terms and conditions as the other ADSs that are the subject of this offering. The option may be exercised only to cover any over-allotments of ADSs.

        The underwriters propose to offer the ADSs initially at the public offering price on the cover page of this prospectus and to selling group members at that price less a selling concession of up to US$            per ADS. After the initial public offering the underwriters may change the public offering price and concession and discount to broker/dealers. The underwriters have informed us that they do not intend sales to discretionary accounts to exceed 5% of the total number of ADSs offered by them.

        The following table summarizes the compensation and estimated expenses we will pay.

 
  Per share   Total  
 
  Without
over-
allotment
  With
over-
allotment
  Without
over-
allotment
  With
over-
allotment
 

Underwriting discounts and commissions paid by us

  US$            US$            US$            US$           

Expenses payable by us

  US$     US$     US$     US$    

        We estimate that the total expenses of the offering, exclusive of underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by us will be approximately US$            . We have agreed to reimburse the underwriters for certain out-of-pocket expenses of the underwriters, in an aggregate amount not to exceed US$            .

        We have agreed that we will not offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, or file with the SEC a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 relating to, any ordinary shares, ADSs or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any ordinary shares or ADSs, or publicly disclose the intention to make any offer, sale, pledge, disposition or filing,

186


Table of Contents

without the prior written consent of the representatives for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus

        Our directors, executive officers, existing shareholders and option holders have agreed that they will not offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any ordinary shares, ADSs or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any ordinary shares or ADSs, enter into a transaction that would have the same effect, or enter into any swap, hedge or other arrangement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of ordinary shares or ADSs or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any ordinary shares or ADSs, whether any of these transactions are to be settled by delivery of ordinary shares, ADSs or other securities, in cash or otherwise, or publicly disclose the intention to make any such offer, sale, pledge or disposition, or to enter into any such transaction, swap, hedge or other arrangement, without, in each case, the prior written consent of the representatives for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, subject to certain exceptions.

        We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in that respect.

        In addition, through a letter agreement, we will instruct The Bank of New York Mellon, as depositary, not to accept any deposit of any ordinary shares or issue any ADSs for 180 days after the date of this prospectus unless we consent to such deposit or issuance. We have also agreed not to provide such consent without the prior written consent of the representatives. The foregoing does not affect the right of ADS holders to cancel their ADSs and withdraw the underlying ordinary shares.

        Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the ADSs. Consequently, the initial public offering price for the ADSs will be determined by negotiations between us and the representatives and will not necessarily reflect the market price of the ADSs following this offering. The principal factors that were considered in determining the initial public offering price included:

        We cannot assure you that the initial public offering price will correspond to the price at which the ADSs will trade in the public market subsequent to this offering or that an active trading market for the ADSs will develop and continue after this offering.

        In connection with the offering the underwriters may engage in stabilizing transactions, over-allotment transactions, syndicate covering transactions, and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act.

187


Table of Contents

        These stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of the ADSs or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the ADSs. As a result the price of the ADSs may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. These transactions may be effected on the NASDAQ and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

        We will apply to have the ADSs listed on the NASDAQ under the symbol "              ."

        Certain of the underwriters are expected to make offers and sales both inside and outside the United States through their respective selling agents. Any offers or sales in the United States will be conducted by broker-dealers registered with the SEC. China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities Limited is not a broker-dealer registered with the SEC, and, to the extent that its conduct may be deemed to involve participation in offers or sales of ADSs in the United States, those offers or sales will be made through one or more SEC-registered broker-dealers in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations.

        The address of Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC is Eleven Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10010, United States of America. The address of China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities Limited is 29th Floor, One International Finance Centre, 1 Harbour View Street, Central, Hong Kong.

        A prospectus in electronic format will be made available on the web sites maintained by one or more of the underwriters, or selling group members, if any, participating in this offering and one or more of the underwriters participating in this offering may distribute prospectuses electronically. The representatives may agree to allocate a number of ADSs to underwriters and selling group members for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the underwriters and selling group members that will make Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations.

Conflicts of Interest

        The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and

188


Table of Contents

brokerage activities. Certain of the underwriters and their respective affiliates may, from time to time, engage in transactions with and perform services for us in the ordinary course of their business for which they may receive customary fees and reimbursement of expenses. In addition, in the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (which may include bank loans and/or credit default swaps) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers and may at any time hold long and short positions in such securities and instruments. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

Notice to Investors

        In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area that has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a relevant member state), with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that relevant member state (the relevant implementation date), an offer of ADSs described in this prospectus may not be made to the public in that relevant member state other than:

        For purposes of this provision, the expression an "offer of securities to the public" in any relevant member state means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the ADSs to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the ADSs, as the expression may be varied in that member state by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that member state, and the expression "Prospectus Directive" means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the relevant member state) and includes any relevant implementing measure in the relevant member state. The expression 2010 PD Amending Directive means Directive 2010/73/EU.

        The sellers of the ADSs have not authorized and do not authorize the making of any offer of ADSs through any financial intermediary on their behalf, other than offers made by the underwriters with a view to the final placement of the ADSs as contemplated in this prospectus. Accordingly, no purchaser of the ADSs, other than the underwriters, is authorized to make any further offer of the ADSs on behalf of the sellers or the underwriters.

        This prospectus is only being distributed to, and is only directed at, persons in the United Kingdom that are qualified investors within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive

189


Table of Contents

that are also (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, or the Order, or (ii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (each such person being referred to as a "relevant person"). This prospectus and its contents are confidential and should not be distributed, published or reproduced (in whole or in part) or disclosed by recipients to any other persons in the United Kingdom. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.

        Neither this prospectus nor any other offering material relating to the ADSs described in this prospectus has been submitted to the clearance procedures of the Autorité des Marchés Financiers or of the competent authority of another member state of the European Economic Area and notified to the Autorité des Marchés Financiers. The ADSs have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in France. Neither this prospectus nor any other offering material relating to the ADSs has been or will be:

        The ADSs may be resold directly or indirectly, only in compliance with articles L.411-1, L.411-2, L.412-1 and L.621-8 through L.621-8-3 of the French Code monétaire et financier.

        This prospectus does not constitute a Prospectus Directive-compliant prospectus in accordance with the German Securities Prospectus Act (Wertpapierprospektgesetz) and does therefore not allow any public offering in the Federal Republic of Germany ("Germany") or any other Relevant Member State pursuant to § 17 and § 18 of the German Securities Prospectus Act. No action has been or will be taken in Germany that would permit a public offering of the ADSs, or distribution of a prospectus or any other offering material relating to the ADSs. In particular, no securities prospectus (Wertpapierprospekt) within the meaning of the German Securities Prospectus Act or any other applicable laws of Germany, has been or will be published within Germany, nor has this prospectus been filed with or approved by the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht) for publication within Germany.

190


Table of Contents

        Each underwriter will represent, agree and undertake, (i) that it has not offered, sold or delivered and will not offer, sell or deliver the ADSs within Germany other than in accordance with the German Securities Prospectus Act (Wertpapierprospektgesetz) and any other applicable laws in Germany governing the issue, sale and offering of ADSs, and (ii) that it will distribute in Germany any offering material relating to the ADSs only under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of Germany.

        This prospectus is strictly for use of the person who has received it. It may not be forwarded to other persons or published in Germany.

        The offering of ADSs has not been registered with the Commissione Nazionale per le Società e la Borsa ("CONSOB") pursuant to Italian securities legislation and, accordingly, no ADSs may be offered, sold or delivered, nor copies of this prospectus or any other documents relating to the ADSs may not be distributed in Italy except:

        Any offer, sale or delivery of the ADSs or distribution of copies of this prospectus or any other documents relating to the ADSs in the Republic of Italy must be

        Please note that, in accordance with Article 100-bis of Decree No. 58, where no exemption from the rules on public offerings applies, the subsequent distribution of the ADSs on the secondary market in Italy must be made in compliance with the public offer and the prospectus requirement rules provided under Decree No. 58 and Regulation No. 11971.

        Furthermore, ADSs which are initially offered and placed in Italy or abroad to qualified investors only but in the following year are regularly ("sistematicamente") distributed on the secondary market in Italy to non-qualified investors become subject to the public offer and the prospectus requirement rules provided under Decree No. 58 and Regulation No. 11971. Failure to comply with such rules may result in the sale of the ADSs being declared null and void and in the liability of the intermediary transferring the ADSs for any damages suffered by such non-qualified investors.

        This document, as well as any other offering or marketing material relating to the ADSs which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus, neither constitutes a prospectus pursuant to

191


Table of Contents

Article 652a or Article 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations nor a simplified prospectus as such term is understood pursuant to article 5 of the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes. Neither the ADSs nor the shares underlying the ADSs will be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and, therefore, the documents relating to the ADSs, including, but not limited to, this document, do not claim to comply with the disclosure standards of the listing rules of SIX Swiss Exchange and corresponding prospectus schemes annexed to the listing rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange.

        The ADSs are being offered in Switzerland by way of a private placement, i.e. to a small number of selected investors only, without any public offer and only to investors who do not purchase the ADSs with the intention to distribute them to the public. The investors will be individually approached from time to time. This document, as well as any other offering or marketing material relating to the ADSs, is confidential and it is exclusively for the use of the individually addressed investors in connection with the offer of the ADSs in Switzerland and it does not constitute an offer to any other person. This document may only be used by those investors to whom it has been handed out in connection with the offering described herein and may neither directly nor indirectly be distributed or made available to other persons without our express consent. It may not be used in connection with any other offer and shall in particular not be copied and/or distributed to the public in or from Switzerland.

        This prospectus is not a formal disclosure document and has not been, nor will be, lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. It does not purport to contain all information that an investor or their professional advisers would expect to find in a prospectus or other disclosure document (as defined in the Corporations Act 2001 (Australia)) for the purposes of Part 6D.2 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Australia) or in a product disclosure statement for the purposes of Part 7.9 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Australia), in either case, in relation to the ADSs.

        The ADSs are not being offered in Australia to "retail clients" as defined in sections 761G and 761GA of the Corporations Act 2001 (Australia). This offering is being made in Australia solely to "wholesale clients" for the purposes of section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001 (Australia) and, as such, no prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document in relation to the securities has been, or will be, prepared.

        This prospectus does not constitute an offer in Australia other than to wholesale clients. By submitting an application for the ADSs, you represent and warrant to us that you are a wholesale client for the purposes of section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001 (Australia). If any recipient of this prospectus is not a wholesale client, no offer of, or invitation to apply for, the ADSs shall be deemed to be made to such recipient and no applications for the ADSs will be accepted from such recipient. Any offer to a recipient in Australia, and any agreement arising from acceptance of such offer, is personal and may only be accepted by the recipient. In addition, by applying for the ADSs you undertake to us that, for a period of 12 months from the date of issue of the ADSs, you will not transfer any interest in the ADSs to any person in Australia other than to a wholesale client.

        The ADSs may not be offered or sold in Hong Kong by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong), or (ii) to "professional investors" within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a "prospectus' within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong) and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the ADSs may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the

192


Table of Contents

contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to ADSs which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to "professional investors" within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.

        The ADSs offered in this prospectus have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan. The ADSs have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to or for the account of any resident of Japan (including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), except (i) pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law and (ii) in compliance with any other applicable requirements of Japanese law.

        The ADSs may not be offered, sold and delivered directly or indirectly, or offered or sold to any person for reoffering or resale, directly or indirectly, in South Korea or to any resident of South Korea except pursuant to the applicable laws and regulations of South Korea, including the South Korea Securities and Exchange Act and the Foreign Exchange Transaction Law and the decrees and regulations thereunder. The ADSs have not been registered with the Financial Services Commission of South Korea for public offering in South Korea.

        Furthermore, the ADSs may not be resold to South Korean residents unless the purchaser of the ADSs complies with all applicable regulatory requirements (including but not limited to government approval requirements under the Foreign Exchange Transaction Law and its subordinate decrees and regulations) in connection with the purchase of the ADSs.

        This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the ADSs may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the ADSs be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore, or the SFA (ii) to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA, in each case subject to compliance with conditions set forth in the SFA.

        Where the ADSs are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

193


Table of Contents

        The ADSs may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the ADSs must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

        Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser's province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser's province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

        Pursuant to section 3A.3 (or, in the case of securities issued or guaranteed by the government of a non-Canadian jurisdiction, section 3A.4) of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

        This prospectus does not constitute a public offer of the ADSs or ordinary shares, whether by way of sale or subscription, in the Cayman Islands. ADSs or ordinary shares have not been offered or sold, and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in the Cayman Islands.

        ADSs may be offered or sold in Bermuda only in compliance with the provisions of the Investment Business Act of 2003 of Bermuda which regulates the sale of securities in Bermuda. Additionally, non-Bermudian persons (including companies) may not carry on or engage in any trade or business in Bermuda unless such persons are permitted to do so under applicable Bermuda legislation.

        The ADSs are not being, and may not be offered to the public or to any person in the British Virgin Islands for purchase or subscription by or on behalf of our company. The ADSs may be offered to companies incorporated under the British Virgin Islands Business Companies Act, 2004, or BVI

194


Table of Contents

Companies, but only where the offer will be made to, and received by, the relevant BVI Company entirely outside of the British Virgin Islands.

        No prospectus or other offering material or document in connection with the offer and sale of the securities has been or will be registered with the Securities Commission of Malaysia, or Commission, for the Commission's approval pursuant to the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the securities may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the securities be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Malaysia other than (i) a closed end fund approved by the Commission; (ii) a holder of a Capital Markets Services License; (iii) a person who acquires the securities as principal, if the offer is on terms that the securities may only be acquired at a consideration of not less than RM250,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currencies) for each transaction; (iv) an individual whose total net personal assets or total net joint assets with his or her spouse exceeds RM3 million (or its equivalent in foreign currencies), excluding the value of the primary residence of the individual; (v) an individual who has a gross annual income exceeding RM300,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currencies) per annum in the preceding twelve months; (vi) an individual who, jointly with his or her spouse, has a gross annual income of RM400,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currencies), per annum in the preceding twelve months; (vii) a corporation with total net assets exceeding RM10 million (or its equivalent in a foreign currencies) based on the last audited accounts; (viii) a partnership with total net assets exceeding RM10 million (or its equivalent in foreign currencies); (ix) a bank licensee or insurance licensee as defined in the Labuan Financial Services and Securities Act 2010; (x) an Islamic bank licensee or takaful licensee as defined in the Labuan Financial Services and Securities Act 2010; and (xi) any other person as may be specified by the Commission; provided that, in the each of the preceding categories (i) to (xi), the distribution of the securities is made by a holder of a Capital Markets Services License who carries on the business of dealing in securities. The distribution in Malaysia of this prospectus is subject to Malaysian laws. This prospectus does not constitute and may not be used for the purpose of public offering or an issue, offer for subscription or purchase, invitation to subscribe for or purchase any securities requiring the registration of a prospectus with the Commission under the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007.

        This prospectus has not been and will not be circulated or distributed in the PRC, and the ADSs may not be offered or sold, and will not be offered or sold to any person for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, to any residents of the PRC except pursuant to applicable laws and regulations of the PRC. For the purposes of this paragraph, the PRC does not include Taiwan, Hong Kong or Macau.

        The ADSs have not been and will not be registered or filed with, or approved by, the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan pursuant to relevant securities laws and regulations and may not be offered or sold in Taiwan through a public offering or in circumstances which constitute an offer within the meaning of the Securities and Exchange Act of Taiwan or relevant laws and regulations that require a registration, filing or approval of the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan. No person or entity in Taiwan has been authorized to offer or sell the ADSs in Taiwan.

        In the State of Qatar, the offer contained herein is made on an exclusive basis to the specifically intended recipient thereof, upon that person's request and initiative, for personal use only and shall in

195


Table of Contents

no way be construed as a general offer for the sale of securities to the public or an attempt to do business as a bank, an investment company or otherwise in the State of Qatar. This prospectus and the underlying securities have not been approved or licensed by the Qatar Central Bank or the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority or any other regulator in the State of Qatar. The information contained in this prospectus shall only be shared with any third parties in Qatar on a need to know basis for the purpose of evaluating the contained offer. Any distribution of this prospectus by the recipient to third parties in Qatar beyond the terms hereof is not permitted and shall be at the liability of such recipient.

        Unless all necessary approvals from the Kuwait Ministry of Commerce and Industry required by Law No. 31/1990 "Regulating the Negotiation of Securities and Establishment of Investment Funds", its Executive Regulations and the various Ministerial Orders issued pursuant thereto or in connection therewith, have been given in relation to the marketing and sale of the ADSs, these may not be marketed, offered for sale, nor sold in the State of Kuwait. Neither this prospectus (including any related document), nor any of the information contained therein is intended to lead to the conclusion of any contract of whatsoever nature within Kuwait. Investors in Kuwait who approach us or any of the underwriters to obtain copies of this prospectus are required by us and the underwriters to keep such prospectus confidential and not to make copies thereof nor distribute the same to any other person in Kuwait and are also required to observe the restrictions provided for in all jurisdictions with respect to offering, marketing and the sale of the ADSs.

        The ADSs have not been offered or sold, and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in the United Arab Emirates, except: (1) in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations of the United Arab Emirates; and (2) through persons or corporate entities authorized and licensed to provide investment advice and/or engage in brokerage activity and/or trade in respect of foreign securities in the United Arab Emirates. The information contained in this prospectus does not constitute a public offer of securities in the United Arab Emirates in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law (Federal Law No. 8 of 1984 (as amended)) or otherwise and is not intended to be a public offer and is addressed only to persons who are sophisticated investors.

        This document relates to an Exempt Offer, as defined in the Offered Securities Rules module of the DFSA Rulebook, or the OSR, in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority. This document is intended for distribution only to Persons, as defined in the OSR, of a type specified in those rules. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other Person. The Dubai Financial Services Authority has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The Dubai Financial Services Authority has not approved this document nor taken steps to verify the information set out in it, and has no responsibility for it. The ADSs to which this document relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the ADSs offered should conduct their own due diligence on the ADSs. If you do not understand the contents of this document you should consult an authorized financial adviser.

        This prospectus may not be distributed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia except to such persons as are permitted under the Offers of Securities Regulations issued by the Capital Market Authority. The Capital Market Authority does not make any representation as to the accuracy or completeness of this

196


Table of Contents

prospectus, and expressly disclaims any liability whatsoever for any loss arising from, or incurred in reliance upon, any part of this prospectus. Prospective purchasers of the securities offered hereby should conduct their own due diligence on the accuracy of the information relating to the securities. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus you should consult an authorized financial adviser.

        This document does not constitute a prospectus under the Israeli Securities Law, 5728-1968, and has not been filed with or approved by the Israel Securities Authority. In Israel, this prospectus may be distributed only to, and is directed only at, investors listed in the first addendum, or the Addendum, to the Israeli Securities Law, consisting primarily of joint investment in trust funds; provident funds; insurance companies; banks, portfolio managers, investment advisors, members of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange Ltd., underwriters, each purchasing for their own account; venture capital funds; entities with equity in excess of NIS 50 million and "qualified individuals," each as defined in the Addendum (as it may be amended from time to time), collectively referred to as qualified investors. Qualified investors shall be required to submit written confirmation that they fall within the scope of the Addendum.

197


Table of Contents


EXPENSES RELATING TO THIS OFFERING

        Set forth below is an itemization of the total expenses, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, that we expect to incur in connection with this offering. With the exception of the SEC registration fee, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, filing fee and the NASDAQ listing fee, all amounts are estimates.

SEC Registration Fee

  US$           

NASDAQ Listing Fee

  US$           

FINRA Filing Fee

  US$           

Printing and Engraving Expenses

  US$           

Legal Fees and Expenses

  US$           

Accounting Fees and Expenses

  US$           

Miscellaneous

  US$           

Total

  US$           

198


Table of Contents


LEGAL MATTERS

        We are being represented by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP with respect to certain legal matters of U.S. federal securities and New York state law. The underwriters are being represented by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP with respect to certain legal matters as to United States federal securities and New York state law. The validity of the Class A ordinary shares represented by the ADSs offered in this offering and other certain legal matters as to Cayman Islands law will be passed upon for us by Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP. Legal matters as to PRC law will be passed upon for us by Jingtian & Gongcheng and for the underwriters by Haiwen & Partners. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP may rely upon Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP with respect to matters governed by Cayman Islands law and Jingtian & Gongcheng with respect to matters governed by PRC law. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP may rely upon Haiwen & Partners with respect to matters governed by PRC law.

199


Table of Contents


EXPERTS

        The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2017 and 2018 and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018 included in this prospectus have been so included in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

        The registered business address of PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP is 6/F DBS Bank Tower, 1318, Lu Jia Zui Ring Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, the People's Republic of China.

200


Table of Contents


WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

        We have filed a registration statement, including relevant exhibits, with the SEC on Form F-1 under the Securities Act with respect to underlying Class A ordinary shares represented by the ADSs to be sold in this offering. We have also filed a related registration statement on Form F-6 with the SEC to register the ADSs. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement on Form F-1, does not contain all of the information contained in the registration statement. You should read our registration statements and their exhibits and schedules for further information with respect to us and the ADSs.

        Immediately upon the effectiveness of the registration statement on Form F-1 to which this prospectus is a part, we will become subject to periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act as applicable to foreign private issuers. Accordingly, we will be required to file reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F, and other information with the SEC. All information filed with the SEC can be inspected over the Internet at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can request copies of these documents, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC.

201


Table of Contents

INDEX TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    F-2  

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2017 and 2018

    F-3  

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2017 and 2018

    F-5  

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Deficit for the Years Ended December 31, 2017 and 2018

    F-6  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2017 and 2018

    F-7  

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

    F-8  

Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019

    F-54  

Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019

    F-56  

Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Deficit for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019

    F-57  

Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019

    F-58  

Notes to the Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

    F-59  

F-1


Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of 36Kr Holdings Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

        We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of 36Kr Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, of changes in shareholders' deficit and of cash flows for the years then ended, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the "consolidated financial statements"). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

        These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

        We conducted our audits of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

        Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP
Beijing, the People's Republic of China

June 28, 2019, except for the effects of the reorganization, as it relates to the transfer of the 36Kr Business by Beijing Duoke to 36Kr Holdings Inc. as described in Note 1, as to which the date is August 14, 2019.

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2018.

F-2


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 
  December 31,
2017
  December 31,
2018
  December 31,
2018
 
 
  RMB'000

  RMB'000

  US$'000
(Note 2 e)

 

Assets

                   

Current assets:

                   

Cash and cash equivalents

    45,643     48,968     7,133  

Short-term investments

    102,334     145,451     21,187  

Accounts receivable, net

    62,801     182,269     26,550  

Receivables due from related parties

    2,134     11,018     1,605  

Prepayments and other current assets

    5,231     11,686     1,702  

Total current assets

    218,143     399,392     58,177  

Non-current assets:

                   

Property and equipment, net

    532     15,472     2,254  

Intangible assets, net

        255     37  

Equity method investments

    2,951          

Deferred tax assets

    54     306     45  

Total non-current assets

    3,537     16,033     2,336  

Total assets

    221,680     415,425     60,513  

Liabilities

                   

Current liabilities:

                   

Accounts payable

    10,491     20,270     2,953  

Salary and welfare payables

    11,541     36,160     5,267  

Taxes payable

    9,496     16,917     2,464  

Deferred revenue

    3,546     4,227     616  

Amounts due to related parties

    1,777     1,979     288  

Accrued liabilities and other payables

    7,973     5,152     750  

Total current liabilities

    44,824     84,705     12,338  

Total liabilities

    44,824     84,705     12,338  

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 16)

                   

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-3


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Continued)

 
  December 31,
2017
  December 31,
2018
  December 31,
2018
 
 
  RMB'000

  RMB'000

  US$'000
(Note 2 e)

 

Mezzanine equity

                   

Series A-1 convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$ 0.0001 par value; 62,273,127 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively)

    681     681     99  

Series A-2 convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$ 0.0001 par value; 81,008,717 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively)

    12,169     13,500     1,966  

Series B-1 convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$ 0.0001 par value; 200,241,529 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively)

    296,857     388,145     56,540  

Series B-2 convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$ 0.0001 par value; 11,674,379 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively)

    45,000     45,000     6,555  

Series B-3 convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$ 0.0001 par value; 19,361,727 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively)

    45,000     48,016     6,994  

Series B-4 convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$ 0.0001 par value; 9,338,761 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively)

    36,000     36,000     5,244  

Series C-1 convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$ 0.0001 par value; 99,449,000 and 164,876,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively)

    152,834     277,259     40,387  

Redeemable non-controlling interests

        7,731     1,126  

Total mezzanine equity

    588,541     816,332     118,911  

Shareholders' deficit

                   

Ordinary shares (US$ 0.0001 par value; 4,326,574,000 shares authorized, 233,800,850 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively.)

    184     184     27  

Additional paid-in capital

    13,455          

Accumulated deficit

    (425,324 )   (486,027 )   (70,797 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income

        231     34  

Total shareholders' deficit

    (411,685 )   (485,612 )   (70,736 )

Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and shareholders' deficit

    221,680     415,425     60,513  

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-4


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 
  For the Year Ended December 31  
 
  2017   2018   2018  
 
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
  US$'000
 
 
   
   
  (Note 2 e)
 

Revenues:

                   

Online advertising services

    73,958     173,783     25,314  

Enterprise value-added services

    42,465     100,238     14,601  

Subscription services

    4,084     25,072     3,652  

Total revenues

    120,507     299,093     43,567  

Cost of revenues

    (60,749 )   (140,317 )   (20,439 )

Gross profit

    59,758     158,776     23,128  

Operating expenses:

                   

Sales and marketing expenses

    (32,275 )   (66,984 )   (9,757 )

General and administrative expenses

    (10,040 )   (24,125 )   (3,514 )

Research and development expenses

    (6,429 )   (22,075 )   (3,216 )

Total operating expenses

    (48,744 )   (113,184 )   (16,487 )

Income from operations

    11,014     45,592     6,641  

Other income/(expenses):

                   

Share of loss from equity method investments

    (549 )   (2,794 )   (407 )

Short-term investment income

    371     9,300     1,355  

Interest income

    12     22     3  

Interest expenses

    (185 )   (97 )   (14 )

Others, net

    1,169     3,322     484  

Income before income tax

    11,832     55,345     8,062  

Income tax expense

    (3,909 )   (14,827 )   (2,160 )

Net income

    7,923     40,518     5,902  

Accretion on redeemable non-controlling interests to redemption value

        (1,025 )   (149 )

Accretion of convertible redeemable preferred shares to redemption value

    (2,834 )   (120,060 )   (17,489 )

Net income/(loss) attributable to 36Kr Holdings Inc.'s ordinary shareholders

    5,089     (80,567 )   (11,736 )

Net income

    7,923     40,518     5,902  

Other comprehensive income

                   

Foreign currency translation adjustments

        231     34  

Total other comprehensive income

        231     34  

Total comprehensive income

    7,923     40,749     5,936  

Accretion on redeemable non-controlling interests to redemption value

        (1,025 )   (149 )

Accretion of convertible redeemable preferred shares to redemption value

    (2,834 )   (120,060 )   (17,489 )

Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to 36Kr Holding Inc.'s ordinary shareholders

    5,089     (80,336 )   (11,702 )

Net income/(loss) per ordinary share (RMB)

                   

—Basic

    0.008     (0.275 )   (0.040 )

—Diluted

    0.007     (0.275 )   (0.040 )

Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in per share calculation:

                   

—Basic

    272,406,578     292,731,461     292,731,461  

—Diluted

    313,723,248     292,731,461     292,731,461  

Share-based compensation expenses included in:

   
 
   
 
   
 
 

Cost of revenues

    786     673     98  

Sales and marketing expenses

    1,388     1,674     244  

General and administrative expenses

    2,568     2,554     372  

Research and development expenses

    146     210     31  

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-5


Table of Contents

36Kr Holdings Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT

 
  Ordinary shares    
   
  Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income
   
 
 
  Additional
paid-in
capital
  Accumulated
deficit
  Total
shareholders'
deficit
 
 
  Shares   Amount  
 
   
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
 

Balance as of January 1, 2017

    266,276,697     184         (433,247 )       (433,063 )

Net income

                7,923         7,923  

Capital injection from shareholders

            10,000             10,000  

Vesting of restricted share units

    22,724,708         4,888             4,888  

Accretions of convertible redeemable preferred shares to redemption value

            (2,834 )           (2,834 )

Shareholder's contribution

            1,401             1,401  

Balance as of December 31, 2017

    289,001,405     184     13,455     (425,324 )       (411,685 )

Balance as of January 1, 2018

    289,001,405     184     13,455     (425,324 )       (411,685 )

Net income

                40,518         40,518  

Vesting of restricted share units

    19,684,607         5,111             5,111  

Accretion on redeemable non-controlling interests to redemption value

                (1,025 )       (1,025 )

Accretions of convertible redeemable preferred shares to redemption value

            (19,864 )   (100,196 )       (120,060 )

Shareholder's contribution

            1,298             1,298  

Foreign currency translation adjustment

                    231     231  

Balance as of December 31, 2018

    308,686,012     184         (486,027 )   231     (485,612 )

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-6


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 
  For the year ended December 31  
 
  2017   2018   2018  
 
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
  US$'000
 
 
   
   
  (Note 2 e)
 

Cash flows from operating activities:

                   

Net income

    7,923     40,518     5,902  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:

                   

Depreciation of property and equipment

    487     1,585     231  

Amortization of intangible assets

        18     3  

Share-based compensation expenses

    4,888     5,111     745  

Allowance for doubtful accounts

        2,570     374  

Exchange gains

        (275 )   (40 )

Fair value changes of short-term investments

    (334 )   (3,498 )   (510 )

Share of loss from equity method investments

    549     2,794     407  

Rental, interest and payroll expense contributed by a shareholder

    1,401     1,298     189  

Content cost contributed by a non-controlling shareholder

        1,011     147  

Deferred income tax

    (54 )   (252 )   (37 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

                   

Accounts receivable

    (60,803 )   (121,538 )   (17,704 )

Receivables due from related parties

    (2,134 )   (8,727 )   (1,271 )

Prepayments and other current assets

    (5,231 )   (6,950 )   (1,012 )

Accounts payable

    10,491     9,779     1,424  

Salary and welfare payables

    9,899     24,619     3,586  

Taxes payable

    9,157     7,421     1,081  

Deferred revenue

    3,546     681     99  

Amounts due to related parties

    798     1,181     172  

Accrued liabilities and other payables

    7,973     (2,944 )   (429 )

Net cash used in operating activities

    (11,444 )   (45,598 )   (6,643 )

Cash flows from investing activities:

                   

Purchase of property and equipment

    (392 )   (16,402 )   (2,389 )

Purchase of intangible assets

        (273 )   (40 )

Purchase of short-term investments

    (130,000 )   (544,601 )   (79,330 )

Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments

    28,000     504,982     73,559  

Investment in equity method investments

    (3,500 )        

Net cash used in investing activities

    (105,892 )   (56,294 )   (8,200 )

Cash flows from financing activities:

                   

Proceeds from loans provided by a shareholder

    8,500          

Repayments of loans provided by a shareholder

    (7,521 )   (979 )   (143 )

Capital injection from shareholders

    10,000          

Proceeds from issuance of Series C-1 preferred shares

    152,000     100,000     14,567  

Proceeds from issuance of convertible redeemable preferred shares to non-controlling shareholders

        5,695     830  

Net cash provided by financing activities

    162,979     104,716     15,254  

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, and cash equivalents held in foreign currencies

        501     73  

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

    45,643     3,325     484  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year

        45,643     6,649  

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year

    45,643     48,968     7,133  

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

                   

Cash paid for income taxes, net of tax refund

    (313 )   (11,944 )   (1,740 )

Cash paid for interest expense

    (6 )   (92 )   (13 )

Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:

                   

Property and equipment purchases financed by other payable

        123     18  

Rental, interest and payroll expense contributed by a shareholder

    1,401     1,298     189  

Content cost contributed by a non-controlling shareholder

        1,011     147  

Accretions of convertible redeemable preferred shares to redemption value

    2,834     120,060     17,489  

Accretion on redeemable non-controlling interests to redemption value            

        1,025     149  

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-7


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Nature of Operations and Reorganization

(a) Nature of operations

        36Kr Holdings Inc. ("36Kr" or the "Company"), is a holding company and conducts its business mainly through its subsidiaries and a variable interest entity ("VIE") and subsidiaries of the VIE (collectively referred to as the "Group"). The Group is primarily engaging in providing content and business services to new economy participants in the People's Republic of China (the "PRC"). The Group mainly generates revenues from providing online advertising services, enterprise value-added services and subscription services (collectively referred to as the "36Kr Business"). Unless there are plans to change locations, the Group's principal operations and geographic markets are substantially located in PRC.

(b) Reorganization

        The Group commenced operations in 2010. Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Finance Information Service Co., Ltd. ("Xieli") was established in 2011 by Mr. Liu Chengcheng (the "Founder") to carry out the Group's principal business. In December 2016, the Group's business was carved out from Xieli ("Carve-out"), and incorporated into a newly set up company named Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. ("Beijing Duoke"; formerly named as Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. and Beijing Sanshiliuke Culture Media Co., Ltd.), which was then a wholly owned subsidiary of Xieli.

        The Company was incorporated as a limited liability company in the Cayman Islands on December 3, 2018. Through a series of contemplated reorganization steps (the "Reorganization"), the Company established Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. (the "Beijing Dake") in June 2019 to gain control over Beijing Duoke through contractual arrangements and thereafter the 36Kr Business was transferred to the Group upon the completion of the Reorganization. The Reorganization was approved by the Board of Directors and a reorganization framework agreement was entered into by the Company, Beijing Duoke, the Founder and the shareholders of Beijing Duoke in June 2019.

F-8


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

1. Nature of Operations and Reorganization (Continued)

        As of the report date, the Group has completed the steps of the Reorganization as described below, and Beijing Duoke and its subsidiaries have become VIE of the Group, the ownership structure of the major subsidiaries and VIE of the Group is:

Major subsidiaries
  Place and year of Incorporation   Percentage
of Direct or
Indirect
Economic
Ownership
  Principal activities

36Kr Holding Limited ("36Kr BVI" or "BVI Subsidiary")

 

British Virgin Islands, established in 2018

    100 % Investment holding

36Kr Holdings (HK) Limited ("36Kr HK" or "HK Subsidiary")

 

Hong Kong, established in 2018

    100 % Investment holding

36Kr Global Holding (HK) Limited ("36Kr Global Holding")

 

Hong Kong, established in 2019

    100 % Investment holding

Tianjin Duoke Investment Co., Ltd. ("Tianjin Duoke")

 

The PRC, established in 2019

    100 % Investment holding

Tianjin Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. ("Tianjin Dake")

 

The PRC, established in 2019

    100 % Management consulting

Beijing Dake

 

The PRC, established in 2019

    100 % Management consulting

 

VIE
  Place and year of Incorporation   Percentage
of Economic
Ownership
  Principal activities
Beijing Duoke   The PRC, established in 2016     100 % 36Kr Business

 

VIE's subsidiaries
  Place and year of Incorporation   Percentage
of Economic
Ownership
  Principal activities
Tianjin Thirtysix Hearts Technology Co., Ltd.   The PRC, established in 2017     100 % Offline training
Beijing Dianqier Creative Interactive Media Culture Co., Ltd. ("Dianqier")   The PRC, established in 2017     100 % Enterprise value-added services
KRASIA PLUS PTE. LTD. ("KrAsia")   Singapore, established in 2018     56.25 % Advertising and business consulting

        The major reorganization steps are described as follows:

F-9


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

1. Nature of Operations and Reorganization (Continued)

(c) Basis of Presentation for the Reorganization

        The Reorganization consists of transferring the 36Kr Business to the Group, which is owned by the shareholders of Beijing Duoke and Xieli immediately before and after the Reorganization. The shareholding percentages and rights of each shareholder are substantially the same in Beijing Duoke and in the Company immediately before and after the Reorganization. Accordingly, the Reorganization is accounted for in a manner similar to a common control transaction because of the high degree of common ownership, and it is determined that the transfers lack economic substance. Therefore, the accompanying consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses and cash flows of 36Kr Business for the periods presented and are prepared as if the corporate structure of the Group after the Reorganization had been in existence throughout the periods presented. Accordingly, the effect of the ordinary shares and the preferred shares issued by the Company pursuant to the Reorganization have been presented retrospectively as of the beginning of the earliest period presented on the consolidated financial statement or the original issue date, whichever is later, as if such shares were issued by the Company when the Group issued such interests.

        The Reorganization has affected the following disclosures, (i) "Mezzanine equity" and "Shareholders' deficit" of the Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) "Accretions of convertible redeemable preferred shares to redemption value" and "Net income/(loss) per ordinary share" of Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Deficit; (iv) Changed "Funding from Shareholders" to "Proceeds from issuance of Series C-1 preferred shares" and "Capital injection from shareholders", and added "Accretions of convertible redeemable preferred shares to redemption value" in "Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities" of Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; (v) Note 1 (b) (c)—Reorganization and Basis of Presentation for the Reorganization to reflect the completion of the Reorganization in August 2019; (vi) Note 11—Ordinary Shares; (vii) Note 12—Convertible Redeemable Preferred Shares; (viii) Note 2 (ab)—Net Income/(Loss) per share and Note 15—Basic and Diluted Net Income/(Loss) Per Share; and (ix) Note 14—Share-based compensation.

F-10


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

1. Nature of Operations and Reorganization (Continued)

(d) Contractual agreements with the VIE

        In order to comply with the PRC laws and regulations which prohibit or restrict foreign control of companies involved in provision of internet content services, the Group operates its restricted businesses in the PRC through its VIE, whose equity interests are held by the Founder and other shareholders of the Group. The Company obtained control over the VIE by entering into a series of contractual arrangements with the legal shareholders who are also referred to as nominee shareholders. These nominee shareholders are the legal owners of the VIE. However, the rights of those nominee shareholders have been transferred to the Group through the contractual arrangements.

        The contractual arrangements used to control the VIE are the power of attorney, equity pledge agreement, exclusive purchase option agreement and exclusive business cooperation agreement. The Company's management concluded that the Company, through the contractual arrangements, has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and bears the risks of and enjoys the rewards normally associated with ownership of the VIE. Therefore, the Company is the ultimate primary beneficiary of the VIE. As such, the Company consolidates the financial statements of the VIE and its subsidiaries, and the financial results of the VIE were included in the Group's consolidated financial statements in accordance with the basis of presentation as stated in Note 2 (a).

        The following is a summary of the contractual agreements that entered into by and among Beijing Dake, Beijing Duoke, and the nominee shareholders of Beijing Duoke;

        Beijing Dake, Beijing Duoke and the shareholders of Beijing Duoke have entered into an power of attorney, pursuant to which each of the shareholders of Beijing Duoke irrevocably appointed Beijing Dake (as well as its successors, including a liquidator, if any, replacing Beijing Dake) or its designated persons to act on their respective behalf as exclusive agent and attorney, to the extent permitted by law, with respect to all rights of shareholders concerning all equity interests held by each of them in Beijing Duoke, including without limitation (i) exercise all the shareholder's rights (including but not limited to voting rights and right to sell, transfer, pledge or dispose of all equity interests in Beijing Duoke held in part or in whole), (ii) to attend shareholders' meetings and to execute any and all written resolutions and meeting minutes in the name and on behalf of such shareholders, and (iii) to file documents with the relevant companies registry. The agreement will remain effective until Beijing Dake unilaterally terminates the agreement in writing or all equity interests in Beijing Duoke held by its shareholders are transferred or assigned to Beijing Dake or its designated representatives.

        BeijingDake, Beijing Duoke and the shareholders of Beijing Duoke have entered into an equity pledge agreement, pursuant to which the shareholders of Beijing Duoke have pledged all of their equity interests in Beijing Duoke that they own, including any interest or dividend paid for the shares, to Beijing Dake as a security interest to guarantee the performance by Beijing Duoke and its shareholders' performance of their respective obligations under the exclusive business cooperation agreement, exclusive purchase option agreement and power of attorney. Upon the discovery of the occurrence of any circumstances or event that may lead to an event of default (as defined in the equity pledge agreement), Beijing Dake, as the pledgee, will be entitled to certain rights, including the right to

F-11


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

1. Nature of Operations and Reorganization (Continued)

sell the pledged equity interests. Beijing Dake is not be liable for any loss incurred by its due exercise of such rights and powers. This pledge will become effective on the date the pledged equity interests are registered with the relevant office of industry and commerce and will remain effective until the pledgors are no longer the shareholders of Beijing Duoke.

        Beijing Dake, Beijing Duoke and the shareholders of Beijing Duoke have entered into an exclusive purchase option agreement, pursuant to which each of the shareholders of Beijing Duoke irrevocably granted Beijing Dake or its designated representatives an exclusive option to purchase, to the extent permitted under PRC law, all or part of his, her or its equity interests in Beijing Duoke. Beijing Dake or its designated representatives have sole discretion as to when to exercise such options, either in part or in full, once or at multiple times at any time. Without Beijing Dake's prior written consent, the shareholders of Beijing Duoke shall not sell, transfer, mortgage or otherwise dispose of their equity interests in Beijing Duoke, or allow the encumbrance thereon. The agreement will remain effective until all equity interests in Beijing Duoke held by its shareholders are transferred or assigned to Beijing Dake or its designated representatives.

        Beijing Dake and Beijing Duoke have entered into an exclusive business cooperation agreement, pursuant to which Beijing Dake has the exclusive right to provide to Beijing Duoke technical support, consulting services and other services related to Beijing Duoke's business, including business management, daily operations, strategic planning, among others. Beijing Dake has granted Beijing Duoke the right to register its intellectual property rights under Beijing Duoke. Beijing Dake has the right to purchase such intellectual property rights from Beijing Duoke at nominal prices. The scope of the services provided by Beijing Dake may be expanded from time to time per Beijing Duoke's request. The timing and amount of the service fee payments shall be determined at the sole discretion of Beijing Dake. The term of this agreement is indefinite unless Beijing Dake unilaterally terminates the agreement in writing.

        A significant part of the Group's business is conducted through the VIE of the Group, of which the Company is the ultimate primary beneficiary. In the opinion of the management, the contractual arrangements with the VIE and the nominee shareholders are in compliance with PRC laws and regulations and are legally binding and enforceable. The nominee shareholders indicate they will not act contrary to the contractual arrangements. However, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of the PRC laws and regulations including those that govern the contractual arrangements, which could limit the Group's ability to enforce these contractual arrangements and if the nominee shareholders of the VIE were to reduce their interests in the Group, their interest may diverge from that of the Group and that may potentially increase the risk that they would seek to act contrary to the contractual arrangements.

        It is possible that the Group's operation of certain of its operations and businesses through the VIE could be found by PRC authorities to be in violation of PRC law and regulations prohibiting or restricting foreign ownership of companies that engage in such operations and businesses. While the

F-12


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

1. Nature of Operations and Reorganization (Continued)

Group's management considers the possibility of such a finding by PRC regulatory authorities under current law and regulations to be remote, on March 15, 2019, the National People's Congress adopted the Foreign Investment Law of the PRC, which will become effective on January 1, 2020 and replace three existing laws regulating foreign investment in China, namely, the Wholly Foreign-Invested Enterprise Law of the PRC, the Sino-Foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law of the PRC and the Sino-Foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law of the PRC, together with their implementation rules and ancillary regulations. The Foreign Investment Law of the PRC embodies an expected PRC regulatory trend to rationalize its foreign investment regulatory regime in line with prevailing international practice and the legislative efforts to unify the corporate legal requirements for both foreign and domestic investments. However, since it is relatively new, uncertainties still exist in relation to its interpretation and implementation. For example, the Foreign Investment Law of the PRC adds a catch-all clause to the definition of "foreign investment" so that foreign investment, by its definition, includes "investments made by foreign investors in China through other means defined by other laws or administrative regulations or provisions promulgated by the State Council" without further elaboration on the meaning of "other means." It leaves leeway for the future legislations promulgated by the State Council to provide for contractual arrangements as a form of foreign investment. It is therefore uncertain whether the Group's corporate structure will be seen as violating the foreign investment rules as the Group are currently leveraging the contractual arrangements to operate certain businesses in which foreign investors are prohibited from or restricted to investing. Furthermore, if future legislations prescribed by the State Council mandate further actions to be taken by companies with respect to existing contractual arrangement, the Group may face substantial uncertainties as to whether the Group can complete such actions in a timely manner, or at all. If the Group fail to take appropriate and timely measures to comply with any of these or similar regulatory compliance requirements, the Group's current corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations could be materially and adversely affected.

        If the Group's corporate structure or the contractual arrangements with the VIE were found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws and regulations, the PRC regulatory authorities could, within their respective jurisdictions:

F-13


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

1. Nature of Operations and Reorganization (Continued)

        The imposition of any of these restrictions or actions could result in a material adverse effect on the Group's ability to conduct its business. In such case, the Group may not be able to operate or control the VIE, which may result in deconsolidation of the VIE in the Group's consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of the management, the likelihood for the Group to lose such ability is remote based on current facts and circumstances. The Group believes that the contractual arrangements among each of the VIE, their respective shareholders and relevant wholly foreign owned enterprise are in compliance with PRC law and are legally enforceable. The Group's operations depend on the VIE to honor their contractual arrangements with the Group. These contractual arrangements are governed by PRC law and disputes arising out of these agreements are expected to be decided by arbitration in the PRC. The Company's management believes that each of the contractual arrangements constitutes valid and legally binding obligations of each party to such contractual arrangements under the PRC laws. However, the interpretation and implementation of the laws and regulations in the PRC and their application on the legality, binding effect and enforceability of contracts are subject to the discretion of competent PRC authorities, and therefore there is no assurance that relevant PRC authorities will take the same position as the Group herein in respect of the legality, binding effect and enforceability of each of the contractual arrangements. Meanwhile, since the PRC legal system continues to evolve, the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules are not always uniform and enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involve uncertainties, which may limit legal protections available to the Group to enforce the contractual arrangements should the VIE or the nominee shareholders of the VIE fail to perform their obligations under those arrangements.

F-14


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

1. Nature of Operations and Reorganization (Continued)

        The following financial information of the Group's VIE and the VIE's subsidiaries as of December 31, 2017 and 2018 and for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 is included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Group as follows:

 
  December 31,
2017
  December 31,
2018
 
 
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
 

Current assets:

             

Cash and cash equivalents

    45,643     48,968  

Short-term investments

    102,334     145,451  

Accounts receivable, net

    62,801     182,269  

Receivables due from related parties

    2,134     11,018  

Prepayments and other current assets

    5,231     11,686  

Non-current assets:

             

Property and equipment, net

    532     15,472  

Intangible assets, net

        255  

Equity method investments

    2,951      

Deferred tax assets

    54     306  

Total assets

    221,680     415,425  

Current liabilities:

             

Accounts payable

    10,491     20,270  

Salary and welfare payables

    11,541     36,160  

Taxes payable

    9,496     16,917  

Deferred revenue

    3,546     4,227  

Amount due to related parties

    1,777     1,979  

Accrued liabilities and other payables

    7,973     5,152  

Total liabilities

    44,824     84,705  

 

 
  For the year ended
December 31,
 
 
  2017   2018  
 
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
 

Total revenues

    120,507     299,093  

Net income

    7,923     40,518  

 

 
  For the year ended
December 31,
 
 
  2017   2018  
 
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
 

Net cash used in operating activities

    (11,444 )   (45,598 )

Net cash used in investing activities

    (105,892 )   (56,294 )

Net cash provided by financing activities

    162,979     104,716  

F-15


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

1. Nature of Operations and Reorganization (Continued)

        The Company's involvement with the VIE is through the contractual arrangements disclosed in Note 1. All recognized assets held by the VIE are disclosed in the table above. Unrecognized revenue-producing assets held by the VIE include the Internet Content Provision License, tradename of 36Kr, the domain names of 36kr.com, 36Kr mobile application, 36Kr official account on social networks, customer relationship relating to online advertising and enterprise value-added services, customer lists relating to subscription services and assembled workforce.

        In accordance with various contractual agreements, the Company has the power to direct the activities of the VIE and can have assets transferred out of the VIE. Therefore, the Company considers that there are no assets in the respective VIE that can be used only to settle obligations of the respective VIE, except for the registered capital of the VIE as well as certain non-distributable statutory reserves. As the respective VIE is incorporated as limited liability company under the PRC Company Law, creditors do not have recourse to the general credit of the Company for the liabilities of the respective VIE. There is currently no contractual arrangement that would require the Company to provide additional financial support to the VIE. As the Group is conducting certain businesses in the PRC through the VIE, the Group may provide additional financial support on a discretionary basis in the future, which could expose the Group to a loss.

        There is no VIE in the Group where the Company or any subsidiary has a variable interest but is not the primary beneficiary.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

(a) Basis of presentation

        The consolidated financial statements of the Group have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). Significant accounting policies followed by the Group in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements are summarized below.

(b) Principles of consolidation

        The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company, its subsidiaries, the VIE and the VIE's subsidiaries for which the Company is the ultimate primary beneficiary.

        Subsidiaries are those entities in which the Company, directly or indirectly, controls more than one half of the voting power or has the power to appoint or remove the majority of the members of the board of directors, or to cast a majority of votes at the meeting of the board of directors, or to govern the financial and operating policies of the investee under a statute or agreement among the shareholders or equity holders.

        A VIE is an entity in which the Company, or its subsidiary, through contractual arrangements, has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance, bears the risks of and enjoys the rewards normally associated with ownership of the entity, and therefore is the primary beneficiary of the entity.

        All significant intercompany transactions and balances between the Company, its subsidiaries, the VIE and subsidiaries of the VIE have been eliminated upon consolidation.

F-16


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

        A non-controlling interest is recognized to reflect the portion of a subsidiary's equity which is not attributable, directly or indirectly, to the Group. When the non-controlling interest is contingently redeemable upon the occurrence of a conditional event which is not solely within the control of the Group, the non-controlling interest is classified as mezzanine equity. The details of redeemable non-controlling interests are set forth in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements.

        The Group records accretions on the redeemable non-controlling interests to the redemption value from the issuance dates to the earliest redemption dates. The accretions using the effective interest method, are recorded against retained earnings, or in the absence of retained earnings, by charges against additional paid-in capital. Once additional paid-in capital has been exhausted, additional charges are recorded by increasing the accumulated deficit. The issuance of the preferred shares as the redeemable non-controlling interests is recognized at the fair value at the date of issuance. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, accretions on the redeemable non-controlling interests to the redemption value were nil and RMB 1.03 million, respectively. Consolidated net income on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income includes the net income/(loss) attributable to the mezzanine equity holders when applicable. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, there was no net loss attributable to mezzanine equity holders. The cumulative results of operations attributable to the non-controlling interests and the accretion on redeemable non-controlling interests to redemption value are also recorded as redeemable non-controlling interests of mezzanine equity in the Group's consolidated balance sheets. Cash flows related to transactions with non-controlling interests holders are presented under financing activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows when applicable.

(c) Use of estimates

        The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with the U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date, and the reported revenues and expenses during the reporting periods in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant accounting estimates include, but are not limited to, determination of assessment for the impairment of long-lived assets, allowance for doubtful accounts, valuation allowance of deferred tax assets and valuation and recognition of share-based compensation expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates and such differences may be material to the consolidated financial statements.

(d) Functional currency and foreign currency translation

        The Group's reporting currency is Renminbi ("RMB"). The functional currency of the Company is United States dollar ("US$"). The functional currency of the Group's PRC entities, the VIE and the VIE's PRC subsidiaries is RMB. The functional currency of the VIE's subsidiary incorporated in Singapore is Singapore dollar. The determination of the respective functional currency is based on the criteria set out by ASC 830, Foreign Currency Matters.

        Transactions denominated in foreign currencies other than the functional currency are translated into the functional currency at the exchange rates prevailing on the transactions date. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into the functional currency at the

F-17


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet dates. Exchange gains and losses arising from foreign currency transactions are recorded in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

        The financial statements of the Group's non PRC entities are translated from their respective functional currencies into RMB. Assets and liabilities are translated into RMB using the applicable exchange rates at the balance sheet date. Equity accounts other than earnings generated in the current period are translated into RMB using the appropriate historical rates. Revenues, expenses, gains and losses are translated into RMB using the average exchange rates for the relevant period. The resulting foreign currency translation adjustments are reported in other comprehensive income in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income, and the accumulated foreign currency translation adjustments are presented as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in the consolidated statements of changes in shareholders' deficit. Total foreign currency translation adjustments included in the Group's other comprehensive income were nil and RMB 231,000 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

(e) Convenience translation

        Translations of the consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of comprehensive income and consolidated statements of cash flows from RMB into US$ as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018 are solely for the convenience of the reader and were calculated at the rate of US$1.00 = RMB 6.8650, representing the noon buying rate in the H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board on June 28, 2019. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into US$ at that rate on December 31, 2018, or at any other rate.

(f) Fair value measurements

        Accounting guidance defines fair value as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be recorded at fair value, the Group considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and it considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.

        Accounting guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. A financial instrument's categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Accounting guidance establishes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

F-18


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

        Accounting guidance describes three main approaches to measure the fair value of assets and liabilities: (1) market approach; (2) income approach and (3) cost approach. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated from market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present value amount. The measurement is based on the value indicated by current market expectations about those future amounts. The cost approach is based on the amount that would currently be required to replace an asset.

        Transfers into or out of fair value hierarchy classifications are made if the significant inputs used in the financial models measuring the fair value of the assets and liabilities become unobservable or observable in the current marketplace. These transfers are considered to be effective as of the beginning of the period in which they occur. The Group did not transfer any assets or liabilities in or out of Level 2 during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018.

        The Group's financial instruments consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, receivables due from related parties, other receivables, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other payables and amounts due to related parties.

        As of December 31, 2017 and 2018, the fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, receivables due from related parties, other receivables, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other payables and amounts due to related parties approximated their carrying values reported in the consolidated balance sheets due to the short term maturities of these instruments.

        On a recurring basis, the Group measures its short-term investments at fair value. For the details of the short-term investments, please refer to Note 2 (h).

        The following table sets forth the Group's assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy:

As of December 31, 2017

Assets
  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Balance at
fair value
 
 
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
 

Short-term investments—Wealth management products

        102,334         102,334  

As of December 31, 2018

Assets
  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Balance at
fair value
 
 
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
 

Short-term investments—Wealth management products

        145,451         145,451  

        Wealth management products with Level 2 inputs are valued using quoted subscription or redemption prices published by the banks or using discounted cash flow method at a quoted rate of return provided by banks at the end of each year.

F-19


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

(g) Cash and cash equivalents

        Cash and cash equivalents represent cash in banks and highly liquid investments placed with banks or other financial institutions, which are unrestricted to withdrawal or use, and which have original maturities of three months or less.

(h) Short-term investments

        Short-term investments include investments in wealth management products issued by China Merchants Bank, which are redeemable by the Company at a periodic term or any working day within one year. The wealth management products are unsecured with variable interest rates and primarily invested in financial instruments with high credit rating and good liquidity in the interbank and exchange markets, including but not limited to debt securities issued by the PRC government, central bank bills, interbank and exchange-traded bond, and assets backed securities. The Company measures the short-term investments at fair value using the quoted subscription or redemption prices published by these banks or by discounting the future cash flows at the expected yield rate with reference to the expected benchmark yield rates of the wealth management products of banks. The changes in fair value of short-term investments were recognized as the unrealized gains from investing in the wealth management products amounted to RMB 334,000 and RMB 3,498,000 in the short-term investment income to the consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the years ended 2017 and 2018, respectively. The realized gains from disposal of the wealth management products were RMB 37,000 and RMB 5,802,000 in the short-term investment income to the consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the years ended 2017 and 2018, respectively.

(i) Accounts receivable, net

        Accounts receivable are stated at the historical carrying amount net of write-offs and the allowance for doubtful accounts. The Group reviews the accounts receivable on a periodic basis and provides allowances when there is doubt as to the collectability of individual balance. In evaluating the collectability of individual accounts receivable balances, the Group considers several factors, including the age of the balance, the customer's payment history, and current credit-worthiness, and current economic trends. Account receivable balances are written off after all collection efforts have been exhausted.

(j) Property and equipment, net

        Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment, if any. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:

 
  Estimated useful life
Electronic equipment and computers   3 to 5 years
Office furniture and equipment   3 years
Leasehold improvement   Lesser of the term of the lease or the estimated
useful lives of the leasehold improvement

F-20


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

        Repair and maintenance costs are charged to expenses as incurred, whereas the cost of renewals and betterment that extend the useful lives of property and equipment is capitalized as addition to the related assets. Retirements, sales and disposals of assets are recorded by removing the cost and accumulated depreciation from the assets and accumulated depreciation accounts with any resulting gain or loss reflected in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

(k) Intangible assets, net

        Intangible assets mainly consist of computer software purchased from unrelated third parties. Purchased intangible assets are initially recognized and measured at fair value. Intangible assets are stated at cost less impairment and accumulated amortization, which is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful life is 3 years for computer software.

(l) Impairment of long-lived assets

        The Group evaluates its long-lived assets with finite lives for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances (such as a significant adverse change to market conditions that will impact the future use of the assets) indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable. When these events occur, the Group evaluates the impairment by comparing carrying amount of the assets to an estimate of future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected future undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the assets, the Group recognizes an impairment loss based on the excess of the carrying amount of the long-lived assets over their fair value. No impairment of long-lived assets was recognized for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018.

(m) Equity method investments

        Investments in entities in which the Group can exercise significant influence but does not control or own a majority equity interest are accounted for using the equity method of accounting in accordance with ASC Topic 323 Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures. The Group adjusts the carrying amount of equity method investments for its share of the income or losses of the investee and reports the recognized income or losses in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The Group's share of the income or losses of an investee are based on the shares of common stock and in-substance common stock held by the Group.

        An impairment loss on the equity method investments is recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income when the decline in value is determined to be other-than-temporary.

(n) Revenue recognition

        The Group early adopted ASC Topic 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" (ASC 606) for all years presented. According to ASC 606, revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to the customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Group expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The Group determine revenue recognition through the following steps:

F-21


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

        The following is a description of the accounting policy for the principal revenue streams of the Group.

I. Online advertising services

        Online advertising revenue is derived principally from advertising contracts with customers, which allow advertisers to place advertisements on agreed areas of the Company's PC website, mobile application and official accounts in other social networks, mainly in Weibo, Weixin/WeChat, and Toutiao (collectively referred to as "36Kr Platforms") in different formats and over a particular period of time. The Group displays advertisement provided by customers in a variety of forms such as full screen display, banners, and pop-ups. The Group also helps produce advertisements based on the customers' requests, and post the advertisements on the 36Kr Platforms to help promote customers' products and enhance their brand awareness. The Group has developed capabilities in generating and distributing its own and third-party high-quality content on 36Kr Platforms, there is no third party content for fulfilling a promise to the customers for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018.

        The Group generates its online advertising service revenue primarily (i) at a fixed fee per each day's advertisement display, which is known as the Cost Per Day ("CPD") model, and (ii) at a fixed fee per each advertisement posted on the 36Kr Platforms, which the Group refers as the cost-per-advertisement model. The Group recognizes revenue for the amount of fees it receives from its advertisers, after deducting discounts and net of value-added tax ("VAT") under ASC 606.

        The Group's online advertising contracts with customers may include multiple performance obligations. For such arrangements, the Group allocates revenues to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. The Group generally determines standalone selling prices of each distinct performance obligation based on the prices charged to customers when sold on a standalone basis.

        Under the CPD model, a contract is signed to establish a fixed price for the advertising services to be provided over a period of time. Given the advertisers benefit from the advertising evenly, the Group recognizes revenue on a straight-line basis over the period of display, provided all revenue recognition criteria have been met. Under the cost-per-advertisement model, as all the economic benefit enjoyed by the customer can be substantially realized at the time the advertisements are posted initially, the Group recognizes revenue at a point in time when it posts the advertisements initially.

F-22


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

II. Enterprise value-added services

        The principal enterprise value-added services that the Group provides to customers are set out as follows:

F-23


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

III. Subscription services

F-24


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

        In the following table, the total revenue is disaggregated by the major service lines mentioned above.

 
  For the year ended
December 31,
 
 
  2017   2018  
 
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
 

Online advertising services

    73,958     173,783  

Enterprise value-added services

             

Integrated marketing

    10,279     40,017  

Offline events

    31,670     53,711  

Consulting

    516     6,510  

Revenue for Enterprise value-added services

    42,465     100,238  

Subscription services

             

Institutional investor subscription services

    2,299     14,368  

Individual subscription services

    1,785     10,704  

Revenue for Subscription services

    4,084     25,072  

Total revenue

    120,507     299,093  

Contract balances

        Timing of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of invoicing to customers. The Group records contract asset when the Group has a right to consideration in exchange for goods or services that it has transferred to a customer and when that right is conditioned on something other than the passage of time (for example, the entity's future performance). Accounts receivable represent amounts invoiced and revenue recognized prior to invoicing, when the Group has satisfied its performance obligations and has the unconditional right to payment. As of December 31, 2017 and 2018, there were no contract assets recorded in the Group's consolidated balance sheets.

        If a customer pays consideration, or the Group has a right to an amount of consideration that is unconditional (that is, a receivable), before the Group transfers a good or service to the customer, the Group shall present the contract as a contract liability when the payment is made or the payment is due (whichever is earlier). A contract liability is the Group's obligation to transfer goods or services to a customer for which it has received consideration (or an amount of consideration is due) from the customer. Receipts in advance and deferred revenue relate to unsatisfied performance obligations at the end of the period and primarily consist of fees received from advertisers. Due to the generally short-term duration of the contracts, the majority of the performance obligations are satisfied in the following reporting period. Contract liability is presented as deferred revenue in the consolidated balance sheets. Revenue recognized for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 that was included in the contract liabilities balance at the beginning of the period was nil and RMB 3,546,000, respectively.

F-25


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

Practical Expedients and Exemptions

        The Group generally expenses sales commissions when incurred because the amortization periods are generally one year or less. These costs are recorded within sales and marketing expenses.

(o) Cost of revenues

        The Group's cost of revenues consists primarily of (i) personnel-related expenses in relation to the content production; (ii) advertising content producing costs, such as video production costs; (iii) site fee and execution fee of enterprise value-added services and offline training; (iv) equipment location rental fee and operating expense; (v) business tax and surcharges; (vi) bandwidth and server cost, depreciation and other miscellaneous costs.

(p) Sales and marketing expenses

        Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of personnel-related expenses including sales commissions related to the sales and marketing personnel; marketing and promotional expenses including promotion activity outsourcing costs; rental expenses and depreciation expenses.

        Advertising costs are expensed as incurred, and are included in sales and marketing expenses. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, total advertising expenses were RMB 3.14 million and RMB 3.76 million, respectively.

(q) General and administrative expenses

        General and administrative expenses consist primarily of payroll and related expenses for employees involved in general corporate functions, including finance, legal and human resources; costs associated with use by these functions of facilities and equipment, such as depreciation, rental and other general corporate related expenses.

(r) Research and development expenses

        Research and development expenses consist primarily of (i) personnel-related expenses associated with the development of, enhancement to, and maintenance of the Group's PC websites, mobile applications and mobile websites; (ii) expenses associated with new technology and product development and enhancement; and (iii) rental expense and depreciation of servers.

        For internal use software, the Group expenses all costs incurred for the preliminary project stage and post implementation-operation stage of development, and costs associated with repair or maintenance of the existing platform. Costs incurred in the application development stage are capitalized and amortized over the estimated useful life. Since the amount of the Company's research and development expenses qualifying for capitalization has been immaterial, as a result, all development costs incurred for development of internal used software have been expensed as incurred.

        For external use software, costs incurred for development of external use software have not been capitalized since the inception of the Company, because the period after the date technical feasibility is reached and the time when the software is marketed is short historically, and the amount of costs qualifying for capitalization has been immaterial.

F-26


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

(s) Operating lease

        Leases where substantially all the rewards and risks of ownership of assets remain with the lessor are accounted for as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases are charged to the consolidated statements of comprehensive income on a straight-line basis over the lease periods. The Group had no capital leases for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018.

(t) Share-based compensation

        All share-based awards granted to employees are restricted share units, which are measured at fair value on grant date. Share-based compensation expense is recognized using the straight-line method, over the requisite service period, which is the vesting period. The Group early adopted ASU 2016-09 from the earliest period presented to recognize the effect of forfeiture in compensation cost when they occur. The fair value of the restricted share units were assessed using the income approaches / market approaches, with a discount for lack of marketability given that the shares underlying the awards were not publicly traded at the time of grant. This assessment required complex and subjective judgments regarding the Company's projected financial and operating results, its unique business risks, the liquidity of its ordinary shares and its operating history and prospects at the time the grants were made.

        Cancellation of an award accompanied by the grant of a replacement award is accounted for as a modification of the terms of the cancelled award ("modification awards"). The compensation costs associated with the modification awards are recognized if either the original vesting condition or the new vesting condition has been achieved. If the awards are expected to vest under the original vesting condition, the compensation cost would be recognized regardless of whether the employee satisfies the modified condition. Such compensation costs cannot be less than the grant-date fair value of the original award. The incremental compensation cost is measured as the excess of the fair value of the replacement award over the fair value of the cancelled award at the cancellation date. Therefore, in relation to the modification awards, the Group recognizes share-based compensation over the vesting periods of the new awards, which comprises (i) the amortization of the incremental portion of share-based compensation over the remaining vesting term and (ii) any unrecognized compensation cost of original award, using either the original term or the new term, whichever is higher for each reporting period.

(u) Employee benefits

        The Group's consolidated subsidiaries, the VIE and the VIE's subsidiaries in the PRC (the PRC Entities) participate in a government-mandated multi-employer defined contribution plan pursuant to which certain retirement, medical and other welfare benefits are provided to employees. The relevant labor regulations require the PRC Entities to pay the local labor and social welfare authorities' monthly contributions at a stated contribution rate based on the monthly basic compensation of qualified employees. The relevant local labor and social welfare authorities are responsible for meeting all retirement benefits obligations and the PRC Entities have no further commitments beyond their monthly contributions. The contributions to the plan are expensed as incurred. Employee social security and welfare benefits included as cost and expenses in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income were appropriately RMB 9.12 million and RMB 21.79 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

F-27


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

(v) Taxation

        Current income taxes are provided on the basis of net income for financial reporting purposes, adjusted for income and expense items which are not assessable or deductible for income tax purposes, in accordance with the regulations of the relevant tax jurisdictions.

        The Group follows the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the temporary differences between the financial statements carrying amounts and tax basis of existing assets and liabilities by applying enacted statutory tax rates that will be in effect in the period in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. The Group records a valuation allowance to reduce the amount of deferred tax assets if based on the weight of available evidence, it is more-likely-than-not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income in the period of change.

        In order to assess uncertain tax positions, the Group applies a more likely than not threshold and a two-step approach for the tax position measurement and financial statement recognition. Under the two-step approach, the first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that has a more than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement. The Group recognizes interest and penalties, if any, under accrued expenses and other current liabilities on its consolidated balance sheets and under other expenses in its consolidated statement of comprehensive income. The Group did not have any unrecognized uncertain tax positions as of and for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018.

(w) Other income—Others, net

        Other income—Others, net mainly represent government subsidies which primarily consist of financial subsidies received from provincial and local governments for operating a business in their jurisdictions. Such income has been recognized when the grants are received and no further conditions need to be met.

(x) Comprehensive income

        Comprehensive income is defined as the change in equity of the Group during a period arising from transactions and other events and circumstances excluding transactions resulting from investments by shareholders and distributions to shareholders. Comprehensive income is reported in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Accumulated other comprehensive income, as presented on the Group's consolidated balance sheets, includes the foreign currency translation.

(y) Related parties

        Parties are considered to be related if one party has the ability, directly or indirectly, to control the other party or exercise significant influence over the other party in making financial and operating

F-28


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

decisions. Parties are also considered to be related if they are subject to common control or significant influence, such as a family member or relative, shareholders, or a related corporation.

(z) Segment reporting

        The Group's chief operating decision maker ("CODM") has been identified as its Chief Executive Officer, who reviews the consolidated results when making decision about allocating resources and assessing performance of the Group as a whole. Hence, the Group has only one reportable segment. The Group does not distinguish between markets or segments for the purpose of internal reporting. The Group's long-lived assets are substantially all located in the PRC and substantially all of the Group's revenues are derived from the PRC. Therefore, no geographical segments are presented.

        The Group's organizational structure is based on a number of factors that the CODM uses to evaluate, view and run the Group's business operations, which include, but are not limited to, customer base, homogeneity of services and technology. The Group's reporting segment is based on its organizational structure and information reviewed by the Group's CODM to evaluate the reporting segment result.

(aa) Statutory reserves

        The Group's consolidated subsidiaries, the VIE and VIE's subsidiaries established in the PRC are required to make appropriations to certain non-distributable reverse funds.

        In accordance with the law applicable to the Foreign Investment Enterprises established in the PRC, the Company's subsidiaries registered as wholly-owned foreign enterprise have to make appropriations from their annual after-tax profit (as determined under generally accepted accounting principles in the PRC ("PRC GAAP")) to reserve funds including general reserve fund, enterprise expansion fund and staff bonus and welfare fund. The appropriation to the general reserve fund must be at least 10% of the annual after-tax profits calculated in accordance with the PRC GAAP. Appropriation is not required if the general reserve fund has reached 50% of the registered capital of the company. Appropriation to the enterprise expansion fund and staff bonus and welfare fund are made at the respective company's discretion.

        In addition, in accordance with the PRC Company Law, the Group's VIE registered as Chinese domestic company must make appropriations from its annual after-tax profits as determined under the PRC GAAP to non-distributable reserve funds including statutory surplus fund and discretionary surplus fund. The appropriation to the statutory surplus fund must be 10% of the annual after-tax profits as determined under the PRC GAAP. Appropriation is not required if the statutory surplus fund has reached 50% of the registered capital of the company. Appropriation to the discretionary surplus fund is made at the discretion of the company.

        The use of the general reserve fund, enterprise expansion fund, statutory surplus fund and discretionary surplus fund are restricted to offsetting of losses or increasing of the registered capital of the respective company. The staff bonus and welfare fund is a liability in nature and is restricted to fund payment of special bonus to employee and for the collective welfare of all employees. None of these reserves are allowed to be transferred to the company in terms of cash dividends, loan or advances, nor can they be distributed except under liquidation.

F-29


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

        Profit appropriation to above reserve funds was made for the Group's entities established in the PRC was RMB 0.01 million and RMB 3.64 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

(ab) Net Income/(loss) per share

        Net income/(loss) per share is computed in accordance with ASC 260, "Earnings per Share". The two-class method is used for computing earnings per share in the event the Group has net income available for distribution. Under the two-class method, net income is allocated between ordinary shares and other participating securities based on their participating rights. The Company's convertible redeemable preferred shares may be considered as participating securities because they are entitled to receive dividends or distributions on an as if converted basis if the Group has net income available for distribution under certain circumstances. Net losses are not allocated to other participating securities as they are not obligated to share the losses based on their contractual terms.

        Diluted income/(loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders as adjusted for the effect of dilutive ordinary equivalent shares, if any, by the weighted average number of ordinary and dilutive ordinary equivalents shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive equivalent shares are excluded from the computation of diluted income per share if their effects would be anti-dilutive. Ordinary share equivalents consist of the ordinary shares issuable in connection with the Group's convertible redeemable preferred shares using the if-converted method, and ordinary shares issuable upon the vesting of the restricted share units, using the treasury stock method.

3. Recently issued accounting pronouncements

        The Group qualifies as an "emerging growth company", or EGC, pursuant to the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended, or the JOBS Act. As an EGC, the Group does not need to comply with any new or revised financial accounting standards until such date that a private company is otherwise required to comply with such new or revised accounting standards.

        Revenue from Contracts with Customers.    In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)," a new standard on revenue which superseded the revenue recognition requirements in ASC 605. The new standard, as amended, sets forth a single comprehensive model for recognizing and reporting revenues. The new guidance requires the Company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new guidance requires the Company to apply the following steps: (1) identify the contract with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when, or as, the Company satisfies a performance obligation. The standard also requires additional financial statement disclosures that will enable users to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows relating to customer contracts. The standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after January 1, 2018 for public companies. Early adoption is permitted but not before the original effective date of January 1, 2017. The Company has early adopted the standard using the full retrospective method.

F-30


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

3. Recently issued accounting pronouncements (Continued)

        Financial Instruments-overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.    In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, "Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities", which amends certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. This amendment requires all equity investments to be measured at fair value, with changes in the fair value recognized through net income (other than those accounted for under equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee). This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years for public companies. The standard is effective for the Group beginning after December 15, 2018. Based on the evaluation, the Group considers the adoption has no material impact on the Group's consolidated financial statements.

        Financial Instruments-overall: Credit Losses.    In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326)", which introduces new guidance for the accounting for credit losses on instruments within its scope. The new FASB model, referred to as the current expected credit losses ("CECL") model, will apply to: (1) financial asset subject to credit losses and measured at amortized cost and (2) certain off-balance sheet credit exposures. This includes loans, held-to-maturity debt securities, loan commitments, financial guarantees, and net investment in leases, as well as reinsurance and trade receivables. This replaces the existing incurred loss model. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption will be permitted for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018 for public companies. The standard is effective for the Group beginning after December 15, 2021. The Group is currently evaluating the impact that the standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

        Leases.    In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)", specifies the accounting for leases. For operating leases, ASU 2016-02 requires a lessee to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments, in its balance sheet. The standard also requires a lessee to recognize a single lease cost, calculated so that the cost of the lease is allocated over the lease term, on a generally straight-line basis. In addition, this standard requires both lessees and lessors to disclose certain key information about lease transactions. ASU 2016-02 is effective for public companies for annual reporting periods, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The standard is effective for the Group beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Group is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

        Statement of Cash Flows.    In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, "Statement of Cash Flows—Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments", which clarifies the presentation and classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments in the statement of cash flows. This guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years for public companies. Early adoption is permitted. The standard is effective for the Group beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Based on the evaluation, the Group considers the adoption has no material impact on the Group's consolidated financial statements.

F-31


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

3. Recently issued accounting pronouncements (Continued)

        Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820).    In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement, which eliminates, adds and modifies certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. Under the guidance, public companies will be required to disclose the range and weighted average used to develop significant unobservable inputs for Level 3 fair value measurements. The guidance is effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and for interim periods within those fiscal years, but entities are permitted to early adopt either the entire standard or only the provisions that eliminate or modify the requirements. The Group is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

4. Concentrations and risks

(a) Concentration of customers and suppliers

        Customers accounting for more than 10% of the Group's total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 and more than 10% of the Group's net accounts receivable as of December 31, 2017 and 2018 were as follows:

 
  For the year
ended
December 31,
 
Revenues
  2017   2018  

Customer A

    11 %   19 %

Customer B

    11 %    

 

 
  As of
December 31,
 
Accounts receivable
  2017   2018  

Customer A

    20 %   30 %

        No supplier accounted for more than 10% of the Group's total costs and expenses for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018. Suppliers individually accounting for more than 10% of the Group's accounts payable as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, were as follows:

 
  As of
December 31,
 
Accounts payable
  2017   2018  

Supplier I

    27 %   16 %

Supplier II

    18 %    

Supplier III

    12 %    

b) Credit risk

        The Group's credit risk primarily arises from cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, receivables due from its customers, related parties and other parties. The maximum exposure of such assets to credit risk is the assets' carrying amounts as of the balance sheet dates. The Group expects that there is no significant credit risk associated with cash and cash equivalents and short term

F-32


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

4. Concentrations and risks (Continued)

investments which were held by reputable financial institutions in the jurisdictions where the Company, its subsidiaries, VIE and the subsidiaries of the VIE are located. The Group believes that it is not exposed to unusual risks as these financial institutions have high credit quality.

        The Group believes that there is no significant credit risk associated with amounts due from related parties. Receivables due from customers are typically unsecured in the PRC and the credit risk with respect to which is mitigated by credit evaluations the Group performs on its customers and its ongoing monitoring process of outstanding balances.

c) Foreign currency risk

        The Group's operating transactions are mainly denominated in RMB, which is not freely convertible into foreign currencies. The value of the RMB is subject to changes by the central government policies and to international economic and political development. In the PRC, certain foreign exchange transactions are required by law to be transacted only by authorized financial institutions at exchange rates set by the People's Bank of China (the "PBOC"). Remittances in currencies other than RMB by the Group in China must be processed through PBOC or other China foreign exchange regulatory bodies which require certain supporting documentation in order to effect the remittance.

d) PRC regulations

        The Group is required to obtain certain licenses to operate the Internet information services including Internet news information license, Internet audio-visual program transmission license, Internet publishing license and completing the update procedures of the value-added telecommunication license. Online culture operating permit and production and operation of radio and television programs license may also be required by the relevant authorities due to the uncertainties of the interpretation of the related laws and regulations. Without these licenses, the PRC government may order the Group to cease its services, which may cause disruption to the Group's business operations. As of the date of the report, the Group is planning to apply for licenses and permits for the certain operations of the businesses.

5. Accounts receivable, net

        Accounts receivable, net consists of the following:

 
  December 31,
2017
  December 31,
2018
 
 
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
 

Accounts receivable

    62,801     184,339  

Less: allowance for doubtful accounts

        (2,070 )

Accounts receivable, net

    62,801     182,269  

        Accounts receivable are non-interest bearing and are generally on terms between 90 to 180 days. In some cases, these terms are extended for certain qualifying long-term customers who have met specific credit requirements.

F-33


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

5. Accounts receivable, net (Continued)

        The movements in the allowance for doubtful accounts are as follows:

 
  For the year ended
December 31,
 
 
  2017   2018  
 
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
 

Balance at beginning of the year

         

Additions

        (2,070 )

Reversals

         

Balance at end of the year

        (2,070 )

6. Prepayments and Other Current Assets

        Prepayments and other current assets consist of the following:

 
  December 31,
2017
  December 31,
2018
 
 
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
 

Deposits

    2,675     3,151  

Prepayments of equipment location rental fee

        3,451  

Prepayments of office rent and utility fee

    1,742     2,381  

Prepayments of IT services

    369     1,337  

Others

    445     1,366  

Total

    5,231     11,686  

7. Property and equipment, net

        Property and equipment, net consists of the following:

 
  December 31,
2017
  December 31,
2018
 
 
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
 

Electronic equipment and computers

    930     13,267  

Office furniture and equipment

    120     1,575  

Leasehold improvement

    333     3,066  

Total

    1,383     17,908  

Less: accumulated depreciation

    (851 )   (2,436 )

Property and equipment, net

    532     15,472  

        Depreciation expenses were RMB 0.49 million and RMB 1.59 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

8. Equity method investments

        In November 2017, the Group invested RMB 3.5 million in Beijing Huake Technology Co., Ltd. ("Huake"), a company engaged in providing integrated multiple technology solution to media

F-34


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

8. Equity method investments (Continued)

enterprises and media practitioners, and held 38.89% equity interest of Huake. As the Group has significant influence over financial and operating decision-making of Huake, the Group accounted for the 38.89% equity interests in Huake by using the equity method of accounting. As of December 31, 2017 and 2018, the carrying value of equity method investment in Huake was approximately RMB 2.95 million and nil, respectively.

        In August 2018, Huake had suspended its business and planned to dissolve due to the below-expectation business performance. The administrative approval by the relevant authorities for the dissolution of Huake was completed in January 2019. As of December 31, 2018, the Group recognized RMB 0.16 million of other receivables according to the amounts that are expected to be collected after the liquidation, which was fully received in January 2019.

        The losses from the equity method investment in Huake recorded in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income were RMB 0.55 million and RMB 2.79 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

9. Accrued liabilities and other payables

        The following is a summary of accrued liabilities and other payables as of December 31, 2017 and 2018:

 
  December 31,
2017
  December 31,
2018
 
 
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
 

Guarantee deposits

    6,870     45  

Accrued office rental expense

        2,483  

Accrued employee welfare expense, meal and travel expense

    186     899  

Accrued professional fees

    880     780  

Others

    37     945  

Total

    7,973     5,152  

        The guarantee deposits were paid by potential business partners to the Group in late December 2017 as the Group planned to carry out a new business aiming to expand its advertising and services market shares. The guarantee deposits were repaid by the Group in December 2018 due to the termination of such new business.

10. Redeemable non-controlling interests

        In January 2018, Beijing Duoke established KrAsia, which is a limited liability company in Singapore with a paid-up share capital of US$3,000 divided into 30,000 ordinary shares. KrAsia's principal business is operating an online platform for telecommunications, media and technology entrepreneurship, which is contemplated to be in the similar business of Beijing Duoke in Southeast Asia. Pursuant to the shareholders agreement ("SHA") that were entered into by several institutional investors ("Investors"), Beijing Duoke, and KrAsia in March 2018, KrAsia allotted and issued redeemable convertible preference shares ("RCPS") to the Investors ("RCPS Shareholder") at

F-35


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

10. Redeemable non-controlling interests (Continued)

considerations amounted to approximately US$ 1.06 million in aggregate. Upon the issuance, Beijing Duoke has approximately 56.25% equity interest in KrAsia.

        According to the SHA, on the occurrence of certain events that are not within the control of KrAsia, a majority of RCPS Shareholders shall have the right to require KrAsia to redeem all the RCPS held by the RCPS Shareholders at 1.5 times of the subscription price per RCPS. Beijing Duoke provides guarantee to such redemption obligation of KrAsia to the RCPS Shareholders. Hence the Group considers KrAsia is a VIE mainly due to the fact that the ordinary shares held by Beijing Duoke is equity at risk which is insufficient to finance KrAsia's expected activities without additional subordinated financial support. In addition, as the Group has the obligation to absorb all the losses and the right to receive benefits from KrAsia that could potentially be significant to KrAsia and the Group has power to direct the most significant activities of KrAsia, the Group is considered the primary beneficiary of KrAsia and consolidates KrAsia in accordance with ASC 810, Consolidation.

        As KrAsia has preference shares that could be redeemed by non-controlling shareholders, the RCPS Shareholders, upon the occurrence of certain events that are not solely within the control of KrAsia, the RCPS are accounted for as redeemable non-controlling interests in mezzanine equity.

        The changes in the amount of redeemable non-controlling interests for the year ended December 31, 2018 are as follows:

 
  December 31,
2018
 
 
  RMB'000
 

Balance at beginning of year

     

Addition

    6,706  

Accretions on the redeemable non-controlling interests to the redemption value

    1,025  

Balance at end of year

    7,731  

11. Ordinary Shares

        In December 2018, the Company was incorporated as a limited liability company with authorized share capital of US$50,000 divided into 500,000,000 shares with par value US$0.0001 each. As of December 31, 2018, one ordinary share was issued and outstanding.

        In August 2019, the shareholders of the Company agreed to increase the authorized shares to 5,000,000,000 shares. As described in Note 1 (b), the Company issued ordinary shares and Preferred Shares in August 2019 to the ordinary shareholders and preferred shareholders of Beijing Duoke and Xieli as consideration to swap for the respective similar equity interests that they held in Beijing Duoke. Upon the completion of the Reorganization in August 2019, authorized ordinary shares are 4,326,574,000, of which issued and outstanding ordinary shares were 189,388,000, and issuable shares in connection to the vested restricted share units were 63,567,850, and the authorized, issued and outstanding Series A-1, A-2, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4 and C-1 preferred shares were 65,307,000, 101,261,000, 250,302,000, 14,593,000, 56,105,000, 20,982,000 and 164,876,000, respectively.

        As at December 31, 2018, on an as if basis, issued and outstanding ordinary shares were 233,800,850 and the vested restricted share units were 74,885,162.

F-36


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

12. Convertible Redeemable Preferred Shares

        a.     The following table summarizes the issuances of convertible redeemable preferred shares as of December 31, 2018.

Name
  Issuance date   Issuance price
per share
  Number of shares  
 
   
  RMB
   
 

Series A-1 preferred shares

  November 2011     0.01     62,273,127  

Series A-2 preferred shares

 

June 2012

   
0.06
   
81,008,717
 

Series B-1 preferred shares

 

September 2015

   
1.24
   
200,241,529
 

Series B-2 preferred shares

 

May 2016

   
3.21
   
11,674,379
 

Series B-3 preferred shares

 

September 2015

   
1.24
   
12,141,515
 

Series B-3 preferred shares

 

November 2016

   
3.12
   
7,220,212
 

Series B-4 preferred shares

 

March 2016

   
3.21
   
7,004,073
 

Series B-4 preferred shares

 

December 2016

   
3.21
   
2,334,688
 

Series C-1 preferred shares

 

October 2017 to January 2018

   
1.53
   
164,876,000
 

        b.     In March 2019, 10,027,455 Series A-1 preferred shares held by one of the holders of Series A-1 preferred shares were re-designated to Series B-3 preferred shares, which were then transferred to a new investor for a total amount of RMB 27,140,000. The Group did not receive any proceeds from this transaction.

        The Group considered that such re-designation, in substance, was the same as a repurchase and cancellation of the Series A-1 preferred shares and simultaneously an issuance of the Series B-3 preferred shares. Therefore the Group recorded 1) difference between the fair value of the Series A-1 preferred shares and the carrying amount of the Series A-1 preferred shares against retained earnings, or in the absence of retained earnings, by charging against additional paid-in capital or by increasing the accumulated deficit once additional paid-in capital has been exhausted; and 2) difference between the fair value of the Series A-1 preferred shares and the fair value of the Series B-3 preferred shares as deemed distribution to preferred shareholders.

        c.     In April 2019, 17,215,818 and 11,643,239 ordinary shares held by the Founder who is also an employee of the Company, were re-designated to Series B-3 and Series B-4 preferred shares, respectively, which were then transferred to certain new investors for a total amount of RMB 30,896,752 and RMB 36,756,000, respectively. The Group did not receive any proceeds from this transaction.

        The Group considered that such re-designation, in substance, was the same as a repurchase and cancellation of the ordinary shares and simultaneously an issuance of the preferred shares. Therefore the Company recorded 1) difference between the fair value and the par value of the ordinary shares against additional paid-in capital or by increasing accumulated deficit once additional paid-in capital has been exhausted; and 2) difference between the fair value of the preferred shares and the fair value of the ordinary shares, as share based compensation expenses in the Company's consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

F-37


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

12. Convertible Redeemable Preferred Shares (Continued)

        d.     To compensate the preferred shareholders for the dilution of their interests due to the adoption of the 2016 Incentive Plan set forth in Note 14, (i) in August 2019, immediately before the Reorganization, 15,553,793 ordinary shares and 12,927,101 vested restricted share units were re-designated to Series A-1, A-2, B-1, B-2 and B-3 preferred shares, which were then transferred to the existing holders of Series A-1, A-2, B-1, B-2 and B-3 preferred shares without consideration. (ii) 67,311,809 Series A-1, A-2, B-1, B-2 and B-3 preferred shares in total were issued to the existing holders of Series A-1, A-2, B-1, B-2 and B-3 preferred shares without consideration.

        The Company considered that re-designation and free transfer of shares from ordinary shareholders to preferred shareholders mentioned in (i) above were, in substance, the same as a contribution from ordinary shareholders followed by a cancellation of those ordinary shares and simultaneously an issuance of the preferred shares for no consideration. Therefore the Company recorded the par value of those ordinary shares cancelled into additional paid-in capital, and recorded the fair value of the preferred shares as deemed distribution to preferred shareholders, against retained earnings, or in the absence of retained earnings, by charging against additional paid-in capital or by increasing the accumulated deficit once additional paid-in capital has been exhausted.

        The issuance of the preferred shares as mentioned in (ii) above was recognized at the fair value at the date of issuance as mezzanine against retained earnings, or in the absence of retained earnings, by charging against additional paid-in capital or by increasing the accumulated deficit once additional paid-in capital has been exhausted.

        e.     After taken into account the transactions mentioned above and pursuant to the Reorganization set forth in Note 1 (b), in August 2019, the Company issued 65,307,000, 101,261,000, 250,302,000, 14,593,000, 56,105,000, 20,982,000 and 164,876,000 shares of Series A-1, A-2, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4 and C-1 preferred shares, respectively, to the same group of preferred shareholders of Beijing Duoke and Xieli as consideration in exchange for the respective similar equity interests that they held in Beijing Duoke. As set forth in Note 1 (c), the effect of the ordinary shares and the preferred shares issued by the Company pursuant to the Reorganization have been presented retrospectively as of the beginning of the earliest period presented on the consolidated financial statement or the original issue date, whichever is later.

        The major rights, preferences and privileges of the Preferred Shares are as follows:

        The Preferred Shares (exclusive of unpaid shares) would automatically be converted into ordinary shares 1) upon the qualified Initial Public Offering ("QIPO"); or 2) upon the written consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Preferred Shares of each class with respect to conversion of each class. The initial conversion ratio of Preferred Shares to ordinary shares shall be 1:1, subject to adjustments in the event of (i) share splits, share dividends, consolidations, recapitalization and similar events, or (ii) issuance of ordinary shares (excluding certain events such as issuance of ordinary shares pursuant to a public offering) at a price per share less than the conversion price in effect on the date of or immediately prior to such issuance or other dilutive events.

F-38


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

12. Convertible Redeemable Preferred Shares (Continued)

        According to the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company, at all general meetings of the Company, each Preferred Share shall be entitled to such number of votes as equals the whole number of ordinary shares into which such Preferred Share is convertible immediately after the close of business on the record date of the determination of the Company's members entitled to vote or, if no such record date is established, at the date such vote is taken or any written consent of the Company's members is first solicited. Holders of Preferred Shares shall vote together with the ordinary shareholders, and not as a separate class or series, on all matters submitted to a vote by the members.

        Subject to the Memorandum and Articles, with the prior written approval of the holders of the Preferred Shares representing at least two-thirds of the voting power of the outstanding Preferred shares, voting together as a single class on an as converted basis, the holders of Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive, when and if declared by the board, non-cumulative dividends.

        The order of distribution shall be made from senior shares to junior shares. That is from the holders of Series C-1 preferred shares, holders of Series B-1 preferred shares, holders of Series B-2, B-3 and B-4 preferred shares, to holders of Series A-1 and A-2 preferred shares. No distribution to junior Preferred Shares until full payment of the amount distributable on the senior Preferred Shares. No dividend shall be paid on the ordinary shares at any time unless and until all dividends on the Preferred Shares have been paid in full.

        In the event that any dividend is declared by the board, with respect to each Series A-1, A-2, B-1, B-2, B-3 and B-4 preferred shareholders, a non-cumulative dividend equal to the higher of (i) each series' issue price × (1+8%)N, multiplied by the number of preferred shares held by the holders of such series preferred shares (where N is a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar days between the issue date or the last date when a dividend was paid in full to the holders of such series of preferred shares (whichever is later) and the date on which the contemplated dividend is declared and the denominator of which is 365), and (ii) the dividend per share declared, multiplied by the number of preferred shares held by such series preferred shareholders.

        In the event that any dividend is declared by the board, with respect to each holder of Series C-1 preferred shares, a non-cumulative dividend equal to (i) the dividend per share declared, multiplied by (ii) the number of the preferred shares held by the holders of such series preferred shares;

        No dividends on preferred and ordinary shares have been declared since the issue date through December 31, 2017 and 2018.

        Subject to any applicable law, in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, or upon the occurrence of any deemed liquidation event, all assets and funds of the Company legally available for distribution to all the shareholders shall be distributed as follows:

        The holders of preferred shares (exclusive of unpaid shares) shall be entitled to receive an amount per share equal to 100% of the issue price, plus all declared but unpaid dividends on such preferred

F-39


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

12. Convertible Redeemable Preferred Shares (Continued)

shares, except for the holders of Series C-1 preferred shares who shall be entitled to receive an amount per share equal to the higher of (i) such portion of the assets and funds of the Company as each share (on an as-converted basis) is entitled to on a pro-rata basis ; and (ii) the Series C-1 issue price × (1 + 12%)N, plus all declared but unpaid dividends on such Series C-1 preferred share (where N is a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar days between the Series C-1 issue date and the date on which such distribution is made and the denominator of which is 365). If the assets and funds of the Company shall be insufficient to make payment of the foregoing amounts in full on holders of Series C-1 preferred shares, then such assets and funds shall be distributed among the holders of this category preferred shares ratably in proportion to the full amounts to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled thereon.

        The order of distribution or payment shall be made from senior shares to junior shares. That is from the holders of Series C-1 Preferred Shares, holders of Series B-1 Preferred Shares, holders of Series B-2, B-3 and B-4 Preferred Shares, holders of Series A-2 Preferred Shares to holders of Series A-1 Preferred Shares. After distribution or payment in full of the amount distributable or payable on the Preferred Shares, the remaining assets and funds of the Company available for distribution to the shareholders shall be distributed ratably among all the shareholders according to the relative number of shares held by such shareholders on an as-converted basis.

        The deemed liquidation events include any of the following events: (i) any consolidation, amalgamation, scheme of arrangement or merger of the Company or other reorganization in which the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, scheme of arrangement or reorganization own less than fifty percent (50%) of the surviving entity's voting power in the aggregate immediately after such consolidation, merger, amalgamation, scheme of arrangement or reorganization; (ii) a sale, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Group; (iii) any exclusive and irrevocable licensing or sale of all or substantially all of the Group's intellectual property to a third party (except for the licensing or sale of the Company's intellectual property in the ordinary course of business); (iv) cessation of the current primary business lines of the Group; (v) requisition or expropriation of any or all material assets of the Group by any governmental authority, which causes a material adverse effect; (vi) occurrence of material losses of any Group company which makes it unable to continue the business; and (vii) occurrence of material losses of any Group company due to force majeure. which makes it unable to continue the business in the foreseeable future; For the avoidance of doubt, the reorganization of the Company for the purpose of an IPO shall not be considered a liquidation event.

        Series A-2, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4 and C-1 Preferred Shares shall be redeemable (Series A-1 does not have redemption right) at the holder's discretion, at any time (i) the Company has not completed an IPO or a trade sale approved by the shareholders in writing on or prior to December 31, 2022, (ii) the VIE agreements are held to be invalid or unenforceable under applicable laws and the economic or legal substance of the VIE agreements cannot be preserved by modification of the VIE agreements, (iii) the Company, certain holders of the ordinary shares or Mr. Dagang Feng ("Co-Founder"), is in material breach of its obligations , covenants or undertakings under the shareholders agreement of the Company, which is not waived in writing by the Preferred Shares' investors, (iv) the representations and warranties of the Company, certain holders of the ordinary shares or the Co-Founder contain any material false or fraudulent statement, which causes a material adverse effect, and (v) certain holders

F-40


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

12. Convertible Redeemable Preferred Shares (Continued)

of the ordinary shares or the Co-Founder is in material violation of any applicable law or is subject to any criminal investigation, which causes a material adverse effect. Upon receipt of a redemption notice, the Company and the Co-Founder shall redeem the redeemable Preferred Shares and make payment to the shareholders within ninety days following the receipt of the redemption notice an amount on a per share basis calculated as follows:

        The redemption price of Series C-1 preferred shares would be equal to the sum of (a) the Series C-1 issue price × (1 + 10%)N, plus (b) any declared but unpaid dividends on a Series C-1 preferred share (where N is a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar days between the Series C-1 issue date and the date on which such Series C-1 preferred shares are redeemed and the denominator of which is 365);

        The redemption price of Series B-1, B-2, B-3, and B-4 preferred shares would be equal to the sum of (a) 120% of the Series B-1, B-2, B-3, and B-4 issue price or the fair market value of such shares (whichever is higher), plus (b) any declared but unpaid dividends on a Series B-1, B-2, B-3, and B-4 preferred share;

        The redemption price of Series A-2 preferred shares would be equal to the sum of 300% of the Series A-2 issue price plus any declared but unpaid dividends on a Series A-2 preferred share;

        Subject to applicable laws, the Company and the Co-Founder shall, jointly and severally, effect the redemption and make payment of the redemption price to each preferred shareholder in the following sequence and priority: (i) first, pay the Series C-1 redemption price to the holders of Series C-1 preferred shares on a pari passu basis; (ii) second, after the full payment of the Series C-1 redemption price, pay the Series B-1 redemption price to the holders of Series B-1 preferred shares on a pari passu basis; (iii) third, after the full payment of the Series C-1 and B-1 redemption price, pay the Series B-2, B-3, B-4 redemption price to the holders of Series B-2, B-3, B-4 preferred shares on a pari passu basis; (iv) after redemption in full of the Series C-1, B-1, B-2, B-3 and B-4 preferred shares, redeem each Series A2 preferred shares requested to be redeemed.

        The Co-Founder's obligations to the redemption right shall be limited to the financial value of the Company's securities directly or indirectly held by the Co-Founder. The Co-Founder shall not be obligated to make any payment under the Redemption in an amount exceeding the financial value of the Company's securities directly or indirectly held by the Co-Founder.

        The Company has classified the Preferred Shares in the mezzanine equity of the Consolidated Balance Sheets as they are contingently redeemable at the holders' option any time upon occurences of certain events except for Series A-1 which were contingently redeemable upon the occurrence of certain liquidation events outside of the Company's control. The Company records accretions on the Preferred Shares to the redemption value from the issuance dates to the earliest redemption dates. The accretions are recorded against retained earnings, or in the absence of retained earnings, by charges against additional paid-in capital. Once additional paid-in capital has been exhausted, additional charges are recorded by increasing the accumulated deficit. Each issuance of the Preferred Shares was recognized at the respective fair value at the date of issuance net of issuance cost.

        In respect of the Co-Founder's obligation to the redemption right, as it were directly linked to and incurred for the Preferred Shares issuance, the Group views it as appropriate to treat the amount of

F-41


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

12. Convertible Redeemable Preferred Shares (Continued)

value related to such obligation as an issuance cost as it is similar to a finder's fee to find a new investor. Since the underlying shares issued are preferred shares, such issuance costs are recorded as a reduction of the balance of mezzanine, and also deemed as the contribution from the Co-Founder. With the rapid growth of the Group's business, the Group believes the fair value of such Co-Founder's obligation is immaterial since inception as the probability of triggering the Co-Founder's obligation is very remote taking into account independent valuations.

        The Company has determined that there was no beneficial conversion feature attributable to any of the Preferred Shares because the initial effective conversion price of these Preferred Shares were higher than the fair value of the Company's ordinary shares determined by the Company with the assistance from an independent valuation firm.

        The Group's Preferred Shares activities for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 are summarized as below:

 
  Balance as of
January 1,
2017
  Issuance of
Preferred
Shares
  Accretions
of Preferred
Shares to
redemption
value
  Balance as of
December 31,
2017
 

Series A-1 Preferred Shares

                         

Number of shares

    62,273,127             62,273,127  

Amount (RMB'000)

    681             681  

Series A-2 Preferred Shares

                         

Number of shares

    81,008,717             81,008,717  

Amount (RMB'000)

    10,169         2,000     12,169  

Series B-1 Preferred Shares

                         

Number of shares

    200,241,529             200,241,529  

Amount (RMB'000)

    296,857             296,857  

Series B-2 Preferred Shares

                         

Number of shares

    11,674,379             11,674,379  

Amount (RMB'000)

    45,000             45,000  

Series B-3 Preferred Shares

                         

Number of shares

    19,361,727             19,361,727  

Amount (RMB'000)

    45,000             45,000  

Series B-4 Preferred Shares

                         

Number of shares

    9,338,761             9,338,761  

Amount (RMB'000)

    36,000             36,000  

Series C-1 Preferred Shares

                         

Number of shares

        99,449,000         99,449,000  

Amount (RMB'000)

        152,000     834     152,834  

Total number of Preferred Shares

    383,898,240     99,449,000         483,347,240  

Total amount of Preferred Shares (RMB'000)

    433,707     152,000     2,834     588,541  

F-42


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

12. Convertible Redeemable Preferred Shares (Continued)


 
  Balance as of
January 1,
2018
  Issuance of
Preferred
Shares
  Accretions
of Preferred
Shares to
redemption
value
  Balance as of
December 31,
2018
 

Series A-1 Preferred Shares

                         

Number of shares

    62,273,127             62,273,127  

Amount (RMB'000)

    681             681  

Series A-2 Preferred Shares

                         

Number of shares

    81,008,717             81,008,717  

Amount (RMB'000)

    12,169         1,331     13,500  

Series B-1 Preferred Shares

                         

Number of shares

    200,241,529             200,241,529  

Amount (RMB'000)

    296,857         91,288     388,145  

Series B-2 Preferred Shares

                         

Number of shares

    11,674,379             11,674,379  

Amount (RMB'000)

    45,000             45,000  

Series B-3 Preferred Shares

                         

Number of shares

    19,361,727             19,361,727  

Amount (RMB'000)

    45,000         3,016     48,016  

Series B-4 Preferred Shares

                         

Number of shares

    9,338,761             9,338,761  

Amount (RMB'000)

    36,000             36,000  

Series C-1 Preferred Shares

                         

Number of shares

    99,449,000     65,427,000         164,876,000  

Amount (RMB'000)

    152,834     100,000     24,425     277,259  

Total number of Preferred Shares

    483,347,240     65,427,000         548,774,240  

Total amount of Preferred Shares (RMB'000)

    588,541     100,000     120,060     808,601  

13. Income taxes

        Under the current laws of the Cayman Islands, the Company is not subject to tax on income or capital gain. Additionally, the Cayman Islands does not impose a withholding tax on payments of dividends to shareholders.

        Subsidiaries in the BVI are exempted from income tax on their foreign-derived income in the BVI. There are no withholding taxes in the BVI.

        Under the current Hong Kong Inland Revenue Ordinance, the Company's Hong Kong subsidiaries are subject to Hong Kong profits tax at the rate of 16.5% on their taxable income generated from the

F-43


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

13. Income taxes (Continued)

operations in Hong Kong. Payments of dividends by the subsidiaries to the Company are not subject to withholding tax in Hong Kong.

        In accordance with the Enterprise Income Tax Law ("EIT Law"), Foreign Investment Enterprises ("FIEs") and domestic companies are subject to Enterprise Income Tax ("EIT") at a uniform rate of 25%.

        The EIT Law also provides that an enterprise established under the laws of a foreign country or region but whose "de facto management body" is located in the PRC be treated as a resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes and consequently be subject to the PRC income tax at the rate of 25% for its global income. The Implementing Rules of the EIT Law merely define the location of the "de facto management body" as "the place where the exercising, in substance, of the overall management and control of the production and business operation, personnel, accounting, properties, etc., of a non-PRC company is located." Based on a review of surrounding facts and circumstances, the Group does not believe that it is likely that its operations outside of the PRC would be considered a resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes. However, due to limited guidance and implementation history of the EIT Law, should the Company be treated as a resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes, the Company will be subject to PRC income tax on worldwide income at a uniform tax rate of 25%.

        Subsidiaries incorporated in Singapore are subject to the Singapore Corporate Tax rate of 17% for the year ended December 31, 2018.

        The following table presents the composition of income tax expenses for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018:

 
  For the year ended
December 31,
 
 
  2017   2018  
 
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
 

Current income tax expense

    3,963     15,079  

Deferred taxation

    (54 )   (252 )

Total

    3,909     14,827  

F-44


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

13. Income taxes (Continued)

        Reconciliation of the differences between statutory income tax rate and the effective income tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 are as below:

 
  For the year
ended
December 31,
 
 
  2017   2018  
 
  %
  %
 

Statutory EIT rate

    25.00     25.00  

Effect of non-deductible expenses(1)

    16.59     3.28  

Tax incentives for research and development expense(2)

    (6.93 )   (7.35 )

Tax incentives for wages of disabled staff

    (1.56 )   (0.36 )

Change in valuation allowance

        5.82  

Tax rate difference from statutory rate in other jurisdictions(3)

        0.40  

Others

    (0.06 )    

Effective income tax rate

    33.04     26.79  

(1)
It is mainly comprised of share-based compensation expenses which are permanent differences.

(2)
According to policies promulgated by the State Tax Bureau of the PRC, certain of the Group's subsidiaries are entitled to tax incentives for research and development expenses at 150% of tax-deductible research and development expenses in 2017 and 175% of tax-deductible research and development expenses in 2018.

(3)
It is due to the tax effect of KrAsia's income subject to the tax rate of Singapore.

        Deferred taxes arising from PRC subsidiaries, the VIE and the VIE's subsidiaries were measured using the enacted tax rates for the periods in which they are expected to be reversed. The Group's deferred tax assets consist of the following components:

 
  December 31,
2017
  December 31,
2018
 
 
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
 

Deferred tax assets—non-current:

             

—Net operating tax losses carry forwards

        3,231  

—Investment losses from equity method investments in Huake

    137      

—Rental fee adjustment for rent free period

        621  

—Allowances of doubtful accounts

        643  

Total deferred tax assets

    137     4,495  

Deferred tax liabilities—non-current:

             

—Change in fair value of short-term investments

    (83 )   (958 )

Total deferred tax liabilities

    (83 )   (958 )

Subtotal

    54     3,537  

Less: valuation allowance

        (3,231 )

Total deferred tax assets, net

    54     306  

F-45


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

13. Income taxes (Continued)

        A valuation allowance is provided against deferred tax assets when the Group determines that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be utilized in the future. In making such determination, the Group evaluates a variety of factors including the Group's operating history, retained earnings, existence of taxable temporary differences and reversal periods.

        As of December 31, 2018, Dianqier and KrAsia, two subsidiaries of the Group's VIE incorporated in the PRC and Singapore, respectively, have incurred accumulated operating losses of RMB 11.00 million and RMB 2.82 million for income tax purposes since their inception, respectively. The net operating loss of Dianqier carryforwards will expire in 2023 , if unused, and the net operating loss of KrAsia carryforwards are available indefinitely for offsetting against its taxable profits in the future under certain circumstances. The Group believes that it is more likely than not that these net accumulated operating losses will not be utilized in the future. Therefore, the Group has provided full valuation allowance for the deferred tax assets amounted to RMB 3.23 million which arose from such net accumulated operating losses as of December 31, 2018.

Withholding income tax

        The EIT Law also imposes a withholding income tax of 10% on dividends distributed by a foreign investment enterprise ("FIE") to its immediate holding company outside of China, if such immediate holding company is considered as a non-resident enterprise without any establishment or place within China or if the received dividends have no connection with the establishment or place of such immediate holding company within China, unless such immediate holding company's jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China that provides for a different withholding arrangement. Such withholding income tax was exempted under the previous EIT Law. The Cayman Islands, where the Company is incorporated, does not have such a tax treaty with China. According to the Arrangement between Mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion in August 2006, dividends paid by a FIE in China to its immediate holding company in Hong Kong will be subject to withholding tax at a rate that may be lowered to 5% (if the foreign investor owns directly at least 25% of the shares of the FIE). The State Administration of Taxation ("SAT") further promulgated Circular [2009] 601 and SAT Public Notice [2018] No.9 regarding the assessment criteria on beneficial owner status. The Group did not record any dividend withholding tax, as the Group's FIE, the WFOE, has no retained earnings in any of the periods presented.

14. Share-based compensation

        In December 2016, Beijing Duoke adopted the Beijing Duoke 2016 stock incentive plan (the "2016 Incentive Plan"), which allowed Beijing Duoke to grant restricted share units to selected persons including its directors, senior management and employees to acquire ordinary shares of Beijing Duoke. Up to 20% of equity interests of Beijing Duoke or equivalent to 157,024,000 ordinary shares of the Company were reserved for the issuance.

        Pursuant to the 2016 Incentive Plan, Beijing Duoke has granted 78,512,000 restricted share units to the chief executive officer, Mr. Feng Dagang in December 2016 which are all vested immediately upon the grant. Therefore, the related share based compensation costs has been recognized on the grant date based on the fair value on the same date.

F-46


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

14. Share-based compensation (Continued)

        In addition, Beijing Duoke has granted restricted share units to certain director and employees with the vesting period of four years of continuous service, one-fourth (1/4) will be vested on each anniversary since the stated grant date for the next four years. The Company accounted for the share based compensation costs on a straight-line bases over the requisite service period for the award based on the fair value on their respective grant date.

        In addition, in connection with the Carve-out described in Note 1 (b), in December 2016, the unvested portion of restricted share units granted by Xieli to five employees of Xieli who subsequently worked in the 36Kr Business were cancelled and replaced by 9,382,236 restricted share units granted by Beijing Duoke to these five employees ("Modification Awards"). The unvested period of the Modification Awards has been modified from a weighted average period of 1.8 years to 4 years. Cancellation of an award accompanied by the grant of a replacement award in connection to the Carve-out is accounted for as a modification. The incremental compensation cost amounted to RMB 1.92 million is measured as the excess of the fair value of the replacement award over the fair value of the cancelled award at the cancellation date. In relation to the modification awards, the Group recognizes the portion of the incremental value over the vesting periods of the new awards.

        On December 19, 2016 and June 19, 2017, Beijing Duoke granted in total 63,728,544 and 7,772,731 restricted share units to its employees, respectively.

        A summary of activities of the service-based restricted share units for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 are presented below:

 
  Number of
restricted share
units
  Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
 
   
  RMB
 

Unvested at January 1, 2017

    63,728,544     0.28  

Granted

    7,772,731     0.47  

Vested

    (15,932,057 )   0.28  

Unvested at December 31, 2017

    55,569,218     0.31  

Vested

    (16,942,984 )   0.30  

Forfeited

    (4,386,961 )   0.35  

Unvested at December 31, 2018

    34,239,273     0.30  

        The fair value of each restricted share units granted with service conditions is estimated based on the fair market value of the underlying ordinary shares of Beijing Duoke on the date of grant. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, total share-based compensation expenses recognized by the Group for the restricted share units granted to employees of Beijing Duoke were RMB 4.86 million and RMB 5.09 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2017 and 2018, there was RMB 17.07 million and RMB 10.41 million in total unrecognized compensation expense, related to unvested restricted share units granted to aforementioned employees, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.07 years and 2.06 years, respectively.

F-47


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

14. Share-based compensation (Continued)

        In 2014, Xieli adopted the Xieli 2014 stock incentive plan (the "Xieli 2014 Incentive Plan"), which allowed Xieli to grant restricted share units of Xieli to selected persons including directors, senior management and employees. Since adoption of the Xieli 2014 Incentive Plan, Xieli has granted restricted share units to certain employees of Xieli in relation to 36Kr Business (the "Employees") with the vesting period of three or four years of continuous service, one-third (1/3) or one-fourth (1/4) will be vested on each anniversary since the stated grant date, respectively. On January 1, 2014, January 1, 2015 and May 1, 2015, Xieli has granted 1,458,378, 1,397,800 and 762,514 restricted share units to the Employees, respectively.

        As the Employees were working for 36Kr Business, the associated share based compensation costs of the Employees were allocated to the consolidated financial statements of the Group as a contribution by the parent company. The Group accounted for the share based compensation costs on a straight-line bases over the requisite service period for the award based on the fair value on their respective grant date.

        For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, total share-based compensation expenses recognized by the Group for the restricted share units granted by Xieli to the Employees were RMB 0.03 million and RMB 0.02 million, respectively.

F-48


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

15. Basic and Diluted Net Income/(Loss) Per Share

        Basic and diluted net income/(loss) per share for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 have been calculated in accordance with ASC 260 as follows:

 
  For the years ended
December 31,
 
 
  2017   2018  
 
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
 

Net income/(loss) per ordinary share—basic:

             

Numerator:

             

Net income attributable to 36Kr Holdings Inc. 

    7,923     40,518  

Accretion on redeemable non-controlling interests to redemption value

        (1,025 )

Accretion of convertible redeemable preferred shares to redemption value          

    (2,834 )   (120,060 )

Undistributed earnings attributable to preferred shareholders of the Company

    (2,996 )    

Net income/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders of 36Kr Holdings Inc.—basic

    2,093     (80,567 )

Denominator:

             

Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding

    272,406,578     292,731,461  

Denominator used in computing net income per share—basic

    272,406,578     292,731,461  

Net income/(loss) per ordinary share—basic (RMB)

    0.008     (0.275 )

Net income/(loss) per ordinary share—diluted:

             

Numerator:

             

Net income/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders of 36Kr Holdings Inc.—basic

    2,093     (80,567 )

Net income/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders—diluted

    2,093     (80,567 )

Denominator:

             

Denominator used in computing net income per share-basic

    272,406,578     292,731,461  

Share-based awards

    41,316,671      

Denominator used in computing net income per share—diluted

    313,723,248     292,731,461  

Net income/(loss) per ordinary share—diluted (RMB)

    0.007     (0.275 )

        Basic net income/(loss) per share is computed using the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year. Diluted net income/(loss) per share is computed using the weighted average number of ordinary shares and dilutive potential ordinary shares outstanding during the year.

        For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, assumed conversion of the Preferred Shares and non-vested restricted share units have not been reflected in the dilutive calculations pursuant to ASC 260 due to the anti-dilutive effect. The effects of all outstanding restricted share units have also been

F-49


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

15. Basic and Diluted Net Income/(Loss) Per Share (Continued)

excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share for the year ended December 31, 2018 as their effects would be anti-dilutive.

        The following ordinary shares equivalents were excluded from the computation to eliminate any antidilutive effect:

 
  For the years ended
December 31,
 
 
  2017   2018  

Preferred Shares

    389,591,313     544,794,837  

Share-based awards

        49,964,670  

Total

    389,591,313     594,759,507  

16. Commitments and Contingencies

(a) Commitments

        The Group leases office space under non-cancelable operating lease agreements. These leases have varying terms and contain renewal rights. Future aggregate minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating lease agreements are as follows:

 
  As of December 31,
2018
 
 
  RMB'000
 

2019

    13,701  

2020

    13,701  

2021

    14,560  

2022

    14,560  

Total

    56,522  

        For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, the Group incurred rental expenses in the amounts of approximately RMB 2.17 million and RMB 10.25 million, respectively.

        The Group did not have material capital and other commitments as of December 31, 2017 and 2018.

(b) Litigation

        In the ordinary course of the business, the Group is subject to periodic legal or administrative proceedings. As of December 31, 2018, the Group is not a party to any legal or administrative proceedings, which will have a material adverse effect on the Group's business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

F-50


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

17. Related Party Transactions

        In 2017, the Group received a one-year unsecured loan amounted to RMB 8.5 million from Xieli, the joint controlling shareholder of Beijing Duoke before the Reorganization, with the imputed interest rate of 4.35% per annum. The Group repaid the loan of approximately RMB 7.5 million and RMB 1.0 million in 2017 and 2018, respectively. The interest expense for the loan was approximately RMB 0.2 million in 2017. Xieli forgave such interest expense, the expense was recognized in the financial statements, and the amount forgiven was recorded as a shareholder's contribution from Xieli to Beijing Duoke.

        In 2017 and 2018, Xieli incurred payroll expenses for certain senior officers of Xieli who also provided services to the Group, which amounted to RMB 0.7 million and RMB 0.8 million, respectively. Xieli forgave such payroll expense, the expense was recognized in the financial statements, and the amount forgiven was recorded as a shareholder's contribution from Xieli to Beijing Duoke.

        In 2017 and 2018, the Group rented some office areas from Xieli, and the rental expenses was RMB 0.5 million and RMB 0.5 million, respectively. Xieli forgave such rental expense, the expense was recognized in the financial statements, and the amount forgiven was recorded as a shareholder's contribution from Xieli to Beijing Duoke.

        In 2018, the Group purchased electronic equipment, software use right and advertising services amounted to approximately RMB 2.8 million from Beijing Venture Glory Information Technology Co., Ltd. ("Venture Glory"), which is a subsidiary of Xieli. As of December 31, 2018, amount due to Venture Glory for advertising services was RMB 0.65 million.

        In 2017 and 2018, the Group earned revenue for providing advertising services to Venture Glory amounted to approximately RMB 0.3 million and RMB 1.0 million, respectively, which has been received as at December 31, 2017 and 2018.

        In 2018, revenue amounted to approximately RMB 2.8 million was generated from Jiaxing Chuang Kr Business Information Consulting Co., Ltd. ("Chuang Kr"), a subsidiary of Xieli, for the advertising services the Group provided. As of December 31, 2018, the amount due from Chuang Kr including the value-added tax was approximately RMB 2.9 million.

        The Group earned revenue for the advertising services the Group provided to FMM Network Technology Co., Ltd. ("FMM"), amounted to approximately RMB 4.7 million in 2018. The Founder and co-chairman of the board of the Group, Mr. Liu Chengcheng, is also the director of FMM. As of December 31, 2018, amount due from FMM including the value-added tax was approximately RMB 5.0 million.

        The Group entered into an online and offline advertising service agreement with Chongqing Ant Xiaowei Small Loan Co., Ltd. ("Ant Xiaowei"; a subsidiary of Ant Small and Micro Financial Services Group Co., Ltd. ("Ant Financial") which is a shareholder of Xieli), and earned revenue which amounted to approximately RMB 0.9 million, and RMB 1.0 million in 2017 and 2018, respectively. As of December 31, 2017 and 2018, there was RMB 0.9 million and RMB 1.4 million receivables due from Ant Xiaowei.

        Mr. Liu Chengcheng is a director and has a 11.9% equity interest in Beijing Zhongdu Technology Co., Ltd., which owns 40.2% equity interest of Beijing Zhongdu Ecological Technology Co., Ltd. ("Zhongdu"). In 2018, the Group purchased advertisement displaying services from Zhongdu amounted to approximately RMB 1.0 million for providing enterprise value-added

F-51


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

17. Related Party Transactions (Continued)

services to the Group's customers. As of December 31, 2018, amount due to Zhongdu was approximately RMB 1.0 million.

18. Restricted Net Assets

        The Group's ability to pay dividends is primarily dependent on the Group receiving distributions of funds from its subsidiaries. Relevant PRC statutory laws and regulations permit payments of dividends by the Group's subsidiaries and VIE incorporated in the PRC only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. The results of operations reflected in the financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP differ from those reflected in the statutory financial statements of the Group's subsidiaries.

        In accordance with the PRC laws and regulations, statutory reserve funds shall be made and can only be used for specific purposes and are not distributable as cash dividends. See Note 2 (aa) for more detailed information. As a result of these PRC laws and regulations that require annual appropriations of 10% of net after-tax profits to be set aside prior to payment of dividends as general reserve fund or statutory surplus fund, the Group's PRC subsidiaries, the VIE and the VIE's subsidiaries are restricted in their ability to transfer a portion of their net assets to the Company.

        The Company performed a test on the restricted net assets of its consolidated subsidiaries and VIE (the "restricted net assets") in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X Rule 4-08 (e) (3), "General Notes to Financial Statements" and concluded that it was not applicable for the Company to disclose the condensed financial information for the parent company for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 because (i) the Company had not been incorporated as of December 31, 2017 and (ii) the Company was incorporated in December 2018, and except for investment in subsidiaries, no other material transactions have been conducted by the Company since its inception.

19. Subsequent Event

        In June 2019, the Company entered into a reorganization framework agreement with Beijing Duoke, the Founder and the shareholders of Beijing Duoke. The major Reorganization steps described in Note 1 were agreed and approved by all relevant parties.

        The Group has performed an evaluation of subsequent events through June 28, 2019 which is the date the consolidated financial statements are issued, with no other material events or transactions identified that should have been recorded or disclosed in the consolidated financial statements.

        After the issuance of Preferred Shares with respect to the Reorganization set forth in Note 1, in August 2019, the Company re-designated 12,545,000 ordinary shares held by the Founder to Series C-2 preferred shares, which were then transferred to one of the holders of Series C-1 preferred shares. The Company did not receive any proceeds from this transaction.

        The Series C-2 preferred shares have no redemption right or liquidation preference, share the same voting right with other preferred shareholders, that is each Series C-2 preferred share shall be

F-52


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

19. Subsequent Event (Continued)

entitled to such number of votes as equals the whole number of ordinary shares into which such preferred share is convertible into, holders of such preferred shares shall vote together with the ordinary shareholders on all matters submitted to a vote by the members. Furthermore, Series C-2 preferred shares have the same dividend right as Series C-1 preferred shares to receive the dividend prior and in preference to any dividend on the Series B-4, B-3, B-2, B-1, A-2, A-1 preferred shares and the ordinary shares. In the event that any dividend is declared by the board, with respect to each holder of Series C-2 preferred shares, a non-cumulative dividend equal to (i) the dividend per share declared, multiplied by (ii) the number of the preferred shares held by the holders of such series preferred shares;

        The Company considered that the Series C-2 preferred shares, in substance, was the same as ordinary shares of the Company except for the dividend right mentioned above, and the transaction above was the shares transfer between such Series C-2 preferred shareholder and the ordinary shareholder, which had no material impact on the consolidated financial statement of the Company.

F-53


Table of Contents

36Kr Holdings Inc.
UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 
  December 31,
2018
  June 30,
2019
  June 30,
2019
  June 30,
2019
  June 30,
2019
 
 
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
  US$'000
(Note 2 e)

  RMB'000
Pro forma
(Note 18)

  US$'000
(Note 2 e)
Pro forma
(Note 18)

 

Assets

                               

Current assets:

                               

Cash and cash equivalents

    48,968     26,154     3,810     26,154     3,810  

Short-term investments

    145,451     77,977     11,359     77,977     11,359  

Accounts receivable, net

    182,269     270,894     39,460     270,894     39,460  

Receivables due from related parties

    11,018     8,981     1,308     8,981     1,308  

Prepayments and other current assets

    11,686     24,093     3,510     24,093     3,510  

Total current assets

    399,392     408,099     59,447     408,099     59,447  

Non-current assets:

                               

Property and equipment, net

    15,472     16,262     2,369     16,262     2,369  

Intangible assets, net

    255     338     48     338     48  

Deferred tax assets

    306     3,422     498     3,422     498  

Total non-current assets

    16,033     20,022     2,915     20,022     2,915  

Total assets

    415,425     428,121     62,362     428,121     62,362  

Liabilities

                               

Current liabilities:

                               

Accounts payable

    20,270     51,091     7,442     51,091     7,442  

Salary and welfare payables

    36,160     30,304     4,414     30,304     4,414  

Taxes payable

    16,917     9,686     1,411     9,686     1,411  

Deferred revenue

    4,227     10,707     1,560     10,707     1,560  

Amounts due to related parties

    1,979     1,352     197     1,352     197  

Accrued liabilities and other payables

    5,152     4,572     666     4,572     666  

Total current liabilities

    84,705     107,712     15,690     107,712     15,690  

Total liabilities

    84,705     107,712     15,690     107,712     15,690  

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 15)

                               

Mezzanine equity

   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 

Series A-1 convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$0.0001 par value; 62,273,127 and 52,245,672 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019, respectively; and none (unaudited) outstanding on a pro-forma basis as of June 30, 2019)

    681     571     83          

Series A-2 convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$0.0001 par value; 81,008,717 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019, respectively; and none (unaudited) outstanding on a pro-forma basis as of June 30, 2019)

    13,500     13,500     1,966          

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim condensed consolidated
financial statements.

F-54


Table of Contents

36Kr Holdings Inc.
UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Continued)

 
  December 31,
2018
  June 30,
2019
  June 30,
2019
  June 30,
2019
  June 30,
2019
 
 
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
  US$'000
(Note 2 e)

  RMB'000
Pro forma
(Note 18)

  US$'000
(Note 2 e)
Pro forma
(Note 18)

 

Series B-1 convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$0.0001 par value; 200,241,529 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019, respectively; and none (unaudited) outstanding on a pro-forma basis as of June 30, 2019)

    388,145     572,024     83,325          

Series B-2 convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$0.0001 par value; 11,674,379 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019, respectively; and none (unaudited) outstanding on a pro-forma basis as of June 30, 2019)

    45,000     48,813     7,110          

Series B-3 convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$0.0001 par value; 19,361,727 and 46,605,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019, respectively; and none (unaudited) outstanding on a pro-forma basis as of June 30, 2019)

    48,016     146,874     21,395          

Series B-4 convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$0.0001 par value; 9,338,761 and 20,982,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019, respectively; and none (unaudited) outstanding on a pro-forma basis as of June 30, 2019)

    36,000     80,957     11,793          

Series C-1 convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$0.0001 par value; 164,876,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019, respectively; and none (unaudited) outstanding on a pro-forma basis as of June 30, 2019)

    277,259     290,678     42,342          

Redeemable non-controlling interests

    7,731     8,062     1,174     8,062     1,174  

Total mezzanine equity

    816,332     1,161,479     169,188     8,062     1,174  

Shareholders' (deficit)/equity

                               

Ordinary shares (US$0.0001 par value; 4,326,574,000 shares authorized, 233,800,850 and 204,941,793 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019, respectively; and 782,575,090 (unaudited) outstanding on a pro-forma basis as of June 30, 2019)

    184     167     24     566     82  

Additional paid-in capital

                1,153,018     167,956  

Accumulated deficit

    (486,027 )   (847,169 )   (123,404 )   (847,169 )   (123,404 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income

    231     228     33     228     33  

Total 36Kr Holdings Inc.'s shareholders' (deficit)/equity

    (485,612 )   (846,774 )   (123,347 )   306,643     44,667  

Non-controlling interests

        5,704     831     5,704     831  

Total shareholders' (deficit)/equity

    (485,612 )   (841,070 )   (122,516 )   312,347     45,498  

Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and shareholders' (deficit)/equity

    415,425     428,121     62,362     428,121     62,362  

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim condensed consolidated
financial statements.

F-55


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

 
  For the Six Months Ended June 30,  
 
  2018   2019   2019  
 
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
  US$'000
(Note 2 e)

 

Revenues:

                   

Online advertising services

    50,960     79,477     11,577  

Enterprise value-added services

    16,608     101,072     14,723  

Subscription services

    4,860     21,325     3,106  

Total revenues

    72,428     201,874     29,406  

Cost of revenues

    (48,042 )   (138,120 )   (20,119 )

Gross profit

    24,386     63,754     9,287  

Operating expenses:

                   

Sales and marketing expenses

    (24,462 )   (49,880 )   (7,266 )

General and administrative expenses

    (7,949 )   (46,849 )   (6,824 )

Research and development expenses

    (6,335 )   (16,948 )   (2,469 )

Total operating expenses

    (38,746 )   (113,677 )   (16,559 )

Loss from operations

    (14,360 )   (49,923 )   (7,272 )

Other income/(expenses):

                   

Share of loss from equity method investments

    (2,053 )        

Short-term investment income

    5,018     2,381     347  

Others, net

    53     (63 )   (9 )

Loss before income tax

    (11,342 )   (47,605 )   (6,934 )

Income tax credit

    3,029     2,107     307  

Net loss

    (8,313 )   (45,498 )   (6,627 )

Accretion on redeemable non-controlling interests to redemption value

    (338 )   (331 )   (48 )

Accretion of convertible redeemable preferred shares to redemption value

    (12,551 )   (241,011 )   (35,107 )

Re-designation of Series A-1 into Series B-3 convertible redeemable preferred shares

        (26,787 )   (3,902 )

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests

        136     20  

Net loss attributable to 36Kr Holdings Inc.'s ordinary shareholders

    (21,202 )   (313,491 )   (45,664 )

Net loss

    (8,313 )   (45,498 )   (6,627 )

Other comprehensive income/(loss)

                   

Foreign currency translation adjustments

    64     (3 )    

Total other comprehensive income/(loss)

    64     (3 )    

Total comprehensive loss

    (8,249 )   (45,501 )   (6,627 )

Accretion on redeemable non-controlling interests to redemption value

    (338 )   (331 )   (48 )

Accretion of convertible redeemable preferred shares to redemption value

    (12,551 )   (241,011 )   (35,107 )

Re-designation of Series A-1 into Series B-3 convertible redeemable preferred shares

        (26,787 )   (3,902 )

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests

        136     20  

Comprehensive loss attributable to 36Kr Holding Inc.'s ordinary shareholders

    (21,138 )   (313,494 )   (45,664 )

Net loss per ordinary share (RMB)

                   

Basic and diluted

    (0.073 )   (1.054 )   (0.154 )

Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in per share calculation:

                   

Basic and diluted

    291,029,304     297,440,365     297,440,365  

Share-based compensation expenses included in:

                   

Cost of revenues

    368     273     40  

Sales and marketing expenses

    986     689     100  

General and administrative expenses

    1,276     28,052     4,086  

Research and development expenses

    104     94     14  

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

F-56


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT

 
  Ordinary shares    
   
  Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income
   
   
 
 
  Additional
paid-in
capital
  Accumulated
deficit
  Non-controlling
interests
  Total
shareholders'
deficit
 
 
  Shares   Amount  
 
   
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
 

Balance as of January 1, 2018

    289,001,405     184     13,455     (425,324 )           (411,685 )

Net loss

                (8,313 )           (8,313 )

Vesting of restricted share units

    4,502,931         2,734                 2,734  

Accretion on redeemable non-controlling interests to redemption value

                (338 )           (338 )

Accretions of convertible redeemable preferred shares to redemption value

            (12,551 )               (12,551 )

Shareholder's contribution

            384                 384  

Foreign currency translation adjustment

                    64         64  

Balance as of June 30, 2018

    293,504,336     184     4,022     (433,975 )   64         (429,705 )

Balance as of January 1, 2019

    308,686,012     184         (486,027 )   231         (485,612 )

Net loss

                (45,362 )       (136 )   (45,498 )

Re-designation of Series A-1 into Series B-3 convertible redeemable preferred shares

            (1,409 )   (25,378 )           (26,787 )

Re-designation of ordinary shares into Series B-3 convertible redeemable preferred shares

    (17,215,818 )   (10 )   (1,157 )   (28,799 )           (29,966 )

Re-designation of ordinary shares into Series B-4 convertible redeemable preferred shares

    (11,643,239 )   (7 )       (20,261 )           (20,268 )

Vesting of restricted share units

    1,609,789         2,324                 2,324  

Accretion on redeemable non-controlling interests to redemption value

                (331 )           (331 )

Accretions of convertible redeemable preferred shares to redemption value

                (241,011 )           (241,011 )

Shareholder's contribution

            242                 242  

Capital injection from non-controlling interests

                        5,840     5,840  

Foreign currency translation adjustment

                    (3 )       (3 )

Balance as of June 30, 2019

    281,436,744     167         (847,169 )   228     5,704     (841,070 )

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

F-57


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 
  For the six months ended June 30,  
 
  2018   2019   2019  
 
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
  US$'000
 
 
   
   
  (Note 2 e)
 

Cash flows from operating activities:

                   

Net loss

    (8,313 )   (45,498 )   (6,627 )

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

                   

Depreciation of property and equipment

    482     1,901     276  

Amortization of intangible assets

    6     14     2  

Share-based compensation expenses

    2,734     29,108     4,240  

Allowance for doubtful accounts

    137     (799 )   (116 )

Exchange (gains)/losses

    (239 )   18     3  

Fair value changes of short-term investments

    (4,136 )   (1,313 )   (191 )

Share of loss from equity method investments

    2,053          

Rental, interest and payroll expense contributed by a shareholder

    384     242     35  

Content cost contributed by a non-controlling shareholder

    337          

Deferred income tax

    (3,029 )   (3,116 )   (454 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

                   

Accounts receivable

    (22,330 )   (87,826 )   (12,794 )

Receivables due from related parties

    (1,012 )   2,037     297  

Prepayments and other current assets

    (873 )   (12,397 )   (1,806 )

Accounts payable

    828     30,821     4,490  

Salary and welfare payables

    4,986     (5,856 )   (853 )

Taxes payable

    (8,791 )   (7,231 )   (1,053 )

Deferred revenue

    7,125     6,480     944  

Amounts due to related parties

    210     (627 )   (92 )

Accrued liabilities and other payables

    6,889     (842 )   (123 )

Net cash used in operating activities

    (22,552 )   (94,884 )   (13,822 )

Cash flows from investing activities:

                   

Purchase of property and equipment

    (3,801 )   (2,429 )   (354 )

Purchase of intangible assets

    (232 )   (97 )   (14 )

Purchase of short-term investments

    (315,500 )   (265,300 )   (38,645 )

Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments

    201,800     334,087     48,666  

Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities

    (117,733 )   66,261     9,653  

Cash flows from financing activities:

                   

Repayments of loans provided by a shareholder

    (979 )        

Proceeds from issuance of Series C-1 preferred shares

    100,000          

Proceeds from issuance of convertible redeemable preferred shares to non-controlling shareholders

    5,695          

Capital injection from non-controlling interests

        5,840     851  

Net cash provided by financing activities

    104,716     5,840     851  

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, and cash equivalents held in foreign currencies

    303     (31 )   (5 )

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

    (35,266 )   (22,814 )   (3,323 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

    45,643     48,968     7,133  

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

    10,377     26,154     3,810  

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

                   

Cash paid for income taxes, net of tax refund

    (6,826 )   (15,413 )   (2,245 )

Cash paid for interest expense

    (3 )   (56 )   (8 )

Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:

                   

Property and equipment purchases financed by other payable

    180     262     38  

Rental, interest and payroll expense contributed by a shareholder

    384     242     35  

Content cost contributed by a non-controlling shareholder

    337          

Accretions of convertible redeemable preferred shares to redemption value

    12,551     241,011     35,107  

Accretion on redeemable non-controlling interests to redemption value

    338     331     48  

Re-designation of Series A-1 into Series B-3 convertible redeemable preferred shares

        26,787     3,902  

Re-designation of ordinary shares into Series B-3 convertible redeemable preferred shares

        41,196     6,001  

Re-designation of ordinary shares into Series B-4 convertible redeemable preferred shares

        35,822     5,218  

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

F-58


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Nature of Operations and Reorganization

(a) Nature of operations

        36Kr Holdings Inc. ("36Kr" or the "Company"), is a holding company and conducts its business mainly through its subsidiaries and a variable interest entity ("VIE") and subsidiaries of the VIE (collectively referred to as the "Group"). The Group is primarily engaging in providing content and business services to new economy participants in the People's Republic of China (the "PRC"). The Group mainly generates revenues from providing online advertising services, enterprise value-added services and subscription services (collectively referred to as the "36Kr Business"). Unless there are plans to change locations, the Group's principal operations and geographic markets are substantially located in PRC.

(b) Reorganization

        The Group commenced operations in 2010. Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Finance Information Service Co., Ltd. ("Xieli") was established in 2011 by Mr. Liu Chengcheng (the "Founder") to carry out the Group's principal business. In December 2016, the Group's business was carved out from Xieli ("Carve-out"), and incorporated into a newly set up company named Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. ("Beijing Duoke"; formerly named as Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. and Beijing Sanshiliuke Culture Media Co., Ltd.), which was then a wholly owned subsidiary of Xieli.

        The Company was incorporated as a limited liability company in the Cayman Islands on December 3, 2018. Through a series of contemplated reorganization steps (the "Reorganization"), Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. (the "Beijing Dake") was established in June 2019 to gain control over Beijing Duoke through contractual arrangements and thereafter the 36Kr Business was transferred to the Group upon the completion of the Reorganization. The Reorganization was approved by the Board of Directors and a reorganization framework agreement was entered into by the Company, Beijing Duoke, the Founder and the shareholders of Beijing Duoke in June 2019.

        As of the report date, the Group has completed the steps of the Reorganization as described below, and Beijing Duoke and its subsidiaries have become VIE of the Group. Pursuant to and upon

F-59


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

1. Nature of Operations and Reorganization (Continued)

the consummation of the Reorganization, the ownership structure of the major subsidiaries and VIE of the Group is:

Major subsidiaries
  Place and year of Incorporation   Percentage
of Direct or
Indirect
Economic
Ownership
  Principal activities

36Kr Holding Limited ("36Kr BVI" or "BVI Subsidiary")

 

British Virgin Islands, established in 2018

    100 % Investment holding

36Kr Holdings (HK) Limited ("36Kr HK" or "HK Subsidiary")

 

Hong Kong, established in 2018

    100 % Investment holding

36Kr Global Holding (HK) Limited ("36Kr Global Holding")

 

Hong Kong, established in 2019

    100 % Investment holding

Tianjin Duoke Investment Co., Ltd. ("Tianjin Duoke")

 

The PRC, established in 2019

    100 % Investment holding

Tianjin Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. ("Tianjin Dake")

 

The PRC, established in 2019

    100 % Management consulting

Beijing Dake

 

The PRC, established in 2019

    100 % Management consulting

 

VIE
  Place and year of Incorporation   Percentage of
Economic
Ownership
  Principal activities
Beijing Duoke   The PRC, established in 2016     100 % 36Kr Business
VIE's subsidiaries
  Place and year of Incorporation   Percentage
of Economic
Ownership
  Principal activities
Tianjin Thirtysix Hearts Technology Co., Ltd.   The PRC, established in 2017     100 % Offline training
Beijing Dianqier Creative Interactive Media Culture Co., Ltd. ("Dianqier")   The PRC, established in 2017     100 % Enterprise value-added services
KRASIA PLUS PTE. LTD. ("KrAsia")   Singapore, established in 2018     56.25 % Advertising and business consulting
Zhejiang Pinxin Technology Co., Ltd.   The PRC, established in 2019     100 % Investment holding

        The major reorganization steps are described as follows:

F-60


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

1. Nature of Operations and Reorganization (Continued)

(c) Basis of Presentation for the Reorganization

        The Reorganization consists of transferring the 36Kr Business to the Group, which is owned by the shareholders of Beijing Duoke and Xieli immediately before and after the Reorganization. The shareholding percentages and rights of each shareholder are substantially the same in Beijing Duoke and in the Company immediately before and after the Reorganization. Accordingly, the Reorganization is accounted for in a manner similar to a common control transaction because of the high degree of common ownership, and it is determined that the transfers lack economic substance. Therefore, the accompanying consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses and cash flows of 36Kr Business for the periods presented and are prepared as if the corporate structure of the Group after the Reorganization had been in existence throughout the periods presented. Accordingly, the effect of the ordinary shares and the preferred shares issued by the Company pursuant to the Reorganization have been presented retrospectively as of the beginning of the earliest period presented on the consolidated financial statement or the original issue date, whichever is later, as if such shares were issued by the Company when the Group issued such interests.

(d) Contractual agreements with the VIE

        In order to comply with the PRC laws and regulations which prohibit or restrict foreign control of companies involved in provision of internet content services, the Group operates its restricted businesses in the PRC through its VIE, whose equity interests are held by the Founder and other shareholders of the Group. The Company obtained control over the VIE by entering into a series of contractual arrangements with the legal shareholders who are also referred to as nominee shareholders. These nominee shareholders are the legal owners of the VIE. However, the rights of those nominee shareholders have been transferred to the Group through the contractual arrangements.

F-61


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

1. Nature of Operations and Reorganization (Continued)

        The contractual arrangements used to control the VIE are the power of attorney, equity pledge agreement, exclusive purchase option agreement and exclusive business cooperation agreement. The Company's management concluded that the Company, through the contractual arrangements, has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and bears the risks of and enjoys the rewards normally associated with ownership of the VIE. Therefore, the Company is the ultimate primary beneficiary of the VIE. As such, the Company consolidates the financial statements of the VIE and its subsidiaries, and the financial results of the VIE were included in the Group's unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with the basis of presentation as stated in Note 2 (a).

        The following is a summary of the contractual agreements that entered into by and among Beijing Dake, Beijing Duoke, and the nominee shareholders of Beijing Duoke;

        Beijing Dake, Beijing Duoke and the shareholders of Beijing Duoke have entered into an power of attorney, pursuant to which each of the shareholders of Beijing Duoke irrevocably appointed Beijing Dake (as well as its successors, including a liquidator, if any, replacing Beijing Dake) or its designated persons to act on their respective behalf as exclusive agent and attorney, to the extent permitted by law, with respect to all rights of shareholders concerning all equity interests held by each of them in Beijing Duoke, including without limitation (i) to exercise all the shareholder's rights (including but not limited to voting rights and right to sell, transfer, pledge or dispose of all equity interests in Beijing Duoke held in part or in whole), (ii) to attend shareholders' meetings and to execute any and all written resolutions and meeting minutes in the name and on behalf of such shareholders, and (iii) to file documents with the relevant companies registry. The agreement will remain effective until Beijing Dake unilaterally terminates the agreement in writing or all equity interests in Beijing Duoke held by its shareholders are transferred or assigned to Beijing Dake or its designated representatives.

        Beijing Dake, Beijing Duoke and the shareholders of Beijing Duoke have entered into an equity pledge agreement, pursuant to which the shareholders of Beijing Duoke have pledged all of their equity interests in Beijing Duoke that they own, including any interest or dividend paid for the shares, to Beijing Dake as a security interest to guarantee the performance by Beijing Duoke and its shareholders' performance of their respective obligations under the exclusive business cooperation agreement, exclusive purchase option agreement and power of attorney. Upon the discovery of the occurrence of any circumstances or event that may lead to an event of default (as defined in the equity pledge agreement), Beijing Dake, as the pledgee, will be entitled to certain rights, including the right to sell the pledged equity interests. Beijing Dake is not be liable for any loss incurred by its due exercise of such rights and powers. This pledge will become effective on the date the pledged equity interests are registered with the relevant office of industry and commerce and will remain effective until the pledgors are no longer the shareholders of Beijing Duoke.

F-62


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

1. Nature of Operations and Reorganization (Continued)

        Beijing Dake, Beijing Duoke and the shareholders of Beijing Duoke have entered into an exclusive purchase option agreement, pursuant to which each of the shareholders of Beijing Duoke irrevocably granted Beijing Dake or its designated representatives an exclusive option to purchase, to the extent permitted under PRC law, all or part of his, her or its equity interests in Beijing Duoke. Beijing Dake or its designated representatives have sole discretion as to when to exercise such options, either in part or in full, once or at multiple times at any time. Without Beijing Dake's prior written consent, the shareholders of Beijing Duoke shall not sell, transfer, mortgage or otherwise dispose of their equity interests in Beijing Duoke, or allow the encumbrance thereon. The agreement will remain effective until all equity interests in Beijing Duoke held by its shareholders are transferred or assigned to Beijing Dake or its designated representatives.

        Beijing Dake and Beijing Duoke have entered into an exclusive business cooperation agreement, pursuant to which Beijing Dake has the exclusive right to provide to Beijing Duoke technical support, consulting services and other services related to Beijing Duoke's business, including business management, daily operations, strategic planning, among others. Beijing Dake has granted Beijing Duoke the right to register its intellectual property rights under Beijing Duoke. Beijing Dake has the right to purchase such intellectual property rights from Beijing Duoke at nominal prices. The scope of the services provided by Beijing Dake may be expanded from time to time per Beijing Duoke's request. The timing and amount of the service fee payments shall be determined at the sole discretion of Beijing Dake. The term of this agreement is indefinite unless Beijing Dake unilaterally terminates the agreement in writing.

        A significant part of the Group's business is conducted through the VIE of the Group, of which the Company is the ultimate primary beneficiary. In the opinion of the management, the contractual arrangements with the VIE and the nominee shareholders are in compliance with PRC laws and regulations and are legally binding and enforceable. The nominee shareholders indicate they will not act contrary to the contractual arrangements. However, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of the PRC laws and regulations including those that govern the contractual arrangements, which could limit the Group's ability to enforce these contractual arrangements and if the nominee shareholders of the VIE were to reduce their interests in the Group, their interest may diverge from that of the Group and that may potentially increase the risk that they would seek to act contrary to the contractual arrangements.

        It is possible that the Group's operation of certain of its operations and businesses through the VIE could be found by PRC authorities to be in violation of PRC law and regulations prohibiting or restricting foreign ownership of companies that engage in such operations and businesses. While the Group's management considers the possibility of such a finding by PRC regulatory authorities under current law and regulations to be remote, on March 15, 2019, the National People's Congress adopted the Foreign Investment Law of the PRC, which will become effective on January 1, 2020 and replace three existing laws regulating foreign investment in China, namely, the Wholly Foreign-Invested

F-63


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

1. Nature of Operations and Reorganization (Continued)

Enterprise Law of the PRC, the Sino-Foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law of the PRC and the Sino-Foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law of the PRC, together with their implementation rules and ancillary regulations. The Foreign Investment Law of the PRC embodies an expected PRC regulatory trend to rationalize its foreign investment regulatory regime in line with prevailing international practice and the legislative efforts to unify the corporate legal requirements for both foreign and domestic investments. However, since it is relatively new, uncertainties still exist in relation to its interpretation and implementation. For example, the Foreign Investment Law of the PRC adds a catch-all clause to the definition of "foreign investment" so that foreign investment, by its definition, includes "investments made by foreign investors in China through other means defined by other laws or administrative regulations or provisions promulgated by the State Council" without further elaboration on the meaning of "other means." It leaves leeway for the future legislations promulgated by the State Council to provide for contractual arrangements as a form of foreign investment. It is therefore uncertain whether the Group's corporate structure will be seen as violating the foreign investment rules as the Group are currently leveraging the contractual arrangements to operate certain businesses in which foreign investors are prohibited from or restricted to investing. Furthermore, if future legislations prescribed by the State Council mandate further actions to be taken by companies with respect to existing contractual arrangement, the Group may face substantial uncertainties as to whether the Group can complete such actions in a timely manner, or at all. If the Group fail to take appropriate and timely measures to comply with any of these or similar regulatory compliance requirements, the Group's current corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations could be materially and adversely affected.

        If the Group's corporate structure or the contractual arrangements with the VIE were found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws and regulations, the PRC regulatory authorities could, within their respective jurisdictions:

F-64


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

1. Nature of Operations and Reorganization (Continued)

        The imposition of any of these restrictions or actions could result in a material adverse effect on the Group's ability to conduct its business. In such case, the Group may not be able to operate or control the VIE, which may result in deconsolidation of the VIE in the Group's unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of the management, the likelihood for the Group to lose such ability is remote based on current facts and circumstances. The Group believes that the contractual arrangements among each of the VIE, their respective shareholders and relevant wholly foreign owned enterprise are in compliance with PRC law and are legally enforceable. The Group's operations depend on the VIE to honor their contractual arrangements with the Group. These contractual arrangements are governed by PRC law and disputes arising out of these agreements are expected to be decided by arbitration in the PRC. The Company's management believes that each of the contractual arrangements constitutes valid and legally binding obligations of each party to such contractual arrangements under the PRC laws. However, the interpretation and implementation of the laws and regulations in the PRC and their application on the legality, binding effect and enforceability of contracts are subject to the discretion of competent PRC authorities, and therefore there is no assurance that relevant PRC authorities will take the same position as the Group herein in respect of the legality, binding effect and enforceability of each of the contractual arrangements. Meanwhile, since the PRC legal system continues to evolve, the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules are not always uniform and enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involve uncertainties, which may limit legal protections available to the Group to enforce the contractual arrangements should the VIE or the nominee shareholders of the VIE fail to perform their obligations under those arrangements.

        The following financial information of the Group's VIE and the VIE's subsidiaries as of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019 and for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019 is included

F-65


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

1. Nature of Operations and Reorganization (Continued)

in the accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of the Group as follows:

 
  December 31,
2018
  June 30,
2019
 
 
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
 

Current assets:

             

Cash and cash equivalents

    48,968     26,154  

Short-term investments

    145,451     77,977  

Accounts receivable, net

    182,269     270,894  

Receivables due from related parties

    11,018     8,981  

Prepayments and other current assets

    11,686     24,093  

Non-current assets:

             

Property and equipment, net

    15,472     16,262  

Intangible assets, net

    255     338  

Deferred tax assets

    306     3,422  

Total assets

    415,425     428,121  

Current liabilities:

             

Accounts payable

    20,270     51,091  

Salary and welfare payables

    36,160     30,304  

Taxes payable

    16,917     9,686  

Deferred revenue

    4,227     10,707  

Amount due to related parties

    1,979     1,352  

Accrued liabilities and other payables

    5,152     4,572  

Total liabilities

    84,705     107,712  

 

 
  For the six months
ended June 30,
 
 
  2018   2019  
 
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
 

Total revenues

    72,428     201,874  

Net loss

    (8,313 )   (45,498 )

 

 
  For the six months
ended June 30,
 
 
  2018   2019  
 
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
 

Net cash used in operating activities

    (22,552 )   (94,884 )

Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities

    (117,733 )   66,261  

Net cash provided by financing activities

    104,716     5,840  

        The Company's involvement with the VIE is through the contractual arrangements disclosed in Note 1. All recognized assets held by the VIE are disclosed in the table above. Unrecognized revenue-producing assets held by the VIE include the Internet Content Provision License, tradename of 36Kr,

F-66


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

1. Nature of Operations and Reorganization (Continued)

the domain names of 36kr.com, 36Kr mobile application, 36Kr official account on social networks, customer relationship relating to online advertising and enterprise value-added services, customer lists relating to subscription services and assembled workforce.

        In accordance with various contractual agreements, the Company has the power to direct the activities of the VIE and can have assets transferred out of the VIE. Therefore, the Company considers that there are no assets in the respective VIE that can be used only to settle obligations of the respective VIE, except for the registered capital of the VIE as well as certain non-distributable statutory reserves. As the respective VIE is incorporated as limited liability company under the PRC Company Law, creditors do not have recourse to the general credit of the Company for the liabilities of the respective VIE. There is currently no contractual arrangement that would require the Company to provide additional financial support to the VIE. As the Group is conducting certain businesses in the PRC through the VIE, the Group may provide additional financial support on a discretionary basis in the future, which could expose the Group to a loss.

        There is no VIE in the Group where the Company or any subsidiary has a variable interest but is not the primary beneficiary.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

(a) Basis of presentation

        The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("US GAAP") for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by US GAAP for complete financial statements. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the annual financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP have been condensed or omitted consistent with Article 10 of Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary by management to a fair statement of the results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the interim periods presented. Interim results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year or for any future periods. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements and notes thereto also included herein.

        Significant accounting policies followed by the Company in the preparation of the accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements are summarized below.

(b) Principles of consolidation

        The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company, its subsidiaries, the VIE and the VIE's subsidiaries for which the Company is the ultimate primary beneficiary.

        Subsidiaries are those entities in which the Company, directly or indirectly, controls more than one half of the voting power or has the power to appoint or remove the majority of the members of the board of directors, or to cast a majority of votes at the meeting of the board of directors, or to govern

F-67


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

the financial and operating policies of the investee under a statute or agreement among the shareholders or equity holders.

        A VIE is an entity in which the Company, or its subsidiary, through contractual arrangements, has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance, bears the risks of and enjoys the rewards normally associated with ownership of the entity, and therefore is the primary beneficiary of the entity.

        All significant intercompany transactions and balances between the Company, its subsidiaries, the VIE and subsidiaries of the VIE have been eliminated upon consolidation.

        A non-controlling interest is recognized to reflect the portion of a subsidiary's equity which is not attributable, directly or indirectly, to the Group. When the non-controlling interest is contingently redeemable upon the occurrence of a conditional event which is not solely within the control of the Group, the non-controlling interest is classified as mezzanine equity. The details of redeemable non-controlling interests are set forth in Note 9 to the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

        The Group records accretions on the redeemable non-controlling interests to the redemption value from the issuance dates to the earliest redemption dates. The accretions using the effective interest method, are recorded against retained earnings, or in the absence of retained earnings, by charges against additional paid-in capital. Once additional paid-in capital has been exhausted, additional charges are recorded by increasing the accumulated deficit. The issuance of the preferred shares as the redeemable non-controlling interests is recognized at the fair value at the date of issuance. For the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019, accretions on the redeemable non-controlling interests to the redemption value were RMB 0.34 million and RMB 0.33 million, respectively. The cumulative results of operations attributable to the non-controlling interests and the accretion on redeemable non-controlling interests to redemption value are also recorded as redeemable non-controlling interests of mezzanine equity in the Group's unaudited interim condensed consolidated balance sheets. Consolidated net loss on the unaudited interim condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss includes the net income/(loss) attributable to the non-controlling interests when applicable. For the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019, the net loss attributable to the non-controlling interests were nil and RMB 0.14 million, respectively. Cash flows related to transactions with non-controlling interests holders are presented under financing activities in the unaudited interim condensed consolidated statements of cash flows when applicable.

(c) Use of estimates

        The preparation of the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with the U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date, and the reported revenues and expenses during the reporting periods in the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant accounting estimates include, but are not limited to, determination of assessment for the impairment of long-lived assets, allowance for doubtful accounts, valuation allowance of deferred tax assets and valuation and recognition of share-based compensation expenses. Actual results could differ from those

F-68


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

estimates and such differences may be material to the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

(d) Functional currency and foreign currency translation

        The Group's reporting currency is Renminbi ("RMB"). The functional currency of the Company is United States dollar ("US$"). The functional currency of the Group's PRC entities, the VIE and the VIE's PRC subsidiaries is RMB. The functional currency of the VIE's subsidiary incorporated in Singapore is Singapore dollar. The determination of the respective functional currency is based on the criteria set out by ASC 830, Foreign Currency Matters.

        Transactions denominated in foreign currencies other than the functional currency are translated into the functional currency at the exchange rates prevailing on the transactions date. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into the functional currency at the exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet dates. Exchange gains and losses arising from foreign currency transactions are recorded in the unaudited interim condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.

        The financial statements of the Group's non PRC entities are translated from their respective functional currencies into RMB. Assets and liabilities are translated into RMB using the applicable exchange rates at the balance sheet date. Equity accounts other than earnings generated in the current period are translated into RMB using the appropriate historical rates. Revenues, expenses, gains and losses are translated into RMB using the average exchange rates for the relevant period. The resulting foreign currency translation adjustments are reported in other comprehensive loss in the unaudited interim condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss, and the accumulated foreign currency translation adjustments are presented as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in the unaudited interim condensed consolidated statements of changes in shareholders' deficit. Total foreign currency translation adjustments included in the Group's other comprehensive income/(loss) were an income of RMB 64,000 and a loss of RMB 3,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019, respectively.

(e) Convenience translation

        Translations of the unaudited interim condensed consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of comprehensive loss and consolidated statements of cash flows from RMB into US$ as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2019 are solely for the convenience of the reader and were calculated at the rate of US$1.00 = RMB 6.8650, representing the noon buying rate in the H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board on June 28, 2019. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into US$ at that rate on June 30, 2019, or at any other rate.

(f) Fair value measurements

        Accounting guidance defines fair value as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be recorded at fair value, the Group considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and it considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.

F-69


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

        Accounting guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. A financial instrument's categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Accounting guidance establishes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

        Accounting guidance describes three main approaches to measure the fair value of assets and liabilities: (1) market approach; (2) income approach and (3) cost approach. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated from market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present value amount. The measurement is based on the value indicated by current market expectations about those future amounts. The cost approach is based on the amount that would currently be required to replace an asset.

        Transfers into or out of fair value hierarchy classifications are made if the significant inputs used in the financial models measuring the fair value of the assets and liabilities become unobservable or observable in the current marketplace. These transfers are considered to be effective as of the beginning of the period in which they occur. The Group did not transfer any assets or liabilities in or out of Level 2 during the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019.

        The Group's financial instruments consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, receivables due from related parties, other receivables, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other payables and amounts due to related parties.

        As of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019, the fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, receivables due from related parties, other receivables, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other payables and amounts due to related parties approximated their carrying values reported in the unaudited interim condensed consolidated balance sheets due to the short term maturities of these instruments.

        On a recurring basis, the Group measures its short-term investments at fair value. For the details of the short-term investments, please refer to Note 2 (g).

F-70


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

        The following table sets forth the Group's assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy:

As of December 31, 2018

Assets
  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Balance at
fair value
 
 
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
 

Short-term investments—Wealth management products

        145,451         145,451  

As of June 30, 2019

Assets
  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Balance at
fair value
 
 
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
 

Short-term investments—Wealth management products

        77,977         77,977  

        Wealth management products with Level 2 inputs are valued using quoted subscription or redemption prices published by the banks or using discounted cash flow method at a quoted rate of return provided by banks at the end of each year.

(g) Short-term investments

        Short-term investments include investments in wealth management products issued by China Merchants Bank, which are redeemable by the Company at a periodic term or any working day within one year. The wealth management products are unsecured with variable interest rates and primarily invested in financial instruments with high credit rating and good liquidity in the interbank and exchange markets, including but not limited to debt securities issued by the PRC government, central bank bills, interbank and exchange-traded bond, and assets backed securities. The Company measures the short-term investments at fair value using the quoted subscription or redemption prices published by these banks or by discounting the future cash flows at the expected yield rate with reference to the expected benchmark yield rates of the wealth management products of banks.

(h) Accounts receivable, net

        Accounts receivable are stated at the historical carrying amount net of write-offs and the allowance for doubtful accounts. The Group reviews the accounts receivable on a periodic basis and provides allowances when there is doubt as to the collectability of individual balance. In evaluating the collectability of individual accounts receivable balances, the Group considers several factors, including the age of the balance, the customer's payment history, and current credit-worthiness, and current economic trends. Account receivable balances are written off after all collection efforts have been exhausted.

F-71


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

(i) Property and equipment, net

        Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment, if any. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:

 
  Estimated useful life
Electronic equipment and computers   3 to 5 years
Office furniture and equipment   3 years
Leasehold improvement   Lesser of the term of the lease or the estimated useful lives of the leasehold improvement

        Repair and maintenance costs are charged to expenses as incurred, whereas the cost of renewals and betterment that extend the useful lives of property and equipment is capitalized as addition to the related assets. Retirements, sales and disposals of assets are recorded by removing the cost and accumulated depreciation from the assets and accumulated depreciation accounts with any resulting gain or loss reflected in the unaudited interim condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive loss.

(j) Impairment of long-lived assets

        The Group evaluates its long-lived assets with finite lives for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances (such as a significant adverse change to market conditions that will impact the future use of the assets) indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable. When these events occur, the Group evaluates the impairment by comparing carrying amount of the assets to an estimate of future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected future undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the assets, the Group recognizes an impairment loss based on the excess of the carrying amount of the long-lived assets over their fair value. No impairment of long-lived assets was recognized for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019.

(k) Revenue recognition

        The Group early adopted ASC Topic 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" (ASC 606) for all years presented. According to ASC 606, revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to the customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Group expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The Group determine revenue recognition through the following steps:

F-72


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

        The following is a description of the accounting policy for the principal revenue streams of the Group.

I. Online advertising services

        Online advertising revenue is derived principally from advertising contracts with customers, which allow advertisers to place advertisements on agreed areas of the Company's PC website, mobile application and official accounts in other social networks, mainly in Weibo, Weixin/WeChat, and Toutiao (collectively referred to as "36Kr Platforms") in different formats and over a particular period of time. The Group displays advertisement provided by customers in a variety of forms such as full screen display, banners, and pop-ups. The Group also helps produce advertisements based on the customers' requests, and post the advertisements on the 36Kr Platforms to help promote customers' products and enhance their brand awareness. The Group has developed capabilities in generating and distributing its own and third-party high-quality content on 36Kr Platforms, there is no third party content for fulfilling a promise to the customers for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019.

        The Group generates its online advertising service revenue primarily (i) at a fixed fee per each day's advertisement display, which is known as the Cost Per Day ("CPD") model, and (ii) at a fixed fee per each advertisement posted on the 36Kr Platforms, which the Group refers as the cost-per-advertisement basis. The Group recognizes revenue for the amount of fees it receives from its advertisers, after deducting discounts and net of value-added tax ("VAT") under ASC 606.

        The Group's online advertising contracts with customers may include multiple performance obligations. For such arrangements, the Group allocates revenues to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. The Group generally determines standalone selling prices of each distinct performance obligation based on the prices charged to customers when sold on a standalone basis.

        Under the CPD model, a contract is signed to establish a fixed price for the advertising services to be provided over a period of time. Given the advertisers benefit from the advertising evenly, the Group recognizes revenue on a straight-line basis over the period of display, provided all revenue recognition criteria have been met. Under the cost-per-advertisement model, as all the economic benefit enjoyed by the customer can be substantially realized at the time the advertisements are posted initially, the Group recognizes revenue at a point in time when it posts the advertisements initially.

II. Enterprise value-added services

        The principal enterprise value-added services that the Group provides to customers are set out as follows:

F-73


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

III. Subscription services

F-74


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

F-75


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

        In the following table, the total revenue is disaggregated by the major service lines mentioned above.

 
  For the six months
ended June 30,
 
 
  2018   2019  
 
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
 

Online advertising services

    50,960     79,477  

Enterprise value-added services

             

Integrated marketing

    10,214     91,259  

Offline events

    5,230     7,595  

Consulting

    1,164     2,218  

Revenue for Enterprise value-added services

    16,608     101,072  

Subscription services

             

Institutional investor subscription services

    3,495     8,160  

Enterprise subscription services

        1,177  

Individual subscription services

    1,365     11,988  

Revenue for Subscription services

    4,860     21,325  

Total revenue

    72,428     201,874  

Contract balances

        Timing of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of invoicing to customers. The Group records contract asset when the Group has a right to consideration in exchange for goods or services that it has transferred to a customer and when that right is conditioned on something other than the passage of time (for example, the entity's future performance). Accounts receivable represent amounts invoiced and revenue recognized prior to invoicing, when the Group has satisfied its performance obligations and has the unconditional right to payment. As of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019, there were no contract assets recorded in the Group's consolidated balance sheets.

        If a customer pays consideration, or the Group has a right to an amount of consideration that is unconditional (that is, a receivable), before the Group transfers a good or service to the customer, the Group shall present the contract as a contract liability when the payment is made or the payment is due (whichever is earlier). A contract liability is the Group's obligation to transfer goods or services to a customer for which it has received consideration (or an amount of consideration is due) from the customer. Receipts in advance and deferred revenue relate to unsatisfied performance obligations at the end of the period and primarily consist of fees received from advertisers. Due to the generally short-term duration of the contracts, the majority of the performance obligations are satisfied in the following reporting period. Contract liability is presented as deferred revenue in the unaudited interim condensed consolidated balance sheets. Revenue recognized for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019 that was included in the contract liabilities balance at the beginning of the period was RMB 3,155,000 and RMB 3,408,000, respectively.

F-76


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

Practical Expedients and Exemptions

        The Group generally expenses sales commissions when incurred because the amortization periods are generally one year or less. These costs are recorded within sales and marketing expenses.

(l) Cost of revenues

        The Group's cost of revenues consists primarily of (i) personnel-related expenses in relation to the content production; (ii) advertising content producing costs, such as video production costs; (iii) site fee and execution fee of enterprise value-added services and offline training; (iv) equipment location rental fee and operating expense; (v) business tax and surcharges; (vi) bandwidth and server cost, depreciation and other miscellaneous costs.

(m)
Sales and marketing expenses

        Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of personnel-related expenses including sales commissions related to the sales and marketing personnel; marketing and promotional expenses including promotion activity outsourcing costs; rental expenses and depreciation expenses.

        Advertising costs are expensed as incurred, and are included in sales and marketing expenses. For the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019, total advertising expenses were RMB 0.79 million and RMB 0.70 million, respectively.

(n)
General and administrative expenses

        General and administrative expenses consist primarily of payroll and related expenses for employees involved in general corporate functions, including finance, legal and human resources; costs associated with use by these functions of facilities and equipment, such as depreciation, rental and other general corporate related expenses.

(o)
Research and development expenses

        Research and development expenses consist primarily of (i) personnel-related expenses associated with the development of, enhancement to, and maintenance of the Group's PC websites, mobile applications and mobile websites; (ii) expenses associated with new technology and product development and enhancement; and (iii) rental expense and depreciation of servers.

        For internal use software, the Group expenses all costs incurred for the preliminary project stage and post implementation-operation stage of development, and costs associated with repair or maintenance of the existing platform. Costs incurred in the application development stage are capitalized and amortized over the estimated useful life. Since the amount of the Company's research and development expenses qualifying for capitalization has been immaterial, as a result, all development costs incurred for development of internal used software have been expensed as incurred.

        For external use software, costs incurred for development of external use software have not been capitalized since the inception of the Company, because the period after the date technical feasibility is reached and the time when the software is marketed is short historically, and the amount of costs qualifying for capitalization has been immaterial.

F-77


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

(p)
Share-based compensation

        All share-based awards granted to employees are restricted share units, which are measured at fair value on grant date. Share-based compensation expense is recognized using the straight-line method, over the requisite service period, which is the vesting period. The Group early adopted ASU 2016-09 from the earliest period presented to recognize the effect of forfeiture in compensation cost when they occur. The fair value of the restricted share units were assessed using the income approaches / market approaches, with a discount for lack of marketability given that the shares underlying the awards were not publicly traded at the time of grant. This assessment required complex and subjective judgments regarding the Company's projected financial and operating results, its unique business risks, the liquidity of its ordinary shares and its operating history and prospects at the time the grants were made.

        Cancellation of an award accompanied by the grant of a replacement award is accounted for as a modification of the terms of the cancelled award ("modification awards"). The compensation costs associated with the modification awards are recognized if either the original vesting condition or the new vesting condition has been achieved. If the awards are expected to vest under the original vesting condition, the compensation cost would be recognized regardless of whether the employee satisfies the modified condition. Such compensation costs cannot be less than the grant-date fair value of the original award. The incremental compensation cost is measured as the excess of the fair value of the replacement award over the fair value of the cancelled award at the cancellation date. Therefore, in relation to the modification awards, the Group recognizes share-based compensation over the vesting periods of the new awards, which comprises (i) the amortization of the incremental portion of share-based compensation over the remaining vesting term and (ii) any unrecognized compensation cost of original award, using either the original term or the new term, whichever is higher for each reporting period.

(q)
Employee benefits

        The Group's consolidated subsidiaries, the VIE and the VIE's subsidiaries in the PRC (the "PRC Entities") participate in a government-mandated multi-employer defined contribution plan pursuant to which certain retirement, medical and other welfare benefits are provided to employees. The relevant labor regulations require the PRC Entities to pay the local labor and social welfare authorities' monthly contributions at a stated contribution rate based on the monthly basic compensation of qualified employees. The relevant local labor and social welfare authorities are responsible for meeting all retirement benefits obligations and the PRC Entities have no further commitments beyond their monthly contributions. The contributions to the plan are expensed as incurred. Employee social security and welfare benefits included as cost and expenses in the unaudited interim condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss were appropriately RMB 7.6 million and RMB 15.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019, respectively.

(r)
Taxation

        Current income taxes are provided on the basis of net income for financial reporting purposes, adjusted for income and expense items which are not assessable or deductible for income tax purposes, in accordance with the regulations of the relevant tax jurisdictions.

F-78


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

        The Group follows the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the temporary differences between the financial statements carrying amounts and tax basis of existing assets and liabilities by applying enacted statutory tax rates that will be in effect in the period in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. The Group records a valuation allowance to reduce the amount of deferred tax assets if based on the weight of available evidence, it is more-likely-than-not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in the unaudited interim condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive loss in the period of change.

        In order to assess uncertain tax positions, the Group applies a more likely than not threshold and a two-step approach for the tax position measurement and financial statement recognition. Under the two-step approach, the first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement. The Group recognizes interest and penalties, if any, under accrued expenses and other current liabilities on its unaudited interim condensed consolidated balance sheets and under other expenses in its unaudited interim condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive loss. The Group did not have any unrecognized uncertain tax positions as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019.

(s)
Segment reporting

        The Group's chief operating decision maker ("CODM") has been identified as its Chief Executive Officer, who reviews the consolidated results when making decision about allocating resources and assessing performance of the Group as a whole. Hence, the Group has only one reportable segment. The Group does not distinguish between markets or segments for the purpose of internal reporting. The Group's long-lived assets are substantially all located in the PRC and substantially all of the Group's revenues are derived from the PRC. Therefore, no geographical segments are presented.

        The Group's organizational structure is based on a number of factors that the CODM uses to evaluate, view and run the Group's business operations, which include, but are not limited to, customer base, homogeneity of services and technology. The Group's reporting segment is based on its organizational structure and information reviewed by the Group's CODM to evaluate the reporting segment result.

(t)
Net Loss per share

        Net loss per share is computed in accordance with ASC 260, "Earnings per Share". The two-class method is used for computing earnings per share in the event the Group has net income available for distribution. Under the two-class method, net income is allocated between ordinary shares and other participating securities based on their participating rights. The Company's convertible redeemable preferred shares may be considered as participating securities because they are entitled to receive dividends or distributions on an as if converted basis if the Group has net income available for

F-79


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

distribution under certain circumstances. Net losses are not allocated to other participating securities as they are not obligated to share the losses based on their contractual terms.

        Diluted loss per share is calculated by dividing net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders as adjusted for the effect of dilutive ordinary equivalent shares, if any, by the weighted average number of ordinary and dilutive ordinary equivalents shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive equivalent shares are excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share if their effects would be anti-dilutive. Ordinary share equivalents consist of the ordinary shares issuable in connection with the Group's convertible redeemable preferred shares using the if-converted method, and ordinary shares issuable upon the vesting of the restricted share units, using the treasury stock method.

3. Recently issued accounting pronouncements

        The Group qualifies as an "emerging growth company", or EGC, pursuant to the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended, or the JOBS Act. As an EGC, the Group does not need to comply with any new or revised financial accounting standards until such date that a private company is otherwise required to comply with such new or revised accounting standards.

        Financial Instruments-overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.    In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, "Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities", which amends certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. This amendment requires all equity investments to be measured at fair value, with changes in the fair value recognized through net income (other than those accounted for under equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee). This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years for public companies. The standard is effective for the Group beginning after December 15, 2018. Based on the evaluation, the Group considers the adoption has no material impact on the Group's unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

        Financial Instruments-overall: Credit Losses. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326)", which introduces new guidance for the accounting for credit losses on instruments within its scope. The new FASB model, referred to as the current expected credit losses ("CECL") model, will apply to: (1) financial asset subject to credit losses and measured at amortized cost and (2) certain off-balance sheet credit exposures. This includes loans, held-to-maturity debt securities, loan commitments, financial guarantees, and net investment in leases, as well as reinsurance and trade receivables. This replaces the existing incurred loss model. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption will be permitted for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018 for public companies. The standard is effective for the Group beginning after December 15, 2021. The Group is currently evaluating the impact that the standard will have on its unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

        Leases.    In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)", specifies the accounting for leases. For operating leases, ASU 2016-02 requires a lessee to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments, in its balance

F-80


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

3. Recently issued accounting pronouncements (Continued)

sheet. The standard also requires a lessee to recognize a single lease cost, calculated so that the cost of the lease is allocated over the lease term, on a generally straight-line basis. In addition, this standard requires both lessees and lessors to disclose certain key information about lease transactions. ASU 2016-02 is effective for public companies for annual reporting periods, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The standard is effective for the Group beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Group is currently evaluating the impact ASU 2016-02 will have on the Group's unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements, and expects that some existing operating lease commitments will be recognized as operating lease obligations and right-of-use assets as a result of adoption.

        Statement of Cash Flows.    In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, "Statement of Cash Flows—Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments", which clarifies the presentation and classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments in the statement of cash flows. This guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years for public companies. Early adoption is permitted. The standard is effective for the Group beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Based on the evaluation, the Group considers the adoption will not have material impact on the Group's unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

        Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820).    In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement, which eliminates, adds and modifies certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. Under the guidance, public companies will be required to disclose the range and weighted average used to develop significant unobservable inputs for Level 3 fair value measurements. The guidance is effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and for interim periods within those fiscal years, but entities are permitted to early adopt either the entire standard or only the provisions that eliminate or modify the requirements. The Group is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

4. Concentrations and risks

(a)
Concentration of customers and suppliers

        Customers accounting for more than 10% of the Group's total revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019 and more than 10% of the Group's net accounts receivable as of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019 were as follows:

 
  For the six
months ended
June 30,
 
Revenues
  2018   2019  

Customer A

    24 %   11 %

Customer D

        42 %

F-81


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

4. Concentrations and risks (Continued)


 
  As of  
Accounts receivable
  December 31,
2018
  June 30,
2019
 

Customer A

    30 %   21 %

Customer D

        30 %

        Suppliers accounting for more than 10% of the Group's total costs and expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019 and more than 10% of the Group's accounts payable as of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019, were as follows:

 
  For the six
months
ended
June 30,
 
Costs and expenses
  2018   2019  

Supplier IV

        28 %

 

 
  As of  
Accounts payable
  December 31,
2018
  June 30,
2019
 

Supplier I

    16 %    

Supplier IV

        66 %
b)
Credit risk

        The Group's credit risk primarily arises from cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, receivables due from its customers, related parties and other parties. The maximum exposure of such assets to credit risk is the assets' carrying amounts as of the balance sheet dates. The Group expects that there is no significant credit risk associated with cash and cash equivalents and short term investments which were held by reputable financial institutions in the jurisdictions where the Company, its subsidiaries, VIE and the subsidiaries of the VIE are located. The Group believes that it is not exposed to unusual risks as these financial institutions have high credit quality.

        The Group believes that there is no significant credit risk associated with amounts due from related parties. Receivables due from customers are typically unsecured in the PRC and the credit risk with respect to which is mitigated by credit evaluations the Group performs on its customers and its ongoing monitoring process of outstanding balances.

c)
Foreign currency risk

        The Group's operating transactions are mainly denominated in RMB, which is not freely convertible into foreign currencies. The value of the RMB is subject to changes by the central government policies and to international economic and political development. In the PRC, certain foreign exchange transactions are required by law to be transacted only by authorized financial institutions at exchange rates set by the People's Bank of China (the "PBOC"). Remittances in currencies other than RMB by the Group in China must be processed through PBOC or other China

F-82


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

4. Concentrations and risks (Continued)

foreign exchange regulatory bodies which require certain supporting documentation in order to effect the remittance.

d)
PRC regulations

        The Group is required to obtain certain licenses to operate the Internet information services including Internet news information license, Internet audio-visual program transmission license, Internet publishing license and completing the update procedures of the value-added telecommunication license. Online culture operating permit and production and operation of radio and television programs license may also be required by the relevant authorities due to the uncertainties of the interpretation of the related laws and regulations. Without these licenses, the PRC government may order the Group to cease its services, which may cause disruption to the Group's business operations. As of the date of the report, the Group is planning to apply for licenses and permits for the certain operations of the businesses.

5. Accounts receivable, net

        Accounts receivable, net consists of the following:

 
  December 31,
2018
  June 30,
2019
 
 
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
 

Accounts receivable

    184,339     272,004  

Less: allowance for doubtful accounts

    (2,070 )   (1,110 )

Accounts receivable, net

    182,269     270,894  

        Accounts receivable are non-interest bearing and are generally on terms between 90 to 180 days. In some cases, these terms are extended for certain qualifying long-term customers who have met specific credit requirements.

        The movements in the allowance for doubtful accounts are as follows:

 
  For the six months
ended
June 30,
 
 
  2018   2019  
 
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
 

Balance at beginning of the period

        (2,070 )

Additions

    (137 )   (950 )

Reversals

        1,749  

Write-offs

        161  

Balance at end of the period

    (137 )   (1,110 )

F-83


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

6. Prepayments and Other Current Assets

        Prepayments and other current assets consist of the following:

 
  December 31,
2018
  June 30,
2019
 
 
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
 

Deposits

    3,151     6,274  

Prepayments of equipment location rental fee

    3,451     2,158  

Prepayments of office rent and utility fee

    2,381     2,573  

Prepayments of IT services

    1,337     1,678  

Prepayments of professional fees

        965  

Prepayments of offline events site fee

        940  

Prepaid income taxes

        6,911  

Prepayments of online advertising cost

        785  

Others

    1,366     1,809  

Total

    11,686     24,093  

7. Property and equipment, net

        Property and equipment, net consists of the following:

 
  December 31,
2018
  June 30,
2019
 
 
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
 

Electronic equipment and computers

    13,267     15,159  

Office furniture and equipment

    1,575     1,699  

Leasehold improvement

    3,066     3,741  

Total

    17,908     20,599  

Less: accumulated depreciation

    (2,436 )   (4,337 )

Property and equipment, net

    15,472     16,262  

        Depreciation expenses were RMB 0.48 million and RMB 1.90 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019, respectively.

F-84


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

8. Accrued liabilities and other payables

        The following is a summary of accrued liabilities and other payables as of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019:

 
  December 31,
2018
  June 30,
2019
 
 
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
 

Guarantee deposits

    45     155  

Accrued office rental expense

    2,483     2,343  

Accrued employee welfare expense, meal and travel expense

    899     656  

Accrued professional fees

    780     224  

Others

    945     1,194  

Total

    5,152     4,572  

9. Redeemable non-controlling interests

        In January 2018, Beijing Duoke established KrAsia, which is a limited liability company in Singapore with a paid-up share capital of US$3,000 divided into 30,000 ordinary shares. KrAsia's principal business is operating an online platform for telecommunications, media and technology entrepreneurship, which is contemplated to be in the similar business of Beijing Duoke in Southeast Asia. Pursuant to the shareholders agreement ("SHA") that were entered into by several institutional investors ("Investors"), Beijing Duoke, and KrAsia in March 2018, KrAsia allotted and issued redeemable convertible preference shares ("RCPS") to the Investors ("RCPS Shareholders") at considerations amounted to approximately US$ 1.06 million in aggregate. Upon the issuance, Beijing Duoke has approximately 56.25% equity interest in KrAsia.

        According to the SHA, on the occurrence of certain events that are not within the control of KrAsia, a majority of RCPS Shareholders shall have the right to require KrAsia to redeem all the RCPS held by the RCPS Shareholders at 1.5 times of the subscription price per RCPS. Beijing Duoke provides guarantee to such redemption obligation of KrAsia to the RCPS Shareholders. Hence the Group considers KrAsia is a VIE mainly due to the fact that the ordinary shares held by Beijing Duoke is equity at risk which is insufficient to finance KrAsia's expected activities without additional subordinated financial support. In addition, as the Group has the obligation to absorb all the losses and the right to receive benefits from KrAsia that could potentially be significant to KrAsia and the Group has power to direct the most significant activities of KrAsia, the Group is considered the primary beneficiary of KrAsia and consolidates KrAsia in accordance with ASC 810, Consolidation.

        As KrAsia has preference shares that could be redeemed by non-controlling shareholders, the RCPS Shareholders, upon the occurrence of certain events that are not solely within the control of KrAsia, the RCPS are accounted for as redeemable non-controlling interests in mezzanine equity.

F-85


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

9. Redeemable non-controlling interests (Continued)

        The changes in the amount of redeemable non-controlling interests for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 
  For the six months
ended
June 30,
 
 
  2018   2019  
 
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
 

Balance at beginning of the period

        7,731  

Addition

    6,032      

Accretions on the redeemable non-controlling interests to the redemption value

    338     331  

Balance at end of the period

    6,370     8,062  

        Subsequent to June 30, 2019, 36Kr Global Holding, a subsidiary of the Company, acquired 18.75% outstanding shares of KrAsia from one of its RCPS shareholders at the consideration of approximately US$ 0.68 million. After this acquisition, the Group holds 75% outstanding shares of KrAsia in aggregate.

10. Ordinary Shares

        In December 2018, the Company was incorporated as a limited liability company with authorized share capital of US$50,000 divided into 500,000,000 shares with par value US$0.0001 each. As of December 31, 2018, one ordinary share was issued and outstanding.

        In August 2019, the shareholders of the Company agreed to increase the authorized shares to 5,000,000,000 shares. As described in Note 1 (b), the Company issued ordinary shares and Preferred Shares in August 2019 to the ordinary shareholders and preferred shareholders of Beijing Duoke and Xieli as consideration to swap for the respective similar equity interests that they held in Beijing Duoke. Upon the completion of the Reorganization in August 2019, the authorized ordinary shares are 4,326,574,000, of which issued and outstanding ordinary shares were 189,388,000 and issuable shares in connection to the vested restricted share units were 63,567,850, and the authorized, issued and outstanding Series A-1, A-2, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4 and C-1 preferred shares were 65,307,000, 101,261,000, 250,302,000, 14,593,000, 56,105,000, 20,982,000 and 164,876,000, respectively.

        As at June 30, 2019, on an as if basis, issued and outstanding ordinary shares were 204,941,793 and the vested restricted share units were 76,494,951.

F-86


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

11. Convertible Redeemable Preferred Shares

        a.     The following table summarizes the issuances of convertible redeemable preferred shares as of December 31, 2018.

Name
  Issuance date   Issuance price
per share
  Number of shares  
 
   
  RMB
   
 

Series A-1 preferred shares

  November 2011     0.01     62,273,127  

Series A-2 preferred shares

 

June 2012

   
0.06
   
81,008,717
 

Series B-1 preferred shares

 

September 2015

   
1.24
   
200,241,529
 

Series B-2 preferred shares

 

May 2016

   
3.21
   
11,674,379
 

Series B-3 preferred shares

 

September 2015

   
1.24
   
12,141,515
 

Series B-3 preferred shares

 

November 2016

   
3.12
   
7,220,212
 

Series B-4 preferred shares

 

March 2016

   
3.21
   
7,004,073
 

Series B-4 preferred shares

 

December 2016

   
3.21
   
2,334,688
 

Series C-1 preferred shares

 

October 2017 to January 2018

   
1.53
   
164,876,000
 

        b.     In March 2019, 10,027,455 Series A-1 preferred shares held by one of the holders of Series A-1 preferred shares were re-designated to Series B-3 preferred shares, which were then transferred to a new investor for a total amount of RMB 27,140,000. The Group did not receive any proceeds from this transaction.

        The Group considered that such re-designation, in substance, was the same as a repurchase and cancellation of the Series A-1 preferred shares and simultaneously an issuance of the Series B-3 preferred shares. Therefore the Group recorded 1) difference between the fair value of the Series A-1 preferred shares and the carrying amount of the Series A-1 preferred shares against retained earnings, or in the absence of retained earnings, by charging against additional paid-in capital or by increasing the accumulated deficit once additional paid-in capital has been exhausted; and 2) difference between the fair value of the Series A-1 preferred shares and the fair value of the Series B-3 preferred shares as deemed distribution to preferred shareholders.

        c.     In April 2019, 17,215,818 and 11,643,239 ordinary shares held by the Founder who is also an employee of the Company, were re-designated to Series B-3 and Series B-4 preferred shares, respectively, which were then transferred to certain new investors for a total amount of RMB 30,896,752 and RMB 36,756,000, respectively. The Group did not receive any proceeds from this transaction.

        The Group considered that such re-designation, in substance, was the same as a repurchase and cancellation of the ordinary shares and simultaneously an issuance of the preferred shares. Therefore the Company recorded 1) difference between the fair value and the par value of the ordinary shares, amounted to RMB 29,956,000 and RMB 20,261,000 for the re-designation of ordinary shares into Series B-3 and Series B-4 preferred shares, respectively, against additional paid-in capital or by increasing accumulated deficit once additional paid-in capital has been exhausted; and 2) difference between the fair value of the preferred shares and the fair value of the ordinary shares, amounted to

F-87


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

11. Convertible Redeemable Preferred Shares (Continued)

RMB 11,230,000 and RMB 15,554,000 for the re-designation of ordinary shares into Series B-3 and Series B-4 preferred shares, respectively, as share based compensation expenses in the Company's unaudited interim condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.

        d.     To compensate the preferred shareholders for the dilution of their interests due to the adoption of the 2016 Incentive Plan set forth in Note 13, (i) in August 2019, immediately before the Reorganization, 15,553,793 ordinary shares and 12,927,101 vested restricted share units were re-designated to Series A-1, A-2, B-1, B-2 and B-3 preferred shares, which were then transferred to the existing holders of Series A-1, A-2, B-1, B-2 and B-3 preferred shares without consideration. (ii) 67,311,809 Series A-1, A-2, B-1, B-2 and B-3 preferred shares in total were issued to the existing holders of Series A-1, A-2, B-1, B-2 and B-3 preferred shares without consideration.

        The Company considered that re-designation and free transfer of shares from ordinary shareholders to preferred shareholders mentioned in (i) above were, in substance, the same as a contribution from ordinary shareholders followed by a cancellation of those ordinary shares and simultaneously an issuance of the preferred shares for no consideration. Therefore the Company recorded the par value of those ordinary shares cancelled into additional paid-in capital, and recorded the fair value of the preferred shares as deemed distribution to preferred shareholders, against retained earnings, or in the absence of retained earnings, by charging against additional paid-in capital or by increasing the accumulated deficit once additional paid-in capital has been exhausted.

        The issuance of the preferred shares as mentioned in (ii) above was recognized at the fair value at the date of issuance as mezzanine against retained earnings, or in the absence of retained earnings, by charging against additional paid-in capital or by increasing the accumulated deficit once additional paid-in capital has been exhausted.

        e.     After taken into account the transactions mentioned above, and pursuant to the Reorganization set forth in Note 1 (b), in August 2019, the Company issued 65,307,000, 101,261,000, 250,302,000, 14,593,000, 56,105,000, 20,982,000 and 164,876,000 shares of Series A-1, A-2, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4 and C-1 preferred shares, respectively, to the same group of preferred shareholders of Beijing Duoke and Xieli as consideration in exchange for the respective similar equity interests that they held in Beijing Duoke. As set forth in Note 1 (c), the effect of the ordinary shares and the preferred shares issued by the Company pursuant to the Reorganization have been presented retrospectively as of the beginning of the earliest period presented on the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statement or the original issue date, whichever is later.

        The major rights, preferences and privileges of the Preferred Shares are as follows:

        The Preferred Shares (exclusive of unpaid shares) would automatically be converted into ordinary shares 1) upon the qualified Initial Public Offering ("QIPO"); or 2) upon the written consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Preferred Shares of each class with respect to conversion of each class. The initial conversion ratio of Preferred Shares to ordinary shares shall be 1:1, subject to adjustments in the event of (i) share splits, share dividends, consolidations, recapitalization and similar events, or (ii) issuance of ordinary shares (excluding certain events such as issuance of ordinary shares pursuant to a public offering) at a price per share less than the conversion price in effect on the date of or immediately prior to such issuance or other dilutive events.

F-88


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

11. Convertible Redeemable Preferred Shares (Continued)

        According to the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company, at all general meetings of the Company, each Preferred Share shall be entitled to such number of votes as equals the whole number of ordinary shares into which such Preferred Share is convertible immediately after the close of business on the record date of the determination of the Company's members entitled to vote or, if no such record date is established, at the date such vote is taken or any written consent of the Company's members is first solicited. Holders of Preferred Shares shall vote together with the ordinary shareholders, and not as a separate class or series, on all matters submitted to a vote by the members.

        Subject to the Memorandum and Articles, with the prior written approval of the holders of the Preferred Shares representing at least two-thirds of the voting power of the outstanding Preferred shares, voting together as a single class on an as converted basis, the holders of Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive, when and if declared by the board, non-cumulative dividends.

        The order of distribution shall be made from senior shares to junior shares. That is from the holders of Series C-1 preferred shares, holders of Series B-1 preferred shares, holders of Series B-2, B-3 and B-4 preferred shares, to holders of Series A-1 and A-2 preferred shares. No distribution to junior Preferred Shares until full payment of the amount distributable on the senior Preferred Shares. No dividend shall be paid on the ordinary shares at any time unless and until all dividends on the Preferred Shares have been paid in full.

        In the event that any dividend is declared by the board, with respect to each Series A-1, A-2, B-1, B-2, B-3 and B-4 preferred shareholders, a non-cumulative dividend equal to the higher of (i) each series' issue price × (1+8%)N, multiplied by the number of preferred shares held by the holders of such series preferred shares (where N is a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar days between the issue date or the last date when a dividend was paid in full to the holders of such series of preferred shares (whichever is later) and the date on which the contemplated dividend is declared and the denominator of which is 365), and (ii) the dividend per share declared, multiplied by the number of preferred shares held by such series preferred shareholders.

        In the event that any dividend is declared by the board, with respect to each holder of Series C-1 preferred shares, a non-cumulative dividend equal to (i) the dividend per share declared, multiplied by (ii) the number of the preferred shares held by the holders of such series preferred shares;

        No dividends on preferred and ordinary shares have been declared since the issue date through June 30, 2018 and 2019.

        Subject to any applicable law, in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, or upon the occurrence of any deemed liquidation event,

F-89


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

11. Convertible Redeemable Preferred Shares (Continued)

all assets and funds of the Company legally available for distribution to all the shareholders shall be distributed as follows:

        The holders of preferred shares (exclusive of unpaid shares) shall be entitled to receive an amount per share equal to 100% of the issue price, plus all declared but unpaid dividends on such preferred shares, except for the holders of Series C-1 preferred shares who shall be entitled to receive an amount per share equal to the higher of (i) such portion of the assets and funds of the Company as each share (on an as-converted basis) is entitled to on a pro-rata basis ; and (ii) the Series C-1 issue price × (1 + 12%)N, plus all declared but unpaid dividends on such Series C-1 preferred share (where N is a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar days between the Series C-1 issue date and the date on which such distribution is made and the denominator of which is 365). If the assets and funds of the Company shall be insufficient to make payment of the foregoing amounts in full on holders of Series C-1 preferred shares, then such assets and funds shall be distributed among the holders of this category preferred shares ratably in proportion to the full amounts to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled thereon.

        The order of distribution or payment shall be made from senior shares to junior shares. That is from the holders of Series C-1 Preferred Shares, holders of Series B-1 Preferred Shares, holders of Series B-2, B-3 and B-4 Preferred Shares, holders of Series A-2 Preferred Shares to holders of Series A-1 Preferred Shares. After distribution or payment in full of the amount distributable or payable on the Preferred Shares, the remaining assets and funds of the Company available for distribution to the shareholders shall be distributed ratably among all the shareholders according to the relative number of shares held by such shareholders on an as-converted basis.

        The deemed liquidation events include any of the following events: (i) any consolidation, amalgamation, scheme of arrangement or merger of the Company or other reorganization in which the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, scheme of arrangement or reorganization own less than fifty percent (50%) of the surviving entity's voting power in the aggregate immediately after such consolidation, merger, amalgamation, scheme of arrangement or reorganization; (ii) a sale, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Group; (iii) any exclusive and irrevocable licensing or sale of all or substantially all of the Group's intellectual property to a third party (except for the licensing or sale of the Company's intellectual property in the ordinary course of business); (iv) cessation of the current primary business lines of the Group; (v) requisition or expropriation of any or all material assets of the Group by any governmental authority, which causes a material adverse effect; (vi) occurrence of material losses of any Group company which makes it unable to continue the business; and (vii) occurrence of material losses of any Group company due to force majeure. which makes it unable to continue the business in the foreseeable future; For the avoidance of doubt, the reorganization of the Company for the purpose of an IPO shall not be considered a liquidation event.

        Series A-2, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4 and C-1 Preferred Shares shall be redeemable (Series A-1 does not have redemption right) at the holder's discretion, at any time (i) the Company has not completed an IPO or a trade sale approved by the shareholders in writing on or prior to December 31, 2022, (ii) the VIE agreements are held to be invalid or unenforceable under applicable laws and the economic or

F-90


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

11. Convertible Redeemable Preferred Shares (Continued)

legal substance of the VIE agreements cannot be preserved by modification of the VIE agreements, (iii) the Company, certain holders of the ordinary shares or Mr. Dagang Feng ("Co-Founder"), is in material breach of its obligations , covenants or undertakings under the shareholders agreement of the Company, which is not waived in writing by the Preferred Shares' investors, (iv) the representations and warranties of the Company, certain holders of the ordinary shares or the Co-Founder contain any material false or fraudulent statement, which causes a material adverse effect, and (v) certain holders of the ordinary shares or the Co-Founder is in material violation of any applicable law or is subject to any criminal investigation, which causes a material adverse effect. Upon receipt of a redemption notice, the Company and the Co-Founder shall redeem the redeemable Preferred Shares and make payment to the shareholders within ninety days following the receipt of the redemption notice an amount on a per share basis calculated as follows:

        The redemption price of Series C-1 preferred shares would be equal to the sum of (a) the Series C-1 issue price × (1 + 10%)N , plus (b) any declared but unpaid dividends on a Series C-1 preferred share (where N is a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar days between the Series C-1 issue date and the date on which such Series C-1 preferred shares are redeemed and the denominator of which is 365);

        The redemption price of Series B-1, B-2, B-3, and B-4 preferred shares would be equal to the sum of (a) 120% of the Series B-1, B-2, B-3, and B-4 issue price or the fair market value of such shares (whichever is higher), plus (b) any declared but unpaid dividends on a Series B-1, B-2, B-3, and B-4 preferred share;

        The redemption price of Series A-2 preferred shares would be equal to the sum of 300% of the Series A-2 issue price plus any declared but unpaid dividends on a Series A-2 preferred share;

        Subject to applicable laws, the Company and the Co-Founder shall, jointly and severally, effect the redemption and make payment of the redemption price to each preferred shareholder in the following sequence and priority: (i) first, pay the Series C-1 redemption price to the holders of Series C-1 preferred shares on a pari passu basis (ii) second, after the full payment of the Series C-1 redemption price, pay the Series B-1 redemption price to the holders of Series B-1 preferred shares on a pari passu basis; (iii) third, after the full payment of the Series C-1 and B-1 redemption price, pay the Series B-2, B-3, B-4 redemption price to the holders of Series B-2, B-3, B-4 preferred shares on a pari passu basis; (iv) after redemption in full of the Series C-1, B-1, B-2, B-3 and B-4 preferred shares, redeem each Series A2 preferred shares requested to be redeemed.

        The Co-Founder's obligations to the redemption right shall be limited to the financial value of the Company's securities directly or indirectly held by the Co-Founder. The Co-Founder shall not be obligated to make any payment under the Redemption in an amount exceeding the financial value of the Company's securities directly or indirectly held by the Co-Founder.

        The Company has classified the Preferred Shares in the mezzanine equity of the unaudited interim condensed consolidated balance sheets as they are contingently redeemable at the holders' option any time upon the occurrence of certain events except for Series A-1 which were contingently redeemable upon the occurrence of certain liquidation events outside of the Company's control. The Company

F-91


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

11. Convertible Redeemable Preferred Shares (Continued)

records accretions on the Preferred Shares to the redemption value from the issuance dates to the earliest redemption dates. The accretions are recorded against retained earnings, or in the absence of retained earnings, by charges against additional paid-in capital. Once additional paid-in capital has been exhausted, additional charges are recorded by increasing the accumulated deficit. Each issuance of the Preferred Shares was recognized at the respective fair value at the date of issuance net of issuance cost.

        In respect of the Co-Founder's obligation to the redemption right, as it were directly linked to and incurred for the Preferred Shares issuance, the Group views it as appropriate to treat the amount of value related to such obligation as an issuance cost as it is similar to a finder's fee to find a new investor. Since the underlying shares issued are preferred shares, such issuance costs are recorded as a reduction of the balance of mezzanine, and also deemed as the contribution from the Co-Founder. With the rapid growth of the Group's business, the Group believes the fair value of such Co-Founder's obligation is immaterial since inception as the probability of triggering the Co-Founder's obligation is very remote taking into account independent valuations.

        The Company has determined that there was no beneficial conversion feature attributable to any of the Preferred Shares because the initial effective conversion price of these Preferred Shares were higher than the fair value of the Company's ordinary shares determined by the Company with the assistance from an independent valuation firm.

F-92


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

11. Convertible Redeemable Preferred Shares (Continued)

        The Group's Preferred Shares activities for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019 are summarized as below:

 
  Balance as of
January 1,
2018
  Issuance of
Preferred
Shares
  Accretions of
Preferred
Shares to
redemption
value
  Balance as of
June 30,
2018
 

Series A-1 Preferred Shares

                         

Number of shares

    62,273,127             62,273,127  

Amount (RMB'000)

    681             681  

Series A-2 Preferred Shares

                         

Number of shares

    81,008,717             81,008,717  

Amount (RMB'000)

    12,169         1,133     13,302  

Series B-1 Preferred Shares

                         

Number of shares

    200,241,529             200,241,529  

Amount (RMB'000)

    296,857             296,857  

Series B-2 Preferred Shares

                         

Number of shares

    11,674,379             11,674,379  

Amount (RMB'000)

    45,000             45,000  

Series B-3 Preferred Shares

                         

Number of shares

    19,361,727             19,361,727  

Amount (RMB'000)

    45,000             45,000  

Series B-4 Preferred Shares

                         

Number of shares

    9,338,761             9,338,761  

Amount (RMB'000)

    36,000             36,000  

Series C-1 Preferred Shares

                         

Number of shares

    99,449,000     65,427,000         164,876,000  

Amount (RMB'000)

    152,834     100,000     11,418     264,252  

Total number of Preferred Shares

    483,347,240     65,427,000         548,774,240  

Total amount of Preferred Shares (RMB'000)

    588,541     100,000     12,551     701,092  

F-93


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

11. Convertible Redeemable Preferred Shares (Continued)

 
  Balance as of
January 1,
2019
  Issuance of
Preferred
Shares
  Re-designation of
Series A-1 into
Series B-3
preferred shares
  Re-designation of
ordinary shares
into Series B-3
preferred shares
  Re-designation of
ordinary shares
into Series B-4
preferred shares
  Accretions of
Preferred Shares
to
redemption
value
  Balance as of
June 30, 2019
 

Series A-1 Preferred Shares

                                           

Number of shares

    62,273,127         (10,027,455 )               52,245,672  

Amount (RMB'000)

    681         (110 )               571  

Series A-2 Preferred Shares

                                           

Number of shares

    81,008,717                         81,008,717  

Amount (RMB'000)

    13,500                         13,500  

Series B-1 Preferred Shares

                                           

Number of shares

    200,241,529                         200,241,529  

Amount (RMB'000)

    388,145                     183,879     572,024  

Series B-2 Preferred Shares

                                           

Number of shares

    11,674,379                         11,674,379  

Amount (RMB'000)

    45,000                     3,813     48,813  

Series B-3 Preferred Shares

                                           

Number of shares

    19,361,727         10,027,455     17,215,818             46,605,000  

Amount (RMB'000)

    48,016         26,897     41,196         30,765     146,874  

Series B-4 Preferred Shares

                                           

Number of shares

    9,338,761                 11,643,239         20,982,000  

Amount (RMB'000)

    36,000                 35,822     9,135     80,957  

Series C-1 Preferred Shares

                                           

Number of shares

    164,876,000                         164,876,000  

Amount (RMB'000)

    277,259                     13,419     290,678  

Total number of Preferred Shares

    548,774,240             17,215,818     11,643,239         577,633,297  

Total amount of Preferred Shares (RMB'000)

    808,601         26,787     41,196     35,822     241,011     1,153,417  

12. Income taxes

        Under the current laws of the Cayman Islands, the Company is not subject to tax on income or capital gain. Additionally, the Cayman Islands does not impose a withholding tax on payments of dividends to shareholders.

        Subsidiaries in the BVI are exempted from income tax on their foreign-derived income in the BVI. There are no withholding taxes in the BVI.

        Under the current Hong Kong Inland Revenue Ordinance, the Company's Hong Kong subsidiaries are subject to Hong Kong profits tax at the rate of 16.5% on their taxable income generated from the operations in Hong Kong. Payments of dividends by the subsidiaries to the Company are not subject to withholding tax in Hong Kong.

F-94


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

12. Income taxes (Continued)

        In accordance with the Enterprise Income Tax Law ("EIT Law"), Foreign Investment Enterprises ("FIEs") and domestic companies are subject to Enterprise Income Tax ("EIT") at a uniform rate of 25%.

        The EIT Law also provides that an enterprise established under the laws of a foreign country or region but whose "de facto management body" is located in the PRC be treated as a resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes and consequently be subject to the PRC income tax at the rate of 25% for its global income. The Implementing Rules of the EIT Law merely define the location of the "de facto management body" as "the place where the exercising, in substance, of the overall management and control of the production and business operation, personnel, accounting, properties, etc., of a non-PRC company is located." Based on a review of surrounding facts and circumstances, the Group does not believe that it is likely that its operations outside of the PRC would be considered a resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes. However, due to limited guidance and implementation history of the EIT Law, should the Company be treated as a resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes, the Company will be subject to PRC income tax on worldwide income at a uniform tax rate of 25%.

        Subsidiaries incorporated in Singapore are subject to the Singapore Corporate Tax rate of 17%.

        For interim financial reporting, the Group estimates the annual tax rate based on projected taxable income for the full year and records a quarterly income tax provision in accordance with the guidance on accounting for income taxes in an interim period. As the year progresses, the Group refines the estimates of the year's taxable income as new information becomes available. This continual estimation process often results in a change to the expected effective tax rate for the year. When this occurs, the Group adjusts the income tax provision during the quarter in which the change in estimate occurs so that the year-to-date provision reflects the expected annual tax rate.

        The following table summarizes the Company's income tax expenses and effective tax rates for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019:

 
  For the six months
ended June 30,
 
 
  2018   2019  
 
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
 

Loss before income tax

    (11,342 )   (47,605 )

Income tax credit

    3,029     2,107  

Effective tax rate

    26.71 %   4.43 %

        The change in effective tax rate is primarily resulted from the changes in mix of loss before income tax in different entities and the changes of permanent differences (mainly arising from share based compensation expenses incurred as a result of the re-designation of ordinary shares to Series B-3 and Series B-4 preferred shares and research and development expenses).

F-95


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

12. Income taxes (Continued)

        As of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019, deferred tax assets were RMB 306,000 and RMB 3,422,000, respectively. The increase of deferred tax assets is primarily arising from the increase of tax losses carried forward in Beijing Duoke.

13. Share-based compensation

        (a)   Restricted share units issued by Beijing Duoke to employees of Beijing Duoke

        In December 2016, Beijing Duoke adopted the Beijing Duoke 2016 stock incentive plan (the "2016 Incentive Plan"), which allowed Beijing Duoke to grant restricted share units to selected persons including its directors, senior management and employees to acquire ordinary shares of Beijing Duoke. Up to 20% of equity interests of Beijing Duoke or equivalent to 157,024,000 ordinary shares of the Company were reserved for the issuance.

        Pursuant to the 2016 Incentive Plan, Beijing Duoke has granted restricted share units to certain director and employees with the vesting period of four years of continuous service, one-fourth (1/4) will be vested on each anniversary since the stated grant date in 2016 for the next four years. The Company accounted for the share based compensation costs on a straight-line bases over the requisite service period for the award based on the fair value on their respective grant date.

        A summary of activities of the service-based restricted share units for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019 are presented below:

 
  Number of
restricted share
units
  Weighted average
grant date
fair value
 
 
   
  RMB
 

Unvested at January 1, 2018

    55,569,218     0.31  

Vested

    (1,943,183 )   0.47  

Forfeited

    (1,177,687 )   0.47  

Unvested at June 30, 2018

    52,448,348     0.30  

Unvested at January 1, 2019

    34,239,273     0.30  

Vested

    (1,177,684 )   0.47  

Forfeited

    (706,610 )   0.47  

Unvested at June 30, 2019

    32,354,979     0.29  

        The fair value of each restricted share units granted with service conditions is estimated based on the fair market value of the underlying ordinary shares of Beijing Duoke on the date of grant. For the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019, total share-based compensation expenses recognized by the Group for the restricted share units granted to employees of Beijing Duoke were RMB 2.73 million and RMB 2.32 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019, there was RMB 10.41 million and RMB 7.76 million in total unrecognized compensation expense, related to unvested restricted share units granted to aforementioned employees, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.06 years and 1.51 years, respectively.

F-96


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

13. Share-based compensation (Continued)

        (b)   Restricted share units issued by Xieli to employees of Xieli in relation to 36Kr Business

        In 2014, Xieli adopted the Xieli 2014 stock incentive plan (the "Xieli 2014 Incentive Plan"), which allowed Xieli to grant restricted share units of Xieli to selected persons including directors, senior management and employees. Since adoption of the Xieli 2014 Incentive Plan, Xieli has granted restricted share units to certain employees of Xieli in relation to 36Kr Business (the "Employees") with the vesting period of three or four years of continuous service, one-third (1/3) or one-fourth (1/4) will be vested on each anniversary since the stated grant date, respectively. On January 1, 2014, January 1, 2015 and May 1, 2015, Xieli has granted 1,458,378, 1,397,800 and 762,514 restricted share units to the Employees, respectively.

        As the Employees were working for 36Kr Business, the associated share based compensation costs of the Employees were allocated to the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of the Group as a contribution by the parent company. The Group accounted for the share based compensation costs on a straight-line bases over the requisite service period for the award based on the fair value on their respective grant date.

        For the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019, total share-based compensation expenses recognized by the Group for the restricted share units granted by Xieli to the Employees were RMB 9,185 and nil, respectively.

14. Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share

        Basic and diluted net loss per share for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2019 have been calculated in accordance with ASC 260 as follows:

 
  For the six months
ended June 30,
 
 
  2018   2019  
 
  RMB'000
  RMB'000
 

Numerator:

             

Net loss

    (8,313 )   (45,498 )

Accretion on redeemable non-controlling interests to redemption value

    (338 )   (331 )

Accretion of convertible redeemable preferred shares to redemption value

    (12,551 )   (241,011 )

Re-designation of Series A-1 into Series B-3 convertible redeemable preferred shares

        (26,787 )

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests

        136  

Net loss attributable to 36Kr Holdings Inc.'s ordinary shareholders

    (21,202 )   (313,491 )

Denominator:

             

Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding used in computing net loss per share, basic and diluted

    291,029,304     297,440,365  

Net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders:

   
 
   
 
 

Basic and diluted (RMB)

    (0.073 )   (1.054 )

F-97


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

14. Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share (Continued)

        Basic net loss per share is computed using the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share is computed using the weighted average number of ordinary shares and dilutive potential ordinary shares outstanding during the period.

        For the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019, assumed conversion of the Preferred Shares have not been reflected in the dilutive calculations pursuant to ASC 260 due to the anti-dilutive effect. The effects of all outstanding restricted share units have also been excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019 as their effects would be anti-dilutive.

        The following ordinary shares equivalents were excluded from the computation to eliminate any antidilutive effect:

 
  For the six months
ended June 30,
 
 
  2018   2019  

Preferred Shares

    540,749,477     560,171,381  

Share-based awards

    47,235,134     30,908,696  

    587,984,611     591,080,077  

15. Commitments and Contingencies

(a)
Commitments

        The Group leases office space under non-cancelable operating lease agreements. These leases have varying terms and contain renewal rights. Future aggregate minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating lease agreements are as follows:

 
  As of
June 30, 2019
 
 
  RMB'000
 

July 1 to December 31, 2019

    6,850  

2020

    13,701  

2021

    14,560  

2022

    14,560  

Total

    49,671  

        For the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019, the Group incurred rental expenses in the amounts of approximately RMB 4.87 million and RMB 7.42 million, respectively.

        The Group did not have material capital and other commitments as of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019.

F-98


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

15. Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)

(b)
Litigation

        In the ordinary course of the business, the Group is subject to periodic legal or administrative proceedings. As of June 30, 2019, the Group is not a party to any legal or administrative proceedings, which will have a material adverse effect on the Group's business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

16. Related Party Transactions

        Xieli incurred payroll expenses for certain senior officers of Xieli who also provided services to the Group, which amounted to RMB 0.32 million and RMB 0.08 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019 respectively. Xieli forgave such payroll expense, the expense was recognized in the financial statements, and the amount forgiven was recorded as a shareholder's contribution from Xieli to Beijing Duoke.

        For the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019, the Group rented some office areas from Xieli, and the rental expenses were RMB 0.07 million and RMB 0.17 million, respectively. Xieli forgave such rental expense, the expense was recognized in the financial statements, and the amount forgiven was recorded as a shareholder's contribution from Xieli to Beijing Duoke.

        For the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019, the Group purchased advertising services amounting to approximately RMB 0.65 million and RMB 0.25 million, respectively, from Beijing Venture Glory Information Technology Co., Ltd. ("Venture Glory"), which is a subsidiary of Xieli. As of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019, amount due to Venture Glory for advertising services was approximately RMB 0.65 million and nil, respectively.

        For the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019, the Group earned revenue for providing online advertising services and enterprise value-added services to Venture Glory amounted to approximately RMB 0.08 million and RMB 0.22 million, respectively, which has been received as at December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019, respectively.

        For the six months ended June 30, 2018, revenue amounted to approximately RMB 1.3 million was generated from Jiaxing Chuang Kr Business Information Consulting Co., Ltd. ("Chuang Kr"), a subsidiary of Xieli, for the advertising services the Group provided. As of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019 the amount due from Chuang Kr including the value-added tax was approximately RMB 2.9 million and RMB 2.9 million, respectively.

        The Founder and co-chairman of the board of the Group, Mr. Liu Chengcheng, is also the director of FMM Network Technology Co., Ltd. ("FMM"). As of December 31 2018 and June 30, 2019, amount due from FMM was approximately RMB 5.0 million and RMB 5.0 million, respectively.

        The Group entered into an online and offline advertising service agreement with Chongqing Ant Xiaowei Small Loan Co., Ltd. ("Ant Xiaowei"; a subsidiary of Ant Small and Micro Financial Services Group Co., Ltd. ("Ant Financial") which is a shareholder of Xieli), and earned revenue which amounted to approximately RMB 0.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018. As of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019, there was RMB 1.4 million and nil, respectively, receivables due from Ant Xiaowei.

F-99


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

16. Related Party Transactions (Continued)

        Mr. Liu Chengcheng is a director and has a 11.9% equity interest in Beijing Zhongdu Technology Co., Ltd., which owns 40.2% equity interest of Beijing Zhongdu Ecological Technology Co., Ltd. ("Zhongdu"). As of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019, amount due to Zhongdu was approximately RMB 1.0 million and RMB 1.0 million, respectively.

17. Subsequent Event

        a.     In August 2019, the Reorganization has been completed by issuance of the ordinary shares and Preferred Shares set forth in Note 10 and 11, respectively, and entering into the VIE agreements among the VIE and the VIE's shareholders set forth in Note 1.

        b.     In addition to the abovementioned issuance of Preferred Shares pursuant to the Reorganization, in August 2019, the Company re-designated 12,545,000 ordinary shares held by the Founder to Series C-2 preferred shares, which were then transferred to one of the holders of Series C-1 preferred shares. The Company did not receive any proceeds from this transaction.

        The Series C-2 preferred shares have no redemption right or liquidation preference, share the same voting right with other preferred shareholders, that is each Series C-2 preferred share shall be entitled to such number of votes as equals the whole number of ordinary shares into which such preferred share is convertible into, holders of such preferred shares shall vote together with the ordinary shareholders on all matters submitted to a vote by the members. Furthermore, Series C-2 preferred shares have the same dividend right as Series C-1 preferred shares to receive the dividend prior and in preference to any dividend on the Series B-4, B-3, B-2, B-1, A-2, A-1 preferred shares and the ordinary shares. In the event that any dividend is declared by the board, with respect to each holder of Series C-2 preferred shares, a non-cumulative dividend equal to (i) the dividend per share declared, multiplied by (ii) the number of the preferred shares held by the holders of such series preferred shares;

        The Company considered that the Series C-2 preferred shares, in substance, was the same as ordinary shares of the Company except for the dividend right mentioned above, and the transaction above was the shares transfer between such Series C-2 preferred shareholder and the ordinary shareholder, which had no material impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.

        c.     In September 2019, the Company adopted a share incentive plan ("2019 Share Incentive Plan"), which allowed the Company to grant restricted share units to selected persons including its directors, senior management and employees to acquire ordinary shares of the Company. The 2016 Incentive Plan was canceled concurrently upon the adoption of the 2019 Share Incentive Plan, and each participant of the 2016 Incentive Plan is expected to receive corresponding grants under the 2019 Share Incentive Plan. As of the date of the report, the maximum aggregate number of ordinary shares which could be issued pursuant to all awards under the 2019 Share Incentive Plan is 137,186,000. The cancellation of 2016 Incentive Plan accompanied by the grant of a replacement award (2019 Share Incentive Plan) is accounted for as a modification of the terms of the cancelled award. Please refer to Note 2 (p) for the accounting policy for such modification.

        d.     In late September 2019, the Company issued 39,999,999 Series D preferred shares to certain preferred shareholders with an aggregate purchase price of US$24,000,000. The Series D preferred shares has the similar rights, preferences and privileges with Series C-1 preferred shares set forth in

F-100


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

17. Subsequent Event (Continued)

Note 11 except that Series D preferred shares are senior to Series C-2, C-1, B-4, B-3, B-2, B-1, A-2, A-1 preferred shares in terms of dividend right, liquidation preference and redemption right.

        Concurrent with the issuance of Series D preferred shares, the non-cumulative dividend that each holder of Series C-1 preferred shares entitled to is changed to the higher of (i) Series C-1 issue Price × (1 + 8%)N, multiplied by the number of preferred shares held by the holders of Series C-1 preferred shares (where N is a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar days between the issue date or the last date when a dividend is paid in full to the holders of such series of preferred shares (whichever is later) and the date on which the contemplated dividend is declared and the denominator of which is 365), and (ii) the dividend per share declared, multiplied by the number of preferred shares held by Series C-1 preferred shareholders.

        e.     On September 29, 2019, a written resolution was passed by the board of directors of the Company and its shareholders, pursuant to which, below major matters have been approved: (i) immediately prior to the completion of the Company's IPO, the Company will conduct a conversion that all of the then issued and outstanding preferred shares will be converted on a 1:1 basis into ordinary shares (the "Conversion"), so that immediately following such Conversion, the issued share capital of the Company shall consist of 902,813,999 ordinary shares and no preferred shares in issue; (ii) immediately prior to the completion of the IPO, 96,082,700 issued and outstanding ordinary shares held by the Founder and the Co-Founder will be reclassified and re-designated as Class B ordinary shares on a 1:1 basis, and 4,903,917,300 ordinary shares will be reclassified and re-designated as Class A ordinary shares on a 1:1 basis. Holders of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares have the same rights except for voting and conversion rights. Each Class A ordinary share is entitled to one vote; and each Class B ordinary share is entitled to twenty-five votes and is convertible into one Class A ordinary share at any time by the holder thereof. Class A ordinary shares are not convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances. Upon any sale, transfer, assignment or disposition of any Class B ordinary shares by a holder thereof to any non-affiliate to such holder, each of such Class B ordinary shares will be automatically and immediately converted into one Class A ordinary share.

        f.      In late September 2019, the Group entered into an investment agreement (the "Investment Agreement") with one of the Series D preferred shares investors (the "Investor"). Pursuant to the Investment Agreement, the Group agreed to transfer 51% of the equity interest in 36Kr Global Holding to the Investor in exchange for the resources and technologies provided by the Investor to 36Kr Global Holding for the development of its overseas business. Immediately prior to such transaction, 36Kr Global Holding and its subsidiaries have just started their businesses with limited operations, total assets and net loss were immaterial.

        g.     In September 2019, the Company entered into a non-binding term sheet with China Internet Investment Fund Management Co., Ltd., pursuant to which China Internet Investment Fund Management Co., Ltd. or its designated affiliate intended to purchase an aggregate of US$5 million worth of the Company's preferred shares, through new share issuance. In September 2019, the Company also entered into a non-binding term sheet with China Mobile Capital Holdings Co., Ltd., pursuant to which China Mobile Capital Holdings Co., Ltd. or its affiliate intended to purchase an aggregate of US$14 million worth of the Company's preferred shares through new share issuance.

F-101


Table of Contents


36Kr Holdings Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

17. Subsequent Event (Continued)

        The Group has performed an evaluation of subsequent events through September 30, 2019, which is the date the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements are available to be issued, with no other material events or transactions identified that should have been recorded or disclosed in the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

18. Unaudited Pro Forma Balance Sheet and Loss Per Share

        Immediately prior to the completion of a planned qualified initial public offering ("IPO") of the Company, the Preferred Shares of the Company shall be automatically converted into ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis.

        The unaudited pro-forma balance sheet as of June 30, 2019 assumes the IPO has occurred and presents an adjusted financial position as if the Preferred Shares had been converted into ordinary shares on June 30, 2019 at the conversion ratio of one for one.

        The unaudited pro-forma basic and diluted net loss per share were computed to give effect to the automatic conversion of the Preferred Shares using the "if converted" method as though the conversion had occurred as of the beginning of the year or the original date of issuance, if later.

 
  For the six
months ended
June 30, 2019
 

Numerator (RMB'000):

       

Net loss attributable to 36Kr Holdings Inc.'s ordinary shareholders

    (313,491 )

Pro-forma effect of conversion of Preferred Shares

    241,011  

Pro-forma effect of Re-designation from Series A-1 into Series B-3 convertible redeemable preferred shares

    26,787  

Pro-forma net loss attributable to 36 Kr Holdings Inc.'s ordinary shareholders—basic and diluted

    (45,693 )

Denominator:

       

Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding

    297,440,365  

Pro-forma effect of conversion of Preferred Shares

    560,171,381  

Denominator for pro-forma basic and dilutive net loss per share

    857,611,746  

Pro-forma net loss per share (RMB):

       

Pro-forma basic and dilutive net loss per share attributable to 36Kr Holdings Inc.'s ordinary shareholders

    (0.053 )

F-102


Table of Contents

GRAPHIC


Table of Contents


PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 6.    INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

        Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company's memorandum and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences or committing a crime. Our post-offering memorandum and articles of association that will become effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering provide that each officer or director of our company (but not auditors) shall be indemnified against all actions, proceedings, costs, charges, expenses, losses, damages or liabilities incurred or sustained by such director or officer, other than by reason of such person's own dishonesty or fraud as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, in or about the conduct of our company's business or affairs (including as a result of any mistake of judgment) or in the execution or discharge of his or her duties, powers, authorities or discretions, including without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any costs, expenses, losses or liabilities incurred by such director or officer in defending (whether successfully or otherwise) any civil proceedings concerning our company or its affairs in any court whether in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere.

        Pursuant to the form of indemnification agreements filed as Exhibit 10.3 to this registration statement, we will agree to indemnify our directors and officers against certain liabilities and expenses that they incur in connection with claims made by reason of their being a director or officer of our company.

        The form of Underwriting Agreement to be filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this registration statement will also provide for indemnification of us and our officers and directors.

        Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

ITEM 7.    RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES.

        Since our inception, we have issued the following securities. [We believe that each of the following issuances was exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Regulation D under the Securities Act or pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act regarding transactions not involving a public offering or in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act regarding sales by an issuer in offshore transactions. No underwriters were involved in these issuances of securities.]

Purchaser
  Date of
Issuance
  Title and
Number of
Securities
  Consideration   Underwriting
Discount and
Commission

36Kr Heros Holding Limited

  December 3, 2018   1 Ordinary Share   Nominal Consideration   Not Applicable

36Kr Heros Holding Limited

  August 1, 2019   226,094 Ordinary Shares   Nominal Consideration   Not Applicable

36Kr Heros Holding Limited

  August 2, 2019   58,522,905 Ordinary Shares   Nominal Consideration   Not Applicable

Palopo Holding Limited

  April 25, 2019   1 Ordinary Share   Nominal Consideration   Not Applicable

Palopo Holding Limited

  August 1, 2019   226,095 Ordinary Shares   Nominal Consideration   Not Applicable

Palopo Holding Limited

  August 2, 2019   78,285,904 Ordinary Shares   Nominal Consideration   Not Applicable

II-1


Table of Contents

Purchaser
  Date of
Issuance
  Title and
Number of
Securities
  Consideration   Underwriting
Discount and
Commission

Runzhi HK Limited

  Aug 1, 2019   43,600 Series C-1 Preferred Shares   Nominal Consideration   Not Applicable

Runzhi HK Limited

  Aug 2, 2019   18,276,400 Series C-1 Preferred Shares   Nominal Consideration   Not Applicable

Oasis Angel (HK) Limited

  Aug 1, 2019   6,228 Series C-1 Preferred Shares   Nominal Consideration   Not Applicable

Oasis Angel (HK) Limited

  Aug 2, 2019   2,610,772 Series C-1 Preferred Shares   Nominal Consideration   Not Applicable

Falcon Investment Holdings Limited

  Aug 1, 2019   46,714 Series C-1 Preferred Shares   RMB131,783   Not Applicable

Falcon Investment Holdings Limited

  Aug 2, 2019   19,581,286 Series C-1 Preferred Shares   RMB55,239,924   Not Applicable

Nova Compass Investment Limited

  Aug 1, 2019   46,714 Series C-1 Preferred Shares   RMB71,399   Not Applicable

Nova Compass Investment Limited

  Aug 2, 2019   19,581,286 Series C-1 Preferred Shares   RMB29,928,601   Not Applicable

SPRIGHT KR CO. LIMITED

  Aug 1, 2019   34,763 Series B-4 Preferred Shares   RMB366   Not Applicable

SPRIGHT KR CO. LIMITED

  Aug 2, 2019   14,571,237 Series B-4 Preferred Shares   RMB153,386   Not Applicable

Hongtu Capital Investment Limited

  Aug 1, 2019   15,176 Series B-4 Preferred Shares   RMB160   Not Applicable

Hongtu Capital Investment Limited

  Aug 2, 2019   6,360,824 Series B-4 Preferred Shares   RMB66,961   Not Applicable

Beijing Zhanjin Management Consulting Center L.P. 

  Aug 1, 2019   58,155 Series B-3 Preferred Shares   RMB508   Not Applicable

Beijing Zhanjin Management Consulting Center L.P. 

  Aug 2, 2019   29,358,845 Series B-3 Preferred Shares   RMB256,709   Not Applicable

Beijing Yunli Hefeng Management Consulting Center L.P. 

  Aug 1, 2019   52,762 Series B-3 Preferred Shares   RMB461   Not Applicable

Beijing Yunli Hefeng Management Consulting Center L.P. 

  Aug 2, 2019   26,635,238 Series B-3 Preferred Shares   RMB232,901   Not Applicable

M36 Investment Limited

  Aug 1, 2019   119,356 Series B-1 Preferred Shares   RMB1,005   Not Applicable

M36 Investment Limited

  Aug 2, 2019   62,568,644 Series B-1 Preferred Shares   RMB526,896   Not Applicable

Beijing Jiuhe Yunqi Investment Center L.P. 

  Aug 1, 2019   124,341 Series A-1 Preferred Shares   RMB1,047   Not Applicable

Beijing Jiuhe Yunqi Investment Center L.P. 

  Aug 2, 2019   65,182,659 Series A-1 Preferred Shares   RMB548,903   Not Applicable

China Prosperity Capital Alpha Limited

  Aug 2, 2019   12,545,000 Series C-2 Preferred Shares   Nominal Consideration   Not Applicable

China Prosperity Capital Alpha Limited

  Aug 2, 2019   58,884,000 Series C-1 Preferred Shares   Nominal Consideration   Not Applicable

Greentech Tianhong Investment Holding Limited

  Aug 2, 2019   36,639,000 Series C-1 Preferred Shares   Nominal Consideration   Not Applicable

Sparkle Roll Culture & Entertainment Development Limited

  Aug 2, 2019   9,160,000 Series C-1 Preferred Shares   Nominal Consideration   Not Applicable

API (Hong Kong) Investment Limited

  Aug 2, 2019   151,772,000 Series B-1 Preferred Shares   Nominal Consideration   Not Applicable

II-2


Table of Contents

Purchaser
  Date of
Issuance
  Title and
Number of
Securities
  Consideration   Underwriting
Discount and
Commission

Themisclio Limited

  Aug 2, 2019   14,593,000 Series B-2 Preferred Shares   Nominal Consideration   Not Applicable

Themisclio Limited

  Aug 2, 2019   7,168,000 Series B-1 Preferred Shares   Nominal Consideration   Not Applicable

Neo TH Holdings Limited

  Aug 2, 2019   28,674,000 Series B-1 Preferred Shares   Nominal Consideration   Not Applicable

Tembusu Limited

  Aug 2, 2019   101,261,000 Series A-2 Preferred Shares   Nominal Consideration   Not Applicable

BLACK ANT GROUP INVESTMENT CO., LIMITED

  Aug 2, 2019   11,440,000 Ordinary Shares   Nominal Consideration   Not Applicable

Firefly Spring Ltd. 

  Aug 2, 2019   5,463,000 Ordinary Shares   Nominal Consideration   Not Applicable

Head & Shoulders Global Investment Limited

  Aug 2, 2019   3,129,000 Ordinary Shares   Nominal Consideration   Not Applicable

HappyCAI Limited

  Aug 2, 2019   19,550,000 Ordinary Shares   Nominal Consideration   Not Applicable

Lotus Walk Inc. 

  Sep 25, 2019   20,000,000 Series D Preferred Shares   US$12,000,000   Not Applicable

Nikkei Inc. 

  Sep 25, 2019   8,333,333 Series D Preferred Shares   US$5,000,000   Not Applicable

Krystal Imagine Investments Limited

  Sep 25, 2019   5,000,000 Series D Preferred Shares   US$3,000,000   Not Applicable

Red Better Limited

  Sep 25, 2019   3,333,333 Series D Preferred Shares   US$2,000,000   Not Applicable

Homshin Innovations Ltd. 

  Sep 25, 2019   3,333,333 Series D Preferred Shares   US$2,000,000   Not Applicable

ITEM 8.    EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

(a)
Exhibits

        See Exhibit Index beginning on page II-4 of this registration statement.

(b)
Financial Statement Schedules

        Schedules have been omitted because the information required to be set forth therein is not applicable or is shown in the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto.

ITEM 9.    UNDERTAKINGS.

        The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriter at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

        Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 6, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of

II-3


Table of Contents

appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

        The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

II-4


Table of Contents


36KR HOLDINGS INC.
EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number
  Description of Document
  1.1 * Form of Underwriting Agreement
        
  3.1   Second Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Registrant, as currently in effect
        
  3.2   Form of Third Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Registrant, as effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering
        
  4.1 * Form of Registrant's Specimen American Depositary Receipt (included in Exhibit 4.3)
        
  4.2 * Registrant's Specimen Certificate for Ordinary Shares
        
  4.3 * Form of Deposit Agreement between the Registrant, the depositary and holders of the American Depositary Shares
        
  5.1   Opinion of Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP regarding the validity of the ordinary shares being registered
        
  8.1   Opinion of Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP regarding certain Cayman Island tax matters (included in Exhibit 5.1)
        
  8.2   Opinion of Jingtian & Gongcheng regarding certain PRC tax matters (included in Exhibit 99.2)
        
  10.1   2019 Share Incentive Plan
        
  10.2   Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and its directors and executive officers
        
  10.3   Form of Employment Agreement between the Registrant its executive officers
        
  10.4   English translation of Share Transfer Agreement between Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Finance Information Services Co., Ltd. and Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (L.P.), dated September 30, 2017
        
  10.5   English translation of Share Purchase Agreement by and among Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd., Chengcheng Liu, Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Finance Information Services Co.,  Ltd., Suzhou Industrial Park Gebi Yinghe Venture Capital Partnership (L.P.), Beijing Gebi Lvzhou Angel Investment Center (L.P.) and Jiaxing Xiaodu Neirong Equity Investment Partnership (L.P.), dated November 2017
        
  10.6   English translation of Share Purchase Agreement by and among Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd., Chengcheng Liu, Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Finance Information Services Co.,  Ltd., Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (L.P.), Suzhou Industrial Park Gebi Yinghe Venture Capital Partnership (L.P.), Beijing Gebi Lvzhou Angel Investment Center (L.P.), Jiaxing Xiaodu Neirong Equity Investment Partnership (L.P.) and Hangzhou Jincun Investment Management Partnership (L.P.), dated November 14, 2017
        
  10.7   English translation of Share Purchase Agreement by and among Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd., Chengcheng Liu, Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Finance Information Services Co.,  Ltd., Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (L.P.), Suzhou Industrial Park Gebi Yinghe Venture Capital Partnership (L.P.), Beijing Gebi Lvzhou Angel Investment Center (L.P.), Jiaxing Xiaodu Neirong Equity Investment Partnership (L.P.), Hangzhou Jincun Investment Management Partnership (L.P.), Shenzhen Guohong No.2 Enterprise Management Partnership (L.P.) and Gongqingcheng Fenzhong Chuangxiang Information Technology Co., Ltd., dated December 12, 2017

II-5


Table of Contents

Exhibit
Number
  Description of Document
  10.8   English translation of Share Purchase Agreement by and among Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd., Chengcheng Liu, Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Finance Information Services Co.,  Ltd., Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (L.P.), Suzhou Industrial Park Gebi Yinghe Venture Capital Partnership (L.P.), Beijing Gebi Lvzhou Angel Investment Center (L.P.), Jiaxing Xiaodu Neirong Equity Investment Partnership (L.P.), Hangzhou Jincun Investment Management Partnership (L.P.), Shenzhen Guohong No.2 Enterprise Management Partnership (L.P.), Gongqingcheng Fenzhong Chuangxiang Information Technology Co., Ltd., Ningbo Meishan Baoshui Gangqu Tianhong Lvyan Investment Management Partnership (L.P.) and Beijing Wentou Wuyu Investment Co., Ltd., dated January 2018
        
  10.9   Share Subscription Agreement by and among 36Kr Holdings Inc., Dagang Feng, Palopo Holding Limited, Lotus Walk Inc., Nikkei Inc., Krystal Imagine Investments Limited, Red Better Limited, Homshin Innovations Ltd., 36Kr Holding Limited, 36Kr Holdings (HK) Limited, 36Kr Global Holding (HK) Limited, Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing Dian Qier Creative Interactive Media Culture Co., Ltd., Tianjin Thirty-six Hearts Technology Co., Ltd., Zhejiang Pinxin Technology Co., Ltd., Hangzhou Pinxin Acceleration Technology Co., Ltd., Sichuan Thirty-six Ke Technology Co., Ltd., Jiangsu Kuaike Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd., Tianjin Duoke Investment Co., Ltd., Tianjin Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd., Chongqing Duoke Acceleration Technology Co., Ltd., 36Kr Japan and KRASIA PLUS PTE. LTD., dated September 23, 2019.
        
  10.10   Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement, dated September 25, 2019
        
  10.11   English translation of Data Sharing Agreement between Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. and Beijing Venture Glory Information Technology Co., Ltd., dated June 25, 2019
        
  10.12   English translation of Form of Equity Pledge Agreement by and among Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. and each shareholder of Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd, dated August 2, 2019
        
  10.13   English translation of Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement, by and among Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd., dated August 2, 2019
        
  10.14   English translation of the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement, by and between Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. and Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co.,  Ltd., dated August 2, 2019
        
  10.15   English translation of Power of Attorney, from Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (L.P.) to Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd., dated August 2, 2019
        
  10.16   English translation of Power of Attorney, from Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Finance Information Services Co., Ltd. to Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd., dated August 2, 2019
        
  10.17   English translation of Power of Attorney, from Gongqingcheng Fenzhong Chuangxiang Information Technology Co., Ltd. to Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd., dated August 2, 2019
        
  10.18   English translation of Power of Attorney, from Shenzhen Guohong No.2 Enterprise Management Partnership (L.P.) to Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd., dated August 2, 2019
        
  10.19   English translation of Power of Attorney, from Ningbo Meishan Baoshui Gangqu Tianhong Lvyan Investment Management Partnership (L.P.) to Beijing Dake Information Technology Co.,  Ltd., dated August 2, 2019
 
   

II-6


Table of Contents

Exhibit
Number
  Description of Document
  10.20   English translation of Power of Attorney, from Beijing Gebi Lvzhou Angel Investment Center (L.P.) to Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd., dated August 2, 2019
        
  10.21   English translation of Power of Attorney, from Suzhou Industrial Park Gebi Yinghe Venture Capital Partnership (L.P.) to Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd., dated August 2, 2019
        
  10.22   English translation of Power of Attorney, from Beijing Wentou Wuyu Investment Co., Ltd. to Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd., dated August 2, 2019
        
  10.23   English translation of Power of Attorney, from Wuhan Feixiang Automobile Electronics Industry Investment Partnership (L.P.) to Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd., dated August 2, 2019
        
  21.1   List of Significant Subsidiaries and VIE of the Registrant
        
  23.1   Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
        
  23.2   Consent of Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
        
  23.3   Consent of Jingtian & Gongcheng (included in Exhibit 99.2)
        
  24.1   Powers of Attorney (included on signature page)
        
  99.1   Code of Business Conduct and Ethics of the Registrant
        
  99.2   Opinion of Jingtian & Gongcheng regarding certain PRC law matters
        
  99.3   Consent of China Insights Consultancy
        
  99.4   Consent of Yifan Li
        
  99.5   Consent of Peng Su
        
  99.6   Consent of Hendrick Sin

   


*
To be filed by amendment.

II-7


Table of Contents


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-1 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Beijing, China, on September 30, 2019.

    36Kr Holdings Inc.

 

 

By:

 

/s/ DAGANG FENG

        Name:   Dagang Feng
        Title:   Co-chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer

II-8


Table of Contents

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Dagang Feng and Jihong Liang as attorneys-in-fact with full power of substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities, to do any and all acts and all things and to execute any and all instruments which said attorney and agent may deem necessary or desirable to enable the registrant to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and any rules, regulations and requirements of the SEC thereunder, in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of ordinary shares of the registrant (the "Shares"), including, without limitation, the power and authority to sign the name of each of the undersigned in the capacities indicated below to the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed with the SEC with respect to such Shares, to any and all amendments or supplements to such Registration Statement, whether such amendments or supplements are filed before or after the effective date of such Registration Statement, to any related Registration Statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, and to any and all instruments or documents filed as part of or in connection with such Registration Statement or any and all amendments thereto, whether such amendments are filed before or after the effective date of such Registration Statement; and each of the undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms all that such attorney and agent shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature
 
Title
 
Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/ DAGANG FENG

Name: Dagang Feng
  Co-chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer)   September 30, 2019

/s/ CHENGCHENG LIU

Name: Chengcheng Liu

 

Co-chairman of the Board of Directors

 

September 30, 2019

/s/ JIHONG LIANG

Name: Jihong Liang

 

Director and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial and accounting officer)

 

September 30, 2019

/s/ CHAO ZHU

Name: Chao Zhu

 

Director

 

September 30, 2019

/s/ LINGYE ZUO

Name: Lingye Zuo

 

Director

 

September 30, 2019

II-9


Table of Contents


SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE IN THE UNITED STATES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United States of 36Kr Holdings Inc., has signed this Registration Statement or amendment thereto in New York on September 30, 2019.

    Authorized U.S. Representative

 

 

By:

 

/s/ RICHARD ARTHUR

        Name:   Richard Arthur
        Title:   Assistant Secretary

II-10




Exhibit 3.1

 

THE COMPANIES LAW (AS REVISED)

 

OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS

 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

MEMORANDUM AND

 

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

 

OF

 

36KR HOLDINGS INC.

 

(Adopted by a Special Resolution dated September 25, 2019 and effective on September 25, 2019)

 


 

THE COMPANIES LAW (AS REVISED)

 

OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS

 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION

 

OF

 

36KR HOLDINGS INC.

 

(Adopted by a Special Resolution dated September 25, 2019 and effective on September 25, 2019)

 

1.                                      The name of the Company is 36Kr Holdings Inc.

 

2.                                      The Registered Office of the Company shall be at Maples Corporate Services Limited at PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands or at such other place as the Directors may from time to time decide.

 

3.                                      Subject to paragraph 8 of this Memorandum, the objects for which the Company is established are unrestricted and the Company shall have full power and authority to carry out any object not prohibited by the Companies Law or any other law of the Cayman Islands. The Company is a body corporate capable of exercising all the functions of a natural person of full capacity, irrespective of any question of corporate benefit.

 

4.                                      The liability of each Member is limited to the amount from time to time unpaid on such Member’s Shares.

 

5.                                      The authorised share capital of the Company is US$500,000.00 divided into (i) 4,274,029,001 Ordinary Shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each, (ii) 65,307,000 Series A-1 Preferred Shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each, (iii) 101,261,000 Series A-2 Preferred Shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each, (iv) 250,302,000 Series B-1 Preferred Shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each, (v) 14,593,000 Series B-2 Preferred Shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each, (vi) 56,105,000 Series B-3 Preferred Shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each, (vii) 20,982,000 Series B-4 Preferred Shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each, (viii) 164,876,000 Series C-1 Preferred Shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each, (ix) 12,545,000 Series C-2 Preferred Shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each, and (x) 39,999,999 Series D Preferred Shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each.

 


 

6.                                      The Company may exercise the powers contained in the Companies Law to transfer and be registered by way of continuation as a body corporate limited by shares under the laws of any jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands and to be de-registered in the Cayman Islands.

 

7.                                      Capitalised terms used and not defined in this Memorandum of Association shall bear the same meaning as those given in the Articles of Association of the Company.

 

8.                                      The Company will not trade in the Cayman Islands with any person, firm or corporation except in furtherance of the business of the Company carried on outside the Cayman Islands; provided that nothing in this section shall be construed as to prevent the Company effecting and concluding contracts in the Cayman Islands, and exercising in the Cayman Islands all of its powers necessary for the carrying on of its business outside the Cayman Islands.

 


 

Contents

 

Clause

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

1.

Interpretation

 

1

 

 

 

 

2.

Preliminary Matters

 

16

 

 

 

 

3.

Rights Attaching to Shares

 

16

 

 

 

 

4.

Share Capital

 

17

 

 

 

 

5.

Issue of Shares

 

17

 

 

 

 

6.

Rights, Preferences and Privileges of Share

 

18

 

 

 

 

7.

Register of Members

 

42

 

 

 

 

8.

Record Date

 

43

 

 

 

 

9.

Redemption and Purchase of Shares

 

43

 

 

 

 

10.

Variation of Share Rights

 

43

 

 

 

 

11.

Share Certificates

 

44

 

 

 

 

12.

Transfer of Shares

 

44

 

 

 

 

13.

Transmission of Shares

 

51

 

 

 

 

14.

Non-Recognition of Trusts

 

52

 

 

 

 

15.

Lien

 

52

 

 

 

 

16.

Calls on Shares

 

53

 

 

 

 

17.

Forfeiture of Shares

 

54

 

 

 

 

18.

Increase of Capital

 

55

 

 

 

 

19.

Alteration of Capital

 

55

 

 

 

 

20.

General Meetings

 

56

 

 

 

 

21.

Notice of General Meetings

 

57

 

 

 

 

22.

Proceedings at General Meetings

 

57

 

 

 

 

23.

Voting

 

58

 

 

 

 

24.

Proxies and Corporate Representatives

 

59

 

 

 

 

25.

Appointment and Removal of Directors

 

62

 

 

 

 

26.

Powers and Duties of Directors

 

63

 

 

 

 

27.

Proceedings of Directors

 

64

 

 

 

 

28.

Directors’ Interests

 

66

 

 

 

 

29.

Delegation of Directors’ Powers

 

66

 

 

 

 

30.

Alternate Directors

 

67

 

 

 

 

31.

Committees of Directors

 

68

 

 

 

 

32.

Officers

 

68

 

 

 

 

33.

Directors’ Remuneration

 

69

 

 

 

 

34.

Seals and Deeds

 

69

 

 

 

 

35.

Dividends

 

70

 


 

36.

Capitalisation of Profits

 

72

 

 

 

 

37.

Share Premium Account

 

72

 

 

 

 

38.

Accounting Records

 

72

 

 

 

 

39.

Service of Notices and Documents

 

73

 

 

 

 

40.

Winding Up

 

74

 

 

 

 

41.

Indemnity

 

74

 

 

 

 

42.

Continuation, Merger and Consolidation

 

76

 

 

 

 

43.

Amendment of Memorandum and Articles

 

76

 


 

THE COMPANIES LAW (AS REVISED)

 

OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS

 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

 

OF

 

36KR HOLDINGS INC.

 

(Adopted by a Special Resolution dated September 25, 2019 and effective on September 25, 2019)

 

1.                                      INTERPRETATION

 

1.1                               Table A of the First Schedule to the Statute shall not apply to the Company.

 

1.2                               In these Articles, the following terms shall have the following meanings unless the context otherwise requires:

 

Affiliate(s): with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly Controlling, Controlled by, or under common Control with such Person. With respect to any natural Person, each of the following Persons is such Person’s Affiliate(s) for purposes of these Articles: (i) spouse; (ii) parents; (iii) children; (iv) siblings; (v) any other Person who is a lineal ascendant or descendant of such Person; and (vi) any other Person who is a relative of such Person and lives in the same house with such Person. Solely for the purposes of these Articles, with respect to Ant Financial, “Affiliate(s)” shall also include Alibaba Group Holding Limited and its Affiliate(s).

 

Alternate Director: a person appointed pursuant to Article 30.1 and designated as an alternate Director by the appointing Director;

 

Ant Financial: API (Hong Kong) Investment Limited and its permitted successors and assigns from time to time;

 

Ant Financial Director: has the meaning set forth in Article 25.1.

 

Applicable Conversion Price: with respect to a Series A-1 Preferred Share, the Series A-1 Conversion Price, with respect to a Series A-2 Preferred Share, the Series A-2 Conversion Price, with respect to a Series B-1 Preferred Share, the Series B-1 Conversion Price, with respect to a Series B-2 Preferred Share, the Series B-2 Conversion Price, with respect to a Series B-3 Preferred Share, the Series B-3 Conversion Price, with respect to a Series B-4 Preferred Share, the Series B-4 Conversion Price, with respect to a Series C-1 Preferred Share, the Series C-1 Conversion Price, with respect to a Series C-2 Preferred Share, the Series C-2 Conversion Price, or with respect to a Series D Preferred Share, the Series D Conversion Price.

 

1


 

Applicable Issue Date: with respect to a Series A-1 Preferred Share, the Series A-1 Issue Date, with respect to a Series A-2 Preferred Share, the Series A-2 Issue Date, with respect to a Series B-1 Preferred Share, the Series B-1 Issue Date, with respect to a Series B-2 Preferred Share, the Series B-2 Issue Date, with respect to a Series B-3 Preferred Share, the Series B-3 Issue Date, with respect to a Series B-4 Preferred Share, the Series B-4 Issue Date, with respect to a Series C-1 Preferred Share, the Series C-1 Issue Date, with respect to a Series C-2 Preferred Share, the Series C-2 Issue Date, or with respect to a Series D Preferred Share, the Series D Issue Date.

 

Applicable Issue Price: with respect to a Series A-1 Preferred Share, the Series A-1 Issue Price, with respect to a Series A-2 Preferred Share, the Series A-2 Issue Price, with respect to a Series B-1 Preferred Share, the Series B-1 Issue Price, with respect to a Series B-2 Preferred Share, the Series B-2 Issue Price, with respect to a Series B-3 Preferred Share, the Series B-3 Issue Price, with respect to a Series B-4 Preferred Share, the Series B-4 Issue Price, with respect to a Series C-1 Preferred Share, the Series C-1 Issue Price, with respect to a Series C-2 Preferred Share, US$0.0001, as adjusted pursuant to these Articles for share splits, share dividends, combinations, Recapitalizations and similar events with respect to the Series C-2 Preferred Share, or with respect to a Series D Preferred Share, the Series D Issue Price.

 

Applicable Law: with respect to any Person, any transnational, domestic or foreign federal, state or local law (statutory, common or otherwise), constitution, treaty, convention, ordinance, code, rule, regulation, order, injunction, judgment, decree, ruling or other similar requirement enacted, adopted, promulgated or applied by a Governmental Authority that is binding upon or applicable to such Person, as amended unless expressly specified otherwise;

 

Articles: these articles of association of the Company as amended or supplemented from time to time by Special Resolution;

 

Automatic Conversion: has the meaning set forth in Article 6.6(c);

 

Beijing Duoke: Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. (北京多信息科技有限公司);

 

Board or Board of Directors: the board of directors of the Company;

 

Business Day: any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday or other day on which commercial banks are required or authorized by law to be closed in the PRC, the Cayman Islands or Hong Kong;

 

Lotus: means Lotus Walk Inc. and its permitted successors and assigns from time to time;

 

Charter Documents: with respect to a particular legal entity, the articles of incorporation, certificate of incorporation, formation or registration (including, if applicable, certificates of change of name), memorandum of association, articles of association, bylaws, articles of organization, limited liability company agreement, trust deed, trust instrument, operating agreement, joint venture agreement, business license, or similar or other constitutive, governing, or charter documents, or equivalent documents, of such entity;

 

2


 

Chuangji: M36 Investment Limited and its permitted successors and assigns from time to time;

 

Class or Classes: a class or classes of Shares in the capital of the Company as created and designated by the Directors from time to time pursuant to these Articles, and which shall include a sub-class if so designated (or re-designated) by the Directors;

 

Clear Days: in relation to the period of a notice, that period excluding the day on which the notice is served or deemed to be served and the day for which it is given or on which it is to take effect;

 

Co-Founder: Dagang Feng (), a PRC citizen with identification card number being 132801197810243614;

 

Co-Founder Holdco: Palopo Holding Limited, an exempted company incorporated under the Laws of the British Virgin Islands;

 

Co-Sale Option Period: has the meaning set forth in Article 12.7;

 

Co-Sale Rightholder: has the meaning set forth in Article 12.7;

 

Company: the above named company;

 

Company Competitor: each Person listed in Schedule V attached to the Shareholders Agreement. The Company is entitled to update the list of Company Competitor once every twelve (12) months and the updated listed shall be approved by Board (including approval from each of the Investor Directors);

 

Company Securities: the Equity Securities of the Company;

 

Competitor(s): (i) Tencent Holdings Ltd. and its Subsidiaries, and any other Person in which Tencent Holdings Ltd. and its Subsidiaries beneficially own more than twenty percent (20%) of the equity interest, whether by contract, credit arrangement or otherwise, (ii) Baidu, Inc. and its Subsidiaries, and any other Person in which Baidu, Inc. and its Subsidiaries beneficially own more than twenty percent (20%) of the equity interest, whether by contract, credit arrangement or otherwise, (iii) JD.com, Inc. and its Subsidiaries, (iv) PING AN INSURANCE (GROUP) COMPANY OF CHINA, LTD. and its Subsidiaries. Ant Financial is entitled to update the list of Competitors once every twelve (12) months, provided that (i) the total number of Competitors shall not exceed four (4), and (ii) the updated list shall be approved by the Board.

 

3


 

Control: the power or authority, whether exercised or not, to direct the business, management and policies of a Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, as trustee, personal representative or executive, by contract, credit arrangement or otherwise. The terms “Controlled” and “Controlling” have meanings correlative to the foregoing;

 

Control Documents: has the meaning set forth in the Shareholders Agreement;

 

Convertible Securities: has the meaning set forth in Article 6.6(e)(v)(A)(II);

 

Didi: Krystal Imagine Investments Limited and its permitted successors and assigns from time to time;

 

Dividend Per Share: in the event that any dividend is declared in accordance with these Articles, an amount obtained by dividing the total dividend declared by the number of then issued and outstanding Shares (on an as-converted basis) of the Company;

 

Directors: the directors for the time being of the Company;

 

Drag-Along Sale: has the meaning set forth in Article 12.8;

 

Drag-Along Sellers: has the meaning set forth in Article 12.8;

 

Electronic Record: has the same meaning as in the Electronic Transactions Law (as revised) of the Cayman Islands;

 

Equity Securities: with respect to any Person, any shares, any and all shares of capital stock, membership interests, units, profits interests, ownership interests, equity interests, registered capital, and other equity securities of such Person, and any right, warrant, option, call, commitment, conversion privilege, preemptive right or other right to acquire any of the foregoing, or security convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for any of the foregoing, or any shares, awards, options, warrants, interests, rights under any equity appreciation, phantom equity, equity plans or similar plans or schemes with respect to such Person, and, with respect to the Company, shall include any Ordinary Shares, awards, options, warrants, interests, rights under the ESOP;

 

ESOP: any equity incentive, purchase or participation plan, employee stock option plan or similar plan of the Company approved and adopted in accordance with the Shareholders Agreement;

 

Exercise Notice: has the meaning set forth in Article 12.9;

 

Exercising Rightholder: has the meaning set forth in Article 12.9;

 

Exercising Shareholder: has the meaning set forth in Article 12.5;

 

4


 

Falcon: Falcon Investment Holdings Limited and its permitted successors and assigns from time to time;

 

Founder: Mr. Chengcheng Liu (刘成城), a PRC citizen with identification card number being 320911198811194339;

 

Functional Currency: in relation to a Class, such currency as the Directors may determine in accordance with these Articles;

 

Gobi: Runzhi HK Limited and Oasis Angel (HK) Limited, collectively, and their respective permitted successors and assigns from time to time;

 

Governmental Authority: any government of any nation, federation, province, state or locality or any other political subdivision thereof, any entity, authority or body exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, including any government authority, agency, department, board, commission or instrumentality of the PRC or any other country, or any political subdivision thereof, any court, tribunal or arbitrator, and any self-regulatory organization;

 

Group Company: each of the Company, its Subsidiaries and the companies whose financial statements are consolidated with those of the Company, and “Group” refers to all of the Group Companies collectively;

 

Hong Kong: the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the PRC;

 

Indemnified Person: any Director, officer or member of a committee duly constituted under these Articles and any liquidator, manager or trustee for the time being acting in relation to the affairs of the Company, and his heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives or successors or assigns;

 

Investor Director: has the meaning set forth in the Article 25.1 hereof;

 

IPO: a firm commitment underwritten public offering of the Ordinary Shares of the Company on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, Shenzhen Stock Exchange, Hong Kong Stock Exchange, New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ Stock Market or other internationally recognized stock exchange pursuant to an effective registration statement under the securities laws of the relevant jurisdiction, as approved by the Board and the meeting of the Members in accordance with these Articles;

 

Issuance Notice: has the meaning set forth in Article 12.9;

 

Key Employee(s): shall have the meaning set forth in the Shareholders Agreement.

 

5


 

Liquidation Event: any of the following events: (i) the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company; (ii) any consolidation, amalgamation, scheme of arrangement or merger of the Company with or into any other Person or other reorganization in which the Members immediately prior to such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, scheme of arrangement or reorganization own less than fifty percent (50%) of the surviving entity’s voting power in the aggregate immediately after such consolidation, merger, amalgamation, scheme of arrangement or reorganization; (iii) a sale, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Group Companies; (iv) any exclusive and irrevocable licensing or sale of all or substantially all of the Group Companies’ intellectual property to a third party (except for the licensing or sale of the Company’s intellectual property in the ordinary course of business); (v) cessation of the current primary business lines of the Group Companies; (vi) requisition or expropriation of any or all material assets of the Group Companies by any Governmental Authority, which causes a Material Adverse Effect; (vii) occurrence of material losses of any Group Company which makes it unable to continue the business; and (viii) occurrence of material losses of any Group Company due to force majeure which makes it unable to continue the business in the foreseeable future; provided, however, that, the reorganization of the Company for the purpose of an IPO shall not be considered a Liquidation Event.

 

Majority Preferred Holders: the holders of more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of the outstanding Preferred Shares, voting as a single separate class on an as-converted basis;

 

Majority Shareholders: the holders of more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of the outstanding Ordinary Shares and Preferred Shares (voting together as a single class and on an as converted basis);

 

Material Adverse Effect: any event, occurrence, fact, condition, change or development that, individually or together, has had, has or could reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse effect on (a) the business, properties, assets, operations, results of operations, financial condition, or liabilities (including, without limitation, contingent liabilities) of the Group taken as a whole, (b) the ability or qualification to carry on the business as now conducted or as proposed to be conducted of any Group Company, or (c) the performance of the Shareholders Agreement, the Control Documents, the Memorandum and Articles and the transactions contemplated hereunder and thereunder;

 

Matrix: Tembusu Limited and its permitted successors and assigns from time to time;

 

Matrix and Chuangji Director: has the meaning set forth in Article 25.1;

 

Member: a person who is registered as the holder of Shares in the Register of Members;

 

Memorandum: the memorandum of association of the Company for the time being;

 

Neo TH: Neo TH Holdings Limited and its permitted successors and assigns from time to time;

 

New Securities: has the meaning set forth in Article 6.6(e)(v)(A)(III);

 

6


 

Nikkei: Nikkei Inc. (株式会社日本経済新聞社) and its permitted successors and assigns from time to time;

 

Nova Compass: Nova Compass Investment Limited and its permitted successors and assigns from time to time;

 

Offered Securities: has the meaning set forth in Article 12.5;

 

Option Period: has the meaning set forth in Article 12.5;

 

Ordinary Investor: has the meaning set forth in the Shareholders Agreement;

 

Ordinary Resolution:

 

(a)                                 a resolution passed by a simple majority of at least half of the votes cast by such Members as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or by proxy, or in the cases of members which are corporations, by their duly authorised representatives at a general meeting held in accordance with these Articles; or

 

(b)                                 a written resolution signed by all of the Members entitled to vote at a general meeting of the Company in one or more instruments each signed by one or more of the Members and the effective date of the resolution so adopted shall be the date on which the instrument, or the last of such instruments, if more than one, is executed;

 

Ordinary Share: the Company’s ordinary share, par value US$0.0001 per share;

 

Ordinary Shareholder: any holder of Ordinary Shares;

 

Permitted Transfers: (i) any Transfer of Company Securities by any Member to a trust for the benefit of such Member or its Affiliate(s), (ii) any Transfer of Company Securities by any Member pursuant to or in furtherance of the ESOP, or (iii) any Transfer of the Series B-2 Preferred Shares by Themisclio Limited to Yongbai (Shanghai) Investment Holding Co., Ltd. (永柏 (上海) 控股有限公司), a company incorporated under the laws of the PRC, or its designated Person;

 

Person: an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, trust or other entity or organization, including a Governmental Authority;

 

PRC: the People’s Republic of China, but solely for the purposes of these Articles, excluding the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the PRC, the Macau Special Administrative Region and Taiwan;

 

Preemptive Option Period: has the meaning set forth in Article 12.9;

 

Preemptive Portion: with respect to a Preemptive Rightholder, a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the aggregate number of all Preferred Shares held by such Member on an as-converted basis and the denominator of which shall be the total number of all Preferred Shares then outstanding held by all Preemptive Rightholders on an as-converted basis immediately prior to the issuance of the Company Securities specified in the Issuance Notice;

 

7


 

Preemptive Rightholder: each Preferred Holder;

 

Preferred Holder: any holder of the Preferred Shares;

 

Preferred Shares: the Series A-1 Preferred Shares, the Series A-2 Preferred Shares, the Series B-1 Preferred Shares, the Series B-2 Preferred Shares, the Series B-3 Preferred Shares, the Series B-4 Preferred Shares, the Series C-1 Preferred Shares, the Series C-2 Preferred Shares, the Series D Preferred Shares, and any other Shares in the capital of the Company from time to time designated as a preferred share;

 

Pro Rata Share: has the meaning set forth in Article 12.5;

 

Proposed Transfer: has the meaning set forth in Article 12.6;

 

Recapitalization: reorganization, restructuring, reclassification or other similar event by the Company of its capital structure;

 

Redemption Event: any of the following events: (i) the Company has not completed an IPO or a Trade Sale approved in accordance with the Shareholders Agreement and the Memorandum and Articles on or prior to December 31, 2022, (ii) the Control Documents are held to be invalid or unenforceable under Applicable Laws and the economic or legal substance of the Control Documents cannot be preserved by modification of the Control Documents, (iii) any Group Company, any holder of the Ordinary Shares (other than the Ordinary Investors) or the Co-Founder is in material breach of its obligations, covenants or undertakings under the Shareholders Agreement, the Control Documents, the Memorandum and Articles, which is not waived in writing by the concerned Preferred Holders, (iv) the representations and warranties of any Group Company, any holder of the Ordinary Shares (other than the Ordinary Investors) or the Co-Founder contain any material false or fraudulent statement, which causes a Material Adverse Effect, (v) any holder of the Ordinary Shares (other than the Ordinary Investors) or the Co-Founder is in material violation of any Applicable Law or is subject to any criminal investigation, which causes a Material Adverse Effect, and (vi) the Group Companies fail to obtain or maintain any consents, approvals, permits, licenses, authorizations, certificates required under all Applicable Laws necessary for the operation of the principal businesses of the Group Companies, including without limitation, the Network Cultural Business Permit (文化经营许), the Permit for Internet News and Information Services (网新信息服务许), the Online Publishing Service License (出版服务许) or the Permit for Internet Audio-Video Programs via Information Network (信息网络传), which causes the cessation of the principal businesses of the Group Companies;

 

Redemption Holder: has the meaning set forth in Article 6.10;

 

Redemption Notice: has the meaning set forth in Article 6.10;

 

8


 

Redemption Price: has the meaning set forth in Article 6.10;

 

Redemption Shares: has the meaning set forth in Article 6.10;

 

Register of Members: the register of Members to be kept in accordance with the Statute, including every duplicate Register of Members;

 

Registered Office: the registered office for the time being of the Company in the Cayman Islands;

 

Rightholder: has the meaning set forth in Article 12.5;

 

RMB: Renminbi, the lawful currency of the PRC;

 

Seal: the common seal of the Company (if any), including every duplicate seal;

 

Second Notice: has the meaning set forth in Article 12.5;

 

Second Option Period: has the meaning set forth in Article 12.5;

 

Secretary: the secretary for the time being of the Company and any person appointed to perform any of the duties of the secretary (if any);

 

Series A-1 Issue Date: the date of the Series A-1 Preferred Holder or its Affiliate(s) or its designee’s completion of its investment into the Company’s PRC predecessor;

 

Series A-1 Issue Price: US$0.0015, as adjusted pursuant to these Articles for share splits, share dividends, combinations, Recapitalizations and similar events with respect to the Series A-1 Preferred Shares;

 

Series A-1 Preference Amount: has the meaning set forth in Article 6.2;

 

Series A-1 Preference Dividend: in the event that any dividend is declared by the Board, with respect to each Series A-1 Preferred Holder, a non-cumulative dividend equal to the higher of (i) the Series A-1 Issue Price × (1 + 8%)N, excluding the Series A-1 Issue Price, multiplied by the number of Series A-1 Preferred Share held by such Series A-1 Preferred Holder (where N is a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar days between the Series A-1 Issue Date or the last date when a dividend was paid in full to such Series A-1 Preferred Holder (whichever is later) and the date on which the contemplated dividend is declared and the denominator of which is 365), and (ii) the Dividend Per Share, multiplied by the number of Series A-1 Preferred Share held by such Series A-1 Preferred Holder;

 

Series A-1 Preferred Holder: any holder of Series A-1 Preferred Shares;

 

9


 

Series A-1 Preferred Share: a Series A-1 Preferred Share of US$0.0001 par value per share in the capital of the Company having the rights, preference and privileges set forth in these Articles;

 

Series A-2 Issue Date: the date of the Series A-2 Preferred Holder or its Affiliate(s) or its designee’s completion of its investment into the Company’s PRC predecessor;

 

Series A-2 Issue Price: US$0.0065, as adjusted pursuant to these Articles for share splits, share dividends, combinations, Recapitalizations and similar events with respect to the Series A-2 Preferred Shares;

 

Series A-2 Preference Amount: has the meaning set forth in Article 6.2;

 

Series A-2 Preference Dividend: in the event that any dividend is declared by the Board, with respect to each Series A-2 Preferred Holder, a non-cumulative dividend equal to the higher of (i) the Series A-2 Issue Price × (1 + 8%)N, excluding the Series A-2 Issue Price, multiplied by the number of Series A-2 Preferred Share held by such Series A-2 Preferred Holder (where N is a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar days between the Series A-2 Issue Date or the last date when a dividend was paid in full to such Series A-2 Preferred Holder (whichever is later) and the date on which the contemplated dividend is declared and the denominator of which is 365), and (ii) the Dividend Per Share, multiplied by the number of Series A-2 Preferred Share held by such Series A-2 Preferred Holder;

 

Series A-2 Preferred Holder: any holder of Series A-2 Preferred Shares;

 

Series A-2 Preferred Share: a Series A-2 Preferred Share of US$0.0001 par value per share in the capital of the Company having the rights, preference and privileges set forth in these Articles;

 

Series B-1 Issue Date: the date of the Series B-1 Preferred Holder or its Affiliate(s) or its designee’s completion of its investment into the Company’s PRC predecessor;

 

Series B-1 Issue Price: US$0.1438, as adjusted pursuant to these Articles for share splits, share dividends, combinations, Recapitalizations and similar events with respect to the Series B-1 Preferred Shares;

 

Series B-1 Preference Amount: has the meaning set forth in Article 6.2;

 

Series B-1 Preference Dividend: in the event that any dividend is declared by the Board, with respect to each Series B-1 Preferred Holder, a non-cumulative dividend equal to the higher of (i) the Series B-1 Issue Price × (1 + 8%)N, excluding the Series B-1 Issue Price, multiplied by the number of Series B-1 Preferred Share held by such Series B-1 Preferred Holder (where N is a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar days between the Series B-1 Issue Date or the last date when a dividend was paid in full to such Series B-1 Preferred Holder (whichever is later) and the date on which the contemplated dividend is declared and the denominator of which is 365), and (ii) the Dividend Per Share, multiplied by the number of Series B-1 Preferred Share held by such Series B-1 Preferred Holder;

 

10


 

Series B-1 Preferred Holder: any holder of Series B-1 Preferred Shares;

 

Series B-1 Preferred Share: a Series B-1 Preferred Share of US$0.0001 par value per share in the capital of the Company having the rights, preference and privileges set forth in these Articles;

 

Series B-2 Issue Date: the date of the Series B-2 Preferred Holder or its Affiliate(s) or its designee’s completion of its investment into the Company’s PRC predecessor;

 

Series B-2 Issue Price: US$0.3740, as adjusted pursuant to these Articles for share splits, share dividends, combinations, Recapitalizations and similar events with respect to the Series B-2 Preferred Shares;

 

Series B-2 Preference Amount: has the meaning set forth in Article 6.2;

 

Series B-2 Preference Dividend: in the event that any dividend is declared by the Board, with respect to each Series B-2 Preferred Holder, a non-cumulative dividend equal to the higher of (i) the Series B-2 Issue Price × (1 + 8%)N, excluding the Series B-2 Issue Price, multiplied by the number of Series B-2 Preferred Share held by such Series B-2 Preferred Holder (where N is a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar days between the Series B-2 Issue Date or the last date when a dividend was paid in full to such Series B-2 Preferred Holder (whichever is later) and the date on which the contemplated dividend is declared and the denominator of which is 365), and (ii) the Dividend Per Share, multiplied by the number of Series B-2 Preferred Share held by such Series B-2 Preferred Holder;

 

Series B-2 Preferred Holder: any holder of Series B-2 Preferred Shares;

 

Series B-2 Preferred Share: a Series B-2 Preferred Share of US$0.0001 par value per share in the capital of the Company having the rights, preference and privileges set forth in these Articles;

 

Series B-3 Issue Date: the date of the Series B-3 Preferred Holder or its Affiliate(s) or its designee’s completion of its investment into the Company’s PRC predecessor;

 

Series B-3 Issue Price: US$0.2454, as adjusted pursuant to these Articles for share splits, share dividends, combinations, Recapitalizations and similar events with respect to the Series B-3 Preferred Shares;

 

Series B-3 Preference Amount: has the meaning set forth in Article 6.2;

 

11


 

Series B-3 Preference Dividend: in the event that any dividend is declared by the Board, with respect to each Series B-3 Preferred Holder, a non-cumulative dividend equal to the higher of (i) the Series B-3 Issue Price × (1 + 8%)N, excluding the Series B-3 Issue Price, multiplied by the number of Series B-3 Preferred Share held by such Series B-3 Preferred Holder (where N is a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar days between the Series B-3 Issue Date or the last date when a dividend was paid in full to such Series B-3 Preferred Holder (whichever is later) and the date on which the contemplated dividend is declared and the denominator of which is 365), and (ii) the Dividend Per Share, multiplied by the number of Series B-3 Preferred Share held by such Series B-3 Preferred Holder;

 

Series B-3 Preferred Holder: any holder of Series B-3 Preferred Shares;

 

Series B-3 Preferred Share: a Series B-3 Preferred Share of US$0.0001 par value per share in the capital of the Company having the rights, preference and privileges set forth in these Articles;

 

Series B-4 Issue Date: the date of the Series B-4 Preferred Holder or its Affiliate(s) or its designee’s completion of its investment into the Company’s PRC predecessor;

 

Series B-4 Issue Price: US$0.4066, as adjusted pursuant to these Articles for share splits, share dividends, combinations, Recapitalizations and similar events with respect to the Series B-4 Preferred Shares;

 

Series B-4 Preference Amount: has the meaning set forth in Article 6.2;

 

Series B-4 Preference Dividend: in the event that any dividend is declared by the Board, with respect to each Series B-4 Preferred Holder, a non-cumulative dividend equal to the higher of (i) the Series B-4 Issue Price × (1 + 8%)N, excluding the Series B-4 Issue Price, multiplied by the number of Series B-4 Preferred Share held by such Series B-4 Preferred Holder (where N is a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar days between the Series B-4 Issue Date or the last date when a dividend was paid in full to such Series B-4 Preferred Holder (whichever is later) and the date on which the contemplated dividend is declared and the denominator of which is 365), and (ii) the Dividend Per Share, multiplied by the number of Series B-4 Preferred Share held by such Series B-4 Preferred Holder;

 

Series B-4 Preferred Holder: any holder of Series B-4 Preferred Shares;

 

Series B-4 Preferred Share: a Series B-4 Preferred Share of US$0.0001 par value per share in the capital of the Company having the rights, preference and privileges set forth in these Articles;

 

Series C-1 Issue Date: the date of the Series C-1 Preferred Holder or its Affiliate(s) or its designee’s completion of its investment into the Company’s PRC predecessor;

 

Series C-1 Issue Price: US$0.2224, as adjusted pursuant to these Articles for share splits, share dividends, combinations, Recapitalizations and similar events with respect to the Series C-1 Preferred Shares;

 

12


 

Series C-1 Preference Amount: has the meaning set forth in Article 6.2;

 

Series C-1 Preference Dividend: in the event that any dividend is declared by the Board, with respect to each Series C-1 Preferred Holder, a non-cumulative dividend equal to the higher of (i) the Series C-1 Issue Price × (1 + 8%)N, excluding the Series C-1 Issue Price, multiplied by the number of Series C-1 Preferred Share held by such Series C-1 Preferred Holder (where N is a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar days between the Series C-1 Issue Date or the last date when a dividend was paid in full to such Series C-1 Preferred Holder (whichever is later) and the date on which the contemplated dividend is declared and the denominator of which is 365), and (ii) the Dividend Per Share, multiplied by the number of Series C-1 Preferred Share held by such Series C-1 Preferred Holder;

 

Series C-1 Preferred Holder: any holder of Series C-1 Preferred Shares;

 

Series C-1 Preferred Share: a Series C-1 Preferred Share of US$0.0001 par value per share in the capital of the Company having the rights, preference and privileges set forth in these Articles;

 

Series C-2 Issue Date: the date of the Series C-2 Preferred Holder or its Affiliate(s) or its designee’s completion of its investment into the Company’s PRC predecessor;

 

Series C-2 Issue Price: US$0, as adjusted pursuant to these Articles for share splits, share dividends, combinations, Recapitalizations and similar events with respect to the Series C-2 Preferred Shares;

 

Series C-2 Preference Dividend: in the event that any dividend is declared by the Board, with respect to each Series C-2 Preferred Holder, a non-cumulative dividend equal to (i) the Dividend Per Share, multiplied by (ii) the number of Series C-2 Preferred Share held by such Series C-2 Preferred Holder;

 

Series C-2 Preferred Holder: any holder of Series C-2 Preferred Shares;

 

Series C-2 Preferred Share: a Series C-2 Preferred Share of US$0.0001 par value per share in the capital of the Company having the rights, preference and privileges set forth in these Articles;

 

Series D Issue Date: the date of the first issuance of the Series D Preferred Shares;

 

Series D Issue Price: US$0.6000, as adjusted pursuant to these Articles for share splits, share dividends, combinations, Recapitalizations and similar events with respect to the Series D Preferred Shares;

 

Series D Preferred Share Subscription Agreement: the Series D Preferred Share Subscription Agreement, dated September 23, 2019, entered by and among the Company, the Co-Founder, the Co-Founder Holdco, the Series D Preferred Holders and certain parties thereto;

 

13


 

Series D Preference Amount: has the meaning set forth in Article 6.2;

 

Series D Preference Dividend: in the event that any dividend is declared by the Board, with respect to each Series D Preferred Holder, a non-cumulative dividend equal to the higher of (i) the Series D Issue Price × (1 + 8%)N, excluding the Series D Issue Price, multiplied by the number of Series D Preferred Share held by such Series D Preferred Holder (where N is a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar days between the Series D Issue Date or the last date when a dividend was paid in full to such Series D Preferred Holder (whichever is later) and the date on which the contemplated dividend is declared and the denominator of which is 365), and (ii) the Dividend Per Share, multiplied by the number of Series D Preferred Share held by such Series D Preferred Holder;

 

Series D Preferred Holder: any holder of Series D Preferred Shares;

 

Series D Preferred Share: a Series D Preferred Share of US$0.0001 par value per share in the capital of the Company having the rights, preference and privileges set forth in these Articles;

 

Share: a share in the capital of the Company (including an Ordinary Share and a Preferred Share) having the rights and being subject to the restrictions as provided for under these Articles with respect to such share. All references to Shares shall include a fraction of a share;

 

Share Premium Account: the share premium account established in accordance with these Articles and the Statute;

 

Shareholders Agreement: the Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement, dated September 25, 2019, entered by and among the Company, certain Group Companies, the Founder, the Co-Founder, the Ordinary Investors, the Preferred Holders and certain other parties named therein, as may be amended from time to time;

 

Special Resolution:

 

(a)                                 a resolution passed by a majority of at least two thirds (2/3) of the votes cast by such Members as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or by proxy, or in the cases of Members which are corporations, by their duly authorised representatives at a general meeting of which notice specifying the intention to propose the resolution as a special resolution has been duly given; or

 

(b)                                 a written resolution signed by all of the Members entitled to vote at a general meeting of the Company in one or more instruments each signed by one or more of the Members and the effective date of the resolution so adopted shall be the date on which the instrument, or the last of such instruments, if more than one, is executed;

 

Statute: the Companies Law of the Cayman Islands as amended and every statutory modification or re-enactment thereof for the time being in effect;

 

14


 

Subsidiary: any other Person that is Controlled directly or indirectly by such Person;

 

Themisclio: Themisclio Limited and its permitted successors and assigns from time to time;

 

Tianhong: Greentech Tianhong Investment Holding Limited and its permitted successors and assigns from time to time;

 

Trade Sale: any of the following transactions: (i) any consolidation, amalgamation, scheme of arrangement or merger of the Group Companies with or into any other Person or other reorganization in which the Members immediately prior to such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, scheme of arrangement or reorganization own less than fifty percent (50%) of the surviving entity’s voting power or equity interest (on an as-converted basis) in the aggregate immediately after such consolidation, merger, amalgamation, scheme of arrangement or reorganization, or any transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the Company’s voting power or equity interest (on an as-converted basis) is transferred to a third party, (ii) a sale, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Group Companies (or any series of related transactions resulting in such sale, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Group Companies), or (iii) the exclusive licensing of all or substantially all of the Group Companies’ intellectual property to a third party;

 

Transfer: with respect to any Company Securities, (i) when used as a verb, to sell, assign, dispose of, exchange, pledge, encumber, hypothecate or otherwise transfer such Company Securities or any participation or interest therein, whether directly or indirectly (including pursuant to a derivative transaction), or agree or commit to do any of the foregoing and (ii) when used as a noun, a direct or indirect sale, assignment, disposition, exchange, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation, or other transfer of such Company Securities or any participation or interest therein or any agreement or commitment to do any of the foregoing;

 

Transferor: has the meaning set forth in Article 12.5;

 

Transfer Notice: has the meaning set forth in Article 12.5;

 

Transferring Securities: has the meaning set forth in Article 12.6;

 

US$: the lawful currency of the United States of America;

 

Xiaomi: Red Better Limited and its permitted successors and assigns from time to time; and

 

30-Day Option Period: has the meaning set forth in Article 12.6.

 

1.3          Words importing the singular number include the plural number and vice versa.

 

1.4          Words importing the masculine gender include the feminine gender.

 

15


 

1.5          Words importing persons include corporations and any other legal or natural persons.

 

1.6                               Any reference to writing includes all modes of representing or reproducing words in a visible and legible form, including in the form of an Electronic Record.

 

1.7          The word may shall be construed as permissive and the word shall be construed as imperative.

 

1.8                               Any phrase introduced by the terms including, include, in particular or any similar expression shall be merely illustrative and shall not limit the sense of the words preceding those terms.

 

1.9                               Where any provision of the Statute is referred to, the reference is to that provision as modified by any subsequent law for the time being in force.

 

1.10                        Unless the context otherwise requires, words and expressions defined in the Statute bear the same meanings in these Articles.

 

1.11        References to days are to calendar days, unless otherwise specified.

 

1.12        Headings are used for convenience only and shall not affect the construction of these Articles.

 

2.             PRELIMINARY MATTERS

 

2.1                               The Registered Office of the Company shall be at such place in the Cayman Islands as the Directors shall from time to time determine.

 

2.2                               The Company, in addition to its Registered Office, may establish and maintain such other offices in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere as the Directors may from time to time determine.

 

2.3                               The Directors may appoint any person to act as a service provider to the Company and may delegate to any such service provider any of the functions, duties, powers and discretions available to them as Directors, upon such terms and conditions (including as to the remuneration payable by the Company) and with such powers of sub-delegation, but subject to such restrictions, as they think fit.

 

3.             RIGHTS ATTACHING TO SHARES

 

3.1          Each Share confers upon the holder of such Share:

 

(a)                                 the right to receive notice of, attend at and vote as a Member at any general meeting of the Company as provided in these Articles;

 

(b)                                 subject to Article 6, the right in a winding up to repayment of capital as provided in these Articles but no other right to participate in the profits or assets of the Company; and

 

(c)           the right to receive dividends as provided in these Articles.

 

16


 

4.                                      SHARE CAPITAL

 

4.1                               The unissued Shares shall be at the discretion of the Directors, and they may (subject to the provisions of these Articles and the Statute) issue Shares in Classes, or refuse to issue any Shares to any subscriber or may allot, grant options over or otherwise dispose of them to such person, on such terms and conditions and with such rights and restrictions attached thereto, and at such times as they think fit; provided that no Share shall be issued at a discount (except in accordance with the provisions of the Statute).

 

4.2                               Subject to the Statute and these Articles, the Company may make payment in respect of the redemption or repurchase of its own Shares in any manner authorised by the Statute, including out of capital, share premium, profits or the proceeds of a fresh issue of new Shares.

 

4.3                               The Company may from time to time by Special Resolution classify or reclassify any authorised but unissued Shares of any Class into Shares of a new Class representing or having different rights.

 

4.4                               Notwithstanding the currency in which the par value of the Ordinary Shares or the Preferred Shares is denominated, the Directors may, before the issue of the first Share of a particular Class, specify the Functional Currency of the Class as the currency in which the subscription price of those Shares is calculated.

 

5.                                      ISSUE OF SHARES

 

Power to Issue Shares

 

5.1                               The Directors may (subject to the provisions of the Statute and these Articles, including without limitation Articles 6.8 and 6.9), without prejudice to any rights attached to any existing Shares, offer, allot, grant options over or otherwise dispose of the Shares with or without preferred, deferred, qualified or other special rights or restrictions, whether in regard to dividends or other forms of distribution, voting, return of capital or otherwise, and to such persons and on such terms and conditions and for such consideration, and at such times as they think fit; provided that no Share shall be issued at a discount (except in accordance with the provisions of the Statute). Any Share may, with the sanction of a Special Resolution, be issued on the terms that it is, or at the option of the Company or the holder is liable, to be redeemed.

 

5.2                               In the event that any Preferred Share is converted pursuant to Article 6.10, the Preferred Share so converted shall be cancelled on redemption or purchase by the Company, and the amount of the Company’s issued share capital shall be diminished by the nominal value of those Preferred Shares; but the redemption or purchase of the Preferred Shares is not to be taken as reducing the amount of the Company’s authorized share capital.

 

No Shares to Bearer

 

5.3                               The Company shall not issue Shares to bearer.

 

17


 

Fractional Shares

 

5.4                               The Company may, in accordance with the provisions of these Articles and the Statute, issue fractions of Shares; provided that no fractional Ordinary Shares shall be issued upon conversion of any Preferred Shares.

 

6.                                      RIGHTS, PREFERENCES AND PRIVILEGES OF SHARES

 

Certain rights, preferences and privileges of the Shares of the Company are as follows:

 

Dividends Rights

 

6.1                               If a dividend or other distribution is declared, paid or set aside, such dividend shall be distributed to the Members in the following sequence and priority:

 

(a)                                 Each Series D Preferred Holder shall be entitled to receive the Series D Preference Dividend prior and in preference to, and satisfied before, any dividend on the Series C-2 Preferred Shares, the Series C-1 Preferred Shares, the Series B-4 Preferred Shares, the Series B-3 Preferred Shares, the Series B-2 Preferred Shares, the Series B-1 Preferred Shares, the Series A-2 Preferred Shares, the Series A-1 Preferred Shares and the Ordinary Shares. If the dividend declared is insufficient to permit the payment in full of the Series D Preference Dividend, then the dividend declared shall be distributed ratably among the Series D Preferred Holder in proportion to the Series D Preference Dividend each such holder is entitled to receive.

 

(b)                                 Each Series C-1 Preferred Holder and each Series C-2 Preferred Holder shall be entitled to receive the Series C-1 Preference Dividend and the Series C-2 Preference Dividend (as applicable) prior and in preference to, and satisfied before, any dividend on the Series B-4 Preferred Shares, the Series B-3 Preferred Shares, the Series B-2 Preferred Shares, the Series B-1 Preferred Shares, the Series A-2 Preferred Shares, the Series A-1 Preferred Shares and the Ordinary Shares. If the dividend remaining after the payment in full of the Series D Preference Dividend is insufficient to permit the payment in full of the Series C-1 Preference Dividend and the Series C-2 Preference Dividend, then the dividend declared shall be distributed ratably among the Series C-1 Preferred Holders and the Series C-2 Preferred Holders in proportion to the Series C-1 Preference Dividend and the Series C-2 Preference Dividend (as applicable) each such holder is entitled to receive.

 

(c)                                  Each Series B-1 Preferred Holder shall be entitled to receive the Series B-1 Preference Dividend prior and in preference to, and satisfied before, any dividend on the Series B-4 Preferred Shares, the Series B-3 Preferred Shares, the Series B-2 Preferred Shares, the Series A-2 Preferred Shares, the Series A-1 Preferred Shares and the Ordinary Shares. If the dividend remaining after the payment in full of the Series D Preference Dividend, the Series C-2 Preference Dividend and the Series C-1 Preference Dividend is insufficient to permit the payment in full of the Series B-1 Preference Dividend, then the remaining dividend shall be distributed ratably among the Series B-1 Preferred Holders in proportion to the Series B-1 Preference Dividend each such holder is entitled to receive.

 

18


 

(d)                                 Each Series B-4 Preferred Holder, each Series B-3 Preferred Holder and each Series B-2 Preferred Holder shall be entitled to receive the Series B-4 Preference Dividend, the Series B-3 Preference Dividend and the Series B-2 Preference Dividend (as applicable) prior and in preference to, and satisfied before, any dividend on the Series A-2 Preferred Shares, the Series A-1 Preferred Shares and the Ordinary Shares. If the dividend remaining after the payment in full of the Series D Preference Dividend, the Series C-2 Preference Dividend, the Series C-1 Preference Dividend and the Series B-1 Preference Dividend is insufficient to permit the payment in full of the Series B-4 Preference Dividend, the Series B-3 Preference Dividend and the Series B-2 Preference Dividend, then the remaining dividend shall be distributed ratably among the Series B-4 Preferred Holders, the Series B-3 Preferred Holders and the Series B-2 Preferred Holders in proportion to the Series B-4 Preference Dividend, the Series B-3 Preference Dividend and the Series B-2 Preference Dividend (as applicable) each such holder is entitled to receive.

 

(e)                                  Each Series A-2 Preferred Holder and each Series A-1 Preferred Holder shall be entitled to receive the Series A-2 Preference Dividend and the Series A-1 Preference Dividend (as applicable) prior and in preference to, and satisfied before, any dividend on the Ordinary Shares. If the dividend remaining after the payment in full of the Series D Preference Dividend, the Series C-2 Preference Dividend, the Series C-1 Preference Dividend, the Series B-1 Preference Dividend, the Series B-4 Preference Dividend, the Series B-3 Preference Dividend and the Series B-2 Preference Dividend is insufficient to permit the payment of in full of the Series A-2 Preference Dividend and the Series A-1 Preference Dividend, then the remaining dividend shall be distributed ratably among the Series A-2 Preferred Holders and the Series A-1 Preferred Holders in proportion to the Series A-2 Preference Dividend and the Series A-1 Preference Dividend (as applicable) each such holder is entitled to receive.

 

(f)                                   No dividend or distribution, whether in cash, in property, or in any other Equity Securities of the Company, shall be declared, paid, set aside or made with respect to the Ordinary Shares at any time unless all accrued but unpaid dividends on the Preferred Shares have been paid in full. If there is any dividend declared remaining after the dividends on the Preferred Shares have been distributed or paid in full pursuant to the foregoing clauses of this Article 6.1, the remaining dividend available for distribution to the Members shall be distributed ratably among all the Members according to the relative number of Shares held by such Members on an as-converted basis. For the avoidance of doubt, no dividend shall be distributed to any Member unless and until they are approved in accordance with these Articles.

 

19


 

Liquidation Preference

 

6.2                               Upon the occurrence of any Liquidation Event, all assets and funds of the Company legally available for distribution to the Members (after satisfaction of all creditors’ claims and claims that may be preferred by any applicable Law) shall be distributed to the Members as set forth below:

 

(a)                                 The Series D Preferred Holders shall be entitled to receive for each Series D Preferred Share held by such holders, on parity with each other and prior and in preference to the distribution of any assets or funds of the Company to the other Members by reason of their ownership of such Shares, an amount equal to the higher of (x) such portion of the assets and funds of the Company each Share is entitled to (on an as-converted basis) on a pro-rata basis, and (y) the Series D Issue Price x (1 + 12%)N, plus all declared but unpaid dividends on such Series D Preferred Share (where N is a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar days between the Series D Issue Date and the date on which such distribution is made and the denominator of which is 365) (collectively, the “Series D Preference Amount”). If the assets and funds of the Company thus distributed among the Series D Preferred Holders shall be insufficient to permit the payment to such holders of the Series D Preference Amount in full, then the entire assets and funds of the Company legally available for distribution shall be distributed ratably among the Series D Preferred Holders in proportion to the aggregate Series D Preference Amount each such holder is otherwise entitled to receive pursuant to this subparagraph (a).

 

(b)                                 After the payment in full of the Series D Preference Amount pursuant to subparagraph (a) above, the Series C-1 Preferred Holders shall be entitled to receive for each Series C-1 Preferred Share held by such holders, on parity with each other and prior and in preference to the distribution of any assets or funds of the Company to the Series B-4 Preferred Holders, the Series B-3 Preferred Holders, the Series B-2 Preferred Holders, the Series B-1 Preferred Holders, the Series A-2 Preferred Holders, the Series A-1 Preferred Holders and the Ordinary Shareholders by reason of their ownership of such Shares, an amount equal to the higher of (x) such portion of the assets and funds of the Company each Share is entitled to (on an as-converted basis) on a pro-rata basis, and (y) the Series C-1 Issue Price × (1 + 12%)N, plus all declared but unpaid dividends on such Series C-1 Preferred Share (where N is a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar days between the Series C-1 Issue Date and the date on which such distribution is made and the denominator of which is 365) (collectively, the “Series C-1 Preference Amount”). If the assets and funds of the Company thus distributed among the Series C-1 Preferred Holders shall be insufficient to permit the payment to such holders of the Series C-1 Preference Amount in full, then the entire assets and funds of the Company legally available for distribution shall be distributed ratably among the Series C-1 Preferred Holders in proportion to the aggregate Series C-1 Preference Amount each such holder is otherwise entitled to receive pursuant to this subparagraph (b);

 

20


 

(c)                                  After the payment in full of the Series C-1 Preference Amount pursuant to subparagraph (b) above, the Series B-1 Preferred Holders shall be entitled to receive for each Series B-1 Preferred Share held by such holders, on parity with each other and prior and in preference to the distribution of any assets or funds of the Company to the Series B-4 Preferred Holders, the Series B-3 Preferred Holders, the Series B-2 Preferred Holders, the Series A-2 Preferred Holders, the Series A-1 Preferred Holders and the Ordinary Shareholders by reason of their ownership of such Shares, an amount equal to 100% of the Series B-1 Issue Price, plus all declared but unpaid dividends on such Series B-1 Preferred Share (collectively, the “Series B-1 Preference Amount”). If the assets and funds of the Company thus distributed among the Series B-1 Preferred Holders shall be insufficient to permit the payment to such holders of the Series B-1 Preference Amount in full, then the entire assets and funds of the Company legally available for distribution shall be distributed ratably among the Series B-1 Preferred Holders in proportion to the aggregate Series B-1 Preference Amount each such holder is otherwise entitled to receive pursuant to this subparagraph (c);

 

(d)                                 After the payment in full of the Series B-1 Preference Amount pursuant to subparagraph above, the Series B-4 Preferred Holders, the Series B-3 Preferred Holders and the Series B-2 Preferred Holders shall be entitled to receive for each Series B-4 Preferred Share, each Series B-3 Preferred Share and each Series B-2 Preferred Share (as applicable) held by such holders, on parity with each other and prior and in preference to the distribution of any assets or funds of the Company to the Series A-2 Preferred Holders, the Series A-1 Preferred Holders and the Ordinary Shareholders by reason of their ownership of such Shares, an amount equal to:

 

(i)            with respect to each Series B-4 Preferred Share, 100% of the Series B-4 Issue Price, plus all declared but unpaid dividends on such Series B-4 Preferred Share (collectively, the “Series B-4 Preference Amount”)

 

(ii)           with respect to each Series B-3 Preferred Share, 100% of the Series B-3 Issue Price, plus all declared but unpaid dividends on such Series B-3 Preferred Share (collectively, the “Series B-3 Preference Amount”), and

 

(iii)          with respect to each Series B-2 Preferred Share, 100% of the Series B-2 Issue Price, plus all declared but unpaid dividends on such Series B-2 Preferred Share (collectively, the “Series B-2 Preference Amount”).

 

If the assets and funds thus distributed among the Series B-4 Preferred Holders, the Series B-3 Preferred Holders and the Series B-2 Preferred Holders shall be insufficient to permit the payment to such holders of the Series B-4 Preference Amount, the Series B-3 Preference Amount and the Series B-2 Preference Amount in full, then the entire assets and funds of the Company legally available for distribution shall be distributed ratably among the Series B-4 Preferred Holders, the Series B-3 Preferred Holders and the Series B-2 Preferred Holders in proportion to the aggregate Series B-4 Preference Amount, the aggregate Series B-3 Preference Amount and the aggregate Series B-2 Preference Amount (as applicable) each such holder is otherwise entitled to receive pursuant to this subparagraph (d);

 

21


 

(e)                                  After the payment in full of the Series B-4 Preference Amount, the Series B-3 Preference Amount and the Series B-2 Preference Amount pursuant to subparagraph (d) above, each Series A-2 Preferred Holders shall be entitled to receive for each Series A-2 Preferred Share held by such holders, prior and in preference to any distribution of any assets or funds of the Company to the Series A-1 Preferred Holders and the Ordinary Shareholders by reason of their ownership of such Shares, an amount equal to 100% of the Series A-2 Issue Price, plus all declared but unpaid dividends on such Series A-2 Preferred Share (collectively, the “Series A-2 Preference Amount”). If the assets and funds of the Company thus distributed among the Series A-2 Preferred Holders shall be insufficient to permit the payment to such holders of the Series A-2 Preference Amount in full, then the entire assets and funds of the Company legally available for distribution shall be distributed ratably among the Series A-2 Preferred Holders in proportion to the aggregate Series A-2 Preference Amount each such holder is otherwise entitled to receive pursuant to this subparagraph (e);

 

(f)                                   After the payment in full of the Series A-2 Preference Amount pursuant to subparagraph (e) above, each Series A-1 Preferred Holder shall be entitled to receive for each Series A-1 Preferred Share held by such holder, prior and in preference to any distribution of any assets or funds of the Company to the Ordinary Shareholders, an amount equal to 100% of the Series A-1 Issue Price, plus all declared but unpaid dividends on such Series A-1 Preferred Share (collectively, the “Series A-1 Preference Amount”). If the assets and funds of the Company thus distributed among the Series A-1 Preferred Holders shall be insufficient to permit the payment to such holders of the Series A-1 Preference Amount in full, then the entire assets and funds of the Company legally available for distribution shall be distributed ratably among the Series A-1 Preferred Holders in proportion to the aggregate Series A-1 Preference Amount each such holder is otherwise entitled to receive pursuant to this subparagraph (f).

 

(g)                                  If there are any assets or funds remaining after the Series D Preference Amount, the Series C-1 Preference Amount, the Series B-1 Preference Amount, the Series B-4 Preference Amount, the Series B-3 Preference Amount, the Series B-2 Preference Amount, the Series A-2 Preference Amount and the Series A-1 Preference Amount have been distributed or paid in full to the applicable holders of Preferred Shares pursuant to subparagraph (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) above, then the remaining assets and funds of the Company legally available for distribution to the Members shall be distributed ratably among all the Members according to the relative number of Shares held by such Members on an as-converted basis.

 

6.3                               In the event the Company proposes to distribute assets other than cash in connection with any Liquidation Event pursuant to Article 6.2, the value of the assets to be distributed to the Members shall be determined in good faith by the Board; provided that any securities not subject to investment letter or similar restrictions on free marketability shall be valued as follows:

 

22


 

(a)                                 If traded on a securities exchange, the value shall be deemed to be the average of the security’s closing prices on such exchange over the thirty (30) day period ending one (1) day prior to the distribution;

 

(b)                                 If traded over-the-counter, the value shall be deemed to be the average of the closing bid prices over the thirty (30) day period ending three (3) days prior to the distribution; and

 

(c)                                  If there is no active public market, the value shall be the fair market value thereof as determined in good faith by the Board;

 

provided further that the method of valuation of securities subject to investment letter or other restrictions on free marketability shall be adjusted to make an appropriate discount from the market value determined as above in subparagraph (a), (b) or (c) to reflect the fair market value thereof as determined in good faith by the Board.

 

6.4                               In the event that the Company shall propose at any time to commence a liquidation, dissolution or winding up, then, in connection with each such event, subject to any necessary approval required in the Statute and these Articles, the Company shall send to the Preferred Holders at least twenty (20) days prior written notice of the date when the same shall take place; provided, however, that the foregoing notice periods may be shortened or waived with the vote or written consent of the Majority Preferred Holders.

 

6.5                               Unless otherwise approved in writing by the holders of Preferred Shares representing more than two thirds (2/3) of the voting power of the issued and outstanding Preferred Shares (voting together as a single class and on an as converted basis), each Member shall, and shall cause each Director designated by such Member (if any) to, take all actions and execute all documents necessary to effect the dissolution and liquidation of the Company within three (3) months upon the occurrence of any Liquidation Event, and distribute the assets and funds of the Company legally available for distribution to the Members in accordance with Article 6.2 to 6.4.

 

Conversion Rights

 

6.6                               The Preferred Holders shall have the rights described below with respect to the conversion of the Preferred Shares into Ordinary Shares:

 

23


 

(a)                                 Conversion Ratio. Each Preferred Share shall be convertible, at the option of the holder thereof, at any time after the date of issuance of such shares into such number of fully paid and non-assessable Ordinary Shares as determined by dividing the Applicable Issue Price by the then-effective Applicable Conversion Price. The “Series A-1 Conversion Price” shall initially be the Series A-1 Issue Price, resulting in an initial conversion ratio for the Series A-1 Preferred Shares of 1:1, and shall be subject to adjustment and readjustment from time to time as hereinafter provided. The “Series A-2 Conversion Price” shall initially be the Series A-2 Issue Price, resulting in an initial conversion ratio for the Series A-2 Preferred Shares of 1:1, and shall be subject to adjustment and readjustment from time to time as hereinafter provided. The “Series B-1 Conversion Price” shall initially be the Series B-1 Issue Price, resulting in an initial conversion ratio for the Series B-1 Preferred Shares of 1:1, and shall be subject to adjustment and readjustment from time to time as hereinafter provided. The “Series B-2 Conversion Price” shall initially be the Series B-2 Issue Price, resulting in an initial conversion ratio for the Series B-2 Preferred Shares of 1:1, and shall be subject to adjustment and readjustment from time to time as hereinafter provided. The “Series B-3 Conversion Price” shall initially be the Series B-3 Issue Price, resulting in an initial conversion ratio for the Series B-3 Preferred Shares of 1:1, and shall be subject to adjustment and readjustment from time to time as hereinafter provided. The “Series B-4 Conversion Price” shall initially be the Series B-4 Issue Price, resulting in an initial conversion ratio for the Series B-4 Preferred Shares of 1:1, and shall be subject to adjustment and readjustment from time to time as hereinafter provided. The “Series C-1 Conversion Price” shall initially be the Series C-1 Issue Price, resulting in an initial conversion ratio for the Series C-1 Preferred Shares of 1:1, and shall be subject to adjustment and readjustment from time to time as hereinafter provided. The “Series C-2 Conversion Price” shall initially be US$0.0001, resulting in an initial conversion ratio for the Series C-2 Preferred Shares of 1:1, and shall be subject to adjustment and readjustment from time to time as hereinafter provided. The “Series D Conversion Price” shall initially be the Series D Issue Price, resulting in an initial conversion ratio for the Series D Preferred Shares of 1:1, and shall be subject to adjustment and readjustment from time to time as hereinafter provided.

 

(b)                                 Optional Conversion. Subject to the Statute and these Articles, any Preferred Share may, at the option of the holder thereof, be converted at any time after the date of issuance of such shares, without the payment of any additional consideration, into fully-paid and non-assessable Ordinary Shares based on the then-effective Applicable Conversion Price.

 

(c)                                  Automatic Conversion.

 

(i)                                     Each Series A-1 Preferred Share shall automatically be converted (without the need for the consent or approval of any Member or the Board), based on the then-effective Series A-1 Conversion Price, without the payment of any additional consideration, into fully-paid and non-assessable Ordinary Shares upon the earlier of (A) the closing of an IPO, or (B) the date specified by written consent or agreement of holders holding 50% or more of the issued and outstanding Series A-1 Preferred Shares.

 

(ii)                                  Each Series A-2 Preferred Share shall automatically be converted (without the need for the consent or approval of any Member or the Board), based on the then-effective Series A-2 Conversion Price, without the payment of any additional consideration, into fully-paid and non-assessable Ordinary Shares upon the earlier of (A) the closing of an IPO, or (B) the date specified by written consent or agreement of holders holding 50% or more of the issued and outstanding Series A-2 Preferred Shares.

 

24


 

(iii)                               Each Series B-1 Preferred Share shall automatically be converted (without the need for the consent or approval of any Member or the Board), based on the then-effective Series B-1 Conversion Price, without the payment of any additional consideration, into fully-paid and non-assessable Ordinary Shares upon the earlier of (A) the closing of an IPO, or (B) the date specified by written consent or agreement of holders holding 50% or more of the issued and outstanding Series B-1 Preferred Shares.

 

(iv)                              Each Series B-2 Preferred Share shall automatically be converted (without the need for the consent or approval of any Member or the Board), based on the then-effective Series B-2 Conversion Price, without the payment of any additional consideration, into fully-paid and non-assessable Ordinary Shares upon the earlier of (A) the closing of an IPO, or (B) the date specified by written consent or agreement of holders holding 50% or more of the issued and outstanding Series B-2 Preferred Shares.

 

(v)                                 Each Series B-3 Preferred Share shall automatically be converted (without the need for the consent or approval of any Member or the Board), based on the then-effective Series B-3 Conversion Price, without the payment of any additional consideration, into fully-paid and non-assessable Ordinary Shares upon the earlier of (A) the closing of an IPO, or (B) the date specified by written consent or agreement of holders holding 50% or more of the issued and outstanding Series B-3 Preferred Shares.

 

(vi)                              Each Series B-4 Preferred Share shall automatically be converted (without the need for the consent or approval of any Member or the Board), based on the then-effective Series B-4 Conversion Price, without the payment of any additional consideration, into fully-paid and non-assessable Ordinary Shares upon the earlier of (A) the closing of an IPO, or (B) the date specified by written consent or agreement of holders holding 50% or more of the issued and outstanding Series B-4 Preferred Shares.

 

(vii)                           Each Series C-1 Preferred Share shall automatically be converted (without the need for the consent or approval of any Member or the Board), based on the then-effective Series C-1 Conversion Price, without the payment of any additional consideration, into fully-paid and non-assessable Ordinary Shares upon the earlier of (A) the closing of an IPO, or (B) the date specified by written consent or agreement of holders holding 50% or more of the issued and outstanding Series C-1 Preferred Shares.

 

25


 

(viii)                        Each Series C-2 Preferred Share shall automatically be converted (without the need for the consent or approval of any Member or the Board), based on the then-effective Series C-2 Conversion Price, without the payment of any additional consideration, into fully-paid and non-assessable Ordinary Shares upon the earlier of (A) the closing of an IPO, or (B) the date specified by written consent or agreement of holders holding 50% or more of the issued and outstanding Series C-2 Preferred Shares.

 

(ix)                              Each Series D Preferred Share shall automatically be converted (without the need for the consent or approval of any Member or the Board), based on the then- effective Series D Conversion Price, without the payment of any additional consideration, into fully-paid and non-assessable Ordinary Shares upon the earlier of (A) the closing of an IPO, or (B) the date specified by written consent or agreement of holders holding 50% or more of the issued and outstanding Series D Preferred Shares.

 

Any conversion pursuant to this Article 6.6 shall be referred to as an “Automatic Conversion”.

 

(d)                                 Conversion Mechanism. The conversion hereunder of the Preferred Shares shall be effected in the following manner:

 

(i)                                     Except as provided in (ii) and (iii) below, before any holder of any Preferred Shares shall be entitled to convert the same into Ordinary Shares, such holder shall surrender the original certificate or certificates therefor duly endorsed (or in lieu thereof shall deliver an affidavit of lost certificate and indemnity therefor) (if any), at the office of the Company or of any transfer agent for such share to be converted and shall give notice to the Company at its principal corporate office, of the election to convert the same and shall state therein the name of such holder in which the certificate or certificates for Ordinary Shares are to be issued. The Company shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, issue and deliver at such office to such Preferred Holder, or to the nominee or nominees of such holder, a certificate or certificates (if applicable) for the number of Ordinary Shares to which such holder shall be entitled as aforesaid, and such conversion shall be deemed to have been made immediately prior to the close of business on the date of such notice and such surrender of the Preferred Shares to be converted, the Register of Members of the Company shall be updated accordingly to reflect the same.

 

(ii)                                  If the conversion is in connection with an underwritten public offering of securities, the conversion will be conditioned upon the closing with the underwriter(s) of the sale of securities pursuant to such offering and the Person(s) entitled to receive the Ordinary Shares issuable upon such conversion shall not be deemed to have converted the applicable Preferred Shares until immediately prior to the closing of such sale of securities.

 

26


 

(iii)                               Upon the occurrence of an event of Automatic Conversion, all Preferred Holders to be automatically converted will be given at least ten (10) days’ prior written notice of the date fixed (which date shall in the case of an IPO be the latest practicable date immediately prior to the closing of an IPO) and the place designated for automatic conversion of all such Preferred Shares pursuant to this Article. Such notice shall be given pursuant to Article 39 to each record holder of such Preferred Shares at such holder’s address appearing on the Register of Members. On or before the date fixed for conversion, each holder of such Preferred Shares shall surrender the applicable original certificate or certificates duly endorsed (or in lieu thereof shall deliver an affidavit of lost certificate and indemnity therefor) (if any) for all such Shares to the Company at the place designated in such notice. On the date fixed for conversion, the Company shall promptly effect such conversion and update its Register of Members to reflect such conversion, and all rights with respect to such Preferred Shares so converted will terminate, with the exception of the right of a holder thereof to receive the Ordinary Shares issuable upon conversion of such Preferred Shares, and upon surrender of the certificate or certificates therefor duly endorsed (or in lieu thereof upon delivery of an affidavit of lost certificate and indemnity therefor) (if any), to receive certificates (if applicable) for the number of Ordinary Shares into which such Preferred Shares have been converted. All certificates evidencing such Preferred Shares shall, from and after the date of conversion, be deemed to have been retired and cancelled and the Preferred Shares represented thereby converted into Ordinary Shares for all purposes, notwithstanding the failure of the holder or holders thereof to surrender such certificates on or prior to such date.

 

(iv)                              The Company may effect the conversion of Preferred Shares in any manner available under Applicable Law, including redeeming or repurchasing the relevant Preferred Shares and applying the proceeds thereof towards payment for the new Ordinary Shares. For purposes of the repurchase or redemption, the Company may, subject to the Company being able to pay its debts in the ordinary course of business, make payments out of its capital.

 

(v)                                 No fractional Ordinary Shares shall be issued upon conversion of any Preferred Shares. In lieu of any fractional shares to which the holder would otherwise be entitled, the Company shall at the discretion of the Board of Directors either (A) pay cash equal to such fraction multiplied by the fair market value for the Preferred Share as determined and approved by the Board of Directors), or (B) issue one (1) whole Ordinary Share for each fractional share to which the holder would otherwise be entitled.

 

27


 

(vi)                              Upon conversion, all declared but unpaid bonus share dividends on the Preferred Shares shall be paid in Shares and all declared but unpaid cash dividends on the Preferred Shares shall be paid either in cash or by the issuance of such number of further Ordinary Shares as equal to the value of such cash amount divided by the applicable conversion price, at the option of the Preferred Holders.

 

(e)                                  Adjustment of Applicable Conversion Prices. The Applicable Conversion Price shall be adjusted and re-adjusted from time to time as provided below:

 

(i)                                     Adjustment for Subdivision or Consolidation of Shares. If the Company shall at any time, or from time to time, effect a subdivision of the outstanding Ordinary Shares, the Applicable Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such subdivision shall be proportionately decreased. Conversely, if the Company shall at any time, or from time to time, consolidate the outstanding Ordinary Shares into a smaller number of shares, the Applicable Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such combination shall be proportionately increased. Any adjustment under this subparagraph shall become effective at the close of business on the date the subdivision or consolidation becomes effective.

 

(ii)                                  Adjustment for Ordinary Share Dividends and Distributions. If the Company makes (or fixes a record date for the determination of Ordinary Shareholders entitled to receive) a dividend or other distribution to the Ordinary Shareholders payable as a bonus issuance of Ordinary Shares, the Applicable Conversion Price then in effect shall be decreased as of the time of such issuance (or in the event such record date is fixed, as of the close of business on such record date) by multiplying such conversion price by a fraction (i) the numerator of which is the total number of Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding immediately prior to the time of such issuance or the close of business on such record date, and (ii) the denominator of which is the total number of Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding immediately prior to the time of such issuance or the close of business on such record date plus the number of Ordinary Shares issuable in payment of such dividend or distribution.

 

(iii)                               Adjustments for Other Dividends. If the Company at any time, or from time to time, makes (or fixes a record date for the determination of Ordinary Shareholders entitled to receive) a dividend or other distribution to the Ordinary Shareholders payable in securities of the Company other than Ordinary Shares or payable in any other asset or property (other than cash), then, and in each such event, provision shall be made so that, upon conversion of any Preferred Share thereafter, the holder thereof shall receive, in addition to the number of Ordinary Shares issuable thereon, the amount of securities of the Company or other asset or property which the holder of such share would have received in connection with such event had the Preferred Shares been converted into Ordinary Shares immediately prior to such event.

 

28


 

(iv)                              Adjustments for Reorganizations, Mergers, Consolidations, Reclassifications, Exchanges, Substitutions. If at any time, or from time to time, any capital reorganization or reclassification of the Ordinary Shares (other than as a result of a share dividend, subdivision or consolidation otherwise treated above) occurs or the Company is consolidated, merged or amalgamated with or into another Person (other than a consolidation, merger or amalgamation treated as a liquidation), then in any such event, provision shall be made so that, upon conversion of any Preferred Share thereafter, the holder thereof shall receive the kind and amount of shares and other securities and property which the holder of such shares would have received in connection with such event had the Preferred Shares been converted into Ordinary Shares immediately prior to such event.

 

(v)                                 Adjustments to Applicable Conversion Price for Dilutive Issuance.

 

(A)                               Special Definitions. For purpose of this Article, the following definitions shall apply:

 

(I)                                   Options” mean rights, options or warrants to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire either Ordinary Shares or Convertible Securities.

 

(II)                              Convertible Securities” shall mean any indebtedness, shares or other securities directly or indirectly convertible into or exchangeable for Ordinary Shares.

 

(III)                         New Securities” shall mean all Ordinary Shares issued (or, pursuant to Article 6.6(e)(v)(C), deemed to be issued) by the Company after the date on which these Articles are adopted, other than the following issuances:

 

a.                                      Ordinary Shares (or Options exercisable for such Ordinary Shares) (as appropriately adjusted for share subdivision, share dividends, consolidation, Recapitalizations and similar events) issued (or issuable pursuant to such Options) to the Group Companies’ employees, officers, directors, consultants or any other Persons qualified pursuant to the ESOP;

 

b.                                      Ordinary Shares issued or issuable pursuant to a share subdivision, share dividend, combination, Recapitalization or other similar transaction of the Company, in each case, as described in Article 6.6(e)(i) through Article 6.6(e)(iii);

 

29


 

c.                                       Ordinary Shares issued upon the conversion of Preferred Shares; and

 

d.                                      Equity Securities of the Company issued as dividend or distribution solely on the Preferred Shares in accordance with these Articles, or in connection with a subdivision, combination, reclassification or similar event of the Preferred Shares.

 

(B)                               Waiver of Adjustment. No adjustment to the Conversion Price shall be made as the result of the issuance or deemed issuance of New Securities if the Company receives written notice signed by or on behalf of the Majority Preferred Holders agreeing that no such adjustment shall be made as the result of the issuance or deemed issuance of such New Securities.

 

(C)                               Deemed Issuance of New Securities. In the event the Company at any time or from time to time after the Applicable Issue Date shall issue any Options or Convertible Securities or shall fix a record date for the determination of holders of any series or class of securities entitled to receive any such Options or Convertible Securities, then the maximum number of Ordinary Shares (as set forth in the instrument relating thereto without regard to any provisions contained therein for a subsequent adjustment of such number for anti-dilution adjustments) issuable upon the exercise of such Options or, in the case of Convertible Securities and Options therefor, the conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities or the exercise of such Options, shall be deemed to be New Securities issued as of the time of such issue or, in case such a record date shall have been fixed, as of the close of business on such record date; provided that in any such case in which New Securities are deemed to be issued:

 

(I)                                   no further adjustment in the Applicable Conversion Price shall be made upon the subsequent issue of Convertible Securities or Ordinary Shares upon the exercise of such Options or conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities or upon the subsequent issue of Options for Convertible Securities or Ordinary Shares;

 

(II)                              if such Options or Convertible Securities by their terms provide, with the passage of time or otherwise, for any change in the consideration payable to the Company, or change in the number of Ordinary Shares issuable, upon the exercise, conversion or exchange thereof, the then effective Applicable Conversion Price computed upon the original issue thereof (or upon the occurrence of a record date with respect thereto), and any subsequent adjustments based thereon, shall, upon any such change becoming effective, be recomputed to reflect such change insofar as it affects such Options or the rights of conversion or exchange under such Convertible Securities;

 

30


 

(III)                         no readjustment pursuant to Article 6.6(e)(v)(C)(II) shall have the effect of increasing the then effective Applicable Conversion Price to an amount which exceeds the Applicable Conversion Price that would have been in effect had no adjustments in relation to the issuance of such Options or Convertible Securities as referenced in Article 6.6(e)(v)(C)(II) been made;

 

(IV)                          upon the expiration of any such Options or any rights of conversion or exchange under such Convertible Securities that have not been exercised, the then effective Applicable Conversion Price computed upon the original issue thereof (or upon the occurrence of a record date with respect thereto) and any subsequent adjustments based thereon shall, upon such expiration, be recomputed as if:

 

a.                                      in the case of Convertible Securities or Options for Ordinary Shares, the only New Securities issued were the Ordinary Shares, if any, actually issued upon the exercise of such Options or the conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities and the consideration received therefor was the consideration actually received by the Company for the issue of such exercised Options plus the consideration actually received by the Company upon such exercise or for the issue of all such Convertible Securities that were actually converted or exchanged, plus the additional consideration, if any, actually received by the Company upon such conversion or exchange, and

 

b.                                      in the case of Options for Convertible Securities, only the Convertible Securities, if any, actually issued upon the exercise thereof were issued at the time of issue of such Options, and the consideration received by the Company for the New Securities deemed to have been then issued was the consideration actually received by the Company for the issue of such exercised Options, plus the consideration deemed to have been received by the Company (determined pursuant to Article 6.6(e)(v)(E)) upon the issue of the Convertible Securities with respect to which such Options were actually exercised; and

 

31


 

(V)                               if such record date shall have been fixed and such Options or Convertible Securities are not issued on the date fixed therefor, the adjustment previously made in the Applicable Conversion Price which became effective on such record date shall be cancelled as of the close of business on such record date, and thereafter the Applicable Conversion Price shall be adjusted pursuant to Article 6.6(e)(v)(C) as of the actual date of their issuance.

 

(D)                               Adjustment of Applicable Conversion Price upon Issuance of New Securities. In the event of an issuance of New Securities, at any time after the Applicable Issue Date, for a consideration per Ordinary Share received by the Company (net of any selling concessions, discounts or commissions) less than the Applicable Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such issue, then and in such event, such Applicable Conversion Price shall be reduced, concurrently with such issue, to a price determined as set forth below:

 

NCP = OCP * (OS + (NP/OCP))/(OS + NS)

 

WHERE:

 

NCP = the new Applicable Conversion Price,

 

OCP = the Applicable Conversion Price in effect immediately before the issuance of the New Securities,

 

OS = the total outstanding Ordinary Shares immediately before the issuance of the New Securities plus the total Ordinary Shares issuable upon conversion of the outstanding Convertible Securities and exercise of outstanding Options,

 

NP = the total consideration received for the issuance or sale of the New Securities, and

 

NS = the number of New Securities issued or sold or deemed issued or sold.

 

(E)                                Determination of Consideration. For purposes of this subparagraph, the consideration received by the Company for the issuance of any New Securities shall be computed as follows:

 

32


 

(I)                                   Cash and Property. Such consideration shall:

 

a.                                      insofar as it consists of cash, be computed at the aggregate amount of cash received by the Company excluding amounts paid or payable for accrued interest or accrued  dividends  and  excluding  any  discounts, commissions or placement fees payable by the Company to any underwriter or placement agent in connection with the issuance of any New Securities;

 

b.                                      insofar as it consists of property other than cash, be computed at the fair market value thereof at the time of such issue, as determined and approved in good faith by the Board of Directors); provided, however, that no value shall be attributed to any services performed by any employee, officer or director of any Group Company;

 

c.                                       in the event New Securities are issued together with other Shares or securities or other assets of the Company for consideration which covers both, be the proportion of such consideration so received which relates to such New Securities, computed as provided in subparagraph a and b above, as reasonably determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.

 

(II)                              Options and Convertible Securities. The consideration per Ordinary Share received by the Company for New Securities deemed to have been issued pursuant to Article 6.6(e)(v)(C) hereof relating to Options and Convertible Securities, shall be determined by dividing (x) the total amount, if any, received or receivable by the Company as consideration for the issue of such Options or Convertible Securities (determined in the manner described in subparagraph ((E(I) above), plus the minimum aggregate amount of additional consideration (as set forth in the instruments relating thereto, without regard to any provision contained therein for a subsequent adjustment of such consideration) payable to the Company upon the exercise of such Options or the conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities, or in the case of Options for Convertible Securities, the exercise of such Options for Convertible Securities and the conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities by (y) the maximum number of Ordinary Shares (as set forth in the instruments relating thereto, without regard to any provision contained therein for a subsequent adjustment of such number) issuable upon the exercise of such Options or the conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities.

 

33


 

(vi)                              Other Dilutive Events. In case any event shall occur as to which the other provisions of this Article are not strictly applicable, but the failure to make any adjustment to the Applicable Conversion Price would not fairly protect the conversion rights of the relevant Preferred Holders in accordance with the essential intent and principles hereof, then, in each such case, Board of Directors, in good faith, shall determine the appropriate adjustment to be made, on a basis consistent with the essential intent and principles established in this Article, necessary to preserve, without dilution, the conversion rights of the holders of such Preferred Shares.

 

(vii)                           No Impairment. The Company will not, by amendment of these Articles or through any reorganization, Recapitalization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, amalgamation, scheme of arrangement, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms to be observed or performed hereunder by the Company, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all the provisions of this Article and in the taking of all such action as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the conversion rights of the Preferred Holders against impairment.

 

(viii)                        Certificate of Adjustment. In the case of any adjustment or readjustment of the Applicable Conversion Price, the Directors, at the Company’s sole expense, shall compute such adjustment or readjustment in accordance with the provisions hereof and prepare a certificate showing such adjustment or readjustment, and shall deliver such certificate by notice to each registered Preferred Holder, at the holder’s address as shown in the Company’s books. The certificate shall set forth such adjustment or readjustment, showing in detail the facts upon which such adjustment or readjustment is based, including a statement of (i) the consideration received or deemed to be received by the Company for any New Securities issued or sold or deemed to have been issued or sold, (ii) the number of New Securities issued or sold or deemed to be issued or sold, (iii) the Applicable Conversion Price in effect before and after such adjustment or readjustment, and (iv) the type and number of Equity Securities of the Company, and the type and amount, if any, of other property which would be received upon conversion of Preferred Shares after such adjustment or readjustment.

 

(ix)                              Notice of Record Date. In the event the Company shall propose to take any action of the type or types requiring an adjustment set forth in this Article, the Directors shall give notice to the Preferred Holders, which notice shall specify the record date, if any, with respect to any such action and the date on which such action is to take place. Such notice shall also set forth such facts with respect thereto as shall be reasonably necessary to indicate the effect of such action (to the extent such effect may be known at the date of such notice) on the Applicable Conversion Price and the number, kind or class of shares or other securities or property which shall be deliverable upon the occurrence of such action or deliverable upon the conversion of the Preferred Shares. In the case of any action which would require the fixing of a record date, such notice shall be given at least twenty (20) days prior to the date so fixed, and in the case of all other actions, such notice shall be given at least thirty (30) days prior to the taking of such proposed action.

 

34


 

(x)                                 Reservation of Shares Issuable Upon Conversion. The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorised but unissued Ordinary Shares, solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the Preferred Shares, such number of its Ordinary Shares as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all outstanding Preferred Shares. If at any time the number of authorised but unissued Ordinary Shares shall not be sufficient to effect the conversion of all then outstanding Preferred Shares, in addition to such other remedies as shall be available to the Preferred Holders, the Members will take such corporate action as may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary to increase its authorised but unissued Ordinary Shares to such number of Shares as shall be sufficient for such purpose.

 

Voting Rights

 

6.7                               Subject to the provisions of these Articles, at all general meetings of the Company, (i) each Ordinary Share shall be entitled to one (1) vote on all matters subject to vote at general meetings of the Company, (ii) each Preferred Share shall be entitled to such number of votes as equals the whole number of Ordinary Shares into which such Preferred Share is convertible immediately after the close of business on the record date of the determination of the Company’s Members entitled to vote or, if no such record date is established, at the date such vote is taken or any written consent of the Company’s Members is first solicited. Fractional votes shall not, however, be permitted and any fractional voting rights available on an as converted basis (after aggregating all shares into which the Preferred Shares held by each holder could be converted) shall be rounded to the nearest whole number (with one-half being rounded upward). Subject to provisions to the contrary elsewhere in these Articles, or as required by the Statute, holders of Preferred Shares shall vote together with the Ordinary Shareholders, and not as a separate class or series, on all matters submitted to a vote by the Members.

 

Protective Provisions

 

6.8                               Subject to any additional requirements imposed by the Statute, in addition to such limitations as may be provided in the Shareholders Agreement or these Articles, the Company and other Group Companies shall not directly or indirectly take, permit to occur, approve, authorize, or agree or commit to do any of the following actions without the prior written approval of the holders of the Preferred Shares representing at least two-thirds (2/3) of the voting power of the then issued and outstanding Preferred Shares (voting together as a single class and on an as converted basis):

 

35


 

(a)                                 increase, reduce or cancel any authorized or issued share capital of any Group Company, or otherwise change the authorized or issued share capital of any Group Company;

 

(b)                                 amend, adopt or repeal any provision of the Charter Documents (including the amendment) of any Group Company;

 

(c)                                  approve any initial public offering of any Equity Securities of any Group Company (including the IPO), including determining the material terms and conditions of the initial public offering (including, without limitation, the type and number of Equity Securities to be listed, listing venue, timing, valuation, issue price, engagement of any underwriter and offering conditions);

 

(d)                                 (A) create, authorize or issue (including by reclassification or otherwise) any Equity Securities, including such Equity Securities having rights, preferences or privileges senior to or on parity with any series or class of Preferred Shares; or (B) increase the authorized number of Preferred Shares; or (C) do any other act which has the effect of diluting or reducing the effective shareholding of any holder of the Preferred Shares, except for any Ordinary Shares and/or options or warrants therefor issued to employees, officers, directors, contractors, advisors or consultants of the Group Companies pursuant to the ESOP subject to a maximum of 137,186,000 Ordinary Shares (as adjusted in connection with share splits or share consolidation, reclassification or other similar event) issuable thereunder;

 

(e)                                  redeem or repurchase any Equity Securities of the Company or pay any dividend on such Equity Securities, except for the redemption or repurchase of any Equity Securities of the Company from employees, officers, directors, contractors, advisors or consultants of the Group Companies upon the termination of their employment or contractor relationship with the applicable Group Company (the price of such redemption or repurchase shall be the lower of (i) the fair market value or (ii) the original purchase or subscription price, to the extent permitted by any Applicable Law). For the avoidance of doubt, redemption under Articles 6.10, 6.11, 6.12 and 6.13 shall not require the approval of the Members under this Article 6.8;

 

(f)                                   adopt or approve any plans of merger, amalgamation, consolidation, spin-off, reorganization, restructuring, suspension or cease of operation, dissolution, liquidation, bankruptcy, change of organizational form, change of control transaction or the sale, transfer, pledge, mortgage or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets, business or interests (including the exclusive licensing of all or substantially all of the intellectual property) of any Group Company;

 

36


 

(g)                                  approve any amendment to the rights, preferences, privileges or powers of, or the restrictions provided for the benefit of, any Preferred Share, or approve any action that will result in the dilution of the Preferred Shares;

 

(h)                                 adopt, approve or amend any profit distribution or loss compensation policy of any Group Company;

 

(i)                                     any termination, or material modification or waiver of, or material amendment to any Control Documents, including a feasible alternative legal structure if any of the Control Documents becomes illegal, void or unenforceable; and

 

(j)                                    any other item as provided in the Shareholders Agreement and the Memorandum and Articles which requires the prior written approval of the holders of the Preferred Shares representing at least two-thirds (2/3) of the voting power of the then outstanding Preferred Shares (voting together as a single class and on an as converted basis).

 

Notwithstanding the forgoing, the Company and other Group Companies shall not directly or indirectly take, permit to occur, approve, authorize, or agree or commit to do any of the items as set forth in Article 6.8(a), (d), (f) and (g) (for Article 6.8(g), only with respect to the Series D Preferred Shares), without the prior written approval of the holders of the Series D Preferred Shares representing at least two-thirds (2/3) of the voting power of the then issued and outstanding Series D Preferred Shares (voting together as a single class and on an as converted basis).

 

6.9                               Subject to any additional requirements imposed by the Statute, in addition to such limitations as may be provided in the Shareholders Agreement or these Articles, the Company and other Group Companies shall not directly or indirectly take, permit to occur, approve, authorize, or agree or commit to do any of the following actions without the written approval of a majority of the Directors then in office, which must include approval from each of the Investor Directors:

 

(a)                                 adopt or amend any operational plan, investment plan, and annual business plan, including any change to the existing business scope, entry into any new lines of business or cessation of any existing lines of business, of any Group Company;

 

(b)                                 adopt any annual business plan, budget or final accounts of any Group Company or approve any expenditure exceeding the annual budget of any Group Company;

 

(c)                                  adopt, approve or amend any profit distribution or loss compensation policy of any Group Company;

 

(d)                                 adopt any substantive change to the accounting principles, standards, methods or policies of any Group Company in any material respect, or change the financial year of any Group Company;

 

37


 

(e)                                  except for operations in the ordinary course of business of the Company in connection with joint product development and joint sale and marketing efforts, make any investment to another entity (other than a Group Company), acquire any assets, operations or businesses of another entity (other than a Group Company), enter into any partnership, profit sharing arrangement or joint venture with another entity (except for strategic alliances not involving any equity or equity-related investment), or establish any new branches or Subsidiaries of the Company, in each case in an amount exceeding RMB5,000,000 in one transaction or in an amount exceeding RMB20,000,000 in the aggregate in any financial year;

 

(f)                                   adopt plans to increase, reduce (by redemption, repurchase or otherwise) or cancel the authorized or issued share capital of any Group Company or otherwise change the authorized or issued share capital of any Group Company;

 

(g)                                  adopt any amendment to or restate the Charter Documents of any Group Company (including the amendment thereof);

 

(h)                                 any termination, or material modification or waiver of, or material amendment to any Control Documents, including a feasible alternative legal structure if any of the Control Documents becomes illegal, void or unenforceable;

 

(i)                                     issue any securities of any Group Company other than Equity Securities, including the issuance of any debt securities;

 

(j)                                    approve any initial public offering of any Equity Securities of any Group Company, including determine the material terms and conditions of the initial public offering (including, without limitation, the type and number of Equity Securities to be listed, listing venue, stock exchange, timing, valuation, issue price, engagement of any underwriter or sponsor and offering conditions);

 

(k)                                 adopt or approve any plans of merger, amalgamation, consolidation, spin-off, reorganization, restructuring, suspension or cease of operation, dissolution, liquidation, bankruptcy, change of organizational formation, change of control transaction or the sale, transfer, pledge, mortgage, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets, business or interests, of any Group Company;

 

(l)                                     approve or amend any ESOP;

 

(m)                             approve, extend or amend any transaction or agreement between any Group Company and a Member, Director, officer, Key Employee(s) or related party of any Group Company, except for transactions or agreements pursuant to the ESOP or employment agreements or with a Preferred Holder holding Preferred Shares representing less than 5% of the Company’s voting power in the aggregate (on a fully diluted and as-converted basis);

 

38


 

(n)                                 approve, extend or amend any grant of exclusivity rights to a third party by any Group Company;

 

(o)                                 determine the scope of the senior management, appoint, replace, remove or determine the compensation of the chief executive officer, chief operating officer, general manager, financial manager and any other senior officer or member of the senior management of the Company, including any individual who receives a total compensation (including in-kind compensation and allowances) from any Group Company in excess of RMB1,000,000 (or its equivalent in another currency) per year;

 

(p)                                 elect, replace, or remove any of the co-chairman of the Board;

 

(q)                                 commence, terminate or settle any legal proceedings or arbitrations in which the amount under dispute exceeds RMB5,000,000 or any legal proceedings, arbitrations or administrative proceedings that will materially and adversely affect the business of the Company;

 

(r)                                    sell, pledge, mortgage, lease, license to any third party to operate or otherwise dispose of any asset outside the ordinary course of business, if the book value of such asset exceeds one percent (1%) of the total asset value of any Group Company, five percent (5%) of the net asset value of such Group Company, or such asset is critical to the ordinary course of business of such Group Company without which would cause a Material Adverse Effect on such Group Company;

 

(s)                                   except for any debt or guarantee incurred or made in the ordinary course of business or in accordance with a duly approved annual budget, business plan or investment plan of any Group Company, incur any indebtedness or provide any guarantee by any Group Company over any indebtedness (including, without limitation, any indebtedness of any Member, the Founder or the Co-Founder) in an amount exceeding RMB5,000,000 in one transaction or in an amount exceeding RMB20,000,000 in the aggregate in any financial year (including any issuance of debt securities);

 

(t)                                    except for any loan or advance made to a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company or Beijing Duoke, or in the ordinary course of business, make any loan or advance in an amount exceeding RMB5,000,000 in one transaction or in an amount exceeding RMB20,000,000 in the aggregate in any financial year;

 

(u)                                 purchase any real property;

 

(v)                                 sell, transfer, license, pledge, encumber or otherwise dispose of any material intellectual property of any Group Company;

 

(w)                               except for any capital expenditure made in accordance with a duly approved annual budget, business plan or investment plan of the Company, incur any capital expenditure in excess of RMB1,000,000 in any single transaction or a series of related transactions;

 

39


 

(x)                                 designate or change the authorized signatories or seals of any bank account of the Company;

 

(y)                                 appoint, replace or remove of the external auditor of the Company; and

 

(z)                                  enter into any material transaction between any Group Company and any related party of any Group Company, including the grant of any loans to officers, Directors or employees of any Group Company. For the avoidance of doubt, any transaction with an amount of no more than RMB20,000,000 between any Group Company and any Preferred Holder holding Preferred Shares representing less than 5% of the Company’s voting power in the aggregate (on a fully diluted and as-converted basis) shall not be deemed to be a material transaction between any Group Company and any related party of any Group Company as set forth in the preceding sentence.

 

Redemption Rights

 

6.10                        Upon and after the occurrence of any Redemption Event, any Preferred Holder (other than any Series A-1 Preferred Holder) (each, a “Redemption Holder”) may serve a written notice (the “Redemption Notice”) to the Company, the Co-Founder and the Co-Founder Holdco to request the redemption of all or part of their Preferred Shares (the “Redemption Shares”). Upon receipt of an Redemption Notice, the Company, the Co-Founder and the Co-Founder Holdco shall redeem the Redemption Shares and make payment to each Redemption Holder within ninety (90) days following the receipt of the Redemption Notice an amount on a per share basis calculated as follows:

 

(a)                                 with respect to each Series D Preferred Share, the sum of (a) the Series D Issue Price x (1 + 10%)N, plus (b) any declared but unpaid dividends on a Series D Preferred Share (where N is a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar days between the Series D Issue Date and the date on which such Series D Preferred Shares are redeemed and the denominator of which is 365);

 

(b)                                 with respect to each Series C-1 Preferred Share, the sum of (a) the Series C-1 Issue Price x (1 + 10%)N, plus (b) any declared but unpaid dividends on a Series C-1 Preferred Share (where N is a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar days between the Series C-1 Issue Date and the date on which such Series C-1 Preferred Shares are redeemed and the denominator of which is 365);

 

(c)                                  with respect to each Series B-4 Preferred Share, the sum of (a) 120% of the Series B-4 Issue Price or the fair market value of such Share (whichever is higher), plus (b) any declared but unpaid dividends on a Series B-4 Preferred Share;

 

(d)                                 with respect to each Series B-3 Preferred Share, the sum of (a) 120% of the Series B-3 Issue Price or the fair market value of such Share (whichever is higher), plus (b) any declared but unpaid dividends on a Series B-3 Preferred Share;

 

40


 

(e)                                  with respect to each Series B-2 Preferred Share, the sum of (a) 120% of the Series B-2 Issue Price or the fair market value of such Share (whichever is higher), plus (b) any declared but unpaid dividends on a Series B-2 Preferred Share;

 

(f)                                   with respect to each Series B-1 Preferred Share, the sum of (a) 120% of the Series B-1 Issue Price or the fair market value of such Share (whichever is higher), plus (b) any declared but unpaid dividends on a Series B-1 Preferred Share;

 

(g)                                  with respect to each Series A-2 Preferred Share, the sum of 300% of the Series A-2 Issue Price of such Share, plus (b) any declared but unpaid dividends on a Series A-2 Preferred Share.

 

(each, the “Redemption Price”).

 

6.11                        Subject to applicable Laws, the Company, the Co-Founder and the Co-Founder Holdco shall, jointly and severally, effect the redemption and make payment of the Redemption Price to each Redemption Holder in the following sequence and priority:

 

(a)                                 before any redemption of any Series A-2 Preferred Shares, any Series B-1 Preferred Shares, any Series B-2 Preferred Shares, any Series B-3 Preferred Shares, any Series B-4 Preferred Shares and any Series C-1 Preferred Shares, redeem each Series D Preferred Share requested to be redeemed on a pari passu basis (in the event that there are insufficient funds to permit the payment of all Redemption Price to each Redemption Holder of the Series D Preferred Shares, the available funds shall be allocated ratably among each Redemption Holder of the Series D Preferred Shares in proportion to the Redemption Price entitled by each such Redemption Holder);

 

(b)                                 after redemption in full of the Series D Preferred Shares and before any redemption of any Series A-2 Preferred Shares, any Series B-1 Preferred Shares, any Series B-2 Preferred Shares, any Series B-3 Preferred Shares and any Series B-4 Preferred Shares, redeem each Series C-1 Preferred Share requested to be redeemed on a pari passu basis (in the event that there are insufficient funds to permit the payment of all Redemption Price to each Redemption Holder of the Series C-1 Preferred Shares, the available funds shall be allocated ratably among each Redemption Holder of the Series C-1 Preferred Shares in proportion to the Redemption Price entitled by each such Redemption Holder);

 

(c)                                  after redemption in full of the Series D Preferred Shares and the Series C-1 Preferred Shares and before any redemption of any Series A-2 Preferred Shares, any Series B-2 Preferred Shares, any Series B-3 Preferred Shares and any Series B-4 Preferred Shares, redeem each Series B-1 Preferred Share requested to be redeemed on a pari passu basis (in the event that there are insufficient funds to permit the payment of all Redemption Price to each Redemption Holder of the Series B-1 Preferred Shares, the available funds shall be allocated ratably among each Redemption Holder of the Series B-1 Preferred Shares in proportion to the Redemption Price entitled by each such Redemption Holder);

 

41


 

(d)                                 after redemption in full of the Series D Preferred Shares, the Series C-1 Preferred Shares and the Series B-1 Preferred Shares and before any redemption of any Series A-2 Preferred Shares, redeem each Series B-2 Preferred Share, each Series B-3 Preferred Share and each Series B-4 Preferred Share requested to be redeemed on a pari passu basis (in the event that there are insufficient funds to permit the payment of all Redemption Price to each Redemption Holder of Series B-4 Preferred Shares, Series B-3 Preferred Shares and Series B-2 Preferred Shares, the available funds shall be allocated ratably among each Redemption Holder of the Series B-4 Preferred Shares, the Series B-3 Preferred Shares and the Series B-2 Preferred Shares in proportion to the Redemption Price entitled by each such Redemption Holder);

 

(e)                                  after redemption in full of the Series D Preferred Shares, the Series C-1 Preferred Shares, the Series B-1 Preferred Shares, the Series B-2 Preferred Shares, the Series B-3 Preferred Shares and the Series B-4 Preferred Shares, redeem each Series A-2 Preferred Share requested to be redeemed (in the event that there are insufficient funds to permit the payment of all Redemption Price to each Redemption Holder of the Series A-2 Preferred Shares, the available funds shall be allocated ratably among such Redemption Holders in proportion to the Redemption Price entitled by each such Redemption Holder).

 

6.12                        If the Company, the Co-Founder and the Co-Founder Holdco fail to make full payment of the Redemption Price within ninety (90) days following the receipt of the Redemption Notice, the amount of any shortfall shall be subject to a daily interest accumulated at a rate of 0.05%. In the event that the Company, the Co-Founder and the Co-Founder Holdco fail to make full payment of the Redemption Price within one hundred and twenty (120) days following the receipt of the Redemption Notice, any Redemption Holder shall be entitled to require the dissolution and liquidation of the Company in accordance with the procedures as set forth in these Articles.

 

6.13                        Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Co-Founder’s obligations under this Article shall be limited to the fair market value of the Company Securities directly or indirectly held by the Co-Founder and the Co-Founder Holdco. The Co-Founder shall not be obligated to make any payment under this Article in an amount exceeding the fair market value of the Company Securities directly or indirectly held by the Co-Founder and the Co-Founder Holdco.

 

7.                                      REGISTER OF MEMBERS

 

7.1                               The Directors shall establish and maintain (or cause to be established and maintained) the Register of Members at the Registered Office or at such other place determined by the Directors in the manner prescribed by the Statute.

 

42


 

8.                                      RECORD DATE

 

Power of Directors to Fix Record Date

 

8.1                               The Directors may fix in advance a date as the record date to determine the Members entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the Members and, for the purpose of determining the Members entitled to receive payment of any dividend, the Directors may, at or within ninety (90) days prior to the date of the declaration of such dividend, fix a subsequent date as the record date for such determination.

 

No Fixed Record Date

 

8.2                               If no such record date is fixed, the record date shall be the date on which notice of the meeting is sent or the date on which the resolution of the Directors declaring such dividend is adopted, as the case may be. A determination of Members entitled to vote at any meeting of Members in accordance with this Article, shall apply to any adjournment thereof.

 

9.                                      REDEMPTION AND PURCHASE OF SHARES

 

9.1                               Subject to the provisions of the Statute, the Memorandum and these Articles, including without limitation Articles 6.8 and 6.9, the Company may:

 

(a)                                 purchase its own Shares (including any redeemable Shares); provided that the manner of purchase has been agreed by such Member or Members whose Shares are to be purchased by the Company or, failing such agreement, authorised by Ordinary Resolution, and may make payment for such purchase or for any redemption of Shares in any manner authorised by the Statute, including out of capital; and

 

(b)                                 reduce its share capital and any capital redemption reserve fund in any manner whatsoever.

 

9.2                               The Company may make a payment in respect of the redemption or purchase of its own Shares in any manner permitted by the Statute, including out of capital.

 

9.3                               The Directors may accept the surrender for no consideration of any fully paid Share unless following such surrender there would no longer be any issued Shares.

 

10.                               VARIATION OF SHARE RIGHTS

 

Variation of Class Rights

 

10.1                        Subject to these Articles, including without limitation Articles 6.8 and 6.9, if at any time the share capital is divided into different classes of Shares, all or any of the special rights attached to any class of Shares (unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of the Shares of that class) may be varied or abrogated with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than two thirds (2/3) of the issued Shares of that class or with the sanction of a resolution passed by the holders of not less than two thirds (2/3) of the issued Shares of that class as may be present in person or by proxy at a separate general meeting of the holders of the Shares of that class. To any such separate general meeting, all of the provisions of these Articles relating to general meetings shall mutatis mutandis apply, but so that the necessary quorum shall be any one or more persons holding or representing by proxy not less than one third (1/3) of the issued Shares of the class and that any holder of Shares of the relevant class present in person or by proxy may demand a poll.

 

43


 

Treatment of Classes

 

10.2                        For the purpose of a separate class meeting, the Directors may treat two or more of all classes of Shares as forming one class if they consider that such class of Shares would be affected in the same way by the proposals under consideration.

 

Effect of Share Issue on Class Rights

 

10.3                        The rights conferred upon the holders of any Shares shall not, unless otherwise expressly provided in the rights attaching to such Shares, be deemed to be altered by the creation or issue of further Shares ranking pari passu therewith.

 

11.                               SHARE CERTIFICATES

 

Issue of Share Certificates

 

11.1                        No Member shall be entitled to a certificate for any or all of his, her or its Shares, unless the Directors shall determine otherwise.

 

Certificates for Jointly Held Shares

 

11.2                        The Company shall not be bound to issue more than one certificate for Shares held jointly by more than one person, and delivery of a certificate to one joint holder shall be sufficient delivery to all.

 

Replacement Share Certificates

 

11.3                        If a share certificate is defaced, lost or destroyed, it may be replaced on payment of such fee (if any) and on such terms (if any) as to evidence and indemnity, and on the payment of expenses of the Company in investigating such evidence and preparing such indemnity as the Directors shall think fit and, in case of defacement, on delivery of the old certificate to the Company for cancellation.

 

12.                               TRANSFER OF SHARES

 

Restrictions on Transfer

 

12.1                        [Reserved].

 

44


 

12.2                        Without the prior written consent of each Preferred Holder, the Ordinary Shareholder (except for the Ordinary Investors) shall not Transfer, directly or indirectly, any Equity Securities of any Group Company, except for any Permitted Transfer, provided that (i) such Permitted Transfer is effected in compliance with all Applicable Laws, (ii) such Permitted Transfer will not result in a change of Control of the Company, and (iii) each transferee of such Permitted Transfer, prior to the completion of such Permitted Transfer, shall execute a joinder agreement in substantially the form attached as Exhibit A to the Shareholders Agreement assuming the obligations of such Ordinary Shareholder under the Shareholders Agreement; provided further, in the event of a Transfer of Equity Securities of a Group Company by such Ordinary Shareholder to a trust for the benefit of such Ordinary Shareholder or its Affiliate(s), such Ordinary Shareholder shall remain liable for any breach by the transferee of such Permitted Transfer of any provision under the Series D Preferred Share Subscription Agreement, the Shareholders Agreement and the Memorandum and Articles.

 

12.3                        Without the prior written consent of the Board, and notwithstanding any other provision herein, no Member shall Transfer any Company Securities to any Company Competitor.

 

12.4                        (a) No Group Company shall, directly or indirectly, issue or sell any Equity Securities of any Group Company to any Competitor without the prior written consent of Ant Financial, and (b) subject to Article 12.6, no Member (other than Ant Financial) shall Transfer any or all of its Company Securities to any Competitor, without the prior written consent of Ant Financial. Notwithstanding prong (b) of the previous sentence, if Ant Financial does not consent to such Transfer and not exercise the right of first refusal in accordance with Article 12.6, each of the Series A-1 Preferred Holder, the Series A-2 Preferred Holder, Chuangji, Neo TH, Themisclio, the Series C-1 Preferred Holder, the Series C-2 Preferred Holder and the Series D Preferred Holder may, individually or collectively, Transfer its Company Securities to any Competitor only if the following conditions are satisfied: (i) the aggregate Company Securities thus Transferred to such Competitor shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the total outstanding Shares of the Company (calculated on a fully diluted and an as-converted basis), and (ii) following such Transfer, no Competitor shall be entitled to any veto right over any of the material matters of any Group Company, or to appoint any director of any Group Company.

 

Right of First Refusal

 

12.5                        (a) Subject to Articles 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.6 and 12.8 and except for any Permitted Transfer, if any Ordinary Shareholder (other than the Ordinary Investors) (a “Transferor”) proposes to Transfer any or all of its Company Securities to one or more Persons other than the Members, the Transferor shall give the Company and all the Preferred Holders (each such Preferred Holder, a “Rightholder”) a written notice of the Transferor’s intention to make the Transfer (the “Transfer Notice”), which shall include (i) a description of the Company Securities to be transferred (the “Offered Securities”), (ii) the identity and address of the prospective transferee and (iii) the consideration and other material terms and conditions upon which the proposed Transfer is to be made. The Transfer Notice shall certify that the Transferor has received a definitive offer from the prospective transferee and in good faith believes a binding agreement for the Transfer is obtainable on the terms set forth in the Transfer Notice. The Transfer Notice shall also include a copy of any written proposal, term sheet or letter of intent or other agreements relating to the proposed Transfer.

 

45


 

(b) Each Rightholder shall have an option for a period of ten (10) Business Days following receipt of the Transfer Notice (the “Option Period”) to elect to purchase all or any portion of its respective Pro Rata Share of the Offered Securities at the same price and subject to the same terms and conditions as described in the Transfer Notice, by notifying the Transferor and the Company in writing before expiration of the Option Period as to the number of such Offered Securities that it wishes to purchase. For purpose of this Article, the Rightholder’s “Pro Rata Share” of such Offered Securities shall be equal to the product of (i) the total number of such Offered Securities, multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the aggregate number of Ordinary Shares held by such Rightholder on the date of the Transfer Notice (including all Preferred Shares held by such Rightholder on an as-converted basis) and the denominator of which shall be the total number of Ordinary Shares held by all Rightholders on such date (including all Preferred Shares held by such Rightholders on an as-converted basis).

 

(c) If any Rightholder fails to exercise its right to purchase its full Pro Rata Share of such Offered Securities, the Company shall deliver a written notice thereof (the “Second Notice”), within two (2) Business Days after the expiration of the Option Period, to the Transferor and to each Rightholder that elected to purchase its entire Pro Rata Share of the Offered Securities (an “Exercising Shareholder”). The Exercising Shareholders shall have a right of re-allotment, and may exercise an additional right to purchase such unpurchased Offered Securities by notifying the Transferor and the Company in writing within ten (10) Business Days after receipt of the Second Notice (the “Second Option Period”); provided that if the Exercising Shareholders desire to purchase in aggregate more than the number of such unpurchased Offered Securities, then such unpurchased Offered Securities will be allocated to the extent necessary among the Exercising Shareholders in accordance with their relative Pro Rata Shares.

 

(d) Subject to Applicable Laws, each Rightholder shall be entitled to apportion Offered Securities to be purchased among its Affiliates, provided that such Rightholder shall notify the Transferor in writing and such Affiliates shall execute and deliver such documents and take such other actions as may be necessary for such Affiliates to join in and be bound by the terms of the Shareholders Agreement as a “Shareholder” (if not already a Party hereto) upon and after such Transfer. If any Rightholder gives the Transferor and the Company notice that it desires to purchase Offered Securities, payment for the Offered Securities to be purchased shall be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds of the appropriate currency, against delivery of such Offered Securities to be purchased, remotely via the exchange of documents and signatures on or prior to the 30th day after expiration of the Option Period, or other time as agreed by the Transferor, the Company and all Exercising Shareholders. The Company will update its register of members upon the consummation of any such Transfer.

 

46


 

12.6                        Subject to Articles 12.2, 12.3 and 12.4, if any Member (other than Ant Financial) proposes to Transfer (the “Proposed Transfer”) any or all of its Company Securities to any Competitor, then before any Rightholder may invoke its applicable right of first refusal pursuant to Article 12.5 or co-sale right pursuant to Article 12.7, such proposed transferor shall give Ant Financial a written transfer notice, which shall include (i) its intention to make the Proposed Transfer, (ii) a description of the Company Securities to be transferred (the “Transferring Securities”), including the number of such Company Securities, the proposed consideration and other key terms and conditions upon which the Proposed Transfer is to be made. Ant Financial shall, within thirty (30) days (the “30-Day Option Period”) following receipt of such transfer notice, deliver a written notice to such transferor of its election: (x) Ant Financial does not consent to the Proposed Transfer, (y) Ant Financial elects to exercise its right of first refusal to purchase all of the Transferring Securities at the same price and subject to the same terms and conditions as described in the transfer notice, or (z) Ant Financial consents to the Proposed Transfer without exercising its right of first refusal under this Article 12.6. If Ant Financial fails to give a written notice within the 30-Day Option Period in accordance with the foregoing, then the foregoing sub-clause (x) shall be deemed to be elected by Ant Financial. In the case of the foregoing sub-clause (x), Ant Financial shall not be obliged to purchase the Transferring Securities. In the case of the foregoing sub-clause (y), the written notice of Ant Financial shall constitute a binding agreement to purchase, at the price and on the terms specified in the transfer notice, all of the Transferring Securities specified in the transfer notice and such Transfer shall be consummated within thirty (30) days upon the expiration of the 30-Day Option Period. For the avoidance of doubt, in the case of the foregoing sub-clause(z) Ant Financial consents to the Proposed Transfer without exercising its right of first refusal under this Article 12.6, then other Members are entitled to the right of first refusal under Article 12.5.

 

Co-Sale Rights

 

12.7                        (a) To the extent that the Rightholders do not exercise their right of first refusals in full as to the Offered Securities proposed to be Transferred by the Transferor to the prospective transferee identified in the Transfer Notice pursuant to Article 12.5, the Rightholders (each, a “Co-Sale Rightholder”) shall have the right to participate in such sale to the prospective transferee identified in the Transfer Notice on the same terms and conditions as specified in the Transfer Notice by notifying the Transferor in writing within ten (10) Business Days after expiration the Option Period, or the Second Option Period, as the case may be (the “Co-Sale Option Period”).

 

(b) The maximum number of Company Securities that each Co-Sale Rightholder may elect to sell shall be equal to the product of (i) the aggregate number of Offered Securities after any Transfer made pursuant to Article 12.5, multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of Ordinary Shares owned by such Co-Sale Rightholder (including all Preferred Shares held by such Co-Sale Rightholder on an as-converted basis) and the denominator of which shall be the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Transferor and all participating Co-Sale Rightholders immediately prior to the proposed Transfer (including all Preferred Shares held by such Members on an as-converted basis).

 

(c) Each Co-Sale Rightholder shall effect its participation in the sale by promptly delivering to the Transferor for Transfer to the prospective transferee, before the applicable closing, one or more certificates, which represent the type and number of Company Securities which the Co-Sale Rightholder elects to sell.

 

47


 

(d) The share certificate or certificates that each Co-Sale Rightholder delivers to the Transferor pursuant to Article 12.7(c) shall be submitted to the Company for cancellation and the Company shall, upon the consummation of the sale of the Company Securities, issue a new certificate to each Co-Sale Rightholder for the remaining balance. The Transferor shall concurrently therewith remit to each Co-Sale Rightholder that portion of the sale proceeds to which the Co-Sale Rightholder is entitled by reason of its participation in such Transfer. The Company shall update its register of members upon consummation of such Transfer.

 

(e) To the extent that (x) any prospective purchaser prohibits the participation by any Co-Sale Rightholder exercising its co-sale rights hereunder in a proposed Transfer or otherwise refuses to purchase Company Securities from such Co-Sale Rightholder, or (y) such prospective purchaser fails to consummate the purchase of the Company Securities from such Co-Sale Rightholder prior to, or simultaneously with, the consummation of the Transfer of the Offered Securities, then the Transferor shall not sell to such prospective purchaser any Company Securities unless and until, prior to, or simultaneously with, such sale, the Transferor shall purchase from the Co-Sale Rightholder such Company Securities that the Co-Sale Rightholder would otherwise be entitled to sell to the prospective purchaser pursuant to its co-sale rights for the same consideration and subject to the terms and conditions as the proposed Transfer specified in the Transfer Notice.

 

Subject to the provisions of Article 12.7, to the extent that the Rightholders do not elect to purchase all of the Offered Securities in accordance with Article 12.5, the Transferor shall have two (2) months after the latest of the expiration of the Option Period, the Second Option Period and the Co-Sale Option Period to consummate the Transfer of the Offered Securities not purchased by the Rightholders pursuant to Article 12.5 to the prospective transferee identified in the Transfer Notice on the same terms and conditions specified in the Transfer Notice. In the event that such Transfer has not consummated within such two-month period, the Transferor shall not thereafter Transfer any Company Securities without first applying the procedures provided in Article 12.5 and Article 12.7.

 

Drag-along Rights

 

12.8                        If the Majority Shareholders (including the Majority Preferred Holders and each of Ant Financial,Chuangji, the Founder and the Co-Founder) (the “Drag-Along Sellers”) approve a bona fide offer from any third party (other than the Preferred Holders or their respective Affiliate(s)) to enter into a Deemed Liquidation Event (as defined in the Shareholders Agreement) of the Company (a “Drag-Along Sale”), then each other Member shall, if so requested by the Drag-Along Sellers, (i) vote all of its Company Securities, or execute a written consent, in favor of the Drag-Along Sale, (ii) Transfer all or any portion of its Company Securities at the same price and on the same terms as the Drag-Along Sellers to consummate the Drag-Along Sale, provided, however, that such terms and conditions, including with respect to price paid or received per Company Security, may differ as between different classes of Company Securities in accordance with their relative liquidation preferences as set forth in the Shareholders Agreement and the Memorandum and Articles, and (iii) otherwise take all other actions necessary or desirable to consummate the Drag-Along Sale; provided that, any Transfer of the Company Securities pursuant to this Article 12.8 shall not be subject to the restrictions provided under Articles 12.2, 12.3, 12.5, 12.6 and 12.7.

 

48


 

Preemptive Rights

 

12.9                        (a) The Company shall give each Preemptive Rightholder notice (an “Issuance Notice”) of any proposed issuance by the Company of any Company Securities at least ten (10) days prior to the proposed issuance date. The Issuance Notice shall specify (i) the price at which such Company Securities are to be issued, (ii) the identity of the prospective subscriber and (iii) the other material terms of the issuance. Subject to Article 12.9(g) below, each Preemptive Rightholder shall be entitled to purchase up to its Preemptive Portion of the Company Securities proposed to be issued, at the price and on the terms specified in the Issuance Notice.

 

(b) Each Preemptive Rightholder who desires to purchase any or all of its Preemptive Portion of the Company Securities specified in the Issuance Notice shall deliver notice to the Company (each, an “Exercise Notice”) of its election to purchase such Company Securities within ten (10) Business Days of receipt of the Issuance Notice (the “Preemptive Option Period”). The Exercise Notice shall specify the number (or amount) of Company Securities to be purchased by such Preemptive Rightholder and shall constitute exercise by such Preemptive Rightholder of its rights under this Article 12.9 and a binding agreement of it to purchase, at the price and on the terms specified in the Issuance Notice, the number (or amount) of Company Securities specified in the Exercise Notice. If, at the termination of the Preemptive Option Period, any Preemptive Rightholder shall not have delivered an Exercise Notice to the Company, such Preemptive Rightholder shall be deemed to have waived all of its rights under this Article 12.9 with respect to the purchase of such Company Securities.

 

(c) If any Preemptive Rightholder declines or fails to exercise its right to subscribe for its Preemptive Portion of the Company Securities proposed to be issued in full in accordance with Article 12.9(b) and there is at least one Preemptive Rightholder who has fully exercised its right of participation (the “Exercising Rightholder”), the Company shall promptly give notice thereof to each Exercising Rightholder. The Exercising Rightholders shall have a right of over- allotment, and may exercise an additional right to subscribe such unsubscribed Company Securities by notifying the Company in writing within ten (10) Business Days after receipt of notice; provided that if the Exercising Rightholders desire to subscribe in aggregate more than the number of such unsubscribed Company Securities, then such unsubscribed Company Securities will be allocated to the extent necessary among the Exercising Rightholders in accordance with their relative pro rata ownership of Shares on an as-converted basis.

 

(d) The Company shall have one hundred and twenty (120) days from the date of the Issuance Notice to consummate the proposed issuance of any or all of such Company Securities that the Preemptive Rightholders have not elected to purchase pursuant to this Article 12.9 at the price and upon terms that are not materially less favorable to the Company than those specified in the Issuance Notice. If the Company proposes to issue any such Company Securities after such 120-day period, it shall again comply with the procedures set forth in this Article 12.9.

 

49


 

(e)                                  At the consummation of the issuance of such Company Securities, the Company shall deliver a copy of its register of members updated to reflect such issuance and issue certificates representing the Company Securities purchased by each Preemptive Rightholder exercising preemptive rights pursuant to this Article 12.9, against payment by such Member of the purchase price for such Company Securities in accordance with the terms and conditions as specified in the Issuance Notice.

 

(f)                                   Each Preemptive Rightholder may apportion, at is sole discretion, its Preemptive Portion of the Company Securities proposed to be issued among its Affiliates in any proportion, provided that each of such Affiliate(s) shall meet the prerequisites and qualifications to become a Member of the Company, and execute and deliver a joinder agreement to be bound by the Shareholders Agreement in the form as attached to the Exhibit A of the Shareholders Agreement.

 

(g) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Preemptive Rightholder shall be entitled to purchase Company Securities as contemplated by this Article 12.9 in connection with issuances of (i) Company Securities (as appropriately adjusted for share subdivision, share dividends, combination, Recapitalizations and similar events) issued (or issuable pursuant to such Company Securities) to the Group Companies’ employees, officers, directors, consultants or any other Persons qualified pursuant to the ESOP of the Company as duly adopted, (ii) Company Securities issued or issuable pursuant to a pro rata share subdivision, share dividend, combination, Recapitalization or other similar transaction of the Company, in each case, as duly approved, (iii) Ordinary Shares issued upon the conversion of Preferred Shares, (iv) Company Securities issued in connection with the exercise of the right under any convertible securities, provided that the issuance of such convertible securities has been duly approved, (iv) Company Securities issued pursuant to an IPO and (v) Company Securities issued in connection with any bona fide, arm’s-length direct or indirect merger, consolidation, asset acquisition or similar transaction where the Company proposes to acquire substantially all of the assets of, or more than fifty percent (50%) of equity interest or voting power in, the target entity, as duly approved.

 

Instrument of Transfer

 

12.10                 The instrument of transfer of any Share shall be executed by or on behalf of the transferor (and, if the Directors so determine, the transferee). The transferor shall be deemed to remain the holder of the Share until the name of the transferee is entered in the Register of Members in respect of such Share. All instruments of transfer, once registered, may be retained by the Company.

 

12.11                 Subject to any applicable restrictions contained in these Articles, Shares shall be transferred in any usual or common form approved by the Directors.

 

50


 

Refusal to Register Transfers

 

12.12                 The Directors may not resolve to refuse or delay a Share transfer unless such registration of transfer would be contrary to any provisions in the Memorandum, any provisions of these Articles, the Statute, or the Shareholders Agreement. If the Directors refuse to register a transfer, they shall notify the transferee of such refusal within five (5) Business Days after receipt of a request for such transfer, providing a detailed explanation of the reason therefore.

 

13.                               TRANSMISSION OF SHARES

 

Transmission of Shares

 

13.1                        If a Member dies, the survivor or survivors (where he was a joint holder), and the legal personal representative (where he was sole holder), shall be the only person recognised by the Company as having any title to the Share. The estate of a deceased Member is not thereby released from any liability in respect of any Share held by him, whether solely or jointly. For the purpose of this Article, legal personal representative means the person to whom probate or letters of administration has or have been granted in the Cayman Islands or, if there is no such person, such other person as the Directors may in their absolute discretion determine to be the person recognised by the Company for the purpose of this Article.

 

Election by Persons Entitled on Transmission

 

13.2                        Any person becoming entitled to a Share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of a Member or otherwise by operation of Applicable Law may elect, upon such evidence being produced as may be required by the Directors as to his entitlement, either be registered himself as a Member in respect of the Share or, instead of being registered himself, to make such transfer of the Share as the deceased or bankrupt Member could have made.

 

Manner of Election

 

13.3                        If the person so becoming entitled elects to be registered himself, he shall deliver or send to the Company a notice in writing signed by him stating that he so elects. If he shall elect to transfer the Shares, he shall signify his election by signing an instrument of transfer of such Shares in favour of his transferee. All the limitations, restrictions and provisions of these Articles relating to the right to transfer and the registration of transfers of Shares shall be applicable to any such notice or instrument of transfer as aforesaid as if the death of the Member or other event giving rise to the transmission had not occurred and the notice or instrument of transfer was an instrument of transfer signed by such Member.

 

Rights of Persons Entitled on Transmission

 

13.4                        A person becoming entitled to a Share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of the Member (or otherwise by operation of Applicable Law), upon such evidence being produced as may be required by the Directors as to his entitlement, shall be entitled to the same dividends and other monies payable in respect of the Share as he would be entitled if he were the holder of such Share. However, he shall not be entitled, until he becomes registered as the holder of such Share, to receive notices of or to attend or vote at general meetings of the Company or (except as aforesaid) to exercise any other rights or privileges of a Member. The Directors may at any time give notice requiring such person to elect either to be registered himself or to transfer the Share and, if the notice is not complied with within sixty (60) days, the Directors may thereafter withhold payment of all dividends and other monies payable in respect of the Shares until the requirements of the notice have been complied with.

 

51


 

14.                               NON-RECOGNITION OF TRUSTS

 

Except as required by the Statute or these Articles, or under an order of a court of competent jurisdiction, the Company shall not be bound by or compelled to recognise in any way, even when notice thereof is given to it, any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest in any Share, or any other rights in respect of any Share other than an absolute right to the entirety thereof in the registered holder.

 

15.                               LIEN

 

Lien Generally

 

15.1                        The Company shall have a first and paramount lien on every Share (not being a fully paid Share) for all moneys (whether presently payable or not) called or payable at a date fixed by or in accordance with the terms of issue of such Share in respect of that Share, and the Company shall also have a first and paramount lien on every Share (other than a fully paid up Share) standing registered in the name of a Member, whether singly or jointly with any other person for all debts and liabilities of a Member or his estate to the Company, whether the same shall have been incurred before or after notice to the Company of any interest of any person other than such Member, and whether the time for the payment or discharge of the same shall have actually arrived or not, and notwithstanding that the same are joint debts or liabilities of such Member or his estate and any other person, whether a Member or not. The Directors may at any time, either generally or in any particular case, waive any lien that has arisen or declare any Share to be wholly or in part exempt from the provisions of this Article. The Company’s lien, if any, on a Share shall extend to all dividends payable thereon.

 

Enforcement

 

15.2                        The Company may sell, in such manner as the Directors think fit, any Share on which the Company has a lien; provided that a sum in respect of which the lien exists is presently payable, and is not paid within fourteen (14) days after a notice in writing has been given to the registered holder for the time being of the Share, demanding payment of the sum presently payable and giving notice of the intention to sell in default of such payment.

 

52


 

Completion of Sale

 

15.3                        For giving effect to any such sale, the Directors may authorise any person to transfer the Share sold to the purchaser thereof. The purchaser shall be registered as the holder of the Share comprised in any such transfer and he shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, nor shall his title to the Share be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings relating to the sale.

 

Application of Proceeds

 

15.4                        The net proceeds of such sale shall be applied in payment or discharge of the debt or liability in respect of which the lien exists and as is presently payable, and any balance shall (subject to a like lien for debts or liabilities not presently payable as existed upon the Shares prior to the sale) be paid to the person who was the registered holder of the Share immediately before such sale.

 

16.                               CALLS ON SHARES

 

Calls on Shares Generally

 

16.1                        The Directors may from time to time make calls upon the Members in respect of any moneys unpaid on their Shares (whether in respect of the par value of the Shares or premium or otherwise and not, by the terms of issue thereof, made payable at a future date fixed by or in accordance with such terms of issue); and each Member shall (subject to the Company serving upon him at least fourteen (14) days’ notice specifying the time or times and place of payment) pay to the Company at the time or times and place so specified the amount called on his Shares. A call may be revoked or postponed by the Directors wholly or in part as the Directors may determine. A call shall be deemed to have been made at the time when the resolution of the Directors authorising the call was passed.

 

Payment

 

16.2                        Payment of a call may be made by instalments on the direction of the Directors.

 

16.3                        If a sum called in respect of a Share is not paid before or on the day appointed for payment thereof, the person from whom the sum is due shall pay interest on the sum from the day payment is due to the time of the actual payment at such rate as the Directors may determine, but the Directors may waive payment of such interest wholly or in part.

 

16.4                        Any sum payable in respect of a Share on issue or allotment or at any fixed date, whether in respect of the par value of the Share or premium or otherwise, shall be deemed to be a call and if it is not paid all the relevant provisions as to payment of interest, forfeiture or otherwise of these Articles shall apply as if such sum had become due and payable by virtue of a call duly made and notified.

 

16.5                        The Directors may issue Shares with different terms as to the amount and times of payment of calls.

 

53


 

Liability of Joint Holders

 

16.6                        The joint holders of a Share shall be jointly and severally liable to pay calls in respect thereof.

 

Interest

 

16.7                        The Directors may, if they think fit, receive from any Member willing to advance the same, all or any part of the moneys uncalled and unpaid upon any Shares held by him; and may (until the amount would otherwise become payable) pay interest at such rate (not exceeding six per cent (6%) without the sanction of the Company in general meeting) as may be agreed upon between the Member paying the sum in advance and the Directors.

 

17.                               FORFEITURE OF SHARES

 

Notice

 

17.1                        If a Member fails to pay any call or instalment of a call by the date it becomes due and payable, the Directors may, at any time thereafter while such call or instalment remains unpaid, give notice to the Member requiring payment of the unpaid portion of the call or instalment, together with any accrued interest and expenses incurred by the Company by reason of such non-payment.

 

17.2                        The notice shall specify where and by what date (not being less than the expiration of fourteen (14) days’ from the date of the notice) payment is to be made and shall state that if it is not complied with the Shares in respect of which the call was made will be liable to be forfeited. The Directors may accept the surrender of any Share liable to be forfeited hereunder and, in such case, references to these Articles to forfeiture shall include surrender.

 

Forfeiture for Non-Compliance

 

17.3                        If such notice is not complied with, any Share in respect of which the notice was given may thereafter, before the payment of all calls or instalments and interest due in respect thereof has been made, be forfeited by a resolution of the Directors. Such forfeiture shall include all dividends declared, other distributions or other monies payable in respect of the forfeited Shares and not paid before the forfeiture.

 

Forfeited Shares

 

17.4                        A forfeited Share may be sold, re-allotted or otherwise disposed of upon such terms and in such manner as the Directors shall think fit, and at any time before a sale, re-allotment or disposition, the forfeiture may be cancelled on such terms as the Directors think fit.

 

Continued Liability for Forfeited Member

 

17.5                        A person whose Shares have been forfeited shall cease to be a Member in respect of the forfeited Shares, but shall remain liable to pay to the Company all moneys which at the date of forfeiture were presently payable by him in respect of the Shares together with interest at such rate as the Directors may determine from the date of forfeiture until payment, but his liability shall cease if and when the Company receives payment in full of all amounts due in respect of the Shares. The Company may enforce payment without being under any obligation to make any allowance for the value of the Shares forfeited.

 

54


 

Evidence of Forfeiture

 

17.6                        An affidavit in writing by a Director or Secretary of the Company that a Share has been duly forfeited on a specified date, shall be conclusive evidence of the facts stated in it as against all persons claiming to be entitled to the Share. The Company may receive the consideration, if any, given for the Share on any sale, re-allotment or disposition thereof and may authorise some person to execute a transfer of the Share in favour of the person to whom the Share is sold, re-allotted or otherwise disposed of, and he shall thereupon be registered as the holder of the Share, and shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money (if any) nor shall his title to the Share be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings in reference to the forfeiture, sale, re-allotment or disposition of the Share.

 

17.7                        The provisions of these Articles as to forfeiture shall apply in the case of non-payment of any sum which, by the terms of issue of a Share, becomes payable at a fixed time, whether on account of the par value of the Share, or by way of premium or otherwise, as if the same had been made payable by virtue of a call duly made and notified to the Member.

 

18.                               INCREASE OF CAPITAL

 

18.1                        Subject to the Shareholders Agreement and Article 6, the Company may from time to time by Ordinary Resolution increase its share capital by such sum, to be divided into new Shares of such par value, and with such rights, priorities and privileges attached thereto as the resolution shall prescribe.

 

18.2                        Subject to any directions given by the Company in a general meeting, all new Shares shall be at the discretion of the Directors in accordance with these Articles.

 

18.3                        The new Shares shall be subject to the same provisions of these Articles with reference to the payment of calls, lien, forfeiture, transfer, transmission and otherwise, as the Shares in the original share capital.

 

19.                               ALTERATION OF CAPITAL

 

19.1                        Subject to Articles 6, the Company may from time to time by Ordinary Resolution:

 

(a)                                 consolidate and divide all or any of its share capital into Shares of larger par value than its existing Shares;

 

55


 

(b)                                 sub divide its existing Shares, or any of them, into Shares of smaller par value than is fixed by the Memorandum, subject nevertheless to the provisions of the Statute;

 

(c)                                  cancel any Shares which, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person; and

 

(d)                                 convert all or any paid up Shares into stock, and reconvert all or any stock into paid up Shares of any denomination.

 

19.2                        Subject to Articles 6, the Company may from time to time by Special Resolution:

 

(a)                                 divide its Shares into several classes and attach to such classes any preferential, deferred, or special rights or restrictions in accordance with these Articles;

 

(b)                                 change the currency denomination of its share capital;

 

(c)                                  reduce its share capital and any capital redemption reserve fund in any manner whatsoever; and

 

(d)                                 merge or consolidate with any one or more constituent companies (as defined in the Statute).

 

20.                               GENERAL MEETINGS

 

Convening a Meeting

 

20.1                        The Directors may, whenever they think fit, convene an extraordinary general meeting. If at any time there are not sufficient Directors capable of acting to form a quorum, any Director, or any one or more Members holding in the aggregate not less than one third (1/3) of the total issued share capital of the Company entitled to vote, may convene an extraordinary general meeting in the same manner as nearly as possible as that in which meetings may be convened by the Directors.

 

Members’ Requisition

 

20.2                        The Directors shall, upon the requisition in writing of one or more Members holding in the aggregate not less than one tenth (1/10) of such paid up capital of the Company as at the date of the requisition carries the right of voting at general meetings, convene an extraordinary general meeting. Any such requisition shall express the object of the meeting proposed to be called, and must be signed by the requisitionists and deposited at the Registered Office, and may consist of several documents in like form, each signed by one or more requisitionists.

 

20.3                        If there are no Directors as at the date of the deposit of the Members’ requisition or if the Directors do not convene a general meeting within twenty one (21) days from the date of the deposit, the requisitionists or any of them or any other Member or Members holding in the aggregate not less than one tenth (1/10) of such paid up capital of the Company as at the date of the requisition, may convene an extraordinary general meeting. A general meeting convened by requisitionists shall be convened in the same manner as nearly as possible as that in which general meetings are to be convened by the Directors.

 

56


 

21.                               NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETINGS

 

Length and Form of Notice

 

21.1                        At least five (5) Clear Days’ notice shall be given of any general meeting. Every notice shall specify the place, the day and the time of meeting and, in the case of special business, the general nature of the business to be conducted at the general meeting, and shall be given in the manner provided in these Articles or in such other manner (if any) as may be prescribed by the Company, to such persons as are entitled to receive such notices from the Company.

 

Omission or Non-Receipt

 

21.2                        So long as a notice of a meeting is giving pursuant to the Memorandum and these Articles and Section 11.02 of the Shareholders Agreement, the non-receipt of a notice of a meeting by any Member entitled to receive notice shall not invalidate the proceedings at any meeting.

 

22.                               PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS

 

22.1                        All business shall be deemed special that is transacted at an extraordinary general meeting.

 

Quorum

 

22.2                        No business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum of Members is present at the time that the meeting proceeds to business, but the absence of a quorum shall not preclude the appointment, choice or election of a chairman, which shall not be treated as part of the business of the Meeting. Save as otherwise provided in these Articles, one or more Members holding in the aggregate not less than one third (1/3) of the issued Shares entitled to notice of and to attend and vote at such general meeting (including the Preferred Shares on an as converted and fully diluted basis) present in person or by proxy shall be a quorum.

 

Adjournment for Lack of Quorum

 

22.3                        If within five (5) minutes (or such longer time as the chairman of the meeting may determine to wait) after the time appointed for the meeting, a quorum is not present, the meeting, if convened upon the requisition of Members, shall be dissolved. In any other case, it shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week, at the same time and place, and if at the adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting, the Members present shall be a quorum.

 

57


 

Meeting by Telephone or Other Facilities

 

22.4                        A meeting of the Members may be held by telephone, electronic or other communication facilities (including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, by telephone or video conferencing) by which all persons participating in the meeting can communicate with each other simultaneously and instantaneously, and participation in such a general meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

22.5                        Any Director shall be entitled to attend and speak at any general meeting of the Company.

 

Appointment of Chairman

 

22.6                        The chairman (if any) of the Board of Directors shall preside as chairman at every general meeting of the Company. If there is no such chairman, or if at any meeting he is not present within five (5) minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting or is unwilling to act as chairman, the Directors present shall choose one of their number to act or, if only one Director is present, he shall preside as chairman if willing to act. If no Director is present, or if each of the Directors present declines to take the chair, the Members present and entitled to vote shall elect one of their number to be chairman.

 

Adjournment of Meeting

 

22.7                        The chairman may, with the consent of a meeting at which a quorum is present (and shall if so directed by the meeting) adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place, but no business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting from which the adjournment took place. When a meeting is adjourned for ten (10) days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as in the case of an original meeting. Save as aforesaid, it shall not be necessary to give any notice of an adjournment or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting.

 

23.                               VOTING

 

Ordinary Resolution

 

23.1                        Save where a Special Resolution or other greater majority is required by the Statute or these Articles, any question proposed for consideration at any general meeting shall be decided by an Ordinary Resolution.

 

23.2                        At any general meeting, a resolution put to the vote of the meeting shall be decided on poll.

 

23.3                        A poll shall be taken in such manner as the chairman directs, and the result of the poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting at which the poll was demanded.

 

23.4                        In the case of an equality of votes at a general meeting, the chairman of the meeting shall not be entitled to a second or casting vote and the resolution shall fail.

 

58


 

23.5                        A poll on the election of a chairman or on a question of adjournment shall be taken forthwith. A poll on any other question shall be taken in such manner and either forthwith or at such time later in the meeting as the chairman of the meeting shall direct.

 

23.6                        On a poll votes may be cast either personally or by proxy.

 

23.7                        A person entitled to more than one (1) vote on a poll need not use all his votes or cast all the votes he uses in the same way.

 

23.8                        In the case of joint holders of a Share, the vote of the senior who tenders a vote, whether in person or by proxy, shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other joint holders; and for this purpose seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names stand in the Register of Members in respect of the joint holding.

 

23.9                        A Member of unsound mind, or, in respect of whom an order has been made by any court having jurisdiction in lunacy, may vote on a poll, by his receiver, committee, curator bonis or other person of similar nature appointed by such court, and any such receiver, committee, curator bonis or other person may vote by proxy and may otherwise act and be treated as such Member for the purpose of the general meetings.

 

23.10                 No Member, unless the Directors otherwise determine, shall be entitled to vote at any general meeting, unless all calls or other sums presently payable by him in respect of Shares in the Company have been paid.

 

23.11                 No objection shall be raised as to the qualification of any voter or as to whether any votes have been properly counted except at the general meeting or adjourned general meeting at which the vote objected to is given or tendered and every vote not disallowed at the meeting shall be valid. Any objection made in due time and in accordance with these Articles shall be referred to the chairman whose decision shall be final and conclusive.

 

24.                               PROXIES AND CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVES

 

Members’ Attendance and Voting

 

24.1                        Subject to these Articles, each Member entitled to attend and vote at a general meeting may attend and vote at the general meeting:

 

(a)                                 in person, or where a Member is a company or non-natural person, by a duly authorised corporate representative; or

 

(b)                                 by one or more proxies.

 

24.2                        A proxy or corporate representative need not be a Member.

 

59


 

Appointment of Proxies

 

24.3                        The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing under the hand of the Member or his duly authorised attorney or, if the Member is a corporation, under the hand of its duly authorised representative.

 

Form of Proxy

 

24.4                        An instrument appointing a proxy may be in any usual or common form (or such other form as the Directors may approve) and may be expressed to be for a particular meeting or any adjournment thereof or may appoint a standing proxy until notice of revocation is received at the Registered Office or at such place or places as the Directors may otherwise specify for the purpose.

 

Corporate Representatives

 

24.5                        Any corporation which is a Member of the Company may by resolution of its directors or other governing body authorise such person as it thinks fit to act as its representative at any meeting of the Company or of any class of Members of the Company, and the person so authorised shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the corporation which he represents as that corporation could exercise if it were an individual Member of the Company.

 

Receipt of Instrument of Appointment

 

24.6                        The instrument appointing a proxy or corporate representative, and the power of attorney (if any) under which it is signed, together with such other evidence as to its due execution as the Directors may from time to time require, shall be deposited at the Registered Office of the Company or at such other place as is specified for that purpose in the notice convening the meeting or in any notice of any adjournment or, in either case or the case of a written resolution, in any document sent therewith, not less than twenty four (24) hours (or such longer or shorter time as the Directors may determine) before the time for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the person named in the instrument proposes to vote.

 

24.7                        In default of any of the provisions in these Articles to deposit any instrument of proxy or authorisation at the Registered Office of the Company or at such other place as is specified for that purpose in the notice convening the meeting, the instrument of proxy or authorisation shall not be treated as valid; provided that the chairman of the meeting may in his discretion accept an instrument of proxy or authorisation sent by email or fax upon receipt of email or fax confirmation that the signed original thereof has been sent.

 

Standing Proxy

 

24.8                        The operation of a standing proxy or authorisation shall be suspended at any general meeting or adjournment thereof at which the Member is present in person or by specially appointed proxy. The Directors may require evidence as to the due execution and continuing validity of any standing proxy or authorisation and the operation of any such standing proxy or authorisation shall be deemed to be suspended until the Directors determine that they have received such satisfactory evidence.

 

60


 

Poll Vote

 

24.9                        In the case of a poll taken subsequently to the date of a meeting or adjourned meeting, the instrument appointing the proxy or corporate representative referred to in these Articles shall be deposited at the Registered Office of the Company or at such other place as is specified for that purpose in the notice convening the meeting before the time appointed for the taking of the poll.

 

24.10                 The instrument appointing a proxy shall be deemed to confer authority to demand or join in demanding a poll, to speak at the meeting and to vote on any amendment of a written resolution or amendment of a resolution put to the meeting for which it is given as the proxy thinks fit. The instrument of proxy or authorisation shall, unless the contrary is stated therein, be valid as well for any adjournment of the meeting as for the meeting to which it relates.

 

Validity of Votes

 

24.11                 A vote given in accordance with the terms of an instrument of proxy or authorisation shall be valid notwithstanding the previous death or unsoundness of mind of the principal, or revocation of the proxy or of the corporate authority, unless notice in writing of such death, unsoundness of mind or revocation was received by the Company at the Registered Office (or such other place as may be specified for the delivery of instruments of proxy or authorisation in the notice convening the meeting or other documents sent therewith) before the commencement of the general meeting, or adjourned meeting, at which the instrument or proxy is used.

 

Written Resolutions

 

24.12                 In the case of a written resolution to be signed by a corporate representative, the instrument appointing the corporate representative shall be deposited at the Registered Office of the Company or at such other place as is specified for that purpose in the notice convening the meeting prior to the effective date of the written resolution.

 

Waiver by Directors

 

24.13                 Subject to the Statute, these Articles and the Shareholders Agreement, the Directors may at their discretion waive any of the provisions of these Articles relating to proxies, corporate representatives or authorisations and, in particular, may accept such verbal or other assurances as they think fit as to the right of any person to attend, speak and vote on behalf of any Member at general meetings or to sign written resolutions.

 

61


 

25.                               APPOINTMENT AND REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS

 

Number of Directors

 

25.1                        The Board shall consist of up to five (5) Directors, with the composition of the Board determined as follows: (i) the Co-Founder shall be entitled to designate, appoint, remove, replace and reappoint at any time or from time to time two (2) Directors; (ii) the Founder shall be entitled to designate, appoint, remove, replace and reappoint at any time or from time to time one (1) Director; (iii) Ant Financial shall be entitled to designate, appoint, remove, replace and reappoint one (1) Director (the “Ant Financial Director”); and (iv) Matrix and Chuangji, collectively, shall be entitled to designate, appoint, remove, replace and reappoint one (1) Director (the “Matrix and Chuangji Director”, together with the Ant Financial Director, the “Investor Directors”).

 

Each of Lotus, Didi, Falcon, Gobi, Nikkei, Nova Compass, Tianhong and Xiaomi shall be entitled to appoint one (1) observer (each an “Observer”) to attend all meetings of the Board, and any Board committees that are formed from time to time so long as such entity owns any Company Securities, in each case in a non-voting observer capacity, and the Company shall provide such Observer, concurrently in the same manner as distributed to the Directors, other voting members of the Board or the members of committees of the Board, copies of all meetings notices, agendas, board materials, information, draft resolutions, minutes, proposed actions by written consent and other communications so distributed, provided, that such Observer shall agree to hold in confidence and trust and to act in a fiduciary manner with respect to all information provided.

 

Appointment and Removal of Directors

 

25.2                        Subject to these Articles and the Statute, a Director shall hold office until such time as he is removed from office, with or without cause, by Ordinary Resolution. Each Member shall vote its Shares for the removal of a Director upon the request of the Person that appointed such Director. No Member shall otherwise vote for the removal of a Director.

 

In the event any Director resigns or is removed in accordance with this Article, the Person that appointed such Director will have the right to appoint such Director’s successor or replacement, and such successor or replacement Director shall be appointed on or as soon as practicable after the date of such resignation or removal. If any such Director resigns or is removed, and as a result of the resignation or removal, the Person who appointed this Director does not have any representative on the Board, unless such Person shall have failed to appoint a successor or replacement Director within ten (10) Business Days after such resignation or removal, the other Persons shall not, and the other Persons shall procure that their appointed Directors shall not, convene any meeting of the Board or pass any written resolution until the successor or replacement Director is appointed to the Board.

 

25.3                        There shall be no shareholding qualification for Directors unless determined otherwise by Ordinary Resolution.

 

62


 

26.          POWERS AND DUTIES OF DIRECTORS

 

26.1                        The business of the Company shall be managed by the Directors, who may pay all expenses incurred in promoting and registering the Company and may exercise all such powers of the Company as are not, by the Statute or these Articles, required to be exercised by the Company in general meeting, subject, nevertheless, to any clause of these Articles, to the provisions of the Statute and to such regulations, being not inconsistent with the aforesaid clauses or provisions, as may be prescribed by the Company in general meeting but no regulation made by the Company in general meeting shall invalidate any prior act of the Directors which would have been valid if that regulation had not been made.

 

26.2                        Subject to Article 6 of these Articles, the Directors may exercise all the powers of the Company to borrow money and to mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and assets (present and future) and uncalled capital or any part thereof, to issue debentures, debenture stock and other securities whenever money is borrowed or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of the Company or of any third party Cheques

 

26.3                        All cheques, promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange and other instruments, whether negotiable or not, and all receipts for moneys paid to the Company shall be signed, drawn, accepted, endorsed or otherwise executed, as the case may be, in such manner as the Directors shall from time to time by resolution determine.

 

26.4                        Subject to Article 6 of these Articles, the Directors on behalf of the Company may provide benefits, whether by the payment of gratuities or pensions or otherwise, for any person including any Director or former Director who has held any executive office or employment with the Company or any corporate body which is or has been a Subsidiary or Affiliate(s) of the Company or a predecessor in the business of the Company or of any such Subsidiary or Affiliate(s), and to any member of his family or any person who is or was dependent on him, and may contribute to any fund and pay premiums for the purchase or provision of any such gratuity, pension or other benefit, or for the insurance of any such person.

 

26.5                        No document or deed otherwise duly executed and delivered by or on behalf of the Company shall be regarded as invalid merely because at the date of delivery of the deed or document, the Director, Secretary or other officer or person who shall have executed the same and/or affixed the Seal (if any) thereto as the case may be for and on behalf of the Company shall have ceased to hold such office or to hold such authority on behalf of the Company.

 

26.6                        The Directors may from time to time appoint one of their number to be a managing director, joint managing director or an assistant managing director or to hold any other employment or executive office with the Company for such period and upon such terms as the Directors may determine and may revoke or terminate any such appointments.  Any such revocation or termination as aforesaid shall be without prejudice to any claim for damages that such Director may have against the Company or the Company may have against such Director for any breach of any contract of service between him and the Company which may be involved in such revocation or termination. Any person so appointed shall receive such remuneration (if any) (whether by way of salary, commission, participation in profits or otherwise) as the Directors may determine, and either in addition to or in lieu of his remuneration as a Director.

 

63


 

Sole Director

 

26.7                        Notwithstanding any provision in these Articles to the contrary, a sole Director shall be entitled to exercise all of the powers and functions of the Directors which may be imposed on them by Statute or by these Articles.

 

27.          PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS

 

Number of Meetings

 

27.1        The Board shall hold a regularly scheduled meeting at least once every calendar quarter.

 

Regulating Proceedings

 

27.2                        The Directors may meet together (either within or without the Cayman Islands) for the despatch of business, adjourn and otherwise regulate their meetings and proceedings, as they think fit. Questions arising at any meeting shall be decided by a majority of votes. In case of an equality of votes the chairman shall not have a second or casting vote and the motion shall be deemed to have been lost.

 

Convening a Meeting

 

27.3                        A Director or Alternate Director may, and the Secretary on the requisition of a Director or Alternate Director shall, at any time, summon a meeting of Directors by at least five (5) Clear Days’ notice in writing to every Director and Alternate Director which notice shall set forth the general nature of the business to be considered; provided however that notice may be waived by all the Directors (or their alternates) either at, before or retrospectively after the meeting is held; provided further that notice or waiver thereof may be given by email or fax.

 

Quorum

 

27.4                        All meetings of the Board shall require a quorum of at least three (3) Directors, which shall at least include each of the Investor Directors. An Alternate director appointed by a Director shall be counted in a quorum at a meeting at which the Director appointing him is not present; provided always that where a Director is acting in his own right and also as an alternate he is only counted once in the quorum. A Director who ceases to be a Director at a meeting of the Directors may continue to be present and to act as a Director and be counted in the quorum until the termination of the meeting; provided that no other Director objects and if otherwise a quorum of Directors would not be present.

 

64


 

Vacancies

 

27.5                        The continuing Directors may act notwithstanding any vacancy in their body, but, if and so long as their number is reduced below the number fixed by or pursuant to these Articles as the necessary quorum of Directors, the continuing Directors may act for the purpose of increasing the number of Directors to that number, or of summoning a general meeting of the Company, but for no other purpose.

 

Written Resolutions of Directors

 

27.6                        A resolution in writing signed by all of the Directors or all of the members of a committee of Directors for the time being entitled to receive notice of a meeting of the Directors (or by an Alternate Director as provided in these Articles), including a resolution signed in counterpart and/or sent or evidenced by way of signed fax or electronic transmission, shall be as valid and effectual as if it had been passed at a meeting of the Directors or of a committee of Directors duly called and constituted.

 

Meeting by Telephone or Other Facilities

 

27.7                        To the extent permitted by law, a meeting of the Directors or a committee appointed by the Directors may be held by means of such telephone, electronic or other communication facilities (including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, by telephone or by video conferencing) as permit all persons participating in the meeting to communicate with each other simultaneously and instantaneously and participation in such a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting. Such a meeting shall be deemed to take place where the largest group of those Directors participating in the meeting is physically assembled, or, if there is no such group, where the chairman of the meeting then is.

 

Validity of Acts in Spite of Defect

 

27.8                        All acts done by any meeting of the Directors or of a committee of Directors, or by any person acting as a Director shall, notwithstanding that it be afterwards discovered that there was some defect in the appointment of any such Director or person acting as aforesaid, or that they or any of them were disqualified, be as valid as if every such person had been duly appointed and was qualified to be a Director.

 

Minutes

 

27.9        The Directors shall cause minutes to be made and records kept for the purpose of recording:

 

(a)           all appointments of officers made by the Directors;

 

(b)                                 the names of the Directors and other persons present at each meeting of the Directors and of any committee of the Directors; and

 

(c)                                  all resolutions and proceedings at all meetings of the Members of the Company or any class of Members and of the Directors and of committees of Directors; and the chairman of all such meetings or of any meeting confirming the minutes thereof shall sign the same.

 

65


 

28.          DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS

 

28.1                        A Director may hold any other office or place of profit with the Company (except that of auditor) in conjunction with his office of Director for such period and upon such terms as to remuneration and otherwise as the Directors may determine.

 

28.2                        A Director or officer may act by himself or his firm in a professional capacity for the Company (otherwise than as auditor), and he or his firm shall be entitled to remuneration for professional services as if he were not a Director or officer.

 

28.3                        No Director or officer shall be disqualified from his office or prevented by such office from holding any office or place of profit under the Company or under any company in which the Company shall be a Member or have any interest, or from contracting with the Company, either as vendor, purchaser or otherwise, nor shall any such contract or any contract or transaction entered into by or on behalf of the Company in which any Director or officer shall be in any way interested be or be liable to be avoided nor shall any Director or officer so contracting, dealing or being so interested be liable to account to the Company for any profit realised by any such contract or transaction by reason of such Director holding office or of the fiduciary relation thereby established.

 

Disclosure and Nature of Interest

 

28.4                        A Director (or his Alternate Director in his absence) shall be at liberty to vote in respect of any contract or transaction in which he is interested; provided that the nature of the interest of the Director in any such contract or transaction shall be disclosed by him at or prior to its consideration and any vote thereon.

 

28.5                        The nature of the interest of any Director or officer in any contract, dealing or transacting with or affecting the Company shall be disclosed by him at or prior to its consideration and any vote thereon and a general notice that a Director or officer is a shareholder of any specified firm or company and/or is to be regarded as interested in any transaction with such firm or company shall be sufficient disclosure hereunder and after such general notice it shall not be necessary to give special notice relating to any particular transaction.

 

29.                               DELEGATION OF DIRECTORS’ POWERS

 

Power to Delegate

 

29.1                        Directors may from time to time and at any time by power of attorney or otherwise, appoint any company, firm or person or fluctuating body of persons, whether nominated directly or indirectly by the Directors, to be the attorney or attorneys of the Company for such purposes and with such powers, authorities and discretions (not exceeding those vested in or exercisable by the Directors under these Articles) and for such period and subject to such conditions as they may think fit, and any such power of attorney may contain such provisions for the protection and convenience of persons dealing with any such attorney and of such attorney as the Directors may think fit and may also authorise any such attorney to delegate all or any of the powers, authorities and discretions vested in him.

 

66


 

29.2                        The Directors may delegate any of the powers exercisable by them to a managing director, Director or any other person or persons acting individually or jointly as they may from time to time by resolution appoint upon such terms and conditions and with such restrictions as they may think fit, and may from time to time by resolution revoke, withdraw, alter or vary all or any such powers.

 

30.          ALTERNATE DIRECTORS

 

30.1                        Any Director may by writing appoint any other Director, or other person willing to act, to be his alternate and remove his alternate so appointed by him. Such appointment or removal shall be by notice to the Registered Office signed by the Director making or revoking the appointment or in any other manner approved by the Directors, and shall be effective on the date the notice is served and the alternate shall be notified of such appointment or revocation. Subject to the terms of appointment of the alternate or removal by the appointing Director, the alternate shall continue in office until the date on which his appointer ceases to be a Director. An alternate may also be a Director in his own right and may act as alternate to more than one (1) Director.

 

30.2        An Alternate Director:

 

(a)                                 may be counted in the quorum at every such meeting at which the appointing Director is not personally present;

 

(b)                                 may participate in a unanimous decision of the Directors (but only if his appointor is an eligible Director in relation to that decision, but does not participate);

 

(c)                                  shall not be counted as more than one (1) Director for the purposes of these Articles; and

 

(d)           may generally perform all the functions of his appointor as a Director in his absence.

 

30.3                        A Director who is also an Alternate Director is entitled, in the absence of his appointor, to a separate vote on behalf of his appointor, in addition to his own vote on any decision of the Directors (provided that his appointor is an eligible Director in relation to that decision), but shall not count as more than one (1) Director for the purposes of determining whether a quorum is present.

 

30.4                        These Articles (except as regards powers to appoint an alternate and remuneration) apply equally to the Alternate Director as though he were the Director in his own right.

 

67


 

30.5        Except as these Articles specify otherwise, an Alternate Director:

 

(a)           shall be deemed for all purposes to be a Director;

 

(b)           shall alone be responsible for his own acts and defaults;

 

(c)           shall be subject to the same restrictions as his appointor; and

 

(d)           shall not be deemed to be the agent of the Director appointing him,

 

and, in particular, shall be entitled to receive notice of all meetings of the Directors, and of all meetings of committees of Directors of which his appointor is a member.

 

30.6                        The signature of an Alternate Director to any resolution in writing of the Directors or a committee shall, unless the terms of the appointment provides to the contrary, be as effective as the signature of the Director or Directors to whom he is Alternate Director.

 

31.          COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS

 

31.1                        The Directors may delegate any of their powers to committees consisting of such member or members of their body as they think fit; any committee so formed shall, in the exercise of the powers so delegated, conform to any regulations that may be imposed on it by the Directors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Directors shall not delegate any of its power with respect to any matters set forth in Article 6.9 hereof.

 

31.2                        A committee may elect a chairman of its meetings; if no such chairman is elected, or if at any meeting the chairman is not present within five (5) minutes after the time appointed for holding the same, the members present may choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting.

 

31.3                        A committee may meet and adjourn as it thinks proper. Questions arising at any meeting shall be determined by a majority of votes of the members present and in case of an equality of votes the chairman shall not have a second or casting vote and the motion shall be deemed to have been lost.

 

32.          OFFICERS

 

The Directors may appoint a Secretary and such other officers as they may from time to time consider necessary upon such terms as to duration of office, remuneration and otherwise as they may think fit. Such Secretary or other officers need not be Directors and in the case of the other officers may be ascribed such titles as the Directors may decide and the Directors may revoke or terminate any such election or appointment. Any such revocation or termination shall be without prejudice to any claim for any damages that such officer may have against the Company or the Company may have against such officer for any breach of any contract of service between him and the Company which may be involved in such revocation or termination. Save as provided in the Statute or these Articles, the powers and duties of the officers of the Company shall be such (if any) as are determined from time to time by the Directors.

 

68


 

33.                               DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION

 

Remuneration

 

33.1                        The remuneration to be paid to the Directors, if any, shall be determined by the Company in general meeting or, in the absence of such a determination, by the Directors.

 

Expenses

 

33.2                        Each Director shall also be entitled to be paid his reasonable travelling, hotel and other expenses properly incurred by him in connection with his attendance at meetings of the Directors, committees of the Directors or general meetings of the Company, or otherwise in connection with the business of the Company, or to receive a fixed allowance in respect thereof as may be determined by the Directors, or a combination partly of one such method and partly the other.

 

Additional remuneration

 

33.3                        The Directors may by resolution approve additional remuneration to any Director for services which in the opinion of the Directors go beyond the ordinary duties of a Director, and such extra remuneration shall be in addition to any remuneration provided for, by or pursuant to any other Article.

 

34.                               SEALS AND DEEDS

 

Use of Seal

 

34.1                        The Directors may determine that the Company shall have a Seal, and if they so determine, shall provide for the safe custody of the Seal.

 

34.2                        The Seal shall only be used by the authority of the Directors and in the presence of a Director or the Secretary or such other person as the Directors may by resolution appoint for this purpose, and every instrument to which the Seal affixed shall be signed by the relevant person. Notwithstanding the above, annual returns and notices filed under the Statute may be executed either as a deed or under Seal and in either case without the need for the authority of a resolution of the Directors.

 

Duplicate Seal

 

34.3                        The Company may maintain in any place or places outside the Cayman Islands a facsimile of any Seal and such facsimile seal shall be affixed in the same way as if it were the Seal.

 

Execution of deeds

 

34.4                        In accordance with the Statute, the Company may execute any deed or other instrument (which would otherwise be required to be executed under Seal) by the signature of such deed or instrument as a deed by a Director or by the Secretary of the Company or by such other person as the Directors may appoint or by any other person or attorney on behalf of the Company appointed by a deed or other instrument executed as a deed by a Director or the Secretary or such other person as aforesaid.

 

69


 

35.          DIVIDENDS

 

Payment of Dividends

 

35.1                        Subject to the Statute and these Articles (including Article 6), the Directors may from time to time declare dividends to be paid to the Members according to their rights and interests, including such interim dividends as appear to the Directors to be justified by the position of the Company. The Directors may also pay any fixed cash dividend which is payable on any Shares of the Company half yearly or on such other dates, whenever the position of the Company, in the opinion of the Directors, justifies such payment.

 

35.2                        No dividend shall be paid otherwise than out of profits or out of monies otherwise available for dividend in accordance with the Statute.

 

Calculation of Dividends

 

35.3                        Subject to the rights of Members, if any, entitled to Shares with special rights as to dividends, all dividends shall be declared and paid according to the amount paid up on the Shares in respect of which the dividend is paid and any dividend on any class of Shares not fully paid shall be declared and paid according to the amounts paid on the Shares of that class, but if and so long as nothing is paid up on any of the Shares in the Company, dividends may be declared and paid according to the number of Shares. No amount paid on a Share in advance of calls shall, while carrying interest, be treated for the purposes of this Article as paid on the Share. Dividends may be apportioned and paid pro rata according to the amounts paid-up on the Shares during any portion or portions of the period in respect of which the dividend is paid.

 

Deductions

 

35.4                        The Directors may deduct from any dividend, distribution or other monies payable to a Member by the Company on or in respect of any Shares all sums of money (if any) presently payable by him to the Company on account of calls or otherwise in respect of Shares of the Company.

 

Joint Holders

 

35.5                        If several persons are registered as joint holders of any Share, any of them may give effectual receipts for any dividend or other money payable on or in respect of the Share.

 

70


 

Payment Method

 

35.6                        Any dividend may be paid by cheque or warrant sent through the post to the address of the Member or person entitled thereto in the Register of Members or, in the case of joint holders addressed to the holder whose name stands first in the Register of Members in respect of the Shares at his registered address as appearing on the Register of Members or to such person and such address as the Member or person entitled or such joint holders as the case may be may direct in writing. Every such cheque or warrant shall, unless the holder or joint holders may in writing direct, be made payable to the order of the person to whom it is sent or to the order of the holder or, in the case of joint holders, to the order of the holder whose name stands first in the Register of Members in respect of such Shares, and shall be sent at his or their risk and payment of the cheque or warrant by the bank on which it is drawn shall constitute a good discharge to the Company. Any one of two or more joint holders may give effectual receipts for any dividends, distributions or other monies payable or property distributable in respect of the Shares held by such joint holders.

 

Satisfaction by Distribution of Specific Assets

 

35.7                        The Directors may declare that any dividend or distribution is paid wholly or partly by the distribution of specific assets and, in particular, of paid up shares, debentures or debenture stock of any other company or in any one or more of such ways, and where any difficulty arises in regard to such dividend or distribution, the Directors may settle the same as they think expedient, and in particular may issue fractional Shares or ignore fractions altogether and may fix the value for dividend or distribution of such specific assets or any part thereof and may determine that cash payments shall be made to any Members upon the basis of the value so fixed in order to secure equality of distribution, and may vest any such specific assets in trustees as may seem expedient to the Directors.

 

No Interest

 

35.8                        No dividend or other distribution or other monies payable by the Company on or in respect of any Share shall bear interest against the Company.

 

Unclaimed Dividends

 

35.9                        All unclaimed dividends or distributions may be invested or otherwise made use of by the Directors for the benefit of the Company until claimed. Any dividend or distribution unclaimed by a Member six (6) years after the dividend or distribution payment date shall be forfeited and revert to the Company.

 

Reserves

 

35.10                 The Directors may, before declaring any dividend or distribution, set aside such sums as they think proper as a reserve or reserves which shall, at the discretion of the Directors, be applicable for meeting contingencies, or for equalising dividends, or for any other purpose of the Company, and pending such application may, in their discretion, be employed in the business of the Company or be invested in such manner as the Directors may from time to time think fit. The Directors may also without placing the same to reserve carry forward any sums which they think it prudent not to distribute.

 

71


 

36.                               CAPITALISATION OF PROFITS

 

Capitalisation

 

36.1                        Subject to these Articles (including Article 6), the Directors may capitalise any sum standing to the credit of any of the Company’s reserve accounts which are available for distribution (including its Share Premium Account and capital redemption reserve fund, subject to the Statute) or any sum standing to the credit of the profit and loss account or otherwise available for distribution and to appropriate such sums to Members in the proportions in which such sum would have been divisible amongst them had the same been a distribution of profits by way of dividend as set forth in Article 6 and to apply such sum on their behalf in paying up in full unissued Shares for allotment and distribution credited as fully paid-up to and amongst them in the proportion aforesaid.

 

Authorisation

 

36.2                        Where any difficulty arises in regard to any distribution under the last preceding Article, the Directors may settle the same as they think expedient and, in particular, may authorise any person to sell and transfer any fractions or may resolve that the distribution should be as nearly as may be practicable in the correct proportion but not exactly so or may ignore fractions altogether, and may determine that cash payments should be made to any Members in order to adjust the rights of all parties, as may seem expedient to the Directors. The Directors may appoint any person to sign on behalf of the persons entitled to participate in the distribution any contract necessary or desirable for giving effect thereto and such appointment shall be effective and binding upon the Members.

 

37.          SHARE PREMIUM ACCOUNT

 

37.1                        The Directors shall in accordance with the Statute establish a Share Premium Account and shall carry to the credit of such account from time to time a sum equal to the amount or value of the premium paid on the issue of any Share.

 

37.2                        There shall be debited to any Share Premium Account on the redemption or purchase of a Share the difference between the nominal value of such Share and the redemption or purchase price, provided always at the discretion of the Directors that such sum be paid out of the profits of the Company or, if permitted by the Statute, out of capital.

 

38.                               ACCOUNTING RECORDS

 

Books of Account

 

38.1                        The Directors shall cause proper books of account to be kept at such place as they may from time to time designate with respect to all sums of money received and expended by the Company and the matters in respect of which the receipt or expenditure takes place, all sales and purchases of goods by the Company and the assets and liabilities of the Company. Proper books shall not be deemed to be kept if there are not kept such books of account as are necessary to give a true and fair view of the state of the Company’s affairs and to explain its transactions. The Directors shall from time to time determine whether and to what extent and at what times and places, and under what conditions or regulations, the accounts and books of the Company or any of them shall be open to inspection of Members not being Directors and no such Member shall have any right of inspecting any account or book or document of the Company except as conferred by the Statute or authorized by the Directors or the Company in general meeting or in a written agreement binding on the Company.

 

72


 

Records and Audit

 

38.2                        From time to time the Company in general meeting may determine (or revoke, alter or amend any such determination) or, failing such determination, the Directors may determine (or revoke, alter or amend any such determination):

 

(a)           that the accounts of the Company be audited and the appointment of the auditors;

 

(b)                                 that there be prepared and sent to each Member and other person entitled thereto a profit and loss account, a balance sheet, group accounts and/or reports for such period and on such terms as they may determine; and

 

(c)                                  that there be laid before the Company in general meeting a copy of every balance sheet together with a copy of the auditor’s report.

 

39.          SERVICE OF NOTICES AND DOCUMENTS

 

Form and Delivery of Notices

 

39.1                        Notices or other documents or communications may be given to any Member by the Company either personally or by sending it by courier, post, fax or email to him to his registered address, or (if he has no registered address) to the address, if any, supplied by him to the Company for the giving of notices to him. Any notice shall be deemed to be effected:

 

(a)                                 if delivered personally or sent by courier, by properly addressing and prepaying a letter containing the notice; and to have been effected, in the case of a notice of a meeting, when delivered;

 

(b)                                 if sent by post, by properly addressing, prepaying, and posting a letter containing the notice (by airmail if available) and to have been effected, in the case of a notice of a meeting, at the expiration of three (3) days after it was posted; and

 

(c)                                  if sent by fax or email by properly addressing and sending such notice through the appropriate transmitting medium and to have been effected on the day the same is sent.

 

73


 

39.2                        A notice may be given by the Company to the joint holders of a Share by giving the notice to the joint holder named first in the Register of Members in respect of the Share.

 

39.3                        A notice may be given by the Company to the person entitled to a Share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of a Member by sending it through the post in a prepaid letter addressed to them by name, or by the title of representatives of the deceased, or trustee of the bankrupt, or by any like description, at the address, if any, supplied for the purpose by the persons claiming to be so entitled, or (until such an address has been so supplied) by giving the notice in any manner in which the same might have been given if the death or bankruptcy had not occurred.

 

39.4        Notice of every general meeting shall be given in any manner hereinbefore authorised to:

 

(a)                                 every Member entitled to vote except those Members entitled to vote who (having no registered address) have not supplied to the Company an address for the giving of notices to them; and

 

(b)                                 every person entitled to a Share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of a Member, who, but for his death or bankruptcy would be entitled to receive notice of the meeting.

 

39.5        No other persons shall be entitled to receive notices of general meeting.

 

40.          WINDING UP

 

40.1                        If the Company shall be wound up, assets available for distribution amongst the Members shall be distributed in accordance with Articles 6.2 to 6.5.

 

40.2                        Subject to the rights attaching to any Shares, if the Company shall be wound up, the liquidator may, with the sanction of a Special Resolution and any other sanction required by the Statute or these Articles, divide amongst the Members in kind the whole or any part of the assets of the Company (whether they shall consist of property of the same kind or not) and may for such purpose set such value as he deems fair upon any property to be divided as aforesaid and may determine how such division shall be carried out as between the Members or different classes of Members. The liquidator may, with the like sanction, vest the whole or any part of such assets in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of the contributories as the liquidator, with the like sanction, shall think fit, but so that no Member shall be compelled to accept any asset upon which there is any liability.

 

41.          INDEMNITY

 

Indemnity and Limitation of Liability

 

41.1                        Every Indemnified Person shall, in the absence of wilful neglect or default, be indemnified and held harmless out of the assets of the Company against all liabilities, loss, damage, cost or expense (including but not limited to liabilities under contract, tort and statute or any applicable foreign law or regulation and all reasonable legal and other costs and expenses on a full indemnity basis properly payable) incurred or suffered by him by or by reason of any act done, conceived in or omitted in the conduct of the Company’s business or in the discharge of his duties and the indemnity contained in this Article shall extend to any Indemnified Person acting in any office or trust in the reasonable belief that he has been appointed or elected to such office or trust notwithstanding any defect in such appointment or election.

 

74


 

41.2                        No Indemnified Person shall be liable to the Company for acts, defaults or omissions of any other Indemnified Person.

 

Indemnity and Reimbursement

 

41.3                        Every Indemnified Person shall be indemnified out of the funds of the Company against all liabilities incurred by him by or by reason of any act done, conceived in or omitted in the conduct of the Company’s business or in the discharge of his duties in defending any proceedings, whether civil or criminal, in which judgment is given in his favour, or in which he is acquitted, or in connection with any application in which relief from liability is granted to him by the court.

 

41.4                        To the extent that any Indemnified Person is entitled to claim an indemnity pursuant to these Articles in respect of amounts paid or discharged by him, the relative indemnity shall take effect as an obligation of the Company to reimburse the person making such payment or effecting such discharge.

 

Wilful Neglect or Default

 

41.5                        The Company agrees to waive any claim or right of action it may at any time have against any Indemnified Person on account of any act or omission of such Indemnified Person in the performance of his duties for the Company; provided however, that such waiver shall not apply to any claims or rights of action arising out of the wilful neglect or default of such Indemnified Person or to recover any gain, personal profit or advantage to which such Indemnified Person is not legally entitled.

 

Advance of Legal Fees

 

41.6                        Expenses incurred in defending any civil or criminal action or proceeding for which indemnification is required pursuant to these Articles shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnified Person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that the Indemnified Person is not entitled to be indemnified pursuant to these Articles. Each Member of the Company shall be deemed to have acknowledged and agreed that the advances of funds may be made by the Company as aforesaid, and when made by the Company under this Article are made to meet expenditures incurred for the purpose of enabling such Indemnified Person to properly perform his or her duties to the Company.

 

75


 

42.          CONTINUATION, MERGER AND CONSOLIDATION

 

42.1                        Subject to Article 6 of these Articles, the Company shall have the power, subject to the provisions of the Statute and with the approval of a Special Resolution, to continue as a body incorporated under the laws of any jurisdiction outside of the Cayman Islands and to be de-registered in the Cayman Islands.

 

42.2                        Subject to Article 6 of these Articles, the Company shall, with the approval of a Special Resolution, have the power to merge or consolidate with one or more constituent companies (as defined in the Statute), upon such terms as the Directors may determine.

 

43.          AMENDMENT OF MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES

 

Subject to the provisions of the Statute and these Articles, the Company may from time to time by Special Resolution alter or amend the Memorandum or these Articles in whole or in part; provided that no such amendment shall affect the special rights attaching to any Class of Shares without the consent or sanction provided for in these Articles.

 

76




Exhibit 3.2

 

THE COMPANIES LAW (2018 REVISION)

 

OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS

 

COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

 

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES

 

OF

 

ASSOCIATION

 

OF

 


 

36KR HOLDINGS INC.

 


 

(Adopted pursuant to a special resolution passed on September 29, 2019, and effective immediately prior to the completion of the Company’s initial public offering of ADSs representing its Class A Ordinary Shares)

 


 

THE COMPANIES LAW (2018 REVISION)

OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS

COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

 

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION

 

OF

 

36KR HOLDINGS INC.

 

(Adopted pursuant to a special resolution passed on September 29, 2019, and effective immediately prior to the completion of the Company’s initial public offering of ADSs representing its Class A Ordinary Shares)

 

(with effect from                    , 2019)

 

1.                                      The name of the Company is 36Kr Holdings Inc..

 

2.                                      The registered office of the Company shall be at the offices of Maples Corporate Service Limited at PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands, or at such other place as the Directors may determine.

 

3.                                      The objects for which the Company is established are unrestricted and the Company shall have full power and authority to carry out any object not prohibited by the Companies Law (2018 Revision) or as the same may be revised from time to time, or any other law of the Cayman Islands.

 

4.                                      The liability of each Member is limited to the amount from time to time unpaid on such Member’s Shares.

 

5.                                      The authorized share capital of the Company is US$500,000 divided into 5,000,000,000 ordinary shares of par value of US$0.0001 each, comprising (a) 4,903,917,300 Class A Ordinary Shares of par value of US$0.0001 each and (b) 96,082,700 Class B Ordinary Shares of par value of US$0.0001 each. Subject to the Statute and these Articles, the Company shall have power to redeem or purchase any of its Shares and to increase or reduce its authorized share capital and to sub-divide or consolidate the said Shares or any of them and to issue all or any part of its capital whether original, redeemed, increased or reduced with or without any preference, priority, special privilege or other rights or subject to any postponement of rights or to any conditions or restrictions whatsoever and so that unless the conditions of issue shall otherwise expressly provide every issue of shares whether stated to be ordinary, preference or otherwise shall be subject to the powers on the part of the Company hereinbefore provided.

 

6.                                      The Company has power to register by way of continuation as a body corporate limited by shares under the laws of any jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands and to be deregistered in the Cayman Islands.

 

2


 

7.                                      Capitalized terms that are not defined in this Memorandum of Association bear the same meaning as those given in the Articles of Association of the Company.

 

3


 

THE COMPANIES LAW (2018 REVISION)

OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS

COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

 

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

 

OF

 

36KR HOLDINGS INC.

 

(Adopted pursuant to a special resolution passed on September 29, 2019, and effective immediately prior to the completion of the Company’s initial public offering of ADSs representing its Class A Ordinary Shares)

 

INTERPRETATION

 

1.                                      In these Articles Table A in the First Schedule to the Statute does not apply and, unless there is something in the subject or context inconsistent therewith:

 

“ADS”

 

means an American Depositary Share representing the Company’s Class A Ordinary Shares;

 

 

 

“Affiliate”

 

means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person who directly or indirectly Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with such specified Person, provided. With respect to any Person who is a natural Person, such Person’s Affiliates shall also include his or her Immediate Family Members and their respective Affiliates;

 

 

 

“Articles”

 

means these articles of association of the Company, as amended and altered from time to time by Special Resolutions;

 

 

 

“Audit Committee”

 

means the audit committee of the Company formed by the Board pursuant to Article 138 hereof, or any successor audit committee.

 

 

 

“Auditor”

 

means the person for the time being performing the duties of auditor of the Company (if any);

 

1


 

Board” and “Board of Directors”

 

means the board of directors of the Company;

 

 

 

“Business Day”

 

means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banking institutions in Hong Kong, New York, Singapore, the Cayman Islands or the PRC are authorized or required by Law or executive order to close;

 

 

 

“Chairman”

 

means the chairman of the Board of Directors;

 

 

 

“Class” or “Classes”

 

means any class or classes of Shares as may from time to time be issued by the Company;

 

 

 

“Class A Ordinary Share”

 

a class A ordinary share of par value US$0.0001 each in the share capital of the Company having the rights set out in these Articles;

 

 

 

“Class B Ordinary Share”

 

a class B ordinary share of par value US$0.0001 each in the share capital of the Company having the rights set out in these Articles;

 

 

 

“Commission”

 

means the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States of America or any other federal agency for the time being administering the Securities Act;

 

 

 

“Company”

 

means 36Kr Holdings Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company;

 

 

 

“Company’s Website”

 

means the main corporate/investor relations website of the Company, the address or domain name of which has been disclosed in any registration statement filed by the Company in connection or which has otherwise been notified to Members;

 

 

 

“Control”

 

means, as used with respect to any Person, the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; the terms “Controlled by” and “under common Control with” shall have correlative meanings;

 

 

 

“Designated Stock Exchange”

 

means the stock exchange in the United States on which any Shares or ADSs are listed for trading;

 

2


 

“Designated Stock Exchange Rules”

 

means the relevant code, rules and regulations, as amended, from time to time, applicable as a result of the original and continued listing of any Shares or ADSs on the Designated Stock Exchange;

 

 

 

“Directors”

 

means the directors for the time being of the Company;

 

 

 

“Electronic Transactions Law”

 

means the Electronic Transactions Law (2003 Revision) of the Cayman Islands and any statutory amendment or re-enactment thereof;

 

 

 

“Government Authority”

 

means any nation or government or any province or state or any other political subdivision thereof, or any entity, authority or body exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, including any government authority, agency, department, board, commission or instrumentality or any political subdivision thereof, any court, tribunal or arbitrator, and any self-regulatory organization or national or international stock exchange on which the securities of the applicable Party or its Affiliates are listed;

 

 

 

Immediate Family Members

 

means, with respect to any natural Person, (a) such Person’s spouse, parents, parents-in-law, grandparents, children, grandchildren, siblings and siblings-in-law (in each case whether adoptive or biological), (b) spouses of such Person’s children, grandchildren and siblings (in each case whether adoptive or biological), and (c) estates, trusts, partnerships and other Persons which directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries are Controlled by the foregoing;

 

 

 

“Law”

 

means any federal, state, territorial, foreign or local law, common law, statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, code, measure, notice, circular, opinion or order of any Government Authority, including any rules promulgated by a stock exchange or regulatory body;

 

3


 

“Lien”

 

means any encumbrance, right, interest or restriction, including any mortgage, judgment lien, materialman’s lien, mechanic’s lien, other lien (statutory or otherwise), charge, security interest, pledge, hypothecation, encroachment, easement, title defect, title retention agreement, voting trust agreement, right of pre-emption, right of first refusal, claim, option, limitation, forfeiture, penalty, equity, adverse interest or other third party right or security interest of any kind or an agreement, arrangement or obligation to create any of the foregoing;

 

 

 

“Member”

 

has the same meaning as in the Statute;

 

 

 

“Memorandum”

 

means the memorandum of association of the Company or as amended and altered from time to time by Special Resolutions;

 

 

 

“Ordinary Resolution”

 

means a resolution passed by a simple majority of the votes cast by the Members as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at a general meeting, and includes a unanimous written resolution. In computing the majority when a poll is demanded regard shall be had to the number of votes to which each Member is entitled by these Articles;

 

 

 

“Ordinary Shares”

 

means the Class A Ordinary Shares and the Class B Ordinary Shares, collectively;

 

 

 

“Person”

 

means any individual or any partnership, firm, corporation, limited liability company, association, trust, unincorporated organization or other entity;

 

 

 

“PRC”

 

means the People’s Republic of China, excluding, for purposes of these Articles, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan);

 

 

 

“Register of Members”

 

means the register maintained in accordance with the Statute and includes (except where otherwise stated) any duplicate Register of Members;

 

 

 

“Registered Office”

 

means the registered office for the time being of the Company;

 

4


 

“Seal”

 

means the common seal of the Company and includes every duplicate seal;

 

 

 

“Securities Act”

 

means the Securities Act of 1933 of the United States of America, as amended, or any similar federal statute and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time;

 

 

 

“Secretary”

 

means any person, firm or corporation appointed by the Board to perform any of the duties of secretary of the Company and includes any assistant, deputy, temporary or acting secretary;

 

 

 

“Share” and “Shares”

 

means a share in the capital of the Company, and includes an Ordinary Share. All references to “Shares” herein shall be deemed to be Shares of any or all Classes as the context may require. For the avoidance of doubt, in these Articles the expression “Share” shall include a fraction of a Share;

 

 

 

“Share Premium Account”

 

means the share premium account established in accordance with these Articles and the Statute;

 

 

 

“Special Resolution”

 

has the same meaning as in the Statute, and includes a unanimous written resolution;

 

 

 

“Statute”

 

means the Companies Law (2018 Revision) of the Cayman Islands, as amended;

 

 

 

“US$”

 

means the lawful money of the United States of America; and

 

 

 

“United States”

 

means the United States of America, its territories, its possessions and all areas subject to its jurisdiction.

 

2.                                      In these Articles:

 

2.1.                            words importing the singular number include the plural number and vice versa;

 

2.2.                            words importing the masculine gender include the feminine gender;

 

2.3.                            words importing persons include corporations;

 

2.4.                            references to provisions of any law or regulation shall be construed as references to those provisions as amended, modified, re-enacted or replaced from time to time;

 

5


 

2.5.                            the word “including” or any variation thereof means (unless the context of its usage otherwise requires) “including, without limitation” and shall not be construed to limit any general statement that it follows to the specific or similar items or matters immediately following it;

 

2.6.                            when calculating the period of time before which, within which or following which any act is to be done or step taken pursuant to these Articles, the date that is the reference date in calculating such period shall be excluded;

 

2.7.                            “fully-diluted” or any variation thereof means all of the issued and outstanding Shares, treating the maximum number of Shares issuable under any issued and outstanding Convertible Securities and all Shares reserved for issuance under the ESOP as issued and outstanding;

 

2.8.                            references to “in the ordinary course of business” and comparable expressions mean the ordinary and usual course of business of the relevant party, consistent in all material respects (including nature and scope) with the prior practice of such party;

 

2.9.                            references to “writing,” “written” and comparable expressions include any mode of reproducing words in a legible and nontransitory form including emails and faxes, provided the sender complies with the provision of Article 164;

 

2.10.                     if any payment hereunder would have been, but for this Article, due and payable on a date that is not a Business Day, then such payment shall instead be due and payable on the first Business Day after such date;

 

2.11.                     headings are inserted for reference only and shall be ignored in construing these Articles; and

 

2.12.                     Sections 8 and 19(3) of the Electronic Transactions Law shall not apply.

 

SHARE CAPITAL

 

1.                                      The authorized share capital of the Company is US$500,000 divided into 5,000,000,000 ordinary shares of par value of US$0.0001 each, comprising (a) 4,903,917,300 Class A Ordinary Shares of par value of US$0.0001 each and (b) 96,082,700 Class B Ordinary Shares of par value of US$0.0001 each.

 

2.                                      Subject to the Statute, the Memorandum and these Articles and, where applicable, Designated Stock Exchange Rules and/or the rules of any competent regulatory authority, any power of the Company to purchase or otherwise acquire its own shares shall be exercisable by the Board in such manner, upon such terms and subject to such conditions as it thinks fit.

 

SHARES

 

3.                                      Subject to the Law, these Articles and, where applicable, the Designated Stock Exchange Rules (and to any direction that may be given by the Company in general meeting) and without prejudice to any rights attached to any existing Shares, the Directors may in their absolute discretion and without the approval of the Members, cause the Company to:

 

6


 

(a).                              allot, issue, grant options over or otherwise dispose of Shares (including fractions of a Share) with or without preferred, deferred or other rights or restrictions, whether in regard to dividend, voting, return of capital or otherwise and to such persons, to Such Persons, at such times and on such other terms as they think proper;

 

(b).                              grant rights over Shares or other securities to be issued in one or more classes or series as they deem necessary or appropriate and determine the designations, powers, preferences, privileges and other rights attaching to such Shares or securities, including dividend rights, voting rights, conversion rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, any or all of which may be greater than the powers, preferences, privileges and rights associated with the then issued and outstanding Shares, at such times and on such other terms as they think proper; and

 

(c).                               issue options, warrants or convertible securities or securities of similar nature conferring the right upon the holders thereof to subscribe for, purchase or receive any class of shares or securities in the capital of the Company on such terms as it may from time to time determine.

 

4.                                      The Directors may authorise the division of Shares into any number of Classes and the different Classes shall be authorized, established and designated (or re-designated as the case may be) and the variations in the relative rights (including, without limitation, voting, dividend and redemption rights), restrictions, preferences, privileges and payment obligations as between the different Classes (if any) may be fixed and determined by the Directors or by a Special Resolution. The Directors may issue from time to time, out of the authorized share capital of the Company, preferred shares with such preferred or other rights, all or any of which may be greater than the rights of Ordinary Shares, at such time and on such terms as they may think appropriate in their absolute discretion and without approval of the Members; provided, however, before any preferred shares of any such series are issued, the Directors may by resolution of Directors determine, with respect to any series of preferred shares, the terms and rights of that series, including:

 

(a).                                          the designation of such series, the number of preferred shares to constitute such series and the subscription price thereof if different from the par value thereof;

 

(b).                                          whether the preferred shares of such series shall have voting rights, in addition to any voting rights provided by law, and, if so, the terms of such voting rights, which may be general or limited;

 

(c).                                           the dividends, if any, payable on such series, whether any such dividends shall be cumulative, and, if so, from what dates, the conditions and dates upon which such dividends shall be payable, and the preference or relation which such dividends shall bear to the dividends payable on any shares of any other class or any other series of shares;

 

7


 

(d).                                          whether the preferred shares of such series shall be subject to redemption by the Company, and, if so, the times, prices and other conditions of such redemption;

 

(e).                                           whether the preferred shares of such series shall have any rights to receive any part of the assets available for distribution amongst the Members upon the liquidation of the Company, and, if so, the terms of such liquidation preference, and the relation which such liquidation preference shall bear to the entitlements of the holders of shares of any other class or any other series of shares;

 

(f).                                            whether the preferred shares of such series shall be subject to the operation of a retirement or sinking fund and, if so, the extent to and manner in which any such retirement or sinking fund shall be applied to the purchase or redemption of the preferred shares of such series for retirement or other corporate purposes and the terms and provisions relative to the operation thereof;

 

(g).                                           whether the preferred shares of such series shall be convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or any other series of preferred shares or any other securities and, if so, the price or prices or the rate or rates of conversion or exchange and the method, if any, of adjusting the same, and any other terms and conditions of conversion or exchange;

 

(h).                                          the limitations and restrictions, if any, to be effective while any preferred shares of such series are outstanding upon the payment of dividends or the making of other distributions on, and upon the purchase, redemption or other acquisition by the Company of, the existing shares or shares of any other class of shares or any other series of preferred shares;

 

(i).                                              the conditions or restrictions, if any, upon the creation of indebtedness of the Company or upon the issue of any additional shares, including additional shares of such series or of any other class of shares or any other series of preferred shares; and

 

(j).                                             any other powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights, and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof;

 

and, for such purposes, the Directors may reserve an appropriate number of Shares for the time being unissued.

 

5.                                      Neither the Company nor the Board shall be obliged, when making or granting any allotment of, offer of, option over or disposal of shares, to make, or make available, any such allotment, offer, option or shares to Members or others with registered addresses in any particular territory or territories being a territory or territories where, in the absence of a registration statement or other special formalities, this would or might, in the opinion of the Board, be unlawful or impracticable. Members affected as a result of the foregoing sentence shall not be, or be deemed to be, a separate class of members for any purpose whatsoever. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the resolution or resolutions providing for the establishment of any class or series of preferred shares, no vote of the holders of preferred shares of or ordinary shares shall be a prerequisite to the issuance of any shares of any class or series of the preferred shares authorized by and complying with the conditions of the Memorandum and these Articles.

 

8


 

6.                                      The Company shall not issue Shares to bearer.

 

7.                                      The Company may in connection with the issue of any shares exercise all powers of paying commissions and brokerage conferred or permitted by the Law. Such commissions and brokerage may be satisfied by the payment of cash or the lodgement of fully or partly paid-up Shares or partly in one way and partly in the other.

 

8.                                      The Directors may refuse to accept any application for Shares, and may accept any application in whole or in part, for any reason or for no reason.

 

FRACTIONAL SHARES

 

9.                                      The Directors may issue fractions of a Share and, if so issued, a fraction of a Share shall be subject to and carry the corresponding fraction of liabilities (whether with respect to nominal or par value, premium, contributions, calls or otherwise), limitations, preferences, privileges, qualifications, restrictions, rights (including, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, voting and participation rights) and other attributes of a whole Share. If more than one fraction of a Share of the same Class is issued to or acquired by the same Member such fractions shall be accumulated.

 

REGISTER OF MEMBERS

 

10.                               The Company shall maintain or cause to be maintained the Register of Members in accordance with the Statute.

 

CLOSING REGISTER OF MEMBERS OR FIXING RECORD DATE

 

11.                               For the purpose of determining Members entitled to notice of, or to vote at any meeting of Members or any adjournment thereof, or Members entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or in order to make a determination of Members for any other purpose, the Directors may provide that the Register of Members shall be closed for transfers for a stated period which shall not in any case exceed forty (40) calendar days. If the Register of Members shall be closed for the purpose of determining Members entitled to notice of, or to vote at, a meeting of Members, the Register of Members shall be closed for at least ten (10) calendar days immediately preceding the meeting and the record date for such determination shall be the date of closure of the Register of Members.

 

12.                               In lieu of, or apart from, closing the Register of Members, the Directors may fix in advance or arrears a date as the record date for any such determination of Members entitled to notice of, or to vote at any meeting of the Members or any adjournment thereof, or for the purpose of determining the Members entitled to receive payment of any dividend or in order to make a determination of Members for any other purpose.

 

13.                               If the Register of Members is not so closed and no record date is fixed for the determination of Members entitled to notice of, or to vote at, a meeting of Members or Members entitled to receive payment of a dividend, the date on which notice of the meeting is sent or the date on which the resolution of the Directors declaring such dividend is adopted, as the case may be, shall be the record date for such determination of Members. When a determination of Members entitled to vote at any meeting of Members has been made as provided in this Article, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof.

 

9


 

SHARE CERTIFICATES

 

14.                               A Member shall only be entitled to a share certificate if the Directors resolve that share certificates shall be issued. Share certificates representing Shares, if any, shall be in such form as the Directors may determine. Share certificates shall be signed by one or more Directors or other person authorized by the Directors. The Directors may authorize certificates to be issued with the authorized signature(s) affixed by mechanical process. All certificates for Shares shall be consecutively numbered or otherwise identified and shall specify the Shares to which they relate. All certificates surrendered to the Company for transfer shall be cancelled and, subject to these Articles, no new certificate shall be issued until the former certificate representing a like number of relevant Shares shall have been surrendered and cancelled.

 

15.                               No certificate shall be issued representing shares of more than one class.

 

16.                               The Company shall not be bound to issue more than one certificate for Shares held jointly by more than one person and delivery of a certificate to one joint holder shall be a sufficient delivery to all of them. In the event that Shares are held jointly by several persons, any request may be made by any one of the joint holders and if so made shall be binding on all of the joint holders.

 

17.                               Every share certificate of the Company shall bear legends required under the applicable laws, including the Securities Act.

 

18.                               Share certificates shall be issued within the relevant time limit as prescribed by the Law or as the Designated Stock Exchange may from time to time determine, whichever is the shorter, after allotment or, except in the case of a transfer which the Company is for the time being entitled to refuse to register and does not register, after lodgment of a transfer with the Company.

 

19.                               (1)                                 Upon every transfer of shares the certificate held by the transferor shall be given up to be cancelled, and shall forthwith be cancelled accordingly, and a new certificate shall be issued to the transferee in respect of the shares transferred to him at such fee as is provided in paragraph (2) of this Article. If any of the shares included in the certificate so given up shall be retained by the transferor a new certificate for the balance shall be issued to him at the aforesaid fee payable by the transferor to the Company in respect thereof.

 

(2)                                 The fee referred to in paragraph (1) above shall be an amount not exceeding the relevant maximum amount as the Designated Stock Exchange may from time to time determine provided that the Board may at any time determine a lower amount for such fee.

 

10


 

20.                               If a share certificate shall be damaged or defaced or alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, a new certificate representing the same Shares may be issued to the relevant Member upon request, subject to delivery up of the old certificate or (if alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed) compliance with such conditions as to evidence and indemnity and the payment of out-of-pocket expenses of the Company in connection with the request as the Directors may think fit.

 

REDEMPTION, REPURCHASE AND SURRENDER OF SHARES

 

21.                               Subject to the provisions of the Statute and these Articles, the Company may:

 

(a).                              issue Shares that are to be redeemed or are liable to be redeemed at the option of the Member or the Company. The redemption of Shares shall be effected in such manner and upon such terms as may be determined, before the issue of such Shares, by the Board;

 

(b).                              purchase its own Shares (including any redeemable Shares) in such manner and upon such terms as have been approved by the Board, or are otherwise authorized by these Articles; and

 

(c).                               make a payment in respect of the redemption or purchase of its own Shares in any manner permitted by the Statute, including out of capital.

 

22.                               The purchase of any Share shall not oblige the Company to purchase any other Share other than as may be required pursuant to applicable law and any other contractual obligations of the Company.

 

23.                               The holder of the Shares being purchased shall be bound to deliver up to the Company the certificate(s) (if any) thereof for cancellation and thereupon the Company shall pay to him the purchase or redemption monies or consideration in respect thereof.

 

24.                               The Directors may accept the surrender for no consideration of any fully paid Share.

 

TREASURY SHARES

 

25.                               The Directors may, prior to the purchase, redemption or surrender of any Share, determine that such Share shall be held as a Treasury Share. The Directors may determine to cancel a Treasury Share or transfer a Treasury Share on such terms as they think proper (including, without limitation, for nil consideration).

 

NON RECOGNITION OF TRUSTS

 

26.                               The Company shall not be bound by or compelled to recognize in any way (even when notified) any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest in any Share, or (except only as is otherwise provided by these Articles or the Statute) any other rights in respect of any Share other than an absolute right to the entirety thereof in the registered holder.

 

LIEN ON SHARES

 

27.                               The Company shall have a first and paramount Lien on all Shares (whether fully paid-up or not) registered in the name of a Member (whether solely or jointly with others) for all debts, liabilities or engagements to or with the Company (whether presently payable or not) by such Member or his estate, either alone or jointly with any other person, whether a Member or not, but the Directors may at any time declare any Share to be wholly or in part exempt from the provisions of this Article. The registration of a transfer of any such Share shall operate as a waiver of the Company’s Lien thereon. The Company’s Lien on a Share shall also extend to any amount payable in respect of that Share.

 

11


 

28.                               The Company may sell, in such manner as the Directors think fit, any Shares on which the Company has a Lien, if a sum in respect of which the Lien exists is presently payable, and is not paid within fourteen (14) calendar days after notice has been given to the holder of the Shares, or to the person entitled to it in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of the holder, demanding payment and stating that if the notice is not complied with the Shares may be sold.

 

29.                               To give effect to any such sale, the Directors may authorize any Person to execute an instrument of transfer of the Shares sold to, or in accordance with the directions of, the purchaser. The purchaser or his nominee shall be registered as the holder of the Shares comprised in any such transfer, and he shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, nor shall his title to the Shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the sale or the exercise of the Company’s power of sale under these Articles.

 

30.                               The net proceeds of such sale after deduction of expenses, fees and commission incurred by the Company shall be applied in payment of such part of the amount in respect of which the Lien exists as is presently payable and any residue shall (subject to a like Lien for sums not presently payable as existed upon the Shares before the sale) be paid to the person entitled to the Shares at the date of the sale.

 

CALLS ON SHARES

 

31.                               Subject to these Articles and the terms of the allotment and issue of any Shares, the Directors may from time to time make calls upon the Members in respect of any monies due and payable but unpaid on their Shares (whether in respect of par value or premium), and each Member shall (subject to receiving at least fourteen (14) calendar days’ notice specifying the time or times of payment) pay to the Company at the time or times so specified the amount called on the Shares. A call may be revoked or postponed as the Directors may determine. A call may be required to be paid by installments. A person upon whom a call is made shall remain liable for calls made upon him notwithstanding the subsequent transfer of the Shares in respect of which the call was made.

 

32.                               A call shall be deemed to have been made at the time when the resolution of the Directors authorizing such call was passed.

 

33.                               The joint holders of a Share shall be jointly and severally liable to pay all calls in respect thereof.

 

34.                               If a call remains unpaid after it has become due and payable, the person from whom it is due shall pay interest on the amount unpaid from the day it became due and payable until it is paid at such rate as the Directors may determine, but the Directors may waive payment of the interest in whole or in part.

 

12


 

35.                               An amount payable in respect of a Share on allotment or at any fixed date, whether on account of the par value of the Share or premium or otherwise, shall be deemed to be a call and, if it is not paid, all the provisions of these Articles shall apply as if that amount had become due and payable by virtue of a call.

 

36.                               The Directors may issue Shares with different terms as to the amount and times of payment of calls, or the interest to be paid.

 

37.                               The Directors may, if they think fit, receive an amount from any Member willing to advance all or any part of the monies uncalled and unpaid upon any Shares held by him, and may (until the amount would otherwise become payable) pay interest at such rate as may be agreed upon between the Directors and the Member paying such amount in advance. No such amount paid in advance of calls shall entitle the Member paying such amount to any portion of a dividend declared in respect of any period prior to the date upon which such amount would, but for such payment, become payable.

 

FORFEITURE OF SHARES

 

38.                               If a call remains unpaid after it has become due and payable, the Directors may give to the person from whom it is due not less than fourteen (14) calendar days’ notice requiring payment of the amount unpaid together with any interest, which may have accrued. The notice shall specify where payment is to be made and shall state that if the notice is not complied with, the Shares in respect of which the call was made will be liable to be forfeited.

 

39.                               If the notice is not complied with, any Share in respect of which it was given may, before the payment required by the notice has been made, be forfeited by a resolution of the Directors. Such forfeiture shall include all dividends or other monies declared payable in respect of the forfeited Share and not paid before the forfeiture.

 

40.                               A forfeited Share may be sold, re-allotted or otherwise disposed of on such terms and in such manner as the Directors think fit and at any time before a sale, re-allotment or disposition the forfeiture may be cancelled on such terms as the Directors think fit. Where for the purposes of its disposal a forfeited Share is to be transferred to any person, the Directors may authorize some person to execute an instrument of transfer of the Share in favor of that person.

 

41.                               A person any of whose Shares have been forfeited shall cease to be a Member in respect of them and shall surrender to the Company for cancellation the certificate for the Shares forfeited and shall remain liable to pay to the Company all monies which at the date of forfeiture were payable by him to the Company in respect of those Shares together with interest, but his liability shall cease if and when the Company shall have received payment in full of all monies due and payable by him in respect of those Shares.

 

42.                               A certificate in writing under the hand of one Director of the Company that a Share has been forfeited on a specified date shall be conclusive evidence of the fact as against all persons claiming to be entitled to the Share. The certificate shall (subject to the execution of an instrument of transfer) constitute a good title to the Share and the person to whom the Share is disposed of shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, if any, nor shall his title to the Share be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings in reference to the forfeiture, sale or disposal of the Share.

 

13


 

43.                               The provisions of these Articles as to forfeiture shall apply in the case of non-payment of any sum which, by the terms of issue of a Share, becomes payable at a fixed time, whether on account of the par value of the Share or by way of premium as if it had been payable by virtue of a call duly made and notified.

 

TRANSFER OF SHARES

 

44.                               Subject to these Articles, any Member may transfer all or any of his shares by an instrument of transfer in the usual or common form or in a form prescribed by the Designated Stock Exchange or in any other form approved by the Board and may be under hand or, if the transferor or transferee is a clearing house or a central depository house or its nominee(s), by hand or by machine imprinted signature or by such other manner of execution as the Board may approve from time to time.

 

45.                               The instrument of transfer of any Share shall be in writing and in any usual or common form or such other form as the Directors may, in their absolute discretion, approve and be executed by or on behalf of the transferor and if in respect of a nil or partly paid up Share, or if so required by the Directors, shall also be executed on behalf of the transferee and shall be accompanied by the certificate (if any) of the Shares to which it relates and such other evidence as the Directors may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer. The transferor shall be deemed to remain a Member until the name of the transferee is entered in the Register of Members in respect of the relevant Shares.

 

46.                               The Board may, in its absolute discretion, and without giving any reason therefor, refuse to register a transfer of any share (not being a fully paid up share) to a person of whom it does not approve, or any share issued under any share incentive scheme for employees upon which a restriction on transfer imposed thereby still subsists.

 

47.                               The Directors may in their absolute discretion decline to register any transfer of Shares which is not fully paid up or on which the Company has a lien. The Directors may also decline to register any transfer of any Share unless:

 

(a).                              the instrument of transfer is lodged with the Company, accompanied by the certificate for the Shares to which it relates and such other evidence as the Board may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer;

 

(b).                              the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one Class of Shares;

 

(c).                               the instrument of transfer is properly stamped, if required;

 

(d).                              in the case of a transfer to joint holders, the number of joint holders to whom the Share is to be transferred does not exceed four; and

 

14


 

(e).                               a fee of such maximum sum as the Designated Stock Exchange may determine to be payable, or such lesser sum as the Board of Directors may from time to time require, is paid to the Company in respect thereof.

 

48.                               The registration of transfers may, after compliance with any notice required by the Designated Stock Exchange Rules, be suspended and the Register of Members closed at such times and for such periods as the Directors may, in their absolute discretion, from time to time determine, provided always that such registration of transfer shall not be suspended nor the Register of Members closed for more than thirty (30) calendar days in any calendar year.

 

49.                               All instruments of transfer that are registered shall be retained by the Company. If the Directors refuse to register a transfer of any Shares, they shall within two calendar months after the date on which the instrument of transfer was lodged with the Company send notice of the refusal to each of the transferor and the transferee.

 

TRANSMISSION OF SHARES

 

50.                               If a Member dies, the survivor or survivors where he was a joint holder, and his legal personal representatives where he was a sole holder, shall be the only persons recognized by the Company as having any title to his interest. The estate of a deceased Member is not thereby released from any liability in respect of any Share, which had been jointly held by him. Any person becoming entitled to a Share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy or liquidation or dissolution of a Member (or in any other way than by transfer) may, upon such evidence being produced as may from time to time be required by the Directors, elect either to become the holder of the Share or to have some person nominated by him as the transferee. If he elects to become the holder, he shall give notice to the Company to that effect, but the Directors shall, in either case, have the same right to decline or suspend registration as they would have had in the case of a transfer of the Share by that Member before the death or bankruptcy or liquidation or dissolution of that Member, as the case may be.

 

51.                               If the person so becoming entitled shall elect to be registered himself as holder, he shall deliver or send to the Company a notice in writing signed by him stating that he so elects.

 

52.                               A person becoming entitled to a Share by reason of the death or bankruptcy or liquidation or dissolution of a Member (or in any other case than by transfer) shall be entitled to the same dividends and other advantages to which he would be entitled if he were the registered holder of the Share. However, he shall not, before being registered as a Member in respect of the Share, be entitled in respect of it to exercise any right conferred by membership in relation to meetings of the Company and the Directors may at any time give notice requiring any such person to elect either to be registered himself or to have some other person nominated by him become the holder of the Share (but the Directors shall, in either case, have the same right to decline or suspend registration as they would have had in the case of a transfer of the Share by the relevant Member before the death or bankruptcy or liquidation or dissolution of such Member or in any other case than by transfer, as the case may be). If the notice is not complied with within ninety (90) calendar days, the Directors may thereafter withhold payment of all dividends, bonuses or other monies payable in respect of the Share until the requirements of the notice have been complied with.

 

15


 

UNTRACEABLE MEMBERS

 

52A.                      (1)                                 Without prejudice to the rights of the Company under paragraph (2) of this Article 52A, the Company may cease sending cheques for dividend entitlements or dividend warrants by post if such cheques or warrants have been left uncashed on two consecutive occasions.  However, the Company may exercise the power to cease sending cheques for dividend entitlements or dividend warrants after the first occasion on which such a cheque or warrant is returned undelivered.

 

(2)                                 The Company shall have the power to sell, in such manner as the Board thinks fit, any shares of a Member who is untraceable, but no such sale shall be made unless:

 

(a)                                 all cheques or warrants in respect of dividends of the shares in question, being not less than three in total number, for any sum payable in cash to the holder of such shares sent during the relevant period in the manner authorised by these Articles have remained uncashed;

 

(b)                                 so far as it is aware at the end of the relevant period, the Company has not at any time during the relevant period received any indication of the existence of the Member who is the holder of such shares or of a person entitled to such shares by death, bankruptcy or operation of law; and

 

(c)                                  the Company, if so required by the rules governing the listing of shares on the Designated Stock Exchange, has given notice to, and caused advertisement in newspapers to be made in accordance with the requirements of the Designated Stock Exchange of its intention to sell such shares in the manner required by the Designated Stock Exchange, and a period of three months or such shorter period as may be allowed by the Designated Stock Exchange has elapsed since the date of such advertisement.

 

For the purpose of the foregoing, the “relevant period” means the period commencing twelve (12) years before the date of publication of the advertisement referred to in paragraph (c) of this Article and ending at the expiry of the period referred to in that paragraph.

 

(3)                                 To give effect to any such sale the Board may authorise some person to transfer the said shares and an instrument of transfer signed or otherwise executed by or on behalf of such person shall be as effective as if it had been executed by the registered holder or the person entitled by transmission to such shares, and the purchaser shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money nor shall his title to the shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings relating to the sale.  The net proceeds of the sale will belong to the Company and upon receipt by the Company of such net proceeds it shall become indebted to the former Member for an amount equal to such net proceeds.  No trust shall be created in respect of such debt and no interest shall be payable in respect of it and the Company shall not be required to account for any money earned from the net proceeds which may be employed in the business of the Company or as it thinks fit.  Any sale under this Article 55 shall be valid and effective notwithstanding that the Member holding the shares sold is dead, bankrupt or otherwise under any legal disability or incapacity.

 

16


 

AMENDMENTS OF MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION AND ALTERATION OF CAPITAL

 

53.                               (1)                                 Subject to the provisions of the Statute and the provisions of these Articles, the Company may from time to time by Ordinary Resolution:

 

(a).                              increase the share capital by such sum, to be divided into Shares of such Classes and amount, as the resolution shall prescribe and with such rights, priorities and privileges annexed thereto, as the Company in general meeting may determine;

 

(b).                              consolidate and divide all or any of its share capital into Shares of larger amount than its existing Shares;

 

(c).                               without prejudice to the powers of the Directors under Article 4, divide its Shares into several classes and without prejudice to any special rights previously conferred on the holders of existing Shares attach thereto respectively any preferential, deferred, qualified or special rights, privileges, conditions or such restrictions which in the absence of any such determination by the Company in general meeting, as the Directors may determine provided always that, for the avoidance of doubt, where a Class of Shares has been authorized by the Company, no resolution of the Company in general meeting is required for the issuance of Shares of that Class and the Directors may issue Shares of that Class and determine such rights, privileges, conditions or restrictions attaching thereto as aforesaid, and further provided that where the Company issues shares which do not carry voting rights, the words “non-voting” shall appear in the designation of such Shares and where the equity capital includes shares with different voting rights, the designation of each Class of Shares, other than those with the most favourable voting rights, must include the words “restricted voting” or “limited voting”;

 

(d).                              subdivide its Shares, or any of them, into Shares of smaller amount than is fixed by the Memorandum or into Shares without par value (subject, nevertheless, to the Law), and may by such resolution determine that, as between the holders of the Shares resulting from such sub-division, one or more of the Shares may have any such preferred, deferred or other rights or be subject to any such restrictions as compared with the other or others as the Company has power to attach to unissued or new shares; and

 

(e).                               cancel any Shares that at the date of the passing of the resolution have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any Person and diminish the amount of its share capital by the amount of the Shares so cancelled or, in the case of shares, without par value, diminish the number of shares into which its capital is divided.

 

(2)                                 No alteration may be made of the kind contemplated by Article 53(1), or otherwise, to the par value of the Class A Ordinary Shares or the Class B Ordinary Shares unless an identical alteration is made to the par value of the Class B Ordinary Shares or the Class A Ordinary Shares, as the case may be.

 

17


 

54.                               All new Shares created in accordance with the provisions of the preceding Article shall be subject to the same provisions of the Articles with reference to the payment of calls, Liens, transfer, transmission, forfeiture and otherwise as the Shares in the original share capital. The Board may settle as it considers expedient any difficulty which arises in relation to any consolidation and division under the preceding Article and in particular but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing may issue certificates in respect of fractions of shares or arrange for the sale of the shares representing fractions and the distribution of the net proceeds of sale (after deduction of the expenses of such sale) in due proportion amongst the Members who would have been entitled to the fractions, and for this purpose the Board may authorise some person to transfer the shares representing fractions to their purchaser or resolve that such net proceeds be paid to the Company for the Company’s benefit. Such purchaser will not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money nor will his title to the shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings relating to the sale.

 

55.                               Subject to the provisions of the Statute and the provisions of these Articles, the Company may from time to time by Special Resolution:

 

(a).                              change its name;

 

(b).                              alter, amend or add to these Articles;

 

(c).                               alter or add to the Memorandum with respect to any objects, powers or other matters specified therein; and

 

(d).                              reduce its share capital and any capital redemption reserve fund in any manner authorized by Law.

 

SHARE RIGHTS

 

56.                               Subject to the provisions of applicable Law, Designated Stock Exchange Rules, the Memorandum and these Articles and to any special rights conferred on the holders of any Shares or class of Shares, any share in the Company (whether forming part of the present capital or not) may be issued with or have attached thereto such rights or restrictions whether in regard to dividend, voting, return of capital or otherwise as the Board may determine, including without limitation on terms that they may be, or at the option of the Company or the holder are, liable to be redeemed on such terms and in such manner, including out of capital, as the Board may deem fit.

 

57.                               Subject to the provisions of applicable Law and these Articles, any preferred shares may be issued or converted into shares that, at a determinable date or at the option of the Company or the holder if so authorized by the Memorandum , are liable to be redeemed on such terms and in such manner as the Company before the issue or conversion may by Ordinary Resolution of the Members determine. Where the Company purchases for redemption a redeemable share, purchases not made through the market or by tender shall be limited to a maximum price as may from time to time be determined by the Board, either generally or with regard to specific purchases. If purchases are by tender, tenders shall comply with applicable Law.

 

18


 

58.                               The rights and restrictions attaching to the Ordinary Shares are as follows:

 

(a).                  Income.

 

Holders of Ordinary Shares shall be entitled to such dividends as the Directors may in their absolute discretion lawfully declare from time to time.

 

(b).                  Capital

 

Holders of Ordinary Shares shall be entitled to a return of capital on liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company (other than on a conversion, redemption or purchase of shares, or an equity financing or series of financings that do not constitute the sale of all or substantially all of the shares of the Company).

 

(c).                   Attendance at General and Special Meetings and Voting

 

Holders of Ordinary Shares have the right to receive notice of, attend, speak and vote at general and special meetings of the Company. Holders of Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares shall, at all times, vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote by the Members. Each Class A Ordinary Share shall be entitled to one (1) vote on all matters subject to vote at general and special meetings of the Company and each Class B Ordinary Share shall be entitled to twenty-five (25) votes on all matters subject to vote at general and special meetings of the Company.

 

(d).                  Conversion

 

(i)                   Each fully paid Class B Ordinary Share is convertible into one (1) fully paid Class A Ordinary Share at any time by the holder thereof and without the payment of any additional sum. The right to convert shall be exercisable by the holder of the Class B Ordinary Share delivering a written notice to the Company that such holder elects to convert a specified number of Class B Ordinary Shares into Class A Ordinary Shares. In no event shall Class A Ordinary Shares be convertible into Class B Ordinary Shares. A conversion notice shall not be effective if it is not accompanied by the share certificate(s) in respect of the relevant Class B Ordinary Shares and such other evidence (if any) as the Directors may reasonably require to prove the title of the person exercising such right (or, if such certificates have been lost or destroyed, such evidence of title and such indemnity as the Directors may reasonably require).

 

(ii)                Upon any sale, transfer, assignment or disposition of Class B Ordinary Shares by a holder thereof to any person or entity which is not an Affiliate of such holder, or upon a change of beneficial ownership of any Class B Ordinary Shares as a result of which any Person who is not an Affiliate of the registered holders of such Ordinary Shares becomes a beneficial owner of such Ordinary Shares, such Class B Ordinary Share, shall be automatically and immediately converted into an equal number of Class A Ordinary Shares. For the avoidance of doubt, (i) a sale, transfer, assignment or disposition shall be effective upon the Company’s registration of such sale, transfer, assignment or disposition in the Register of Members; (ii) the creation of any pledge, charge, encumbrance or other third party right of whatever description on any Class B Ordinary Shares to secure any contractual or legal obligations shall not be deemed as a sale, transfer, assignment or disposition unless and until any such pledge, charge, encumbrance or other third party right is enforced and results in the third party who is not an Affiliate of the relevant Shareholder becoming a beneficial owner of the relevant Class B Ordinary Shares in which case all the related Class B Ordinary Shares shall be automatically and immediately converted into the same number of Class A Ordinary Shares, and (iii) the termination of directorship on the Board of Directors or employment as an executive officer with the Company of any holder of any Class B Ordinary Shares shall not trigger the automatic conversion contemplated under this Article 58(d).

 

19


 

(iii)             For purposes of this Article 58, “beneficial ownership” shall have the meaning defined in Rule 13d-3 under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

(iv)            Any conversion of Class B Ordinary Shares into Class A Ordinary Shares pursuant to this Article shall be effected by means of the re-designation and re-classification of the relevant Class B Ordinary Share as a Class A Ordinary Share together with such rights and restrictions and which shall rank pari passu is all respects with the Class A Ordinary Shares then in issue. Such conversion shall become effective forthwith upon entries being made in the Register of Members to record the re-designation and re-classification of the relevant Class B Ordinary Shares as Class A Ordinary Shares.

 

(v)               Upon conversion, the Company shall allot and issue the relevant Class A Ordinary Shares to the converting Member, enter or procure the entry of the name of the relevant holder of Class B Ordinary Shares as the holder of the relevant number of Class A Ordinary Shares resulting from the conversion of the Class B Ordinary Shares in, and make any other necessary and consequential changes to, the Register of Members and shall procure that certificates in respect of the relevant Class A Ordinary Shares, together with a new certificate for any unconverted Class B Ordinary Shares comprised in the certificate(s) surrendered by the holder of the Class B Ordinary Shares are issued to the holders of the Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

(vi)            Save and except for voting rights and conversion rights as set out in this Article 58(c) and (d), Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares shall rank pari passu and shall have the same rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions.

 

VARIATION OF RIGHTS OF SHARES

 

59.                               Subject to the provisions of these Articles and without prejudice to Articles 56 and 57, if at any time the share capital of the Company is divided into different Classes, the rights attached to any class (unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of the Shares of that class) may be varied, modified or abrogated with the consent in writing of the holders of a majority of the issued Shares of that Class, or with the sanction of a Special Resolution passed at a general meeting of the holders of the Shares of that Class.

 

20


 

60.                               The provisions of these Articles relating to general meetings shall apply to every class meeting of the holders of one Class of Shares except that:

 

(a)                                 separate general meetings of the holders of a class or series of shares may be called only by (i) the Chairman of the Board, or (ii) a majority of the Board (unless otherwise specifically provided by the terms of issue of the shares of such class or series). Nothing in this Article 60 shall be deemed to give any Member or Members the right to call a class or series meeting; and

 

(b)                                 the necessary quorum (whether at a separate general meeting or at its adjourned meeting) shall be one person (or in the case of a Member being a corporation, its duly authorized representative) holding or representing by proxy at least one third of the issued Shares of the Class.

 

61.                               Subject to the provisions of the Articles, the rights conferred upon the holders of the Shares of any Class issued with preferred or other rights shall not, unless otherwise expressly provided by the terms of issue of the Shares of that Class, be deemed to be varied by the creation or issue of further Shares ranking pari passu with or subsequent to the Shares of that Class or the redemption or purchase of any Shares of any Class by the Company, and the rights of the holders of Shares shall not be deemed to be varied by the creation or issue of Shares with preferred or other rights including, without limitation, the creation of Shares with enhanced or weighted voting rights.

 

REGISTERED OFFICE

 

62.                               Subject to the provisions of the Statute, the Company may by resolution of the Directors change the location of its Registered Office.

 

GENERAL MEETINGS

 

63.                               All general meetings other than annual general meetings shall be called extraordinary general meetings.

 

64.                               The Company may, but shall not (unless required by the Statute) be obliged to hold a general meeting in each calendar year as its annual general meeting and shall specify the meeting as such in the notices calling it. The annual general meeting shall be held at such time and place as the Directors shall appoint. At these meetings the report of the Directors (if any) shall be presented.

 

65.                               The Chairman or a majority of the Directors may call general meetings, and they shall on a Member’s requisition forthwith proceed to convene an extraordinary general meeting of the Company.

 

66.                               A Members’ requisition is a requisition of Members of the Company holding at the date of deposit of the requisition not less than ten percent (10%) of all votes attaching to all issued and outstanding Shares entitled to vote at general meetings of the Company.

 

67.                               The requisition must state the objects of the meeting and must be signed by the requisitionists and deposited at the Registered Office, and may consist of several documents in like form each signed by one or more requisitionists.

 

21


 

68.                               If there are no Directors as at the date of the deposit of a Members’ requisition, or if the Directors do not within twenty-one (21) calendar days from the date of the deposit of such requisition duly proceed to convene a general meeting to be held within a further twenty-one (21) calendar days, the requisitionists, or any of them representing more than one- half of the total voting rights of all of them, may themselves convene a general meeting, but any meeting so convened shall not be held after the expiration of three calendar months after the expiration of the said twenty-one (21) calendar days.

 

69.                               A general meeting convened as aforesaid by requisitionists shall be convened in the same manner as nearly as possible as that in which general meetings are to be convened by Directors.

 

NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETINGS

 

70.                               At least fifteen (15) calendar days’ notice shall be given of any general meeting. Every notice shall be exclusive of the day on which it is given or deemed to be given and of the day for which it is given and shall specify the place, the day and the hour of the meeting and the general nature of the business and shall be given in the manner hereinafter mentioned or in such other manner if any as may be prescribed by the Company, provided that a general meeting of the Company shall, whether or not the notice specified in this regulation has been given and whether or not the provisions of the Articles regarding general meetings have been complied with, be deemed to have been duly convened if it is so agreed:

 

(a).                              in the case of an annual general meeting, by all the Members (or their proxies) entitled to attend and vote thereat; and

 

(b).                              in the case of an extraordinary general meeting, by a majority in number of the Members (or their proxies) having a right to attend and vote at the meeting, being a majority together holding not less than seventy-five percent (75%) in voting rights of the Shares giving that right.

 

71.                               The accidental omission to give notice of a general meeting to, or the non-receipt of notice of a meeting by, any Person entitled to receive notice shall not invalidate the proceedings at any meeting.

 

PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS

 

72.                               No business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum is present at the time when the meeting proceeds to business. The holders of Shares which carry a majority of all votes attaching to Shares in issue and entitled to vote at such general meeting, present in person or by proxy or, if a corporate or other non-natural person, by its duly authorised representative, shall constitute a quorum; unless the Company has only one Member entitled to vote at such general meeting in which case the quorum shall be that one Member present in person or by proxy or (in the case of a corporation or other non-natural person) by a duly authorized representative or proxy.

 

73.                               A person may participate at a general meeting by telephone or other similar communications equipment by means of which all the persons participating in such meeting can communicate with each other. Participation by a person in a general meeting in this manner is treated as presence in person at that meeting.

 

22


 

74.                               A resolution (including a Special Resolution) in writing (in one or more counterparts) signed by all Members for the time being entitled to receive notice of and to attend and vote at general meetings (or, being corporations, signed by their duly authorized representatives) shall be as valid and effective as if the resolution had been passed at a general meeting of the Company duly convened and held.

 

75.                               If a quorum is not present within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting or if during such a meeting a quorum ceases to be present, the meeting shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week at the same time and place or to such other day, time or such other place as the Directors may determine, and if at the adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting, the Members constituting a majority of the outstanding share capital of the Company (calculated on an as- converted basis) shall be a quorum and may transact the business for which the meeting was called, provided, that, such present Members shall only discuss and/or approve the matters as described in the meeting notice delivered in accordance with these Articles.

 

76.                               The chairman, if any, of the Board of Directors shall preside as chairman at every general meeting of the Company, or if there is no such chairman, or if he shall not be present within fifteen (15) minutes after the time appointed for the holding of the meeting, or is unwilling to act, the Directors present shall elect one of their number to be chairman of the meeting.

 

77.                               If no Director is willing to act as chairman or if no Director is present within fifteen (15) minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, the Members present shall choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting.

 

78.                               The chairman may, with the consent of a meeting at which a quorum is present (and shall if so directed by the meeting), adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place, but no business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting from which the adjournment took place. When a general meeting is adjourned for thirty calendar days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as in the case of an original meeting. Otherwise it shall not be necessary to give any such notice.

 

79.                               A resolution put to the vote of the meeting shall be decided on the vote of the requisite majority pursuant to a poll of the Members. Unless otherwise required by the Statute or these Articles, such requisite majority shall be a simple majority of votes that are able to be cast.

 

80.                               The Directors may cancel or postpone any duly convened general meeting at any time prior to such meeting, except for general meetings requisitioned by the Members in accordance with these Articles, for any reason or for no reason, upon notice in writing to Members. A postponement may be for a stated period of any length or indefinitely as the Directors may determine. Notice of the business to be transacted at such postponed general meeting shall not be required. If a general meeting is postponed in accordance with this Article, the appointment of a proxy will be valid if it is received as required by the Articles not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for holding the postponed meeting.

 

23


 

VOTES OF MEMBERS

 

81.                               Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any Share, every Member present in person or by proxy (or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorized representative or proxy) shall, at a general or special meeting of the Company, have one (1) vote for each Class A Ordinary Share and twenty-five (25) votes for each Class B Ordinary Share, in each case of which he is the holder.

 

82.                               In the case of joint holders of record the vote of the senior holder who tenders a vote, whether in person or by proxy (or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorized representative or proxy), shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other joint holders and and for this purpose seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names of the holders stand in the Register of Members.

 

83.                               Shares carrying the right to vote that are held by a Member of unsound mind, or in respect of whom an order has been made by any court, having jurisdiction in lunacy, may be voted by his committee, receiver, curator bonis, or other Person on such Member’s behalf appointed by that court, and any such committee, receiver, curator bonis or other person may vote by proxy.

 

84.                               No Person shall be entitled to vote at any general meeting or at any separate meeting of the holders of a class of Shares unless he is registered as a Member on the record date for such meeting nor unless all calls or other monies then payable by him in respect of Shares have been paid.

 

85.                               No objection shall be raised to the qualification of any voter except at the general meeting or adjourned general meeting at which the vote objected to is given or tendered and every vote not disallowed at the meeting shall be valid. Any objection made in due time shall be referred to the chairman whose decision shall be final and conclusive.

 

86.                               Votes may be cast either personally or by proxy. A Member may appoint more than one proxy or the same proxy under one or more instruments to attend and vote at a meeting. All resolutions shall be determined by poll and not on a show of hands. An instrument appointing a proxy may be in any usual or common form or such other form as the Directors may approve.

 

87.                               A Member holding more than one Share need not cast the votes in respect of his Shares in the same way on any resolution and therefore may vote a Share or some or all such Shares either for or against a resolution and/or abstain from voting a Share or some or all of the Shares and, subject to the terms of the instrument appointing him, a proxy appointed under one or more instruments may vote a Share or some or all of the Shares in respect of which he is appointed either for or against a resolution and/or abstain from voting.

 

PROXIES

 

88.                               The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing, be executed under the hand of the appointor or of his attorney duly authorized in writing, or, if the appointor is a corporation, under the hand of an officer or attorney duly authorized for that purpose. A proxy need not be a Member of the Company.

 

24


 

89.                               The instrument appointing a proxy shall be deposited at the Registered Office or at such other place as is specified for that purpose in the notice convening the meeting, or in any instrument of proxy sent out by the Company:

 

(a).                              not less than forty-eight (48) hours before the time for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the person named in the instrument proposes to vote; or

 

(b).                              in the case of a poll taken more than forty-eight (48) hours after it is demanded, be deposited as aforesaid after the poll has been demanded and not less than twenty-four (24) hours before the time appointed for the taking of the poll; or

 

(c).                               where the poll is not taken forthwith but is taken not more than forty-eight (48) hours after it was demanded be delivered at the meeting at which the poll was demanded to the chairman or to the secretary or to any director;

 

provided that the Directors may in the notice convening the meeting, or in an instrument of proxy sent out by the Company, direct that the instrument appointing a proxy may be deposited (no later than the time for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting) at the Registered Office or at such other place as is specified for that purpose in the notice convening the meeting, or in any instrument of proxy sent out by the Company. The chairman may in any event at his discretion direct that an instrument of proxy shall be deemed to have been duly deposited. An instrument of proxy that is not deposited in the manner permitted shall be invalid.

 

90.                               The instrument appointing a proxy may be in any usual or common form and may be expressed to be for a particular meeting or any adjournment thereof or generally until revoked. An instrument appointing a proxy shall be deemed to to confer authority to demand or join or concur in demanding a poll.

 

91.                               Votes given in accordance with the terms of an instrument of proxy shall be valid notwithstanding the previous death or insanity of the principal or revocation of the proxy or of the authority under which the proxy was executed, or the transfer of the Share in respect of which the proxy is given unless notice in writing of such death, insanity, revocation or transfer was received by the Company at the Registered Office two hours before the commencement of the general meeting, or adjourned meeting at which it is sought to use the proxy.

 

CORPORATIONS ACTING BY REPRESENTATIVES

 

92.                               Any corporation or other non-natural person which is a Member or a Director may in accordance with its constitutional documents, or in the absence of such provision by resolution of its directors or other governing body, authorize such person as it thinks fit to act as its representative at any meeting of the Company or of any meeting of holders of a Class or of the Directors or of a committee of Directors, and the person so authorized shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the corporation which he represents as that corporation could exercise if it were an individual Member or Director.

 

25


 

SHARES THAT MAY NOT BE VOTED

 

93.                               Shares in the Company that are beneficially owned by the Company shall not be voted, directly or indirectly, at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding Shares at any given time.

 

DEPOSITARY AND CLEARING HOUSES

 

94.                               If a recognised clearing house (or its nominee(s)) or depositary (or its nominee(s)) is a Member of the Company it may, by resolution of its directors or other governing body or by power of attorney, authorise such Person(s) as it thinks fit to act as its representative(s) at any general meeting of the Company or of any Class of Members provided that, if more than one Person is so authorized, the authorization shall specify the number and Class of Shares in respect of which each such Person is so authorized. A Person so authorized pursuant to this Article shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the recognised clearing house (or its nominee(s)) or depositary (or its nominee(s)) which he represents as that recognised clearing house (or its nominee(s)) or depositary (or its nominee(s)) could exercise if it were an individual Member holding the number and Class of Shares specified in such authorization.

 

DIRECTORS

 

95.                               Unless otherwise determined by the Company in general meeting, the number of Directors shall not be less than three (3) Directors, and there shall be no maximum number of Directors.

 

96.                               The Board of Directors shall have a Chairman elected and appointed by a majority of the Directors then in office. The period for which the Chairman will hold office will also be determined by a majority of all of the Directors then in office. The Chairman shall preside as chairman at every meeting of the Board of Directors, save and except that if the Chairman is not present at a meeting of the Board of Directors within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for holding the same, or if the Chairman is unable or unwilling to act as the chairman of a meeting of the Board of Directors, the attending Directors may choose one of their number to be the chairman of the meeting.

 

97.                               The Company may by Ordinary Resolution appoint any person to be a Director.

 

98.                               The Board may, by the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the remaining Directors present and voting at a Board meeting, appoint any person as a Director, to fill a casual vacancy on the Board or as an addition to the existing Board.

 

99.                               A Director shall hold office until the expiration of his or her term or his or her successor shall have been elected and qualified, or until his or her office is otherwise vacated.

 

100.                        A Director shall not be required to hold any Shares in the Company by way of qualification. A Director who is not a Member of the Company shall nevertheless be entitled to attend and speak at general meetings.

 

26


 

101.                        A Director may be removed from office by Ordinary Resolution of the Company or the affirmative vote of no less than two-thirds of the other Directors present and voting at a Board meeting, notwithstanding anything in these Articles or in any agreement between the Company and such Director (but without prejudice to any claim for damages under such agreement). A vacancy on the Board created by the removal of a Director under the previous sentence may be filled by Ordinary Resolution or by the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the remaining Directors present and voting at a Board meeting. The notice of any meeting at which a resolution to remove a Director shall be proposed or voted upon must contain a statement of the intention to remove that Director and such notice must be served on that Director not less than ten (10) calendar days before the meeting. Such Director is entitled to attend the meeting and be heard on the motion for his removal.

 

102.                        The remuneration of the Directors or past Directors, including by way of compensation for loss of office, or as consideration for or in connection with his retirement from office (not being payment to which the Director is contractually entitled), may be determined by the Directors.

 

103.                        The Directors shall be entitled to be paid their travelling, hotel and other expenses properly incurred by them in going to, attending and returning from meetings of the Directors, or any committee of the Directors, or general meetings of the Company, or otherwise in connection with the business of the Company, or to receive such fixed allowance in respect thereof as may be determined by the Directors from time to time, or a combination partly of one such method and partly the other.

 

104.                        Subject to applicable Law, Designated Stock Exchange Rules and the Articles,The Board may establish any committee of the Board as the Board shall deem appropriate from time to time, and committees of the Board shall have the rights, powers and privileges granted to such committees by the Board from time to time.

 

POWERS AND DUTIES OF DIRECTORS

 

105.                        Subject to the provisions of the Statute, the Memorandum and these Articles and to any directions given by Special Resolution, the business and affairs of the Company shall be conducted as directed by the Board of Directors of the Company.The Board shall have all such powers and authorities, and may do all such acts and things, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable Law, the Memorandum and these Articles. No resolution passed by the Company in general meeting shall invalidate any prior act of the Directors that would have been valid if that resolution had not been passed.

 

106.                        The Board may, from time to time, and except as required by applicable Law or Designated Stock Exchange Rules, adopt, institute, amend, modify or revoke the corporate governance policies or initiatives of the Company and determine on various corporate governance related matters of the Company as the Board shall determine by resolution of Directors from time to time.

 

107.                        Subject to these Articles, the Directors may from time to time appoint any natural person or corporation, whether or not a Director to hold such office in the Company as the Directors may think necessary for the administration of the Company, including but not limited to, chief executive officer, one or more other executive officers, president, one or more vice-presidents, treasurer, assistant treasurer, manager or controller, and for such term and at such remuneration (whether by way of salary or commission or participation in profits or partly in one way and partly in another), and with such powers and duties as the Directors may think fit. Any natural person or corporation so appointed by the Directors may be removed by the Directors. The Directors may also appoint one or more of their number to the office of managing director upon like terms, but any such appointment shall ipso facto terminate if any managing director ceases for any cause to be a Director, or if the Company by Ordinary Resolution resolves that his tenure of office be terminated.

 

27


 

108.                        The Directors may appoint any natural person or corporation to be a Secretary (and if need be, two or more persons as joint Secretaries, an assistant Secretary or assistant Secretaries) who shall hold office for such term, at such remuneration and upon such conditions and with such powers as they think fit. Any Secretary or assistant Secretary so appointed by the Directors may be removed by the Directors.

 

109.                        The Directors may delegate any of their powers to committees consisting of such member or members of their body as they think fit; any committee so formed shall in the exercise of the powers so delegated conform to any regulations that may be imposed on it by the Directors.

 

110.                        The Directors may from time to time and at any time by power of attorney (whether under Seal or under hand) or otherwise appoint any company, firm or Person or body of Persons, whether nominated directly or indirectly by the Directors, to be the attorney or attorneys or authorized signatory (any such person being an “Attorney” or “Authorized Signatory”, respectively) of the Company for such purposes and with such powers, authorities and discretion (not exceeding those vested in or exercisable by the Directors under these Articles) and for such period and subject to such conditions as they may think fit, and any such power of attorney or other appointment may contain such provisions for the protection and convenience of Persons dealing with any such Attorney or Authorized Signatory as the Directors may think fit, and may also authorise any such Attorney or Authorized Signatory to delegate all or any of the powers, authorities and discretion vested in him.

 

111.                        (1)                                 The Directors may from time to time provide for the management of the affairs of the Company in such manner as they shall think fit and the provisions contained in the three next following Articles shall not limit the general powers conferred by this Article.

 

(2)                                 All cheques, promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange and other instruments, whether negotiable or transferable or not, and all receipts for moneys paid to the Company shall be signed, drawn, accepted, endorsed or otherwise executed, as the case may be, in such manner as the Board shall from time to time by resolution determine.  The Company’s banking accounts shall be kept with such banker or bankers as the Board shall from time to time determine.

 

112.                        The Directors from time to time and at any time may establish any committees, local boards or agencies for managing any of the affairs of the Company and may appoint any natural person or corporation to be a member of such committees or local boards and may appoint any managers or agents of the Company and may fix the remuneration of any such natural person or corporation.

 

28


 

113.                        The Directors from time to time and at any time may delegate to any such committee, local board, manager or agent any of the powers, authorities and discretions for the time being vested in the Directors and may authorise the members for the time being of any such local board, or any of them to fill any vacancies therein and to act notwithstanding vacancies and any such appointment or delegation may be made on such terms and subject to such conditions as the Directors may think fit and the Directors may at any time remove any natural person or corporation so appointed and may annul or vary any such delegation, but no Person dealing in good faith and without notice of any such annulment or variation shall be affected thereby.

 

114.                        Any such delegates as aforesaid may be authorized by the Directors to sub-delegate all or any of the powers, authorities, and discretion for the time being vested in them.

 

BORROWING POWERS OF DIRECTORS

 

115.                        The Directors may from time to time at their discretion exercise all the powers of the Company to borrow money, to mortgage or charge all or any part of its undertaking, property and assets (present and future) and uncalled capital, and to issue debentures, bonds and other securities, whenever money is borrowed or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of the Company or of any third party. Debentures, bonds and other securities may be made assignable free from any equities between the Company and the person to whom the same may be issued. Any debentures, bonds or other securities may be issued at a discount (other than shares), premium or otherwise and with any special privileges as to redemption, surrender or drawings as the Directors may determine.

 

DISQUALIFICATION OF DIRECTORS

 

116.                        The office of a Director shall be vacated if:

 

(a).                              he gives notice in writing to the Company that he resigns the office of Director;

 

(b).                              he dies, becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors generally;

 

(c).                               is prohibited by any applicable Law or Designated Stock Exchange Rules from being a Director;

 

(d).                              he is found to be or becomes of unsound mind; or

 

(e).                               is removed from office pursuant to any other provision of these Articles.

 

MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

117.                        The Board shall meet at such times and in such places as the Board shall designate from time to time. A meeting of the Board may be called by any Director on no less than three (3) calendar days’ prior written notice of the time, place and agenda of the meeting. Nevertheless, a meeting of the Board may be called by shorter notice if it is so agreed by all Directors in writing. Subject to these Articles, questions arising at any meeting shall be decided by a majority of votes of the Directors present at a meeting at which there is a quorum, with each having one (1) vote and in the case of an equality of votes the resolution shall fail.

 

29


 

118.                        A Director may participate in any meeting of the Board or of any committee of the Board by means of video conference, teleconference or other similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other and such participation shall constitute such Director’s presence in person at the meeting.

 

119.                        The quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the Board may be fixed by the Directors, and unless so fixed, the presence of a majority of Directors then in office shall constitute a quorum. A Director represented by proxy or by an alternate Director at any meeting shall be deemed to be present for the purposes of determining whether or not a quorum is present.

 

120.                        If a quorum is not present at any duly called meeting, such meeting may be adjourned to a time no earlier than forty-eight (48) hours after written notice of such adjournment has been given to the Directors. The Directors present at such adjourned meeting shall constitute a quorum, provided that the Directors present at such adjourned meeting may only discuss and/or approve the matters as described in the meeting notice delivered to the Directors in accordance with Article 117.

 

121.                        A resolution in writing (in one or more counterparts), signed by all the Directors or all the members of a committee of Directors entitled to receive notice of a meeting of Directors or committee of Directors, as the case may be (an alternate Director, subject as provided otherwise in the terms of appointment of the alternate Director, being entitled to sign such a resolution on behalf of his appointer), shall be as valid and effectual as if it had been passed at a meeting of the Directors or committee, as the case may be, duly convened and held. When signed a resolution may consist of several documents each signed by one or more of the Directors or his duly appointed alternate.

 

122.                        Subject to any regulations imposed on it by the Directors, a committee appointed by the Directors may elect a chairman of its meetings. If no such chairman is elected, or if at any meeting the chairman is not present within fifteen (15) minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, the committee members present may choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting.

 

123.                        A committee appointed by the Directors may meet and adjourn as it thinks proper. Subject to any regulations imposed on it by the Directors, questions arising at any meeting shall be determined by a majority of votes of the committee members present and in case of an equality of votes the chairman shall have a second or casting vote.

 

124.                        All acts done by any meeting of the Directors or of a committee of Directors, or by any Person acting as a Director, shall notwithstanding that it be afterwards discovered that there was some defect in the appointment of any such Director or Person acting as aforesaid, or that they or any of them were disqualified, be as valid as if every such Person had been duly appointed and was qualified to be a Director.

 

125.                        The Company shall pay all fees, charges and expenses (including travel and related expenses) incurred by each Director in connection with: (i) attending the meetings of the Board and all committees thereof (if any) and (ii) conducting any other Company business requested by the Company.

 

30


 

PRESUMPTION OF ASSENT

 

126.                        A Director who is present at a meeting of the Board at which action on any Company matter is taken shall be presumed to have assented to the action taken unless his dissent shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless he shall file his written dissent from such action with the person acting as the chairman or secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof or shall forward such dissent by registered post to such person immediately after the adjournment of the meeting. Such right to dissent shall not apply to a Director who voted in favor of such action.

 

DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS

 

127.                        A Director may:

 

(a).                              hold any other office or place of profit with the Company (except that of Auditor) in conjunction with his office of Director for such period and upon such terms as the Board may determine. Any remuneration (whether by way of salary, commission, participation in profits or otherwise) paid to any Director in respect of any such other office or place of profit shall be in addition to any remuneration provided for by or pursuant to any other Article;

 

(b).                              act by himself or his firm in a professional capacity for the Company (otherwise than as Auditor) and he or his firm may be remunerated for professional services as if he were not a Director;

 

(c).                               continue to be or become a director, managing director, joint managing director, deputy managing director, executive director, manager or other officer or member of any other company promoted by the Company or in which the Company may be interested as a vendor, shareholder or otherwise and (unless otherwise agreed) no such Director shall be accountable for any remuneration, profits or other benefits received by him as a director, managing director, joint managing director, deputy managing director, executive director, manager or other officer or member of or from his interests in any such other company. Subject as otherwise provided by these Articles the Directors may exercise or cause to be exercised the voting powers conferred by the shares in any other company held or owned by the Company, or exercisable by them as Directors of such other company in such manner in all respects as they think fit (including the exercise thereof in favour of any resolution appointing themselves or any of them directors, managing directors, joint managing directors, deputy managing directors, executive directors, managers or other officers of such company) or voting or providing for the payment of remuneration to the director, managing director, joint managing director, deputy managing director, executive director, manager or other officers of such other company and any Director may vote in favour of the exercise of such voting rights in manner aforesaid notwithstanding that he may be, or about to be, appointed a director, managing director, joint managing director, deputy managing director, executive director, manager or other officer of such a company, and that as such he is or may become interested in the exercise of such voting rights in manner aforesaid.

 

31


 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no “Independent Director” as defined in the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange or in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act, and with respect of whom the Board has determined constitutes an “Independent Director” for purposes of compliance with applicable Law or the Company’s listing requirements, shall without the consent of the Audit Committee take any of the foregoing actions or any other action that would reasonably be likely to affect such Director’s status as an “Independent Director” of the Company.

 

128.                        Subject to applicable Law and to these Articles, no Director or proposed or intending Director shall be disqualified by his office from contracting with the Company, either with regard to his tenure of any office or place of profit or as vendor, purchaser or in any other manner whatever, nor shall any such contract or any other contract or arrangement in which any Director is in any way interested be liable to be avoided, nor shall any Director so contracting or being so interested be liable to account to the Company or the Members for any remuneration, profit or other benefits realised by any such contract or arrangement by reason of such Director holding that office or of the fiduciary relationship thereby established provided that such Director shall disclose the nature of his interest in any contract or arrangement in which he is interested in accordance with Article 129 herein. Any such transaction that would reasonably be likely to affect a Director’s status as an “Independent Director”, or that would constitute a “related party transaction” as defined by Item 7.N of Form 20F promulgated by the Comission, shall require the approval of the Audit Committee.

 

129.                        A Director who to his knowledge is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a contract or arrangement or proposed contract or arrangement with the Company shall declare the nature of his interest at the meeting of the Board at which the question of entering into the contract or arrangement is first considered, if he knows his interest then exists, or in any other case at the first meeting of the Board after he knows that he is or has become so interested. For the purposes of this Article, a general Notice to the Board by a Director to the effect that:

 

(a).                              he is a member or officer of a specified company or firm and is to be regarded as interested in any contract or arrangement which may after the date of the Notice be made with that company or firm; or

 

(b).                              he is to be regarded as interested in any contract or arrangement which may after the date of the Notice be made with a specified person who is connected with him;

 

shall be deemed to be a sufficient declaration of interest under this Article in relation to any such contract or arrangement, provided that no such Notice shall be effective unless either it is given at a meeting of the Board or the Director takes reasonable steps to secure that it is brought up and read at the next Board meeting after it is given.

 

130.                        Following a declaration being made pursuant to the last preceding two Articles, subject to any separate requirement for Audit Committee approval under applicable Law or the Designated Stock Exchange Rules, and unless disqualified by the chairman of the relevant Board meeting, a Director may vote in respect of any contract or proposed contract or arrangement in which such Director is interested and may be counted in the quorum at such meeting.

 

32


 

MINUTES

 

131.                        The Directors shall cause minutes to be made for the purpose of all appointments of officers made by the Directors, all proceedings at meetings of the Company or the holders of any Class of Shares and of the Directors, and of committees of Directors including the names of the Directors or alternate Directors present at each meeting.

 

132.                        When the chairman of a meeting of the Directors signs the minutes of such meeting the same shall be deemed to have been duly held notwithstanding that all the Directors have not actually come together or that there may have been a technical defect in the proceedings.

 

ALTERNATE DIRECTORS

 

133.                        Any Director (other than an alternate Director) may by writing appoint any other Director, or any other person willing to act, to be an alternate Director and by writing may remove from office an alternate Director so appointed by him.

 

134.                        An alternate Director shall be entitled to receive notice of all meetings of Directors and of all meetings of committees of Directors of which his appointor is a member, to attend and vote at every such meeting at which the Director appointing him is not personally present, and generally to perform all the functions of his appointor as a Director in his absence.

 

135.                        An alternate Director shall cease to be an alternate Director if his appointor ceases to be a Director.

 

136.                        Any appointment or removal of an alternate Director shall be by notice to the Company signed by the Director making or revoking the appointment or in any other manner approved by the Directors.

 

137.                        An alternate Director shall be deemed for all purposes to be a Director and shall alone be responsible for his own acts and defaults and shall not be deemed to be the agent of the Director appointing him.

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE

 

138.                        Without prejudice to the freedom of the Directors to establish any other committees, for so long as the shares of the Company (or depositary receipts therefor) are listed or quoted on the Designated Stock Exchange, the Board shall establish and maintain an Audit Committee as a committee of the Board, the composition and responsibilities of which shall comply with the charter of the Audit Committee as adopted by the Board, the Designated Stock Exchange Rules and the rules and regulations of the Commission.

 

NO MINIMUM SHAREHOLDING

 

139.                        The Company in general meeting may fix a minimum shareholding required to be held by a Director, but unless and until such a shareholding qualification is fixed, a Director is not required to hold Shares.

 

33


 

SEAL

 

140.                        The Company may, if the Directors so determine, have a Seal. The Seal shall only be used by the authority of the Directors or of a committee of the Directors authorized by the Directors. Every instrument to which the Seal has been affixed shall be signed by at least one person who shall be either a Director or some officer or other person appointed by the Directors for the purpose.

 

141.                        The Company may have for use in any place or places outside the Cayman Islands a duplicate Seal or Seals each of which shall be a facsimile of the common Seal of the Company and, if the Directors so determine, with the addition on its face of the name of every place where it is to be used.

 

142.                        A Director or officer, representative or attorney of the Company may without further authority of the Directors affix the Seal over his signature alone to any document of the Company required to be authenticated by him under seal or to be filed with the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere wheresoever.

 

DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND RESERVE

 

143.                        Subject to the Statute and these Articles any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any Shares, the Directors may from time to time declare dividends (including interim dividends) and other distributions on Shares in issue and authorize payment of the dividends or distributions out of the funds of the Company lawfully available therefor. No dividend or distribution shall be paid except out of the realized or unrealized profits of the Company, or out of the share premium account or as otherwise permitted by the Statute.

 

144.                        Except as otherwise provided by the rights attached to Shares, all dividends shall be declared and paid according to the par value of the Shares that a Member holds. If any Share is issued on terms providing that it shall rank for dividend as from a particular date, that Share shall rank for dividend accordingly.

 

145.                        The Directors may deduct from any dividend or distribution payable to any Member all sums of money (if any) then payable by him to the Company on account of calls or otherwise.

 

146.                        The Directors may declare that any dividend or distribution be paid wholly or partly by the distribution of specific assets and in particular of shares, debentures, or securities of any other company or in any one or more of such ways and where any difficulty arises in regard to such distribution, the Directors may settle the same as they think expedient and in particular may issue fractional Shares and fix the value for distribution of such specific assets or any part thereof and may determine that cash payments shall be made to any Members upon the basis of the value so fixed in order to adjust the rights of all Members and may vest any such specific assets in trustees as may seem expedient to the Directors.

 

147.                        Any dividend, distribution, interest or other monies payable in cash in respect of Shares may be paid by wire transfer to the holder or by cheque or warrant sent through the post directed to the registered address of the holder or, in the case of joint holders, to the registered address of the holder who is first named on the Register of Members or to such person and to such address as such holder or joint holders may in writing direct. Every such cheque or warrant shall be made payable to the order of the person to whom it is sent. Any one of three or more joint holders may give effectual receipts for any dividends, bonuses, or other monies payable in respect of the Share held by them as joint holders.

 

34


 

148.                        If several Persons are registered as joint holders of any Share, any of them may give effective receipts for any dividend or other moneys payable on or in respect of the Share.

 

149.                        No dividend or distribution shall bear interest against the Company.

 

150.                        Any dividend which cannot be paid to a Member and/or which remains unclaimed after six (6) months from the date of declaration of such dividend may, in the discretion of the Directors, be invested or otherwise made use of by the Board for the benefit of the Company until claimed, or be paid into a separate account in the Company’s name, provided that the Company shall not be constituted as a trustee in respect of that account and the dividend shall remain as a debt due to the Member. Any dividend which remains unclaimed after a period of six (6) years from the date of declaration of such dividend shall be forfeited and shall revert to the Company.

 

CAPITALIZATION

 

151.                        Subject to applicable Law, the Directors may:

 

(a).                                    resolve to capitalise any sum standing to the credit of any of the Company’s reserve accounts or funds (including the Share Premium Account and capital redemption reserve fund) or any sum standing to the credit of the profit and loss account or otherwise available for distribution;

 

(b).                                    appropriate the sum resolved to be capitalised to the Members in proportion to the nominal amount of Shares (whether or not fully paid) held by them respectively and apply that sum on their behalf in or towards:

 

(i)                                     paying up the amounts (if any) for the time being unpaid on Shares held by them respectively, or

 

(ii)                                  paying up in full unissued Shares or debentures of a nominal amount equal to that sum,

 

and allot the Shares or debentures, credited as fully paid, to the Members (or as they may direct) in those proportions, or partly in one way and partly in the other, but the Share Premium Account, the capital redemption reserve and profits which are not available for distribution may, for the purposes of this Article, only be applied in paying up unissued Shares to be allotted to Members credited as fully paid;

 

(c).                                     make any arrangements they think fit to resolve a difficulty arising in the distribution of a capitalised reserve and in particular, without limitation, where Shares or debentures become distributable in fractions the Directors may deal with the fractions as they think fit;

 

(d).                                    authorise a Person to enter (on behalf of all the Members concerned) into an agreement with the Company providing for either:

 

35


 

(i)                                     the allotment to the Members respectively, credited as fully paid, of Shares or debentures to which they may be entitled on the capitalisation, or

 

(ii)                                  the payment by the Company on behalf of the Members (by the application of their respective proportions of the reserves resolved to be capitalised) of the amounts or part of the amounts remaining unpaid on their existing Shares,

 

and any such agreement made under this authority being effective and binding on all those Members; and

 

(e).                                     generally do all acts and things required to give effect to the resolution.

 

152.                        Notwithstanding any provisions in these Articles, the Directors may resolve to capitalise any sum standing to the credit of any of the Company’s reserve accounts or funds (including the Share Premium Account and capital redemption reserve fund) or any sum standing to the credit of the profit and loss account or otherwise available for distribution by applying such sum in paying up in full unissued Shares to be allotted and issued to:

 

(a).                              employees (including Directors) or service providers of the Company or its Affiliates upon exercise or vesting of any options or awards granted under any share incentive scheme or employee benefit scheme or other arrangement which relates to such persons that has been adopted or approved by the Directors or the Members;

 

(b).                              any trustee of any trust or administrator of any share incentive scheme or employee benefit scheme to whom shares are to be allotted and issued by the Company in connection with the operation of any share incentive scheme or employee benefit scheme or other arrangement which relates to such persons that has been adopted or approved by the Directors or Members; or

 

(c).                               any depositary of the Company for the purposes of the issue, allotment and delivery by the depositary of ADSs to employees (including Directors) or service providers of the Company or its Affiliates upon exercise or vesting of any options or awards granted under any share incentive scheme or employee benefit scheme or other arrangement which relates to such persons that has been adopted or approved by the Directors or the Members.

 

BOOKS OF ACCOUNT

 

153.                        The Directors shall cause proper books of account to be kept with respect to all sums of money received and expended by the Company and the matters in respect of which the receipt or expenditure takes place, all sales and purchases of goods by the Company and the assets and liabilities of the Company. Proper books shall not be deemed to be kept if there are not kept such books of account as are necessary to give a true and fair view of the state of the Company’s affairs and to explain its transactions.

 

36


 

154.                        The Directors shall from time to time determine whether and to what extent and at what times and places and under what conditions or regulations the accounts and books of the Company or any of them shall be open to the inspection of Members not being Directors and no Member (not being a Director) shall have any right of inspecting any account or book or document of the Company except as conferred by the Statute or authorized by the Directors or by the Company in general meeting.

 

155.                        The Directors may from time to time cause to be prepared and to be laid before the Company in general meeting profit and loss accounts, balance sheets, group accounts (if any) and such other reports and accounts as may be required by the Law.

 

AUDIT

 

156.                        Subject to applicable Law and Designated Stock Exchange Rules, the Directors may appoint an Auditor of the Company who shall hold office until removed from office by a resolution of the Directors.

 

157.                        The remuneration of the Auditor shall be determined by the Audit Committee or, in the absence of such an Audit Committee, by the Board.

 

158.                        If the office of auditor becomes vacant by the resignation or death of the Auditor, or by his becoming incapable of acting by reason of illness or other disability at a time when his services are required, the Directors shall fill the vacancy and determine the remuneration of such Auditor.

 

159.                        Auditors of the Company shall have a right of access at all times to the books and accounts and vouchers of the Company and shall be entitled to require from the Directors and officers of the Company such information and explanation as may be necessary for the performance of the duties of the Auditors.

 

160.                        Auditors shall, if so required by the Directors, make a report on the accounts of the Company during their tenure of office at the next annual general meeting following their appointment and at any time during their term of office upon request of the Directors or any general meeting of the Members.

 

161.                        The statement of income and expenditure and the balance sheet provided for by these Articles shall be examined by the Auditor and compared by him with the books, accounts and vouchers relating thereto; and he shall make a written report thereon stating whether such statement and balance sheet are drawn up so as to present fairly the financial position of the Company and the results of its operations for the period under review and, in case information shall have been called for from Directors or officers of the Company, whether the same has been furnished and has been satisfactory. The financial statements of the Company shall be audited by the Auditor in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. The Auditor shall make a written report thereon in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and the report of the Auditor shall be submitted to the Audit Committee. The generally accepted auditing standards referred to herein may be those of a country or jurisdiction other than the Cayman Islands. If so, the financial statements and the report of the Auditor should disclose this act and name such country or jurisdiction.

 

37


 

SHARE PREMIUM ACCOUNT

 

162.                        The Directors shall in accordance with the Statute establish a Share Premium Account and shall carry to the credit of such account from time to time a sum equal to the amount or value of the premium paid on the issue of any Share.

 

163.                        There shall be debited to any Share Premium Account on the redemption or purchase of a Share the difference between the nominal value of such Share and the redemption or purchase price provided always that at the discretion of the Directors such sum may be paid out of the profits of the Company or, if permitted by the Statute, out of capital.

 

NOTICES

 

164.                        Any notice or document, whether or not, to be given or issued under these Articles from the Company to a Member shall be in writing or by cable, telex or facsimile transmission message or other form of electronic transmission or communication and any such notice and document may be served or delivered by the Company on or to any Member either personally or by sending it through the post in a prepaid envelope addressed to such Member at his registered address as appearing in the Register of Members or at any other address supplied by him to the Company for the purpose or, as the case may be, by transmitting it to any such address or transmitting it to any telex or facsimile transmission number or electronic number or address or website supplied by him to the Company for the giving of notice to him or which the person transmitting the notice reasonably and bona fide believes at the relevant time will result in the Notice being duly received by the Member or may also be served by advertisement in appropriate newspapers in accordance with the requirements of the Designated Stock Exchange or, to the extent permitted by the applicable laws, by placing it on the Company’s website and giving to the member a notice stating that the notice or other document is available there (a “notice of availability”).  The notice of availability may be given to the Member by any of the means set out above.  In the case of joint holders of a Share, all notices shall be given to that one of the joint holders whose name stands first in the Register of Members in respect of the joint holding, and notice so given shall be sufficient notice to all the joint holders.

 

165.                        Any notice or other document, if served by:

 

(a).                              post, shall be deemed to have been served or delivered on the day following that on which the envelope containing the same, properly prepaid and addressed, is put into the post; in proving such service or delivery it shall be sufficient to prove that the envelope or wrapper containing the notice or document was properly addressed and put into the post and a certificate in writing signed by the Secretary or other officer of the Company or other person appointed by the Board that the envelope or wrapper containing the notice or other document was so addressed and put into the post shall be conclusive evidence thereof;

 

(b).                              facsimile, shall be deemed to have been served upon production by the transmitting facsimile machine of a report confirming transmission of the facsimile in full to the facsimile number of the recipient;

 

(c).                               recognized courier service, shall be deemed to have been served 48 hours after the time when the letter containing the same is delivered to the courier service;

 

38


 

(d).                              electronic mail, shall be deemed to have been served immediately upon the time of the transmission by electronic mail; or

 

(e).                               placing it on the Company’s Website, shall be deemed to have been served immediately upon the time when the same is placed on the Company’s Website.

 

166.                        Any Members present, either personally or by proxy, at any meeting of the Company shall for all purposes be deemed to have received due notice of such meeting and, where requisite, of the purposes for which such meeting was convened.

 

167.                        A notice may be given by the Company to the person or persons which the Company has been advised are entitled to a Share or Shares in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of a Member in the same manner as other notices which are required to be given under these Articles and shall be addressed to them by name, or by the title of representatives of the deceased, or trustee of the bankrupt, or by any like description at the address supplied for that purpose by the persons claiming to be so entitled, or at the option of the Company by giving the notice in any manner in which the same might have been given if the death or bankruptcy had not occurred.

 

168.                        Notice of every general meeting shall be given in any manner hereinbefore authorized to every person shown as a Member in the Register of Members on the record date for such meeting except that in the case of joint holders the notice shall be sufficient if given to the joint holder first named in the Register of Members and every person upon whom the ownership of a Share devolves by reason of his being a legal personal representative or a trustee in bankruptcy of a Member of record where the Member of record but for his death or bankruptcy would be entitled to receive notice of the meeting, and no other person shall be entitled to receive notices of general meetings.

 

INFORMATION

 

169.                        No Member shall be entitled to require discovery of any information in respect of any detail of the Company’s trading or any information which is or may be in the nature of a trade secret or secret process which may relate to the conduct of the business of the Company and which in the opinion of the Board would not be in the interests of the Members of the Company to communicate to the public.

 

170.                        The Board shall be entitled to release or disclose any information in its possession, custody or control regarding the Company or its affairs to any of its Members including, without limitation, information contained in the Register and transfer books of the Company.

 

WINDING UP

 

171.                        If the Company shall be wound up, the liquidator may, with the sanction of a Special Resolution of the Company and any other sanction required by the Statute, divide amongst the Members in species or in kind the whole or any part of the assets of the Company (whether they shall consist of property of the same kind or not) and may for that purpose value any assets and determine how the division shall be carried out as between the Members or different classes of Members. The liquidator may, with the like sanction, vest the whole or any part of such assets in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of the Members as the liquidator, with the like sanction, shall think fit, but so that no Member shall be compelled to accept any asset upon which there is a liability.

 

39


 

172.                        If the Company shall be wound up, and the assets available for distribution amongst the Members shall be insufficient to repay the whole of the share capital, such assets shall be distributed so that, as nearly as may be, the losses shall be borne by the Members in proportion to the par value of the Shares held by them. If in a winding up the assets available for distribution amongst the Members shall be more than sufficient to repay the whole of the share capital at the commencement of the winding up, the surplus shall be distributed amongst the Members in proportion to the par value of the Shares held by them at the commencement of the winding up subject to a deduction from those Shares in respect of which there are monies due, of all monies payable to the Company for unpaid calls or otherwise. This Article is without prejudice to the rights of the holders of Shares issued upon special terms and conditions.

 

INDEMNITY

 

173.                        Every Director (including for the purposes of this Article any alternate Director appointed pursuant to the provisions of these Articles), Secretary, assistant Secretary, or other officer for the time being and from time to time of the Company (but not including the Company’s Auditors) and the personal representatives of the same (each, an “Indemnified Person”) shall be indemnified and secured harmless against all actions, proceedings, costs, charges, expenses, losses, damages or liabilities incurred or sustained by such Indemnified Person, other than by reason of such Indemnified Person’s own dishonesty, wilful default or fraud as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, in or about the conduct of the Company’s business or affairs (including as a result of any mistake of judgment) or in the execution or discharge of his duties, powers, authorities or discretions, including without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any costs, expenses, losses or liabilities incurred by such Indemnified Person in defending (whether successfully or otherwise) any civil proceedings concerning the Company or its affairs in any court whether in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere.

 

174.                        No Indemnified Person shall be liable:

 

(a).                        for the acts, receipts, neglects, defaults or omissions of any other Director or Officer or agent of the Company; or

 

(b).                        for any loss on account of defect of title to any property of the Company; or

 

(c).                         on account of the insufficiency of any security in or upon which any money of the Company shall be invested; or

 

(d).                        for any loss incurred through any bank, broker or other similar Person; or

 

(e).                         for any loss occasioned by any negligence, default, breach of duty, breach of trust, error of judgement; or

 

(f).                          oversight on such Indemnified Person’s part; or

 

40


 

(g).                         for any loss, damage or misfortune whatsoever which may happen in or arise from the execution or discharge of the duties, powers, authorities, or discretions of such Indemnified Person’s office or in relation thereto;

 

unless the same shall happen through such Indemnified Person’s own dishonesty, willful default or fraud as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

FISCAL YEAR

 

175.                        The fiscal year of the Company shall be determined by the Board from time to time.

 

DISCLOSURE

 

176.                        The Directors, or any service providers (including the officers, the Secretary and the registered office agent of the Company) specifically authorized by the Directors, shall be entitled to disclose to any regulatory or judicial authority any information regarding the affairs of the Company including without limitation information contained in the Register and books of the Company.

 

TRANSFER BY WAY OF CONTINUATION

 

177.                        The Company may by Special Resolution resolve to be registered by way of continuation in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands or such other jurisdiction in which it is for the time being incorporated, registered or existing. In furtherance of a resolution adopted pursuant to this Article, the Directors may cause an application to be made to the Registrar of Companies to deregister the Company in the Cayman Islands or such other jurisdiction in which it is for the time being incorporated, registered or existing and may cause all such further steps as they consider appropriate to be taken to effect the transfer by way of continuation of the Company.

 

MERGERS AND CONSOLIDATIONS

 

178.                        The Company shall have the power to merge or consolidate with one or more other constituent companies (as defined in the Statute) upon such terms as the Directors may determine and (to the extent required by the Statute) with the approval of a Special Resolution.

 

41




Exhibit 5.1

 

 

Our ref                                                     KKZ/757223-000001/15316751v2

 

36Kr Holdings Inc.

5/F, Block A1

Central Park Plaza

10 Chaoyang Park South Road

Chaoyang District

Beijing
People’s Republic of China

 

September 29, 2019

 

Dear Sirs

 

36Kr Holdings Inc.

 

We have acted as Cayman Islands legal advisers to 36Kr Holdings Inc. (the “Company”) in connection with the Company’s registration statement on Form F-1, including all amendments or supplements thereto (the “Registration Statement”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended to date relating to the offering by the Company of certain American depositary shares (the “ADSs”) representing the Company’s Class A Ordinary Shares of a par value of US$0.0001 each (the “Shares”).

 

We are furnishing this opinion as Exhibits 5.1, 8.1 and 23.2 to the Registration Statement.

 

1                                         Documents Reviewed

 

For the purposes of this opinion, we have reviewed only originals, copies or final drafts of the following documents and such other documents as we have deemed necessary to render the opinions below:

 

1.1                               The certificate of incorporation of the Company dated 3 December 2018 issued by the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands.

 

 


 

1.2                               The second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of the Company as adopted by a special resolution dated 25 September 2019 and effective on 25 September 2019 (the “Pre-IPO Memorandum and Articles”).

 

1.3                               The third amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of the Company as conditionally adopted by a special resolution passed on 29 September 2019 and effective immediately prior to the completion of the Company’s initial public offering of the ADSs representing the Shares (the “IPO Memorandum and Articles”).

 

1.4                               The written resolutions of the directors of the Company dated 29 September 2019 (the “Directors’ Resolutions”).

 

1.5                               The written resolutions of the shareholders of the Company dated on 29 September 2019 (the “Shareholders’ Resolutions”).

 

1.6                               A certificate from a director of the Company, a copy of which is attached hereto (the “Director’s Certificate”).

 

1.7                               A certificate of good standing with respect to the Company dated 18 September 2019, issued by the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands (the “Certificate of Good Standing”).

 

1.8                               The Registration Statement.

 

2                                         Assumptions

 

The following opinions are given only as to, and based on, circumstances and matters of fact existing and known to us on the date of this opinion letter.  These opinions only relate to the laws of the Cayman Islands which are in force on the date of this opinion letter.  In giving these opinions we have relied (without further verification) upon the completeness and accuracy, as of the date of this opinion letter, of the Director’s Certificate and the Certificate of Good Standing.  We have also relied upon the following assumptions, which we have not independently verified:

 

2.1                               Copies of documents, conformed copies or drafts of documents provided to us are true and complete copies of, or in the final forms of, the originals.

 

2.2                               All signatures, initials and seals are genuine.

 

2.3                               There is nothing under any law (other than the law of the Cayman Islands), which would or might affect the opinions set out below.

 

3                                         Opinion

 

Based upon the foregoing and subject to the qualifications set out below and having regard to such legal considerations as we deem relevant, we are of the opinion that:

 

3.1                               The Company has been duly incorporated as an exempted company with limited liability and is validly existing and in good standing with the Registrar of Companies under the laws of the Cayman Islands.

 

3.2                               The authorised share capital of the Company, with effect immediately prior to the completion of the Company’s initial public offering of the ADSs representing the Shares, will be US$500,000 divided into 5,000,000,000 Ordinary Shares, consisting of (i) 4,903,917,300 Class A Ordinary Shares of a par value of US$0.0001 each and (ii) 96,082,700 Class B Ordinary Shares of a par value of US$0.0001 each.

 

2


 

3.3                               The issue and allotment of the Shares have been duly authorised and when allotted, issued and paid for as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Shares will be legally issued and allotted, fully paid and non-assessable. As a matter of Cayman law, a share is only issued when it has been entered in the register of members (shareholders).

 

3.4                               The statements under the caption “Taxation” in the prospectus forming part of the Registration Statement, to the extent that they constitute statements of Cayman Islands law, are accurate in all material respects and that such statements constitute our opinion.

 

4                                         Qualifications

 

In this opinion the phrase “non-assessable” means, with respect to shares in the Company, that a shareholder shall not, solely by virtue of its status as a shareholder, be liable for additional assessments or calls on the shares by the Company or its creditors (except in exceptional circumstances, such as involving fraud, the establishment of an agency relationship or an illegal or improper purpose or other circumstances in which a court may be prepared to pierce or lift the corporate veil).

 

Except as specifically stated herein, we make no comment with respect to any representations and warranties which may be made by or with respect to the Company in any of the documents or instruments cited in this opinion or otherwise with respect to the commercial terms of the transactions the subject of this opinion.

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our name under the headings “Enforceability of Civil Liabilities”, “Taxation” and “Legal Matters” and elsewhere in the prospectus included in the Registration Statement.  In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Rules and Regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

Yours faithfully

 

 

 

/s/ Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP

 

Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP

 

 

3


 

Director’s Certificate

 

September 30, 2019

 

To:                             Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP

53/F, The Center

99 Queen’s Road Central

Central, Hong Kong

 

Dear Sirs

 

36Kr Holdings Inc. (the “Company”)

 

I, the undersigned, being a director of the Company, am aware that you are being asked to provide a legal opinion (the “Opinion”) in relation to certain aspects of Cayman Islands law.  Capitalised terms used in this certificate have the meaning given to them in the Opinion.  I hereby certify that:

 

1                                         The Pre-IPO Memorandum and Articles remain in full force and effect and, except as amended by the Shareholders’ Resolutions adopting the IPO Memorandum and Articles, are otherwise unamended.

 

2                                         The Directors’ Resolutions were duly passed in the manner prescribed in the Pre-IPO Memorandum and Articles (including, without limitation, with respect to the disclosure of interests (if any) by each director of the Company) and have not been amended, varied or revoked in any respect.

 

3                                         The Shareholders’ Resolutions were duly passed in the manner prescribed in the Pre-IPO Memorandum and Articles and have not been amended, varied or revoked in any respect.

 

4                                         The authorised share capital of the Company is US$500,000 consisting of 5,000,000,000 shares of a par value of US$0.0001 each, divided into: (i) 4,314,029,000 Ordinary Shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each, (ii) 65,307,000 Series A-1 Preferred Shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each, (iii) 101,261,000 Series A-2 Preferred Shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each, (iv) 250,302,000 Series B-1 Preferred Shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each, (v) 14,593,000 Series B-2 Preferred Shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each, (vi) 56,105,000 Series B-3 Preferred Shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each, (vii) 20,982,000 Series B-4 Preferred Shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each, (viii) 164,876,000 Series C-1 Preferred Shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each, (ix) 12,545,000 Series C-2 Preferred Shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each, and (x) 39,999,999 Series D Preferred Shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each.

 

5                                         The authorised share capital of the Company, with effect immediately prior to the completion of the Company’s initial public offering of the ADSs representing the Shares, will be US$500,000 divided into (i) 4,903,917,300 Class A Ordinary Shares of a par value of US$0.0001 each and (ii) 96,082,700 Class B Ordinary Shares of a par value of US$0.0001 each.

 

6                                         The shareholders of the Company have not restricted or limited the powers of the directors in any way and there is no contractual or other prohibition (other than as arising under Cayman Islands law) binding on the Company prohibiting it from issuing and allotting the Shares or otherwise performing its obligations under the Registration Statement.

 

4


 

7                                         The directors of the Company at the date of the Director’s Resolutions and at the date hereof were and are:

 

Dagang Feng
Chengcheng Liu
Jihong Liang
Chao Zhu
Lingye Zuo

 

8                                         Each director of the Company considers the transactions contemplated by the Registration Statement to be of commercial benefit to the Company and has acted bona fide in the best interests of the Company, and for a proper purpose of the Company in relation to the transactions the subject of the Opinion.

 

9                                        To the best of my knowledge and belief, having made due inquiry, the Company is not the subject of legal, arbitral, administrative or other proceedings in any jurisdiction that would have a material adverse effect on the business, properties, financial condition, results of operations or prospects of the Company.  Nor have the directors or shareholders taken any steps to have the Company struck off or placed in liquidation, nor have any steps been taken to wind up the Company.  Nor has any receiver been appointed over any of the Company’s property or assets.

 

10                                 Upon the completion of the Company’s initial public offering of the ADSs representing the Shares, the Company will not be subject to the requirements of Part XVIIA of the Companies Law (2018 Revision).

 

I confirm that you may continue to rely on this Certificate as being true and correct on the day that you issue the Opinion unless I shall have previously notified you personally to the contrary.

 

[signature page follows]

 

5


 

Signature:

/s/ Jihong Liang

 

Name:

Jihong Liang

 

Title:

Director

 

 

6




Exhibit 10.1

 


 

36Kr Holdings Inc.

 

2019 SHARE INCENTIVE PLAN

 

(approved and adopted by a board resolution passed on September 4, 2019 )


 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 


 

 

PAGE

 

 

Section 1 . Definitions and Interpretation

1

Section 2 . Purpose of the Plan

3

Section 3 . Condition

3

Section 4 . Duration

3

Section 5 . Offer and Grant of Options

4

Section 6 . Exercise Price

5

Section 7 . Exercise of Options

5

Section 8 . Lapse of Option

8

Section 9 . Redemption

10

Section 10 . Maximum Number of Shares Subject to Options

10

Section 11 . Reorganization of Capital Structure

10

Section 12 . Share Capital

12

Section 13 . Disputes

12

Section 14 . Alteration of this Plan

12

Section 15 . Miscellaneous

12

 


 

Section 1.  Definitions and Interpretation. (a) In this Plan, save where the context otherwise requires, the following expressions have the respective meanings set opposite them:

 

Adoption Date” being September 4, 2019, the date on which the Plan is approved and adopted by a resolution of the directors of the Company.

 

Auditors” means the auditors for the time being of the Company.

 

Award” means any Option granted under this Plan.

 

Board” means the board of directors of the Company or a duly authorized committee thereof.

 

Business Associate” means any advisors, consultants, distributors, contractors, contract manufacturers, agents, customers, business partners, joint venture business partners, service providers of any member of the Group.

 

Business Day(s)” means any day on which banks in New York, Hong Kong and PRC are open for business and the Stock Exchange is open for business of dealing in securities.

 

Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Company” means 36Kr Holdings Inc.

 

Director” means any director (including executive director, non-executive director and independent non-executive director) of any member of the Group from time to time.

 

Employee” means any employee or officer of any member of the Group.

 

Exercise Price” means the price per Share at which a Grantee may subscribe for the Shares on the exercise of an Option as described in Section 6.

 

Fair Market Value” means, with respect to any property (including, without limitation, any Shares or other securities) the fair market value of such property determined by such methods or procedures as shall be established in good faith from time to time by the Board in accordance with applicable law.

 

Grantee” means any Participant who accepts an Offer in accordance with the terms of this Plan, or (where the context so permits) any person who is entitled to any Option in consequence of the death of the original Grantee.

 

Grant Letter” means any written letter, agreement, contract or other instrument or document evidencing any Award granted under this Plan.

 

1


 

Group” means the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

Hong Kong” means the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the PRC.

 

Offer” means the offer of the grant of an Option made in accordance with Section 5.

 

Offer Date” means the date on which an Offer is made to a Participant.

 

Option(s)” means a right granted to subscribe for the Shares pursuant to this Plan.

 

Option Period” means a period to be notified by Mr. Dagang Feng to each Grantee in which an Option granted must be exercised (provided that such period shall not be more than ten years commencing on the Offer Date). Mr. Dagang Feng may also impose restrictions on the exercise of an Option during the period an Option may be exercised.

 

Participant(s)” means any Director, Employee or Business Associate who Mr. Dagang Feng considers, in his sole discretion, has contributed or will contribute to the Group.

 

PRC” means the People’s Republic of China, for the purposes of this Plan does not apply to Taiwan, Macau Special Administrative Region and Hong Kong.

 

Plan” means this 2019 Share Incentive Plan in its present form or as amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions hereof.

 

Share Registrar” means the share registrar of the Company from time to time.

 

Shares” means ordinary shares, par value of US$0.0001 each in the capital of the Company (or of such other nominal amount as shall result from a sub-division, consolidation, reclassification or reconstruction of the share capital of the Company from time to time).

 

Stock Exchange” means any internationally recognized stock exchange.

 

Subsidiar(ies)” means any entity in which the Company has at any time, directly or indirectly, securities or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions, and any entity which is controlled by the Company contractually.

 

US$” means United States dollars, the lawful currency of the United States.

 

(b)                       In this Plan, save where the context otherwise requires:

 

2


 

(i)                       the headings are inserted for convenience only and shall not limit, vary, extend or otherwise affect the construction of any provision of this Plan;

 

(ii)                    references to paragraphs are references to paragraphs of this Plan;

 

(iii)                 references to any statute or statutory provision shall be construed as references to such statute or statutory provision as respectively amended, consolidated or re-enacted, or as its operation is modified by any other statute or statutory provision (whether with or without modification), and shall include any subsidiary legislation enacted under the relevant statute;

 

(iv)                expressions in the singular shall include the plural and vice versa;

 

(v)                   expressions in any gender shall include other genders; and

 

(vi)                references to persons shall include bodies corporate, corporations, partnerships, sole proprietorships, organizations, associations, enterprises and branches.

 

Section 2. Purpose of the Plan. The purpose of the Plan is to enhance the ability of the Company to attract and retain exceptionally qualified individuals and to encourage them to acquire a proprietary interest in the growth and performance of the Company.

 

Section 3. Condition. This Plan shall take effect subject to the passing of a resolution by the Board to approve and adopt this Plan, and to authorize Mr. Dagang Feng to grant Options to subscribe for the Shares hereunder and to allot, issue and deal with the Shares pursuant to the exercise of any Options granted under this Plan.

 

If the condition is not satisfied within 30 days after adoption of the Plan by the Board, this Plan and any Options granted under this Plan shall forthwith lapse and no person shall be entitled to any rights or benefits or be under any obligations under or in respect of the Plan.

 

Section 4. Duration, Termination and Administration. (a) Subject to Section 3, this Plan shall be valid and effective for the period of time commencing on the Adoption Date and expiring on the day immediately prior to the earlier of (i) the date which is ten years after the Adoption Date; or (ii) the Company by resolution of the shareholders, or the Board, may at any time terminates the operation of this Plan, after which period no further Options will be granted but the provisions of this Plan shall remain in force to the extent necessary to give effect to the exercise of any Options which are granted during the life of the Plan or otherwise as may be required in accordance with the provisions of this Plan.

 

3


 

(b)                       This Plan shall be subject to the administration of Mr. Dagang Feng and the decision of Mr. Dagang Feng shall be final and binding on all parties. Mr. Dagang Feng shall have the right (i) to interpret and construe the provisions of the Plan; (ii) to determine the persons who will be awarded Options under the Plan, and the number of Options awarded thereto; (iii) to make such appropriate and equitable adjustments to the terms of Options granted under the Plan as he or she deems necessary, provided that such adjustments shall not have a negative impact on the economic interests of the Grantee; and (iv) to make such other decisions or determinations as he or she shall deem appropriate in the administration of the Plan.

 

(c)                        No member of the Board shall be personally liable by reason of any contract or other instrument executed by such member or on his behalf in his capacity as a member of the Board nor for any mistake of judgment made in good faith, and the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each employee, officer or director of the Company to whom any duty or power relating to the administration or interpretation of the Plan may be allocated or delegated, against any cost or expense (including counsel fees) or liability (including any sum paid in settlement of a claim with the approval of the Board) arising out of any act or omission to act in connection with the Plan unless arising out of such person’s own fraud or bad faith.

 

Section 5. Offer and Grant of Options. (a) On and subject to the terms of this Plan, Mr. Dagang Feng shall be entitled at any time during the life of the Plan to make an Offer to any Participant, as Mr. Dagang Feng may in his absolute discretion select, to take up Options in respect of such number of Shares as Mr. Dagang Feng may determine at the Exercise Price. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan, Options may be granted on such terms and conditions in relation to their vesting, exercise or otherwise (e.g. by linking their exercise to the attainment or performance of milestones by any member of the Group, the Grantee or any group of Participants as Mr. Dagang Feng may determine).

 

(b)                       Options shall entitle the Grantee to subscribe for the Shares on the terms set out in this Plan save that if, at the time the Grantee wishes to exercise an Option, such exercise of the Option, the issue of the Shares to the Grantee pursuant to the Plan, the registration of the Grantee as the holder of such Shares, the exercise and enjoyment of the rights attaching to such Shares or the performance of the obligations of the Company or the Grantee under this Plan, is not permitted by any applicable laws or regulations, the Options shall not entitle the Grantee to subscribe for the Shares.

 

(c)                        An Offer shall be made to a Participant in the manner and in such form as Mr. Dagang Feng may from time to time determine requiring the Participant to undertake to hold the Options on the terms to be granted and to be bound by the provisions of this Plan.

 

(d)                       Any Offer may be accepted in respect of less than the number of Shares to which the offered Option relates.

 

4


 

(e)                        For certain Participants who were also participants of the share incentive plan adopted by Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. in December 2016 (the “2016 Incentive Plan”), Mr. Dagang Feng may determine to accelerate vesting of the Options granted to them under this Plan to mirror the respective vesting schedule of shares granted to them under the 2016 Incentive Plan as set forth in the Grant Letter;

 

Section 6. Exercise Price. Subject to Section 11, the Exercise Price shall be determined by Mr. Dagang Feng in his sole discretion and set forth in the Grant Letter; provided, however, that, the per share exercise price of options granted to Participants who are subject to taxation under the Code shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant of such Options, and that in no event shall the Exercise Price be less than the par value of the Shares to be issued.

 

Section 7. Exercise of Options. (a) An Option shall be personal to the Grantee and shall not be assignable or transferable. No Grantee shall in any way sell, transfer, charge, mortgage, encumber or otherwise dispose of or create any interest (legal or beneficial) in favor of any third party over or in relation to any Option or enter into any agreement so to do, except for (A) the transmission of an Option on the death of the Grantee to his personal representatives(s) according to the terms of this Plan, or (B) the transfer of any Option to any trustee, acting in its capacity as such trustee, of any trust of which the Grantee is a beneficiary. Any breach of the foregoing by a Grantee shall entitle the Company to cancel any Option granted to such Grantee to the extent not already exercised without incurring any liability on the part of the Company.

 

(b)                       A Grantee (or where permitted under Section 7(d)(ii), his legal personal representative(s)) may exercise his Option in whole or in part by giving notice in the form required by the Company stating that the Option is thereby exercised and specifying the number of Shares to be subscribed; and by a payment for the full amount of the aggregate Exercise Price for the Shares in respect of which the notice is given. Within 5 Business Days or otherwise agreed after receipt of the notice and payment of the Exercise Price and any applicable withholding and, where appropriate, receipt of the Auditors’ or financial advisors’ certificate pursuant to Section 10(a), the Company shall allot, and shall instruct the Share Registrar to issue, the relevant Shares to the Grantee (or his personal representatives) credited as fully paid and issue to the Grantee (or his personal representatives) a share certificate in respect of the Shares so allotted.

 

(c)                        Except as provided otherwise and subject to the terms and conditions upon which such Option was granted, the Option granted shall be exercisable in accordance with the following vesting schedule:

 

·                  for participant who has received a “B” or higher grade in his or her most recent annual evaluation, 25% of any Option granted shall vest and become exercisable on the first anniversary of the date of grant of such Option;

 

5


 

·                  for participant who has received a “B” or higher grade in his or her most recent annual evaluation, 25% of any Option granted shall vest and become exercisable on the second anniversary of the date of grant of such Option;

 

·                  for participant who has received a “B” or higher grade in his or her most recent annual evaluation, 25% of any Option granted shall vest and become exercisable on the third anniversary of the date of grant of such Option; and

 

·                  for participant who has received a “B” or higher grade in his or her most recent annual evaluation, the remaining 25% of any Option granted shall vest and become exercisable on the fourth anniversary of the date of grant of such Option;

 

provided that:

 

(i)                           in the event a Grantee terminates his employment or service on account of other than on one or more of the grounds of termination of employment, appointment or directorship specified in Section 8(f);

 

(ii)                        in the event a Grantee’s conduct results in a material violation of any applicable law, regulation, the Company’s memorandum and articles of association or internal policies;

 

(iii)                     in the event a Grantee engages in any illegal conducts and is subject to criminal penalties, except as otherwise as determined by Mr. Dagang Feng;

 

(iv)                    in the event a Grantee engages in any disloyal conducts against the Company, including but not limited to, resigning from the Company and entering into employment with any company or entity that is engaged in any business directly or indirectly competing with the Company, and benefitting from any related party transaction, unless otherwise notified to and approved by the Company;

 

(v)                       in the event a Grantee’s conduct results in a  substantial breach of any agreements with the Company, including but not limited to, disclosing any confidential information such as trade secrets, and failing to perform his or her obligations as an employee of the Company (except in the case of his or her incapacitation or death);

 

(vi)                    in the event a Grantee engages in any other conduct that has a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, reputation or financial conditions;

 

(vii)                 in the event of a Grantee’s death; or

 

(viii)              in other events as determined by Mr. Dagang Feng;

 

6


 

all Options that are unvested as of the date of such event shall lapse, unless Mr. Dagang Feng otherwise determines in writing that such unvested Options shall not lapse and will continue to remain valid, such termination notwithstanding.

 

(d)                                 Subject to (A) the condition specified in Section 3 being fully satisfied, and (B) the terms and conditions on which such Option was granted, Options vested may be exercised by the Grantee at any time during the Option Period, provided that:

 

(i)                                     in the events specified in Section 7(c), the Grantee shall be entitled to exercise the Option up to the vested entitlement of such Grantee as at the date of such termination (to the extent he is entitled to exercise at the date of termination but not already exercised pursuant to the terms of this Plan and the terms of grant), failing which it will lapse;

 

(ii)                                  if a general offer by way of voluntary offer, takeover or otherwise (other than by way of Plan of arrangement pursuant to Section 7(d)(iii) below) is made to all the holders of Shares (or all such holders other than the offeror and any person controlled by the offeror and any person acting in association or concert with the offeror) and such offer becomes or is declared unconditional prior to the expiry date of the relevant Option, the Company shall forthwith give notice thereof to the Grantee and the Grantee shall be entitled to exercise the Option to its full extent or, if the Company shall give the relevant notification, to the extent notified by the Company at any time within such period as shall be notified by the Company;

 

(iii)                               if a general offer for Shares by way of Plan of arrangement is made to all the holders of Shares and has been approved by the necessary number of holders of Shares at the requisite meetings, the Company shall forthwith give notice thereof to the Grantee and the Grantee may at any time thereafter (but before such time as shall be notified by the Company) exercise the Option to its full extent or, if the Company shall give the relevant notification, to the extent notified by the Company;

 

(iv)                              in the event a notice is given by the Company to its shareholders to convene a shareholders’ meeting for the purpose of considering and, if thought fit, approving a resolution to voluntarily wind-up the Company, the Company shall forthwith give notice thereof to the Grantee and the Grantee may at any time thereafter (but before such time as shall be notified by the Company) exercise the Option to its full extent or, if the Company shall give the relevant notification, to the extent notified by the Company, and the Company shall as soon as possible and in any event no later than three days prior to the date of the proposed shareholders’ meeting, allot, issue and register in the name of the Grantee such number of fully paid Shares which fall to be issued on exercise of such Option; and

 

7


 

(v)                                 in the event of a compromise or arrangement, other than a plan of arrangement contemplated in Section 7(d)(iii) above, between the Company and its members and/or creditors being proposed in connection with a plan for the reconstruction or amalgamation of the Company, the Company shall give notice thereof to all Grantees on the same day as it first gives notice of the meeting to its members and/or creditors to consider such a plan or arrangement and the Grantee may at any time thereafter but before such time as shall be notified by the Company exercise the Option to its full extent or, if the Company shall give the relevant notification, to the extent notified by the Company, and the Company shall as soon as possible and in any event no later than 3 days prior to the date of the proposed meeting, allot, issue and register in the name of the Grantee such number of fully paid Shares which fall to be issued on exercise of such Option.

 

Upon the occurrence of any of the events referred to in Sections 7(d)(ii) to 7(d)(v), the Company may in its discretion and notwithstanding the terms of the relevant Option also give notice to a Grantee that his Option may be exercised at any time within such period as shall be notified by the Company and/or to the extent (not being less than the extent to which it could then be exercised in accordance with its terms) notified by the Company. If the Company gives such notice that any Option shall be exercised in part only, the balance of the Option shall lapse.

 

(e)                                  The Shares to be allotted and issued upon the exercise of an Option will be subject to the provisions of the articles of association of the Company for the time being in force and will rank pari passu with the fully paid Shares in issue as from the date of exercise of the Option and in particular will entitle the holders to participate in all dividends or other distributions paid or made on or after the date of exercise of the Option other than any dividend or other distribution previously declared or recommended or resolved to be paid or made if the record date therefor is before the date of exercise of the Option, provided always that when the date of exercise of the Option falls on a date upon which the register of members of the Company is closed then the exercise of the Option shall become effective on the next available Business Day on which the register of members of the Company is re-opened.

 

(f)                                   Mr. Dagang Feng may at any time, with the mutual consent of the Grantee, cancel Options previously granted to, but not yet exercised by a Grantee. Where the Company cancels Options and, in compliance with applicable law, offers Options to the same Grantee, the offer of such new Options may only be made with available Options to the extent not yet granted (excluding the cancelled Options) within the limit as mentioned in Section 10(a) of this Plan.

 

Section 8. Lapse of Option. An Option shall lapse automatically (to the extent (A) not already vested in accordance with Section 7(c), and (B) vested but not already exercised) on the earliest of:

 

8


 

(a)                                 the expiry of the Option Period (subject to the provisions of Section 4(a));

 

(b)                                 the expiry of the periods for exercising the Option as referred to in Section 7(d)(i), (ii) or (v);

 

(c)                                  subject to the Plan of arrangement becoming effective, the expiry of the period for exercising the Option referred to in Section 7(d)(iii);

 

(d)                                 subject to Section 7(d)(iv), the date of commencement of the winding up of the Company;

 

(e)                                  the date on which the Grantee commits a breach of Section 7(a);

 

(f)                                   the date on which:

 

(i)                                     subject to Section 7(c)(i), the Grantee (being an Employee or Director of any member of the Group) ceases to be an employee, an officer or a director by reason of the termination of his employment, appointment or directorship, unless Mr. Dagang Feng otherwise determines in writing that such unvested Options shall not lapse and will continue to remain valid, such termination notwithstanding;

 

(ii)                                  the Grantee (being an Employee) serves as an employee, director or officer of any other companies that are not a member of the Group, and/or, whether alone or jointly with others, carried on or be concerned or interested, directly or indirectly, whether as shareholder, employee, director, investor, consultant, adviser, partner or agent in any types of business which are in competition with or in opposition to any business of any member of the Group as determined by Mr. Dagang Feng in his sole discretion;

 

(iii)                               the Grantee being a Business Associate is under any contract with the Group, such contract is terminated by reason of breach of contract on the part of the Business Associate or the Grantee ceases to be a Business Associate for any other reason;

 

(iv)                              the Grantee being a Business Associate, appears either to be unable to pay or have no reasonable prospect to be able to pay debts, or has become insolvent, or has made any arrangements or composition with his or her creditors generally, or ceases or threaten to cease to carry on its business, or is wound up, or has an administrator or liquidator being appointed for the whole or any part of its undertaking or assets; or has been convicted of any criminal offence involving integrity or honesty; or

 

(v)                                 unless Mr. Dagang Feng otherwise determines, and other than in the circumstances referred to in Section 7(d), the date the Grantee ceases to be a Participant (as determined by a Board resolution) for any reason;

 

9


 

(g)                                  the date on which the Option is cancelled by Mr. Dagang Feng as provided in Section 7(f); and

 

(h)                                 the date on which this Plan terminates pursuant to Section 4(a).

 

Section 9. Redemption.

 

(a)                                 In the events specified in Section 7(c), the Company shall, upon and from the date of such events, have an irrevocable, exclusive, assignable right (the “Redemption Right”), to redeem all or any portion of the Shares subject to the Options that are vested and any Shares acquired upon exercise of any portion of the Option.

 

(b)                                 The Company (or its assignee) may exercise the Redemption Right in the Company’s sole discretion, and in no event shall the Company (or its assignee) be obligated to exercise the Redemption Right. Each participant agrees and acknowledges that upon receipt of the written notice of redemption of any portion of the Options or Shares purchased under the Options, the Participant shall have no further rights to such portion of the Options or such Shares, as applicable.

 

(c)                                  In the events specified in Section 7 (c)(ii) to (vi), unless otherwise determined by Mr. Dagang Feng, the Option granted to such Grantee terminates automatically on the date of such event. The Company (or its assignee) may acquire the Shares at the lower of the Exercise Price and the minimal price as prescribed by the law.

 

(d)                                 In the events specified in Section 7 (c) (i), (vii) and (viii), the Company (or its assignee) may acquire the Shares at the price determined by Mr. Dagang Feng based on factors including but not limited to the net asset value per share, valuations and price-to-earning ratio of the Company.

 

Section 10. Maximum Number of Shares Subject to Options. (a) The total number of Shares which may be issued upon exercise of Options to be granted under this Plan shall not exceed in aggregate 137,186,000 Shares.

 

(b)                                 The maximum number of Shares referred to in Sections 10(a) may be adjusted upon the occurrence of such events and in such manner as described in Section 11.

 

Section 11. Reorganization of Capital Structure. (a) In the event of any alteration in the capital structure of the Company by way of capitalization of profits or reserves, rights issue, sub-division or consolidation of Shares or reduction of share capital of the Company, but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any alteration in the capital structure of the Company as a result of an issue of Shares or other securities of the Group as consideration in a transaction to which the Company is a party, the Auditors or the financial advisors engaged by the Company for such purpose shall determine what equitable adjustment is required to be made to:

 

10


 

(i)                                     the number and type of Shares or other securities then available for Awards under the Plan are subject to any unexercised Option; and/or

 

(ii)                                  the Exercise Price; and/or

 

(iii)                               the method of exercise of the Options,

 

and the Auditors or such financial advisors shall certify in writing to the Board that such adjustments are in their/his opinion fair and reasonable. The capacity of the Auditors or financial advisors in this paragraph is that of experts and not of arbitrators and their certification shall, in the absence of manifest error, be final and binding on the Company and the Grantees. The costs of the Auditors or financial advisors shall be borne by the Company.

 

(b)                                 For the avoidance of doubt, following the date on which the Shares first commence trading on a Stock Exchange the events set forth in Section 11(a) above shall include any extraordinary cash dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares or other securities), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Shares or other securities of the Company, issuance of Shares pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions of securities of the Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event affecting the Shares, or of changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles, in each case in respect of which an adjustment is appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan.

 

(c)                                  Any such adjustments shall give each Participant the same proportion of the equity capital of the Company for which such Participant was entitled to subscribe for prior to such adjustments and any adjustments to the advantage of the Participants to the Exercise Price or to the number of Shares subject to the Options must be approved by the shareholders of the Company in general meeting. No adjustment may be made to the extent that Shares would be issued at less than their nominal value.

 

(d)                                 If there has been any alteration in the capital structure of the Company as referred to in Section 11(a), the Company shall, upon receipt of a notice from a Grantee in accordance with Section 7(b), inform the Grantee of such alteration and shall either inform the Grantee of the adjustment to be made in accordance with the certificate of the Auditors or the financial advisors engaged by the Company for such purpose or, if no such certificate has yet been obtained, inform the Grantee of such fact and instruct the Auditors or the financial advisors as soon as practicable thereafter to issue a certificate in that regard in accordance with Section 11(a).

 

Section 12. Share Capital. The exercise of any Option shall be subject to the shareholders of the Company in general meeting approving any necessary increase in the authorized share capital of the Company. Subject thereto, the Board shall make available sufficient authorized but unissued share capital of the Company to meet subsisting requirements on the exercise of Options.

 

11


 

Section 13. Disputes. Any dispute arising in connection with this Plan (whether as to the number of Shares the subject of an Option, the amount of the Exercise Price or otherwise) may be determined by Mr. Dagang Feng, the decision of which shall be final and binding on all parties who may be affected thereby.

 

Section 14. Alteration of this Plan. (a) Subject to the terms set out in the paragraph below, the Board may amend any of the provisions of this Plan (including without limitation amendments in order to comply with changes in legal or regulatory requirements and in order to waive any restrictions, imposed by the provisions of this Plan) at any time (but not so as to affect adversely any rights which have accrued to any Grantee at that date).

 

(b)                                 Any change to the authority of the Board in relation to any alteration to the terms of this Plan must be approved by shareholders of the Company in general meeting.

 

Section 15. Miscellaneous. (a) This Plan shall not form part of any contract of employment or engagement of services between the Group and any Participant and the rights and obligations of any Participant under the terms of his office, employment or engagement in services shall not be affected by the participation of the Participants in this Plan or any right which he may have to participate in it and this Plan shall afford such a Participant no additional rights to compensation or damages in consequence of the termination of such office, employment or engagement for any reason.

 

(b)                                 This Plan shall not confer on any person any legal or equitable right (other than those rights constituting the Options themselves) against the Company directly or indirectly or give rise to any cause of action at law or in equity against the Company.

 

(c)                                  The Company shall bear the costs of establishing and administering this Plan.

 

(d)                                 Any notice or other communication between the Company and a Grantee may be sent by prepaid post, by electronic means, or by personal delivery to, in the case of the Company, its principal place of business in the PRC or such other address as notified to the Grantee from time to time and, in the case of the Grantee, his address in the PRC or such other address as notified to the Company from time to time.

 

(e)                                  Any notice or other communication served by post:

 

(i)                                     by the Company shall be deemed to have been served 24 hours after the same was put in the post; and

 

(ii)                                  by the Grantee shall not be deemed to have been received until the same shall have been received by the Company.

 

12


 

(f)                                   Any notice or other communication served by electronic means by the Company or the Grantee shall be deemed to have been served if the sender did not receive a failure of receipt notification.

 

(g)                                  All allotments and issues of the Shares will be subject to all necessary consents under any relevant legislation for the time being in force in the PRC, Hong Kong and the Cayman Islands, and a Grantee shall be responsible for obtaining any governmental or other official consent or approval that may be required by any country or jurisdiction in order to permit the grant or exercise of the Option. The Company shall not be responsible for any failure by a Grantee to obtain any such consent or approval or for any tax or other liability to which a Grantee may become subject as a result of his or her participation in this Plan.

 

(h)                                 This Plan and all Options granted hereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Cayman Islands.

 

(i)                                     This Plan is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and guidance thereunder (“Section 409A”) with respect to Awards made to or held by any Participant who is subject to taxation under the Code. The provisions of this Plan shall be interpreted in a manner that satisfies such requirements, and this Plan shall be operated accordingly. If any provision of this Plan would otherwise frustrate or conflict with this intent, the provision will be interpreted and deemed amended so as to avoid this conflict. If an operational failure occurs with respect to the requirements of Section 409A, any affected Participant shall fully cooperate with the Company to correct the failure, to the extent possible, in accordance with any correction procedure established by the Internal Revenue Service. No provision of this Plan shall be interpreted to transfer any liability for a failure to comply with Section 409A from a Participant or any other Person to the Company. Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan or any Grant Letter, if at the time of termination of a Participant’s employment or service with the Company he or she is a “specified employee” (as defined in Section 409A) and any payments upon such termination under this Plan or such Grant Letter are treated as deferred compensation subject to Section 409A, he or she will not be entitled to such payments until the earlier of (i) the date that is six months after such termination or (ii) any earlier date that does not result in any additional tax or interest to such Participant under Section 409A.

 

13




Exhibit 10.2

 

FORM OF INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

 

36KR HOLDINGS INC.

 

This Indemnification Agreement (this “Agreement”), made and entered into as of the        day of        , 2019, by and between 36Kr Holdings Inc., an exempted company with limited liability under the laws of Cayman Islands (the “Company”) and                (“Indemnitee”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve publicly-held corporations as directors or executive officers unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or adequate indemnification against risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of the corporation.

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that, in order to attract and retain qualified individuals, the Company will attempt to maintain on an ongoing basis, at its sole expense, liability insurance to protect persons serving the Company and its subsidiaries from certain liabilities.

 

WHEREAS, the uncertainties relating to such insurance and to indemnification have increased the difficulty of attracting and retaining such persons.

 

WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the increased difficulty in attracting and retaining such persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Company’s stockholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the future.

 

WHEREAS, it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that they will not be so indemnified.

 

WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the memorandum and articles of association of the Company (as may from time to time be supplemented and amended) (the “Memorandum and Articles”) and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder.

 

WHEREAS, Indemnitee does not regard the protection available under the Memorandum and Articles and insurance as adequate in the present circumstances, and may not be willing to serve as an officer or director of the Company without adequate protection, and the Company desires Indemnitee to serve in such capacity.  Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that he be so indemnified.

 

1


 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

 

(a) As used in this Agreement:

 

Change of Control” means any one of the following circumstances occurring after the date hereof: (i) there shall have occurred an event required to be reported with respect to the Company in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or in response to any similar item or any similar schedule or form) under the Exchange Act, regardless of whether the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement; (ii) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) shall have become, without prior approval of the Company’s Board by approval of at least two-thirds of the Continuing Directors, the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 30% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities (provided that, for purposes of this clause (ii), the term “person” shall exclude (x) the Company, (y) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, and (z) any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company); (iii) there occurs a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other entity, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 51% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation and with the power to elect at least a majority of the board of directors or other governing body of such surviving entity; (iv) all or substantially all the assets of the Company are sold or disposed of in a transaction or series of related transactions; (v) the approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation of the Company; or (vi) the Continuing Directors cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board.

 

Continuing Director” means each director on the Board on the date hereof.

 

Corporate Status” means the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, board of directors’ committee member, employee or agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise.

 

2


 

Disinterested Director” means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.

 

Enterprise” means (i) the Company, (ii) any of the Company’s subsidiaries and affiliates, and (iii) any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, board of directors’ committee member, employee or agent.

 

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

 

Expenses” means all direct and indirect costs (including attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcripts, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, and all other disbursements or expenses) reasonably incurred in connection with (i) prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding or (ii) establishing or enforcing a right to indemnification under this Agreement, the Memorandum and Articles, applicable law or otherwise.  Expenses also shall include Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including the premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent.  For the avoidance of doubt, Expenses, however, shall not include any Liabilities.

 

Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporate law and neither currently is, nor in the five years previous to its selection or appointment has been, retained to represent (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements) or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.

 

Liabilities” means any losses or liabilities, including any judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement, arising out of or in connection with any Proceeding (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of any such judgments, fines, penalties or amounts paid in settlement).

 

3


 

Proceeding” means any threatened, pending or completed action, derivative action, suit, claim, counterclaim, cross claim, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether civil (including intentional and unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative or investigative, including any appeal therefrom, and whether instituted by or on behalf of the Company or any other party, or any inquiry or investigation that Indemnitee in good faith believes might lead to the institution of any such action, suit or other proceeding hereinabove listed in which Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party, potential party, non-party witness or otherwise by reason of any Corporate Status of Indemnitee, or by reason of any action taken (or failure to act) by him or her or of any action (or failure to act) on his or her part while serving in any Corporate Status.

 

(b) For the purposes of this Agreement:

 

References to “Company” shall include, in addition to the resulting or surviving corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, employees or agents, so that if Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of such constituent corporation or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, then Indemnitee shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Agreement with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as Indemnitee would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

 

Reference to “other enterprise” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise tax assessed with respect to any employee benefit plan; references to “serving at the request of the Company” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to any of the Company’s subsidiaries, affiliates, an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this Agreement.

 

Reference to “including” shall mean “including, without limitation,” regardless of whether the words “without limitation” actually appear, references to the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular paragraph, subparagraph, section, subsection or other subdivision.

 

ARTICLE 2
SERVICES BY INDEMNITEE

 

Section 2.01.  Services By Indemnitee.  Indemnitee hereby agrees to serve or continue to serve as [for directors] a director of the Company, for so long as Indemnitee is duly elected or appointed or until Indemnitee tenders his or her resignation or is removed. [for officers] an officer of the Company until such time as Indemnitee’s employment is terminated for any reason.

 

4


 

ARTICLE 3
INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 3.01.  General.  (a) The Company hereby agrees to and shall indemnify Indemnitee and hold Indemnitee harmless from and against any and all Expenses and Liabilities, in either case, actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.  The Company’s indemnification obligations set forth in this Section 3.01 shall apply (i) in respect of Indemnitee’s past, present and future service in any Corporate Status and (ii) regardless of whether Indemnitee is serving in any Corporate Status at the time any such Expense or Liability is incurred.

 

For purposes of this Agreement, the meaning of the phrase “to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law” shall include, but not be limited to:

 

(i) to the fullest extent permitted by any provision of the applicable company law (the “Companies Law”) or the corresponding provision of any successor statute, and

 

(ii) to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by any amendments to or replacements of the Companies Law adopted after the date of this Agreement that increase the extent to which a corporation may indemnify its officers and directors.

 

(b) Witness Expenses.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his or her Corporate Status, a witness in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party, he shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on his or her behalf in connection therewith.

 

(c) Expenses as a Party Where Wholly or Partly Successful.  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to the extent that Indemnitee is a party to (or a participant in) and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, in whole or in part, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection therewith.  If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding, but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on his or her behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter.  All such indemnification against Expenses shall be offset by the amount of cash, if any, received by the Indemnitee resulting from his/her success therein.  For purposes of this Section and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.

 

5


 

Section 3.02.  Exclusions.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement and unless Indemnitee ultimately is successful on the merits with respect to any such claim, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnity in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee:

 

(a)  for (i) an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law, regardless of whether the securities are subject to the requirements of such provisions; or (ii) any reimbursement of the Company by Indemnitee of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or of any profits realized by Indemnitee from the sale of securities of the Company, as required in each case under the Exchange Act (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the Company pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), or the payment to the Company of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act);

 

(b) except as otherwise provided in Sections 6.01(e), prior to a Change of Control, in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation or (ii) the Company provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law;

 

(c) to the extent that Indemnitee is indemnified and actually received such payment other than pursuant to this Agreement;

 

(d) in connection with a judicial action by or in the right of the Company, in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which the Indemnitee shall have  been adjudicated by final judgment in a court of law to be liable for fraud or willful default in the performance of his duty to the Company unless and only to the extent that any court in which such action was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, the Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification for such Expenses as such court shall deem proper; or

 

(e) for any judgment, fine or penalty which the Company is prohibited by applicable law from paying as indemnification.

 

6


 

ARTICLE 4
ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES; DEFENSE OF CLAIMS

 

Section 4.01.  Advances.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall advance any Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding within 30 business days after the receipt by the Company of each statement in writing requesting such advance from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of any Proceeding.  Advances shall be unsecured and interest free.  Advances shall be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay such amounts and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement.  Advances shall include any and all reasonable Expenses incurred pursuing an action to enforce this right of advancement, including Expenses incurred preparing and forwarding statements in writing to the Company to support the advances claimed.  Any excess of the advanced Expenses over the actual Expenses will be promptly repaid to the Company. To the extent Indemnitee has not requested any advanced payment of Expenses from the Company, Indemnitee shall be entitled to receive reimbursement for the Expenses incurred in connection with a Proceeding from the Company as soon as practicable after Indemnitee makes a written request to the Company for reimbursement.

 

Section 4.02.  Repayment of Advances or Other Expenses.  Indemnitee agrees that Indemnitee shall reimburse the Company for all Expenses advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 4.01, in the event and only to the extent that it shall be determined by final judgment or other final adjudication under the provisions of any applicable law (as to which all rights of appeal therefrom have been exhausted or lapsed) that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company for such Expenses.

 

Section 4.03.  Defense of Claims.  The Company will be entitled to participate in the Proceeding at its own expense. Upon the delivery of written notice by the Company to Indemnitee, the Company shall be entitled to assume the defense of any Proceeding with counsel consented to by Indemnitee (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld), except for such Proceeding brought by the Company or as to which the Indemnitee has reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest between the Company and the Indemnitee. After delivery of such notice, consent to such counsel by Indemnitee and the retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any fees or expenses of counsel subsequently incurred by Indemnitee with respect to such Proceeding; provided that (i) Indemnitee shall have the right to employ separate counsel in respect of any Proceeding at Indemnitee’s expense and (ii) if (A) the employment of counsel by Indemnitee has been previously authorized in writing by the Company or (B) Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded upon the advice of counsel that there is a conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee in the conduct of the defense of such Proceeding, then in each such case the fees and expenses of Indemnitee’s counsel shall be at the Company’s expense. Neither party to this Agreement shall settle any Proceeding in any manner that would impose any Expense, judgment, fine, damages, penalty or limitation on Indemnitee without the other party’s written consent. Neither the Company nor Indemnitee shall unreasonably withhold its consent to any proposed settlement.

 

7


 

ARTICLE 5

PROCEDURES FOR NOTIFICATION OF AND DETERMINATION OF ENTITLEMENT TO INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 5.01.  Notification; Request For Indemnification.  (a) As soon as reasonably practicable after receipt by Indemnitee of written notice that he is a party to or a participant (as a witness or otherwise) in any Proceeding or of any other matter in respect of which Indemnitee intends to seek indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder, Indemnitee shall provide to the Company written notice thereof, including the nature of and the facts underlying the Proceeding.  The omission by Indemnitee to so notify the Company will not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have to Indemnitee hereunder or otherwise.

 

(b) As a condition precedent to an Indemnitee’s right to obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall deliver to the Company a written request for indemnification, including therewith such information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to determine Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification hereunder and such information as reasonably requested by the Company.  Such request(s) may be delivered from time to time and at such time(s) as Indemnitee deems appropriate in his or her sole discretion.  Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be determined according to Section 5.02 of this Agreement and applicable law.

 

Section 5.02.  Determination of Entitlement.  (a) Where there has been a written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 5.01(b), then as soon as is reasonably practicable (but in any event not later than 60 days) after final disposition of the relevant Proceeding, a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall be made in the specific case: (i) if a Change of Control shall not have occurred, (A) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board, (B) by a committee of Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board, (C) if there are no such Disinterested Directors or, if such Disinterested Directors so direct, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee; or (ii) if a Change of Control shall have occurred, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee.  If it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within ten (10) business days after such determination.  Indemnitee shall reasonably cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any costs or expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification).

 

8


 

(b)  If entitlement to indemnification is to be determined by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 5.02(a)(ii), such Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee, and Indemnitee shall give written notice to the Company advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected.  If entitlement to indemnification is to be determined by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 5.02(a)(i)(C) (or if Indemnitee requests that such selection be made by the Board), such Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Company in which case the Company shall give written notice to Indemnitee advising him or her of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected.  In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within ten (10) business days after such written notice of selection shall have been received, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 1 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion.  Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel.  If such written objection is so made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court of competent jurisdiction has determined that such objection is without merit.  If, within 20 days after the submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 5.01(b) hereof, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition a court of competent jurisdiction for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the court or by such other person as the court shall designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 5.02(a) hereof. Upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to Section 6.01(a) of this Agreement, the Independent Counsel shall be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing).

 

(c)       The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of any Independent Counsel serving under this Agreement.

 

Section 5.03.  Presumptions and Burdens of Proof; Effect of Certain Proceedings.  (a) In making any determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 5.01(b) of this Agreement, and the Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making by any person, persons or entity of any determination contrary to that presumption.  Neither the failure of any person, persons or entity to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by any person, persons or entity that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

 

9


 

(b)      If the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under Section 5.02 of this Agreement to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within the sixty (60) day period referred to in Section 5.02(a), the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification , absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law; provided, however, that such 60-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional thirty (30) days, if the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith requires such additional time for the obtaining or evaluating of documentation and/or information relating thereto.

 

(c)       The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.

 

(d)      For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is in good faith reliance on the records or books of account of any Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers of such Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for such Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to such Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected by such Enterprise.  The provisions of this Section 5.03(d) shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which Indemnitee may be deemed or found to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.

 

(e)       The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, officer, agent or employee of any Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining any right to indemnification under this Agreement.

 

10


 

ARTICLE 6
REMEDIES OF INDEMNITEE

 

Section 6.01.  Adjudication or Arbitration.  (a) In the event of any dispute between Indemnitee and the Company hereunder as to entitlement to indemnification or advancement of Expenses (including where (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 5.02 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Section 4.01 of this Agreement, (iii) payment of indemnification pursuant to Section 3.01 of this Agreement is not made within ten (10) business days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, (iv) no determination as to entitlement to indemnification is timely made pursuant to Section 5.02 of this Agreement and no payment of indemnification is made within ten (10) business days after entitlement is deemed to have been determined pursuant to Section 5.03(b)) or (v) a contribution payment is not made in a timely manner pursuant to Section 8.04 of this Agreement, then Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication by a court of his or her entitlement to such indemnification, contribution or advancement. Alternatively, in such case, Indemnitee, at his or her option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre.  The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.

 

(b)      In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 5.02(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 6.01 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, or arbitration, on the merits, and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination.  In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 6.01 the Company shall have the burden of proving Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advancement of Expenses, as the case may be, and the Company may not refer to or introduce into evidence any determination pursuant to Section 5.02(a) of this Agreement adverse to Indemnitee for any purpose.  If Indemnitee commences a judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to this Section 6.01, Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any advances pursuant to Section 4.02 until a final determination is made with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification (as to which all rights of appeal have been exhausted or lapsed).

 

(c)       If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 5.02(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 6.01, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.

 

11


 

(d)      The Company shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 6.01 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.

 

(e)       The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law against all Expenses and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (within ten (10) business days after the Company’s receipt of such written request) advance such Expenses to Indemnitee, which are reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any judicial proceeding or arbitration brought by Indemnitee for (i) indemnification or advances of Expenses by the Company (or otherwise for the enforcement, interpretation or defense of his or her rights) under this Agreement or any other agreement, including any other indemnification, contribution or advancement agreement, or any provision of the Memorandum and Articles now or hereafter in effect or (ii) recovery or advances under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy maintained by the Company, regardless of whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, contribution, advancement or insurance recovery, as the case may be.

 

ARTICLE 7
DIRECTORS’ AND OFFICERS’ LIABILITY INSURANCE

 

Section 7.01.  D&O Liability Insurance.  To the extent that the Company maintains a policy or policies of insurance (“D&O Liability Insurance”) providing liability insurance for directors and officers of the Company in their capacities as such (and for any capacity in which any director or officer of the Company serves any other Enterprise at the request of the Company), in respect of acts or omissions occurring while serving in such capacity, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies, in accordance with its or their terms, to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any other director or officer under such policy or policies.

 

Section 7.02.  Evidence of Coverage.  Upon request by Indemnitee, the Company shall provide copies of all policies of D&O Liability Insurance obtained and maintained in accordance with Section 7.01 of this Agreement.  The Company shall promptly notify Indemnitee of any changes in such insurance coverage.

 

ARTICLE 8
MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 8.01.  Non-exclusivity of Rights.  The rights of indemnification, contribution and advancement of Expenses as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled to under applicable law, the Memorandum and Articles, any agreement, a vote of stockholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise.  No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise.  The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.

 

12


 

Section 8.02.  Insurance and Subrogation.  (a) If, at the time the Company receives notice of a claim hereunder, the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies.  The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.  The failure or refusal of any such insurer to pay any such amount shall not affect or impair the obligations of the Company under this Agreement.

 

(b)      In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

(c)       The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable (or for which advancement is provided) hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee has actually received such payment under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision.

 

Section 8.03  The Company’s obligation to indemnify or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, board of directors’ committee member, employee or agent of any other Enterprise shall be reduced by any amount Indemnitee has actually received as indemnification or advancement of Expenses from such Enterprise.

 

Section 8.04.  Contribution.  To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving rise to such Proceeding; and/or (ii) the relative fault of the Company (and its directors, officers, employees and agents) and Indemnitee in connection with such event(s) and/or transaction(s). The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Indemnitee on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent the circumstances resulting in such judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses. The Company agrees that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8.04 were determined by pro rata allocation or any other method of allocation which does not take account of the foregoing equitable considerations.

 

13


 

Section 8.05.  Amendment.  This Agreement may not be modified or amended except by a written instrument executed by or on behalf of each of the parties hereto.  No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit, restrict or reduce any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any act or omission, or any event occurring, prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal.  To the extent that a change in applicable law, whether by statute or judicial decision limits rights with respect to indemnification, contribution or advancement of Expenses, it is the intent of the parties hereto that the rights with respect to indemnification, contribution or advancement of Expenses in effect prior to such change shall remain in full force and effect to the extent permitted by applicable law.

 

Section 8.06.  Waivers.  The observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) by the party entitled to enforce such term only by a writing signed by the party against which such waiver is to be asserted. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, no delay on the part of any party hereto in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any waiver on the part of any party hereto of any right, power or privilege hereunder operate as a waiver of any other right, power or privilege hereunder nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege hereunder.

 

Section 8.07.  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement and the documents referred to herein constitute the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the matters covered hereby, and any other prior or contemporaneous oral or written understandings or agreements with respect to the matters covered hereby are superseded by this Agreement, provided that this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Memorandum and Articles and applicable law, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder.

 

Section 8.08.  Severability.  If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever:  (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.

 

14


 

Section 8.09.  Notices.  All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing (which may be by facsimile transmission).  All such notices, requests and other communications shall be deemed received on the date of receipt by the recipient thereof if received prior to 5:00 p.m. in the place of receipt and such day is a business day in the place of receipt.  Otherwise, any such notice, request or communication shall be deemed not to have been received until the next succeeding business day in the place of receipt.  The address for notice to a party is as shown on the signature page of this Agreement, or such other address as any party shall have given by written notice to the other party as provided above.

 

Section 8.10.  Binding Effect.  (a) The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as a director or officer of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as a director or officer of the Company.

 

(b)      This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors, assigns, including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, spouses, heirs, and executors, administrators, personal and legal representatives.  The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all, or a substantial part of the business or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

 

(c)       The indemnification, contribution and advancement of Expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to this Agreement shall continue during the period Indemnitee is an officer and/or a director of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company and shall continue thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any Proceeding by reason of his former or current capacity at the Company or any other enterprise at the Company’s request, whether or not he is acting or serving in any such capacity at the time any Expense is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, administrators, legatees and assigns of such Indemnitee.

 

Section 8.11.  Governing Law.  This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of Cayman Islands, without regard to its conflict of laws rules.

 

15


 

Section 8.12.  Consent to Jurisdiction.  Except with respect to any arbitration commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 6.01(a) of this Agreement, each of the parties to this Agreement irrevocably agrees that the courts of Cayman Islands shall have nonexclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine any claim, suit, action or proceeding, and to settle any disputes, which may arise out of or are in any way related to or in connection with this Agreement, and, for such purposes, irrevocably submits to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of such courts.

 

Section 8.13.  Headings.  The Article and Section headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, and shall not be deemed to alter or affect the meaning or interpretation of any provisions hereof.

 

Section 8.14.  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.  Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.

 

Section 8.15. U.S. Federal Preemption. Notwithstanding the foregoing, both the Company and Indemnitee acknowledge that in certain instances, U.S. federal law or public policy may override applicable law and prohibit the Company from indemnifying its directors and officers under this Agreement or otherwise. Such instances include, but are not limited to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “SEC”) prohibition on indemnification for liabilities arising under certain U.S. federal securities laws. Indemnitee also understands and acknowledges that the Company has undertaken or may be required in the future to undertake with the SEC to submit the question of indemnification to a court in certain circumstances for a determination of the Company’s right under public policy to indemnify Indemnitee.

 

Section 8.16. No Employment Rights. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to create in Indemnitee any right to continued employment with the Company.

 

Section 8.15.  Use of Certain Terms.  As used in this Agreement, the words “herein,” “hereof,” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular paragraph, subparagraph, section, subsection, or other subdivision. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered to be effective as of the date first above written.

 

16


 

 

36KR HOLDINGS INC.

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

Address:

 

Facsimile:

 

Attention:

 

 

 

With a copy to:

 

 

 

Address:

 

Facsimile:

 

Attention:

 

 

 

INDEMNITEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

 

Facsimile:

 

 

 

With a copy to:

 

 

 

Address:

 

Facsimile:

 

Attention:

 

17




Exhibit 10.3

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”), dated as of [MONTH DATE], [YEAR] (the “Effective Date”), is entered between 36Kr Holdings Inc., a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands (the “Company”) and [NAME] (the “Executive”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive wish to enter into an employment agreement whereby the Executive will be employed by the Company in accordance with the terms and conditions stated below;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1
EMPLOYMENT, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Section 1.01.  Employment.  The Executive shall serve as the [TITLE] of the Company.  The Executive hereby accepts such employment and agrees to devote substantially all of the Executive’s time and efforts to promoting the interests of the Company.

 

Section 1.02.  Duties and Responsibilities.  Subject to the supervision of and direction by the Board of Directors of the Company, the Executive shall perform such duties as are similar in nature to those duties and services customarily associated with the positions set forth above.

 

Section 1.03.  Base of Operation.  The Executive’s principal base of operation for the performance of his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement shall be the offices of the Company in Beijing, the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”), and at such other places as shall from time to time be reasonably necessary to fulfill the Executive’s obligations hereunder.

 

ARTICLE 2
TERM

 

Section 2.01.  Term.  (a)  The term of this Agreement (the “Term”) shall be specified in a separate agreement between the Executive and the Company’s designated subsidiary or affiliate entity (the “PRC Agreement”).  The Term and this Agreement will be renewed automatically thereafter for successive one-year terms unless a one-month notice of non-renewal is given by one party to the other.

 

(b)           The Executive represents and warrants to the Company that neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder violates or will violate the provisions of any other agreement to which the Executive is a party or by which the Executive is bound.

 

(c)           If the PRC Agreement is terminated pursuant to the terms therein, the employment between the Executive and the Company pursuant to this Agreement shall also be terminated unless mutually agreed by both parties.

 

ARTICLE 3
COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES

 

Section 3.01.  Salary And Benefits.  The Executive’s salary and benefits shall be determined by the Company and shall be specified in the PRC Agreement.  Unless otherwise provided in such separate agreement, the Executive’s salary and benefits are subject to annual review and adjustment by the Company.

 

Section 3.02  Expenses.  The Company will reimburse the Executive for reasonable documented business-related expenses incurred by the Executive in connection with the performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder during the Term, subject, however, to the Company’s policies relating to business-related expenses as in effect from time to time during the Term.

 


 

Section 3.03.  Stock Option Plan. The Executive shall be entitled to participate during the Term in the 2019 Share Option Plan of the Company, and any successors thereto, subject to the terms and provisions of such plans and the execution of the award agreements between the Company and the Executive.

 

Section 3.04  Payer of Compensation. All compensation, salary, benefits and remuneration in this Agreement may be paid by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliated entities, as decided by the Company in its sole discretion.

 

ARTICLE 4
EXCLUSIVITY, ETC.

 

Section 4.01.  Exclusivity.  The Executive agrees to perform his duties, responsibilities and obligations hereunder efficiently and to the best of his ability.  The Executive agrees to devote substantially all of his working time, care and attention and best efforts to such duties, responsibilities and obligations throughout the Term.  The Executive agrees that all of his activities as an employee of the Company shall be in conformity with all present and future policies, rules and regulations and directions of the Company not inconsistent with this Agreement.

 

Section 4.02. Intellectual Property. The Executive agrees that Intellectual Property under this Agreement is the sole and exclusive property of the Company and further agrees to assign to the Company the ownership of all right, title and interest in Intellectual Property, including any Intellectual Property conceived, created, and otherwise obtained by the Executive (i) during the term of this Agreement relating to the work he performs within the scope of such Executive’s employment with the Company, (ii) within twelve (12) months after the Executive retires or ends employment with the Company under the circumstances that such Intellectual Property relates to such Executive’s employment scope with the Company, and (iii) by using the resources of the Company during the term of this Agreement. During the Executive’s employment with the Company and within twelve (12) months after his employment with the Company terminates, the Executive has the obligation to inform the Company of any Intellectual Property within ten days of its creation and the Executive has the obligation to assist the Company in its patent, copyright or trademark application related to the Intellectual Property.

 

“Intellectual Property” under this Section 4.02 means any and all intellectual property in any form or stage of development, including but not limited to any idea, concept, design, invention, method, process, system, model, software, know-how and any other subject matter, material or information that qualifies and/or is considered by the Company to qualify for patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret, or any other protection under the laws of PRC or Cayman Islands providing or creating intellectual property rights.

 

Section 4.03. Non-Competition and Confidentiality.

 

(a) Non-compete. During the Executive’s employment with the Company and for twenty-four (24) months after his employment with the Company terminates for any reason, the Executive will not (i) directly or indirectly engage in (whether as an officer, principal, agent, director, employee, partner, affiliate, consultant or other participant), or hold an equity interest of 5% or more in, any business or activity that is in competition with the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliated entities (the “Group”), (ii) solicit, encourage or assist other employees of the Company to seek employment with any business or organization in competition with the Group, or (iii) engage in other activities that may cause conflicts with the interests of the Company during the term of the employment agreement.

 

(b) Confidentiality. Throughout the course of the Executive’s employment with the Company and thereafter, the Executive shall keep in strict confidence and not to use all non-public information relating to the business, financial condition and other aspects of the Company, including but not limited to trade secrets, business methods, products, processes, procedures, development or experimental projects, plans, service providers, customers and users, intellectual property, information technology and any other information which is material to the Company’s business operations, and except as authorized by the Company in writing, may not disclose or provide to any person, firm, corporation or entity such non-public information, and may not use such non-public information for any purpose other than to fulfill his responsibilities in the best interest of the Company.  The Executive shall also comply with the Company’s corporate policies and any other agreements on confidentiality that the Executive may enter into with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliated entities. This provision and such other confidentiality policies and agreements are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Confidentiality Terms.

 

2


 

(c) No Solicitation. During the Executive’s employment with the Company and for twenty-four (24) months after his employment with the Company terminates for any reason, the Executive will not, directly or indirectly, solicit or attempt to solicit (either in his or her own name or on behalf of any other party) any person who, within a period of one year preceding the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company, is a customer, supplier, agent, employee or consultant of the Company or any of its affiliated entities, to terminate its relationship with the Company or any of its affiliated entities.

 

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the foregoing, nothing in this agreement shall be construed as limiting or affecting the non-compete, confidentiality and no solicitation clause in the PRC Agreement.

 

ARTICLE 5
TERMINATION AND INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 5.01.  Termination by the Company.  The Company shall have the right to terminate the Executive’s employment at any time with “Cause” without any advance notice pursuant to the terms hereof.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall have the meanings ascribed to it in the PRC Agreement.  For purposes of this Section 5.01, no act or failure to act, on the part of the Executive shall be deemed “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive not in good faith and without reasonable belief that the act or omission of the Executive was in the best interest of the Company. The Company may also terminate the Executive’s employment at any time with or without Cause by giving a 30 days’ advance notice in writing.

 

Section 5.02.  Termination by the Executive.  The Executive shall have the right to terminate this Agreement at any time by giving a 30 days’ advance notice in writing pursuant to the terms hereof.  If the Executive terminates the employment under this Section 5.02, the Company is not obliged to pay to the Executive any financial compensation for such termination.

 

Section 5.03.  Death.  In the event the Executive passes away during the Term, this Agreement shall automatically terminate, such termination to be effective on the date of the Executive’s death.

 

Section 5.04.  Effect of Termination.  (a)  In the event of termination of the Executive’s employment, whether before or after the Term, by either party for any reason, or by reason of the Executive’s death or disability, the Company shall pay to the Executive (or his beneficiary in the event of his death) any base salary or other compensation earned but not paid to the Executive prior to the effective date of such termination. All other benefits due the Executive following his termination of employment shall be determined in accordance with the plans, policies and practices of the Company.

 

(b)           In the event of termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company other than for Cause, the Company shall pay to the Executive any additional amount as provided by applicable law.

 

ARTICLE 6
MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 6.01.  Benefit Assignment; Assignment; Beneficiary.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns, including, without limitation, any corporation or person which may acquire all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or business, or with or into which the Company may be consolidated or merged. This Agreement shall also inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Executive and his personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. If the Executive should die while any amount would still be payable to him or her hereunder if the Executive had continued to live, all such amounts shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the Executive’s beneficiary, devisee, legatee or other designee, or if there is no such designee, to the Executive’s estate.

 

3


 

Section 6.02.  Notices.  Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be sufficiently given if personally delivered or if sent by registered or certified mail, national overnight courier, or email. In the case of the Company, to the office or email account of the Human Resource Department; and in the case of the Executive, to the address or email account appearing on the employment records of the Company, from time to time. Any notice given hereunder shall be deemed to have been given at the time of receipt thereof by the person to whom such notice is given.

 

Section 6.03.  Entire Agreement; Amendment.  This Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding between the Executive and the Company with respect to the terms and conditions of the Executive’s employment with the Company during the Term and supersedes any and all prior agreements and understandings, whether written or oral, between the parties hereto with respect to compensation due for services rendered hereunder.  Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing to the contrary, nothing in this agreement shall be construed as limiting or affecting the validity and effectiveness of any clause in the PRC Agreement.  This Agreement may not be changed or modified except by an instrument in writing signed by both of the parties hereto.

 

Section 6.04.  Waiver.  The waiver by either party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a continuing waiver or as a consent to or waiver of any subsequent breach hereof.

 

Section 6.05.  Headings.  The article and section headings herein are for convenience of reference only, do not constitute a part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.

 

Section 6.06.  Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the PRC.

 

Section 6.07.  Agreement To Take Actions.  Each party hereto shall execute and deliver such documents, certificates, agreements and other instruments, and shall take such other actions, as may be reasonably necessary or desirable in order to perform his, her or its obligations under this Agreement or to effectuate the purposes hereof.

 

Section 6.08.  Arbitration.  Any dispute between the parties hereto respecting the meaning and intent of this Agreement or any of its terms and provisions shall be submitted to arbitration in Hong Kong, in accordance with the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre Administered Arbitration Rules then in effect, and the arbitration determination resulting from any such submission shall be final and binding upon the parties hereto.  The arbitrator shall have no authority to award reasonable attorney’s fees to any party in any dispute subject to this Section 6.08.  Judgment upon any arbitration award may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction.

 

Section 6.09.  Survivorship.  The respective rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall survive any termination of this Agreement to the extent necessary to the intended preservation of such rights and obligations.

 

Section 6.10.  Severability.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any particular provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision or provisions of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

 

Section 6.11.  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

 

4


 

Section 6.12.  Corporate Authorization.  The Company hereby represents that the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement are within the corporate powers of the Company, and that the Chairman of its Board of Directors has the requisite authority to bind the Company hereby.

 

Section 6.13.  Withholding.  All payments to the Executive hereunder shall be subject to withholding to the extent required by applicable law.

 

5


 

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

 

 

36Kr Holdings Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

6




Exhibit 10.4

 

 

 

Equity Interest Transfer Agreement

 

Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Service Co., Ltd.

 

and

 

Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership) [transliteration and literal translation]

 

 

 

FOR DUE DILIGENCE ONLY

 


 

This Equity Interest Transfer Agreement (hereinafter referred to as “the Agreement”) is signed by the following parties in Beijing on          , 2017:

 

Party A: Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Service Co., Ltd.

 

Legal representative: Liu Chengcheng

 

Party B: Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership)

 

Executive Partner: Liu Chengcheng

 

Whereas:

 

1. Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Pinxin Media”) is a limited liability company incorporated and legally existing under the laws of PRC, with the registration number of 91110108MA00AH86Q, the registered address of 601, 6th Floor, No. 34 Haidian Street, Haidian District, Beijing, and the registered capital of RMB10 million. As of the date of signing the Agreement, Party A held 100% equity interest in Pinxin Media.

 

2. Party A intends to transfer 20% equity interest in Pinxin Media to Party B in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Agreement. Party B agrees to accept such equity interest in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Agreement.

 

In view of the above, according to the Contract Law of the People’s Republic of China, the Company Law of the People’s Republic of China and other relevant laws, regulations and normative documents, Party A and Party B reached an agreement on the above equity transfer through friendly negotiation. In order to clarify the rights and obligations of both parties, the Agreement is entered into for mutual compliance.

 

1


 

I.                    Definition

 

Unless the context requires otherwise, the following terms used in the Agreement have the following meanings:

 

(1) “PRC” means the People’s Republic of China, but for the purposes of the Agreement, does not include the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region or Taiwan;

 

(2) “A Party” or “Either Party” means either party of Party A and Party B;

 

(3) “Both Parties” means Party A and Party B collectively;

 

(4) “Target Equity Interest” means the 20% equity interest held by Party A that it intends to transfer to Party B;

 

(5) “Working Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday and official holidays;

 

(6) “Delivery Date” means the date on which the registration of changes at the industrial and commercial departments for the transfer of the target equity interest under the Agreement is completed;

 

(7) “Effective Date” means the date on which all the conditions mentioned in Article 11 of the Agreement are met;

 

(8) “Taxes and Fees” means any and all applicable taxes (including but not limited to income tax, deed tax, stamp duty, business tax) imposed by the PRC tax authorities, industrial and commercial administrations or financial departments in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, or paid by the obligatory payer to such authorities, fees and expenses (including but not limited to fees, expenses and actual expenditure of hiring any lawyer and/or accountant).

 

II.               Transfer of Target Equity Interest

 

Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Agreement, Party A agrees to the transfer of the target equity interest and all corresponding rights, powers and interests to such target equity interest (including ownership, the right to distribute profits, the right to nominate directors, the right to allocate assets, the right to vote related to the target equity interest and all rights, powers and interests that company shareholders are entitled to as stipulated by articles of Pinxin Media and PRC laws and regulations) to Party B and Party B agrees to accept the transfer of such target equity interest.

 

2


 

III.          Equity Interest Transfer Price and Payment

 

1.              Determination of the Equity Interest Transfer Price

 

The parties acknowledge that the assessed value confirmed by the relevant intermediary agency in the assessment report of Pinxin Media on the base date of March 31, 2017 shall be the pricing basis of the equity interest transfer and the transfer price of the target equity interest shall be RMB20,000.

 

2.              Payment Method of the Equity Interest Transfer Price

 

Within 12 months from the effective date of the Agreement, Party B shall pay Party A in one lump sum of the full equity interest transfer price of RMB10,000 to Party A’s bank account.

 

IV.           Delivery of Target Equity Interest and Transfer of Rights and Obligations

 

1.              Delivery of Target Equity Interest

 

The target equity interest shall be delivered on the delivery date. The parties shall strive to complete the delivery of the target equity interest within 6 months from the date of entry into force of the Agreement.

 

2.              Transfer of Rights and Obligations

 

The rights and obligations of the target equity interest shall be transferred starting from the delivery date. Party A shall be entitled to and assume the rights and obligations, risks and liabilities of the target equity interest before the delivery date; starting from the delivery date, Party B shall be entitled to and assume the rights and obligations, risks and liabilities of the target equity interest.

 

V.                Rights and Obligations of Both Parties

 

1. Party A shall obtain the approval or consent of the internal organization necessary to complete the transfer of the target equity interest under the Agreement in accordance with the applicable laws or binding contracts or agreements.

 

2. Party B shall obtain the approval or consent of the internal organization necessary to complete the transfer of the target equity interest under the Agreement in accordance with the applicable laws or binding contracts or agreements.

 

3


 

3. Both parties shall promptly provide relevant documents and materials prepared by them, and provide all necessary assistance for the completion of the transfer of the target equity interest.

 

4. Both parties shall, in accordance with the Agreement, urge Pinxin Media to complete the delivery of the target equity interest in a timely manner.

 

VI.           Undertakings, Representations and Warranties of Party A

 

1. The target equity interest held by Party A is free from any pledge, seizure, and other encumbrance, nor is there any arrangement or obligation that create any encumbrances, unless otherwise agreed in the Agreement or required by PRC laws.

 

2. Party A does not substantially withdraw its capital contribution directly or through any third party.

 

3. All information and documents provided by Party A to Party B is complete, true, accurate and valid, and there is no false record, major omission or misleading statement.

 

4. Party A undertakes that Pinxin Media does not have any undisclosed existing or potential liabilities or external guarantees.

 

VII.      Undertakings, Representations and Warranties of Party B

 

1. All information and documents provided by Party B to Party A is complete, true, accurate and valid, and there is no false record, major omission or misleading statement.

 

2. Party B has the capacity to fulfill the obligation to pay the transfer price as described in Article 3 of the Agreement.

 

VIII. Force Majeure

 

1. “Force Majeure” means objective circumstances beyond the control of the parties that is unforeseeable, unavoidable or insurmountable, causing a party’s failure in performing the Agreement in whole or in part, including but not limited to earthquakes, typhoons, floods, fires, wars.

 

2. The party confronting force majeure shall take all necessary remedial measures to reduce the losses caused, otherwise the party shall bear the corresponding responsibility for the aggravated part of the losses.

 

4


 

3. If, due to the influence of force majeure, the Agreement were not performed in whole or in part, the party encountering force majeure shall immediately notify the other party and provide the details of force majeure and a valid proof within 5 working days that the Agreement may not be performed in whole or in part, or a delay in performance is required. In accordance with the degree of impact of force majeure on the performance of the Agreement, the parties agree to waive all or part of the responsibility for the performance of the agreement.

 

IX.          Default Liability

 

1. The party that fails to perform the obligations under the Agreement in whole or in part shall be responsible for compensating the losses caused to the other party.

 

2. Regardless of whether the Agreement is effective or whether the transfer of the target equity interest is completed, both parties acknowledge that the provisions of this Article shall be legally binding at all times from the date of signing the Agreement.

 

X.               Governing Law and Settlement of Disputes

 

1. The formulation, validity, interpretation, performance, revision and termination of the Agreement shall be governed by PRC laws.

 

2. Any dispute arising from or in connection with the Agreement shall be settled by the parties through friendly negotiation. If the dispute may not be settled, either party may submit the dispute to the Haidian District Court in Beijing for resolution.

 

XI.          Validity

 

The Agreement shall become effective on the date of effective signing by both parties or their authorized representatives.

 

XII.     Miscellaneous

 

1. Taxes and Fees

 

All taxes and fees incurred as a result of signing and performing the Agreement shall be handled as required by applicable laws and regulations or shall be borne by each party on its own if there are no applicable requirements.

 

5


 

2. Severability

 

If any provision of the Agreement is invalid or unenforceable due to the provisions of laws and regulations, or is deemed invalid by courts or any authority with jurisdiction over the Agreement, only the provision shall be invalid and the remaining provisions shall still be valid and binding on both parties.

 

3. Assignability

 

Neither party may assign the Agreement in whole or in part without the prior written consent of the other party.

 

4. Entire Agreement

 

If there are any matters uncovered after the signing of the Agreement, the parties shall sign a supplementary agreement in writing. The supplementary agreement shall be an integral part of the Agreement and have the same legal effect as the Agreement. If there is any inconsistency between the supplementary agreement and the Agreement, the supplementary agreement shall prevail. If there are multiple supplementary agreements, the supplementary agreement signed later shall prevail.

 

5. Headings

 

The headings in the Agreement shall only be used as a reminder of the content and not as an interpretation of the terms.

 

6. Counterparts

 

The Agreement is signed in duplicate with Party A and Party B holding one copy each, and one for Pinxin Media for record. Other counterparts are used for reporting to the relevant government departments for registration. All counterparts shall have the same legal effect.

 

6


 

(No text below)

 

(No text on this page. It is the signing page of the Equity Interest Transfer Agreement)

 

Party A: Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Service Co., Ltd.

[chopped: Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Service Co., Ltd.]

Legal representative or authorized representative (signature):

 

Party B: Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership) (seal)

[chopped: Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership)]

Executive partner or authorized representative (signature):

 

7




Exhibit 10.5

 


 

Capital Increase Agreement

 


 

of

 

Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd.

 

Between

 

Liu Chengcheng

 

Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Service Co., Ltd.

 

Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd.

 

and

 

Suzhou Industrial Park Gobi Yinghe Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)

 

Beijing Gobi Oasis Angel Investment Center (Limited Partnership)

 

Jiaxing Xiaodu Content Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)

 

[ ] 2017

Beijing, China

 


 

Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd.

 

The Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “the Agreement” or the “Capital Increase Agreement” was signed by the following parties in Beijing, China on [ ] 2017:

 

Founder:

 

1.                                      Liu Chengcheng (hereinafter referred to as the “Founder”)

ID number: 320911198811194339

Address: No. 117, Group 1, Xinhuo Village, Yandu New District, Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province

 

Controlling Shareholder:

 

2.                                      Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Service Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Controlling Shareholder”)

Address: 5/F and 6/F, No. 34, Haidian Street, Haidian District, Beijing

Legal representative: Liu Chengcheng

 

The Company of this Capital Increase:

 

3.                                      Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “the Company”)

Address: Room 601, 6/F, No. 34 Haidian Street, Haidian District, Beijing

Legal representative: Liu Chengcheng

 

Investors who subscribe for this Capital Increase:

 

4.                                      Suzhou Industrial Park Gobi Yinghe Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership) (hereinafter referred to as “Gobi Yinghe”)

Address: Room 240, Building 19, Dongsha Lake Equity Investment Center, No. 183, Suhong East Road, Suzhou Industrial Park

Appointed representative of the executive partner: Zhu Lin

 

5.                                      Beijing Gobi Oasis Angel Investment Center (Limited Partnership) (hereinafter referred to as “Gobi Oasis”)

Address: Room 5430, Shenchang Building, No. 51 Zhichun Road, Haidian District, Beijing

Appointed representative of the executive partner: Jiang Tao

 

6.                                      Jiaxing Xiaodu Content Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership) (hereinafter referred to as “Xiaodu Investment”)

Address: Room106-70, Dongfang Building, 100 Zhuyuan Road, Nanhu District, Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province

Appointed representative of the executive partner: [ ]

 

FOR DUE DILIGENCE ONLY

 

1


 

(Gobi Yinghe, Gobi Oasis and Xiaodu Investment are collectively referred to as “Investors”, the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder, the Investors and the Company are collectively referred to as “the Parties” in this Agreement, and individually referred to as “one party”)

 

2


 

Preface

 

A.                                    The Founder is a Chinese citizen who has a residence and has lived for a long time in China.

 

B.                                    The Controlling Shareholder is a joint stock limited company established and validly existing under the laws of China.

 

C.                                    The Company is a limited liability company established and validly existing under the laws of China, on the date of signing this Agreement, the registered capital of the Company is RMB Ten Million (RMB10,000,000). The Company’s shareholding structure is as follows:

 

No.

 

Shareholder name

 

Holding
registered
capital
(RMB)

 

Shareholding
ratio

 

1

 

Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Service Co., Ltd.

 

10,000,000

 

100.00

%

 

 

Total

 

10,000,000

 

100.00

%

 

D.                                    According to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the parties agree that in the Capital IncreaseInvestors shall invest a total of RMB Forty-two Million (RMB42,000,000) to the Company, and subscribe for RMB Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand (RMB350,000) of the Newly Registered Capital of the Company. The Company’s registered capital shall increase from RMB Ten Million (RMB10,000,000) to RMB Ten Million Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand (RMB10,350,000).

 

Text of the Agreement

 

In view of this, according to the relevant laws, regulations and normative documents of China, the parties reach unanimously agreement as follows through friendly negotiation:

 

1.              Definition

 

1.1                               Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement or the context of this Agreement otherwise requires, the following expressions have the following meanings in this Agreement:

 

“This Capital Increase” or “this transaction”

 

the Capital Increase transaction proposed to be completed under this Agreement.

 

 

 

“the Agreement” or “the Capital Increase Agreement”

 

the Capital Increase Agreement, also including amendments, additions and adjustments and attachments to this Agreement from time to time through negotiations of the parties.

 

3


 

“Founder”

 

has the meaning as specified in the Foreword

 

 

 

“Controlling Shareholder”

 

has the meaning as specified in the Foreword

 

 

 

“Gobi Yinghe”

 

has the meaning as specified in the Foreword

 

 

 

“Gobi Oasis”

 

has the meaning as specified in the Foreword

 

 

 

“Xiaodu Investment”

 

has the meaning as specified in the Foreword

 

 

 

“Investor”

 

has the meaning as specified in the Foreword

 

 

 

“Majority Investors”

 

Investors who hold more than two-thirds (2/3) of the Newly Registered Capital of the Company held by all Investors after this transaction.

 

 

 

“Foreword”

 

the part between the title of the Agreement and the Preface of this Agreement.

 

 

 

“Preface”

 

the Preface of this Agreement.

 

 

 

“One Party” and “the Parties”

 

has the meaning as specified in the Foreword.

 

 

 

“Third Party”

 

any person other than the parties to this Agreement.

 

 

 

“The Company”

 

has the meaning as specified in the Foreword

 

 

 

“Shareholders Agreement”

 

the Shareholders Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. with the same format and content as Appendix I of this Agreement.

 

 

 

“Asset Transfer”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 2.1 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Assets to be Transferred”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 2.1 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Reorganization Before Delivery”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 2.2 of this Agreement

 

4


 

“Employee Shareholding Platform”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 2.2 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscriptions of Gobi Yinghe”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 3.1.1 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Newly Registered Capital of Gobi Yinghe”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 3.1.1 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscriptions of Gobi Oasis”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 3.1.1 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Newly Registered Capital of Gobi Oasis”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 3.1.1 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscriptions of Xiaodu Investment”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 3.1.1 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Newly Registered Capital of Xiaodu Investment”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 3.1.1 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscriptions”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 3.1.1 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Newly Registered Capital”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 3.1.1 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Capital Increase Subscription Price”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 3.1.1 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Delivery”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 4.1 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Delivery Date”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 4.1 of this Agreement

 

5


 

“Capital Increase Transaction Document”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 4.1.8 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Business Plan”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 4.1.9 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Disclosure List”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 5.1 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Board of Directors”

 

the Company’s board of directors.

 

 

 

“Industrial and Commercial Administration”

 

the corresponding industrial and commercial administrative department in China responsible for the approval and registration of the establishment, change (including but not limited to Capital Increase, equity transfer, etc.) of the Company.

 

 

 

“Shareholder Meeting”

 

shareholder meeting of the Company.

 

 

 

“Related Parties”

 

For the purpose of a specific person, (a) when it is a natural person, the spouse of the person and his immediate family members (whether blood relative or adopted) or any trust established and maintained only for the benefit of the person, the spouse of the person and/or the immediate family members; and (b) when it is any person, the person indirectly or indirectly controlling such specific person through one or more media, controlled by such specific person or jointly controlled together with such specific person.

 

 

 

“Interested parties”

 

for any person, (a) the person acting as a director, supervisor, manager (director and above) or a partner or the Company or organization holding directly or indirectly no less than ten percent (10%) of any kind of equity securities interests, (b) trust or other properties in which the person enjoys a substantial interest or in which the person acts as a trustee or holds a similar position, and (c) any immediate family member or a collateral relative within three generations of such person, the spouse of such person or the immediate family member or a collateral relative within three generations of the spouse of such person.

 

6


 

“Qualified Initial Public Offering”

 

listing of the Company on stock exchanges in China or Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or other internationally recognized stock exchanges that are approved by most Investors in accordance with the applicable securities transaction laws and regulations of the applicable jurisdiction, public offering of shares of the Company.

 

 

 

“Contract”

 

any agreement, arrangement, commitment, stipulation, license, compensation, contract, instrument, lease, permit, permission or binding memorandum of understanding (whether written or not).

 

 

 

“Control”

 

(including the meaning of the terms “Controlling”, “Controlled” and “Commonly Controlled by”), for the purpose of any person, the authority to directly or indirectly direct the person’s management or policy (related to operational controls, financial controls or other controls), whether by holding securities with voting rights, or by contract or otherwise.

 

 

 

“Subsidiaries”

 

the Company and other non-natural person parties in which the Company directly or indirectly holds fifty percent (50%) of the voting rights. As of the signing date of this Agreement, the list of the Company’s subsidiaries is detailed in Appendix I of this Agreement.

 

 

 

“Group Company”

 

the Company and/or subsidiaries.

 

 

 

“Encumbrance”

 

(a) any obligation, guarantee for the purpose of any person, or pledge, guarantee, mortgage, lien, security deed, trust deed, retention of rights, security interest or other third party rights conferring any kind of payment priority on it; (b) any easement or guarantee granting the use or possession right to any person; (c) any power of attorney, letter of authority, voting trust agreement, equity interest, option, preemptive right, priority negotiation or refusal right or transfer restrictions in favor of any person; (d) any unfavorable claims relating to ownership, possession or use; encumbrance also includes agreements or arrangements relating to the above.

 

7


 

“RMB”

 

the legal currency of China.

 

 

 

“Person”

 

should be interpreted as broadly as possible and should include individuals, partnerships (including but not limited to limited partnerships), companies, associated enterprises, joint stock limited companies, limited liability companies, trusts, joint ventures or cooperative enterprises (including Sino-foreign joint ventures and Sino-foreign cooperative enterprise), non-corporate organizations and government agencies.

 

 

 

“Applicable Laws”

 

for the purpose of any person, any constitution, treaty, statute, laws, regulations, decrees, guidelines, rules, judgments, common law rules, orders, edicts, rulings, injunctions, government approvals, approvals, grants, licenses, permits, consents, instructions, requirements that apply to such person or any property or business thereof, whether it is effective on or after the date of this Agreement or revised from time to time or re-enacted, or other government restrictions of any government agency or any similar government decrees, or decisions made by it, or relevant provisions relating to the interpretation and implementation of any of the foregoing.

 

 

 

“Taxes”

 

Any and all taxes payable (including but not limited to any income tax, business tax, stamp duty or other taxes, duties, charges, fees, deductions, fines or withholding taxes imposed, collected or apportioned). “Tax revenue” should also be interpreted accordingly.

 

 

 

“Litigation”

 

Any litigation, prosecution, legal procedure, claim, arbitration or investigation.

 

 

 

“Loss”

 

All direct or indirect losses, liabilities, damages, deficiencies, value impairments, litigation, debts, responsibilities, benefits, interests, fines, fees, judgments or reconciliations of any nature or kind, including all related costs and expenses, including but not limited to reasonable lawyer fees and expenses, litigation fees, arbitration fees, reconciliation fees and investigation fees of any kind or nature, whether it is legal or equitable, known or unknown, foreseeable or unforeseeable.

 

8


 

“Knowledge”

 

When a person “knows”, it means such person actually knows. It should be knowledge acquired after proper consultation and due diligence that should be conducted by such person as a prudent business person in managing its business. These investigations include appropriate consultation with such person and the management, directors, key employees and professional consultants (including lawyers, accountants and consultants) of its related parties.

 

 

 

“Business Day”

 

any day when China’s banks usually operate public-facing business (except for Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays in China).

 

 

 

“Articles of Association”

 

Articles of Association of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. with the same format and content as Appendix II of this Agreement.

 

 

 

“Confidential Information”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 8.1 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Government Authority”

 

any government or its political branch, whether at the federal, central, state, provincial, municipal, or local level, and regardless of administrative, legislative, or judicial nature, including any representative office, authority, council, bureau, committee, court, department, or other institutions.

 

 

 

“Intellectual Property Assets”

 

all patents, patent applications, registered trademarks, service trademarks, trademark applications, unregistered logos, trade names, registered designs, unregistered design rights, domain names, copyrights, copyright registrations and applications, and all other related rights, inventions, utility models, appearance design, database and all related rights, all computer software including all source code, object code, firmware, development tools, files, records and data, including all storage media for any of the above contents, formulation, design, commercial secrets, confidentialities, proprietary information, proprietary rights, know-how and procedures, and all documents relating to any of the above contents.

 

 

 

“Material Adverse Effect”

 

material adverse effect on the condition (financial condition or other) of a particular person, the assets associated with it, the results of operations or prospects, or its business (currently or intended to be carried out).

 

9


 

“China”

 

the People’s Republic of China, but for the purposes of this Agreement, not including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan.

 

 

 

“Main Business”

 

Internet commercial media.

 

 

 

“Dispute”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 11.4.1 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Arbitration Commission”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 11.4.2 of this Agreement

 

1.2                               Interpretation. The term “this Agreement” means all of this Agreement and is not a clause, appendix, attachment or other part of this Agreement. Terms, appendices or attachments expressed in this Agreement shall be the corresponding terms, appendices or attachments in this Agreement, unless they are inconsistent with the subject matter or context.

 

1.3                               Headings. The headings of the terms are for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

 

1.4                               References. References to the Chinese law in this Agreement shall include any laws, regulations, legally binding policies or other supporting legislation in the region. References to the law shall include versions that have been revised or changed from time to time. References to this Agreement or any contract shall be construed as including the relevant contract that may be amended, supplemented, altered or updated.

 

1.5                               Appendix and attachment. The appendices and annexes to this Agreement constitute an integral part of this Agreement and have the same legal effect as this Agreement.

 

2.                                      Pre-delivery action

 

2.1                               Asset transfer. The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company promise that before the delivery, the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and its related parties shall sign a transfer agreement with the Company to transfer all assets related to the Company’s main business (hereinafter referred to as “the assets to be transferred”, see Appendix II of this Agreement for the specific list of such assets to be transferred) to the Company or grant such assets to the Company free of charge, and transfer a series of documents, materials, files and information related to the assets to be transferred to the Company free of charge and register them under the Company’s name (“asset transfer”) or grant such documents to the Company for use free of charge. The obligations of the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company under Article 2.1 shall be deemed to have been fulfilled only after written confirmation by Investors.

 

10


 

2.2                    Reorganization before delivery. The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company promise that before delivery, the Controlling Shareholder shall adjust the Company’s shareholding structure by transferring equity to Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership) (hereinafter referred to as “Employee Shareholding Platform”) (“reorganization before delivery”). After the completion of the reorganization before delivery, the Company’s shareholding structure registered with the Industrial and Commercial Administration shall be changed to:

 

No.

 

Shareholder
name

 

Holding registered capital
(RMB)

 

Shareholding
ratio

 

1

 

Controlling Shareholder

 

8,000,000

 

80.00

%

2

 

Employee Shareholding Platform

 

2,000,000

 

20.00

%

Total

 

10,000,000

 

100.00

%

 

3.                           Capital Increase

 

3.1                    Capital Increase.

 

3.1.1          For meeting the terms and conditions of this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents, the parties agree that in the Capital IncreaseInvestors shall invest a total of RMB Forty-two Million (RMB42,000,000) (hereinafter referred to as “the Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscription”) to the Company, and subscribe for the Company’s Newly Registered Capital of RMB Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand (RMB350,000) (hereinafter referred to as “Newly Registered Capital”). The Company’s registered capital shall increase from RMB Ten Million (RMB10,000,000) to RMB Ten Million Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand (RMB10,350,000). Among them, Gobi Yinghe shall invest RMB Twenty-eight Million (RMB28,000,000) (hereinafter referred to as “Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscription of Gobi Yinghe”) to subscribe for the Company’s Newly Registered Capital of RMB Two Hundred Thirty Three Thousand Three Hundred and Thirty Four (RMB233,334) (hereinafter referred to as “Newly Registered Capital of Gobi Yinghe”); Gobi Oasis shall invest RMB Four Million (RMB4,000,000) (hereinafter referred to as “Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscription of Gobi Oasis”) to subscribe for the Company’s Newly Registered Capital of RMB Thirty Three Thousand Three Hundred and Thirty Three (RMB33,333) (hereinafter referred to as “Newly Registered Capital of Gobi Oasis”); Xiaodu Investment shall invest RMB Ten Million (RMB10,000,000) (hereinafter referred to as “Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscription of Xiaodu Investment”) to subscribe for the Company’s Newly Registered Capital of RMB Eighty-three Thousand Three Hundred and Thirty Three (RMB83,333) (hereinafter referred to as “Newly Registered Capital of Xiaodu Investment”). The subscription price of every RMB1 of the Newly Registered Capital subscribed by Investors shall be RMB One Hundred and Twenty (RMB120) (hereinafter referred to as “Capital Increase Subscription Price”). The parties agree that the premium portion of the Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscription paid by Investors is RMB Forty-one Million Six Hundred and Fifty Thousand (RMB41,650,000) (that is, the difference between the Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscription and the Newly Registered Capital) shall be included in the Company’s capital reserve.

 

11


 

3.1.2 The proportion of equity interest after the Capital Increase is completed. After the completion of the Capital Increase mentioned in the above Article 3.1.1, the Company’s shareholders and capital contribution ratio shall be listed as follows:

 

No.

 

Shareholder
name

 

Holding registered capital
(RMB)

 

Shareholding
ratio

 

1

 

Controlling Shareholder

 

8,000,000

 

77.30

%

2

 

Employee Shareholding Platform

 

2,000,000

 

19.32

%

3

 

Gobi Yinghe

 

233,334

 

2.25

%

4

 

Xiaodu Investment

 

83,333

 

0.81

%

5

 

Gobi Oasis

 

33,333

 

0.32

%

Total

 

10,350,000

 

100.00

%

 

3.2                    Agree and waive. The Controlling Shareholder (and the Founder and Controlling Shareholder ensure that the Employee Shareholding Platform) agrees and approves the Capital Increase and Investors” subscription for the Newly Registered Capital, and waives the pre-emptive right to the above Newly Registered Capital.

 

12


 

3.3                    Payment time of the Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscription. The parties agree that the Investors shall respectively pay the corresponding Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscription to the Company in full on the Delivery Date. On the day when the Investors respectively pay the Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscription in full, the Company shall immediately record the Investors and the number and proportion of the shares of the Company held by Investors in the Company’s shareholder register, and issue the capital contribution certificates with official seal of the Company signed by the legal representative of the Company to the Investors. From the Delivery Date, the Investors shall be entitled to the rights of the Company’s shareholders (including but not limited to the right of obtaining the Company’s undistributed profits) in accordance with this Agreement and the Shareholder Agreement.

 

3.4                    Business license update. Within ten (10) business days after the Investors paid the Company the full amount of the Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscription, the Company shall apply to the Industrial and Commercial Administration for the registration of changes in the relevant registration matters of the enterprise due to the Capital Increase (including the filing of the new shareholders of the Company, the Articles of Association and the new members of the Company’s board of directors) and the update of the business license to reflect that the Investors have paid for the Company’s Newly Registered Capital in accordance with this Agreement and became the Company’s shareholder; the Controlling Shareholder (and the Founder and the Controlling Shareholder ensure that the Employee Shareholding Platform) shall take all necessary actions and sign all necessary documents to assist the Company in completing the registration of changes for this Capital Increase.

 

3.5                    Subscription by other Investor. The parties confirm and agree to accept the investment of no more than RMB Twenty Million (RMB20,000,000) from Hangzhou Jincun Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership) in the Company before October 31, 2017 based on the Capital Increase Subscription Price. In order to avoid objections, the parties confirm that the priority rights of the Company’s Newly Registered Capital subscribed by Hangzhou Jincun Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership) shall not take precedence over the Investors. At that time, the shareholders of the Company shall cooperate in signing legal documents (including but not limited to the new shareholder agreement, the new Articles of Association, Letter of Commitment for the Waiver of the Subscription Rights, resolution of the shareholders” meeting, etc.) with format and content that are satisfactory to the Investors to realize the subscription of the Newly Registered Capital of the Company by Hangzhou Jincun Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership).

 

13


 

4.                           Delivery

 

4.1                    Delivery conditions. The obligation of investor to pay the Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscription in accordance with Articles 3.1.1 and 3.3 of this Agreement (hereinafter referred to as “Delivery”) shall have the prerequisites of the following events being satisfied, unless the Investors waive in writing. Delivery shall be made by the remote exchange of documents and signatures on the date agreed by the parties within ten (10) business days after the following prerequisite conditions are met or waived in writing, or such other date and time as agreed by the parties in writing (hereinafter referred to as the “Delivery Date”):

 

4.1.1       Due diligence. The Investors have completed and passed due diligence (including but not limited to commercial due diligence, legal due diligence, and financial due diligence) on the Group Company, and the results of due diligence are satisfactory to the Investors; the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company should try their best to cooperate with the Investors in the above-mentioned due diligence, including but not limited to arranging customer meetings, providing relevant contracts, as well as legal documents and financial information of the Group Company; the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company have fully, truthfully and completely disclosed to the Investors in writing the assets, liabilities, equity, external guarantees of the Group Company and all information related to this Capital Increase.

 

4.1.2          Representations and warranties. The representations and warranties made by the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company in Appendix III to this Agreement are true, accurate and not misleading in all material respects on the Delivery Date; however, if a representation and warranty clearly refers to the condition on an earlier date before the delivery date, the statement and warranty shall be true, accurate and not misleading as of that earlier date.

 

4.1.3          Performance of obligations. The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder, the Employee Shareholding Platform and the Company have properly performed and complied with all the stipulations, obligations and conditions contained in this Agreement and the Capital Increase Transaction Document that are required to be fulfilled or complied with during or prior to the Delivery.

 

14


 

4.1.4          Approval, consent and waiver. The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder, the Employee Shareholding Platform and the Company have obtained all the approvals, consents and waivers required to complete the Capital Increase, including but not limited to the waiver of the corresponding pre-emption right by the Controlling Shareholder and the Employee Shareholding Platform, and all licenses, authorizations, approvals, filings, or consents (other than business registration) of any Government Authorities or regulatory agencies or other persons (if any).

 

4.1.5          No material adverse effects. From the date of signing this Agreement to the delivery date, the Group Company has not encountered any material adverse effect events.

 

4.1.6          Key employee contracts. The Company’s key employees (see Appendix V of this Agreement for the list of key employees) have signed employment agreements with the Company in a form and content that are satisfactory to the Investors, as well as confidentiality agreements, business strife limitation agreements and non-compete agreements.

 

4.1.7          Action before delivery. Upon confirmation by the Investors, the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company have completed the asset transfer and Reorganization Before Delivery in accordance with the provisions of Article 2 of this Agreement.

 

4.1.8       Signing of the Capital Increase Transaction Document. The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder, the Employee Shareholding Platform, the Investors and/or the Company shall have signed the Capital Increase Agreement, the Shareholders Agreement and the Articles of Association for the purpose of this Capital Increase and all other supporting documents required by applicable law (hereinafter referred to as “Capital Increase Transaction Document”). If the Industrial and Commercial Administration requests to submit a Capital Increase Agreement related to this Capital Increase, the Controlling Shareholder, Employee Shareholding Platform, the Company and/or the Investor shall sign a Capital Increase Agreement of the simplified version confirmed by the parties. When the Capital Increase Transaction Document is submitted to the relevant Government Authority for registration, if any Government Authority requests to amend any terms of any Capital Increase Transaction Document, the Founder, Controlling Shareholder, Employee Shareholding Platform, Investors and the Company shall immediately negotiate to determine whether to make the requested amendment. No amendment shall have legal effect without the written consent of the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder, the Employee Shareholding Platform, the Investors and the Company.

 

15


 

4.1.9          Future business plans are recognized by Investors. The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company should have submitted to the Investors the detailed research and development plan, promotion plan (hereinafter collectively referred to as “business plan”) and the Company’s budget plan for the next twelve (12) months after the completion of this Capital Increase. And the above business plan should have been approved by Investors.

 

4.1.10   Composition of the board of directors. The Company should have set up a board of directors so that at the time of delivery, the board of directors is composed of two (2) directors appointed by the Controlling Shareholder and one (1) director jointly appointed by Gobi Yinghe and Gobi Oasis. Xiaodu Investment has the right to appoint one (1) board observer.

 

4.1.11   Authorized use of intellectual property assets. The Controlling Shareholder and its related parties should have signed an authorization use agreement with the format and content that are satisfactory to Investors with the Company to license the intellectual property assets related to the Company’s main business, such as the “36Kr” trademark, the “36” trademark, and the “36Kr” trade name to the Company for use free of charge.

 

4.1.12   Transfer of assets. The Controlling Shareholder should have transferred the 36Kr.com domain name, 36Kr Weibo official account, 36Kr Alipay account and 36Kr WeChat Pay account to the Company and register them under the Company’s name free of charge.

 

4.1.13   Approved by Investors” Investment Committee. The InvestorsCapital Increase to the Company has been approved by their respective investment committees or similar organizations.

 

16


 

4.1.14   Delivery certificate. The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company should have delivered a formally signed delivery certificate to the Investors to prove that all delivery conditions set forth in Article 4.1 herein have been satisfied.

 

4.2                    Delivery conditions of the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder. The obligations of the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder on the delivery date shall depend on the satisfaction of the following prerequisites on or before the delivery date, unless otherwise the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder waive in writing:

 

4.2.1          Representations and warranties. The representations and warranties made by Investors under this Agreement are true and accurate in all material respects on the delivery date; however, if a statement and warranty clearly refer to the condition on an earlier date before the delivery date, the statement and warranty shall be true as of that earlier date.

 

4.2.2          Performance of obligations. The Investors have properly performed and complied with all the stipulations, obligations and conditions contained in this Agreement that are required to be fulfilled or complied with on or before the Delivery Date.

 

4.3                    Separate Delivery. Any Investor may choose to conduct the delivery separately.

 

5.                           Representations and warranties

 

5.1                    Representations and warranties of the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder. The Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder respectively state and guarantee to the Investors that:

 

5.1.1          In addition to the disclosures in Appendix IV to this Agreement (hereinafter referred to as the “Disclosure List”, such Disclosure List shall be deemed as modification and restriction of the representations and warranties stipulated in Appendix III to this Agreement), the representations and warranties stipulated in Appendix III to this Agreement are true, accurate and not misleading on the date of signature of this Agreement and will be true, accurate and not misleading on the Delivery Date (except for representations and warranties specific to a particular date, and in such circumstances, such representations and warranties shall be true, accurate and not misleading at such dates).

 

17


 

5.1.2          Enforceability. Upon signing of this Agreement and delivery, it shall constitute its legal, valid and binding obligations and enforceability in accordance with its respective terms, unless it is subject to the following restrictions: (a) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, restructuring or other general applicable laws relating to or affecting the exercise of the rights of creditors; and (b) the applicable results of legal remedies.

 

5.2                    Investor’s representations and warranties. Investors hereby states and warrants to the other parties, severally but not jointly, that the following representations and warranties are true, accurate and not misleading on the date of signing this Agreement and will also be true, accurate and not misleading on the Delivery Date:

 

5.2.1          Establishment according to law. Investors are formally established and validly existing in accordance with the laws of their respective place of registration.

 

5.2.2          Authorization. The Investors have all the necessary powers, authorizations and capabilities to enter into this Agreement and the Capital Increase Transaction Document formulated under this Agreement and to perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Capital Increase Transaction Document formulated under this Agreement. This Agreement and the Capital Increase Transaction Document formulated under this Agreement shall constitute valid and binding obligations for the Investors after this Agreement and the Capital Increase Transaction Document formulated under this Agreement have been signed by the Investors and delivered (but for the document which becomes effective only after approval by the relevant government agency, when the approval is received), and are enforceable to the Investors in accordance with the terms thereof, unless they are subject to the following restrictions: (a) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other generally applicable laws relating to or affecting the exercise of the rights of creditors; and (b) the applicable results of legal remedies.

 

6.                           Undertakings

 

6.1                    The Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder respectively make the following undertakings to the Investors:

 

6.1.1          Use of Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscription. Ensure that the Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscription are used to execute the business plan of the Company agreed by the Company and the Investors, and shall not be used for any other purpose other than the Company’s main business, in particular, the Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscription shall not be used to repay the Company’s borrowings (including but not limited to the Controlling Shareholder’s total borrowings of RMB Six Million Five Hundred Twenty-one Thousand Two Hundred and Sixty (RMB6,521,260) to the Company based on the Loan Agreement signed on May 8, 2017 and June 5, 2017.

 

18


 

6.1.2          Contribution of registered capital. Ensure that the Controlling Shareholder and the Employee Shareholding Platform shall pay for their subscribed registered capital in full and on time in accordance with the provisions of the Articles of Association.

 

6.1.3          Prohibition of non-main business. Ensure that the Group Company only engages in the main business. Unless otherwise approved by the majority of Investors in writing, the Group Company shall not engage in any other business other than the main business.

 

6.1.4          Dedication and non-compete undertaking. The Founder and the Controlling Shareholder shall ensure that the key employees listed in Appendix V of this Agreement are fully committed to the overall management and operation of the Group Company (unless the Board expressly dismisses their duties) and shall not engage in any business operation that is not related to the business of the Group Company; and the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and its related parties or interested parties shall not, directly or indirectly in any form, alone or together with any other person or through any other person, engage in any business that competes or is related to the business of the Group Company, or is associated with or having an interest in such business, before an earlier date between the date the Company completes the qualified IPO and the Investors withdraw from the Company.

 

6.1.5          Non-soliciting. Neither the Founder nor the Controlling Shareholder shall persuade or encourage any employee of the Group Company to accept other employment, or to recruit any employee of the Group Company in other ways; or to provide any form of consultation, guidance, counsel, assistance or funding to any person engaged in a business that competes with the business of the Group Company.

 

6.1.6          Non-encumbrance. Unless approved in writing by Investors, the Company shall ensure that the Group Company continues to have good and negotiable title to its property and assets and shall not place any encumbrances on any of its property and assets. For the property and assets leased, the Company shall ensure that the Group Company complies with the lease contract as a party, and the Company shall ensure that the Group Company has and maintains a valid leasing interest in the property and assets.

 

6.1.7          Obtaining the qualification certificate. The Company shall, within six (6) months after the Delivery Date, make every reasonable and necessary effort to obtain the qualification certificates required for engaging in the main business in accordance with the laws of China, including but not limited to the value-added telecommunications business license (ICP certificate).

 

19


 

6.1.8          Transfer of the WeChat account. The Controlling Shareholder shall transfer the 36Kr WeChat official account (WeChat account: wow36kr) and all articles, material libraries, historical messages, and following users under the WeChat account to the Company within three (3) months after delivery.

 

6.1.9          Protection of intellectual property assets. The Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder shall continue to take all reasonable measures to protect the intellectual property assets owned by the Group Company, including but not limited to carry out the registration, filing, and application procedures for intellectual property rights such as trademarks, trade names, domain names, copyrights, computer software copyrights, utility models, appearance design and patents related to the main business.

 

6.1.10   Investor information protection. Without the prior written consent of the Investors and regardless of whether the Investors directly or indirectly hold the equity interests or shares of the Group Company, the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder shall not and shall ensure that the Group Company shall not use, print or reproduce the names of the Investors or any of its related parties (including but not limited to “戈壁”, “Gobi”), the logos and designs associated with the above brands (including but not limited to “Gobi” patterns or any similar company name, trade name, trademark, product or service name, domain name, graphical mark, logo, identification or a specific description that enables a third party to identify Gobi Yinghe or any of its related parties) or a trademark or a similar or resembling name, logo or trademark in any of its marketing, advertising or promotional materials or for the marketing, advertising or promotional purposes or in any other manner (including but not limited to standalone or in combination).

 

6.1.11   Further assurance. Prior to the Delivery Date, the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder shall jointly and severally (a) cooperate with the Investors to provide all due diligence information required by the Investors; (b) take all necessary or appropriate actions and other measures to complete the transactions under this Agreement, including facilitating the satisfaction of the prerequisite conditions of delivery set forth in Article 4 of this Agreement as soon as possible where practicable; and (c) sign and submit other agreements, certifications, instruments and documents that are necessary for the terms and objectives of this Agreement to enter into effect, and take or procure to take all actions to achieve such purposes.

 

20


 

6.1.12   Additional guarantees. Except as required by this Agreement, the Company shall not pass resolutions of shareholder meeting or board of directors on the matters listed in Article 9.1 and Articles 10.3(1)-(17) of the Shareholders Agreement without the prior written consent of the Investors prior to the delivery date. However, the Group Company may operate their respective businesses in the same way as in the past, and can pass resolutions and sign contracts during normal business operations.

 

6.1.13   Compliance. At any time from the Delivery Date, the Company shall make every reasonable business effort to ensure that all actions of the Company and the Group Company are in compliance with all applicable laws and maintain that any and all major permits and licenses are legal, valid and fully effective unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Investors.

 

6.1.14   Exclusive period. The Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder agree that without the prior written consent of the Investors, during the period from the date of signing of this Agreement to an earlier date between (a) the Delivery Date and (b) when this Agreement is terminated, the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder or any of their related person shall not:

 

(1)                                 solicit, initiate, encourage or accept any of the following proposals or offers from any person: (a) any investment in the Group Company; (b) any acquisition of all or any part of the equity interests or assets of the Group Company; (c) acquisition, merger or other form of business combination of the Group Company or its main business; or (d) any capital restructuring, asset restructuring or other abnormal business transaction involving the Group Company or related to the Group Company; or

 

(2)                                 To sign any agreement, memorandum, letter of intent or similar legal document on the above matters, participate in any discussion, negotiation and other forms of exchanges, or to provide other persons with information related to the above matters, or to cooperate or assist with, or participate in, facilitate or encourage the effort or attempt made by any other person to attempt to carry out the above matters in any way.

 

The Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder agree that, during the period from the date of signing of this Agreement to the earlier date between (a) the Delivery Date and (b) when this Agreement is terminated, the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder shall immediately cease or ensure any other related person to cease all existing discussions, conversations, negotiations and other forms of exchanges with any other person so far on the above matters; if any person puts forth any such proposal or offer, or any person has made any attempt or other contact, the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder shall immediately notify the Investors and shall, in the notification sent to the Investors, state clear in a reasonable detailed manner the identity of the person making the proposal, offer, attempt or contact, and the terms and conditions of such proposal, offer, attempt or other contact.

 

21


 

7.                           Compensation

 

7.1                    The representations and warranties in Articles 5 of this Agreement and Appendix III and the undertakings in Article 6 of this Agreement shall continue to be in effect after the Delivery Date.

 

7.2                    The Controlling Shareholder shall compensate other parties for all losses, directly or indirectly, arising out of, in connection with, in relation to, or generated in association with its violation of the statements, warranties, undertakings or agreements made in this Agreement and the Capital Increase Transaction Document, defend for them and protect them from damage.

 

7.3                    The Company and the Founder shall jointly and severally compensate other parties for all losses, directly or indirectly, arising out of, in connection with, in relation to, or generated in association with their violation of the statements, warranties, undertakings or agreements by the Company, the Controlling Shareholder, the Employee Shareholding Platform and the Founder made in this Agreement and the Capital Increase Transaction Document, defend for them and protect them from damage.

 

7.4                    Any Investor shall compensate other parties for all losses, directly or indirectly, arising out of, in connection with, in relation to, or generated in association with its violation of the statements, warranties, undertakings or Agreements by such investor made in this Agreement and the Capital Increase Transaction Document, defend for them and protect them from damage.

 

7.5                    Investors shall not be liable for any loss, liability, responsibility, obligation or debt (whether of contractual nature or otherwise), any taxes or any other matter of the Company arising out of or related to the events prior to the Delivery Date, except for those attributable to the Investors.

 

7.6                    The Founder agrees, notwithstanding the foregoing and unless otherwise disclosed in the disclosure list in Appendix IV to this Agreement, to be liable for any loss, liability, responsibility, obligation or debt (whether of contractual nature or otherwise), any taxes or any other matter of the Company arising out of or related to the events prior to the delivery date (except for those attributable to the Investors). The Founder shall first pay for or bear such loss, liability, obligation, debt, taxes or responsibility with its own funds and shall prevent the Company from paying for or bearing such loss, liability, obligation, debt, taxes or responsibility. If the Company actually pays for or bears such loss, liability, obligation, debt, taxes or responsibility, the Founder shall promptly compensate the Company for the amount incurred at the request of the Company or the Investors.

 

22


 

8.                           Confidentiality and prohibition of disclosure

 

8.1                    Confidentiality. From the date of signing this Agreement, unless the parties unanimously agree otherwise, each party shall keep and procure each person controlled by such party to keep confidentiality of the terms, conditions and existence of this Agreement and any Capital Increase Transaction Document under this Agreement, the identity of each party, and any other non-public information (hereinafter collectively referred to as “confidential information”) received from the other party or prepared by such party and only in connection with this Agreement or the aforementioned documents; however, any party may disclose confidential information or allow the disclosure of confidential information in the following circumstances: (a) to the extent required by applicable law or any rules of the stock exchange; but such party shall, to the practicable extent permitted by applicable laws, immediately notify the other parties of the fact in writing and (with the cooperation and reasonable efforts of the other parties) take all reasonable efforts to seek protective orders, confidential treatment or other appropriate remedies; in such cases, such party shall only provide the part of the confidential information that is legally required to be disclosed, and every reasonable effort should be made to keep confidentiality of such confidential information within the scope of reasonable request of any other parties; (b) in order to fulfill its obligations related to this Agreement, disclose to its managers, directors, employees, investors, partners, shareholders and professional consultants in the circumstances that must be known, as long as such party informs each person who obtains any confidential information disclosed of the confidential nature of such confidential information, and such person commits to comply with the same confidentiality obligations as such party regarding the confidential information. For the avoidance of doubt, the Confidential Information does not include the following information: (i) information that the recipient has legally obtained prior to the disclosure by the disclosing party, and (ii) information known to the public through disclosure not due to the recipient’s violation of Article 8 of this Agreement; or (iii) information legally obtained by the recipient from a third party, and the recipient is not aware of the violation of any legal or contractual obligations over the non-disclosure of the information by the third party.

 

8.2                    Information release. Without the prior written consent of the parties, the parties shall not release any information on this Agreement and any Capital Increase Transaction Document and this Capital Increase through press conferences, conferences, advertisements, announcements, professional or industry publications, marketing materials or otherwise.

 

23


 

9.                           Termination

 

9.1                    Termination of the Agreement. Subject to other terms of this Agreement, this Agreement and the transactions under this Agreement shall terminate upon the joint written consent of the Company, the Controlling Shareholder, the Founder, and the Investors. If the delivery is not completed within forty-five (45) business days from the date of signing this Agreement due to the reason of the Company, the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder, the Employee Shareholding Platform and the Founder (rather than due to the reason of the Government Authority’s inaction, force majeureInvestors or other similar reasons), or the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Founder have a material breach of contract under this Agreement or the Shareholder Agreement, the Investors shall have the right to unilaterally terminate this Agreement after separately giving written notice to other parties, thereby this Agreement shall terminate immediately upon the Investors” written notice to the other parties, except for compensation liability borne by the Controlling Shareholder, the Founder and/or the Company as stipulated in Article 7 of this Agreement. If the delivery is not completed within forty-five (45) business days from the date of signing this Agreement due to the reason of the Investors (rather than due to the reason of the Government Authority’s inaction, force majeure, the Company, and/or the Controlling Shareholder, the Founder, the Employee Shareholding Platform or other similar reasons), the Company (and the Company has the right to act on behalf of the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder) shall have the right to unilaterally terminate this Agreement after giving written notice to the Investors, thereby this Agreement shall terminate immediately upon the Company’s written notice to the Investors, except for compensation liability borne by the Investors as stipulated in Article 7 of this Agreement.

 

9.2                    Effect of termination. If this Agreement is terminated in accordance with Article 9.1 above, this Agreement shall immediately be invalid and cease to be effective. In order to avoid ambiguity, if the Investors terminate this Agreement unilaterally in accordance with Article 9.1 above, the Investors shall not be liable for the unilateral termination of this Agreement. At the same time, if the Company terminates this Agreement unilaterally in accordance with Article 9.1 above, the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder shall not be liable for the unilateral termination of this Agreement.

 

9.3                    Continue to be effective. Regardless of the contrary regulations of any provision, the provisions of Article 8 (Confidentiality and Prohibition of Disclosure), Article 9 (Termination), Article 10 (Cancellation of the Agreement), Article 11.3 (Applicable Laws), and Article 11.4 (Dispute Resolution) shall continue to be valid after the expiration of the term or termination of this Agreement.

 

24


 

10.                    Cancellation of the Agreement

 

10.1             Cancellation of the Agreement. This Agreement may be cancelled when:

 

10.1.1   The parties to this Agreement agree to terminate this Agreement in writing;

 

10.1.2   Any party to this Agreement may cancel this Agreement by giving notice in writing to the other parties of this Agreement at least ten (10) business days in advance in the following circumstances:

 

(1)                                 The statements or warranties in this Agreement of any party to this Agreement are materially untrue, inaccurate or significantly omitted when the statements or warranties are made or on the Delivery Date;

 

(2)                                 Any party to this Agreement fails to fulfill the commitments, undertakings and obligations under this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, and fails to take effective remedial measures within thirty (30) days after the written demand of the other parties in this Agreement.

 

10.2             Effect of the cancellation of the Agreement.

 

10.2.1   After this Agreement is cancelled in accordance with the provisions of Article 10.1 above, this Agreement shall immediately become invalid.

 

10.2.2   After the cancellation of this Agreement, the parties to this Agreement shall return the considerations received under this Agreement from other parties in accordance with the principles of fairness, reasonableness, and good faith, and make the best attempt to restore the status of this Agreement before signing.

 

10.2.3   After the cancellation of this Agreement, all rights and obligations of the parties under this Agreement shall be terminated, except for the compensation liability borne by the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder, the Company and/or Investors as stipulated in Article 7 of this Agreement.

 

10.3             Continue to be effective. Regardless of the contrary regulations of any provision, the provisions of Article 8 (Confidentiality and Prohibition of Disclosure), Article 9 (Termination), Article 10 (Cancellation of the Agreement), Article 11.3 (Applicable Laws), and Article 11.4 (Dispute Resolution) shall continue to be valid after the cancellation of this Agreement.

 

11.                    Other provisions

 

11.1             Binding; transfer. Neither party shall transfer any of its rights and/or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of other parties; however, the Investors shall have the right to transfer its rights, interests and obligations under this Agreement to its related parties without the consent of other parties. This Agreement shall be binding on and beneficial to the successors, inheritors, executors, administrators, and assignees of the parties to this Agreement.

 

25


 

11.2             Fees. The parties shall respectively bear any taxes incurred by entering into and performance of this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of the laws of China. The parties agree that if the delivery under this Agreement has been completed, or fails to complete due to the reason of the Company or the Controlling Shareholder, the Company shall compensate the Investors no more than RMB Four Hundred Thousand (RMB400,000), to offset costs and expenses borne by the Investors incurred in this transaction. If the delivery under this Agreement fails to complete for reasons not attributable to any party, all costs incurred by the parties in preparing, entering into and performing this Agreement shall be respectively borne by the parties.

 

11.3             Applicable laws. This Agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the law of China in all respects.

 

11.4             Dispute resolution.

 

11.4.1   Any dispute, contradiction or claims (each referred to as a “dispute”) arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the interpretation, breach of contract, termination or validity of this Agreement shall first be resolved through negotiation by the parties to the dispute. The negotiation shall commence immediately upon the written notice requesting negotiation from any party to other parties to the dispute.

 

11.4.2   If the dispute is not resolved within fifteen (15) days from the date of the notice, any party to the dispute may submit the dispute to the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (hereinafter referred to as the “Arbitration Commission”) for arbitration application.

 

11.4.3   Arbitration shall be conducted by the Arbitration Commission in Beijing. The arbitral tribunal shall consist of three (3) arbitrators. The applicant shall select one (1) arbitrator, and the opposing party shall jointly select one (1) arbitrator. The two (2) arbitrators shall jointly select the third arbitrator as the chief arbitrator of the arbitral tribunal; if any member of the arbitral tribunal fails to be appointed within fifteen (15) days after the date of receipt of the arbitration notice issued by the Arbitration Commission, the relevant arbitrator shall be appointed by the director of the Arbitration Commission.

 

11.4.4   The arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in Chinese. The arbitral tribunal shall conduct arbitration in accordance with the arbitration rules enforced by the Arbitration Commission at the time of arbitration. However, in case of any contradiction between the rules and the provisions of Article 11.4 of this Agreement, including the provisions on the appointment of arbitrators, the provisions of Article 11.4 of this Agreement shall prevail.

 

26


 

11.4.5   The arbitrator shall resolve any disputes submitted by the parties in strict accordance with the substantive law of China; however, if the laws promulgated by China have no provision on a certain issue, the international legal principles and practices shall apply.

 

11.4.6   Any party to the arbitration shall cooperate with the other parties to the arbitration. Unless being subject to the confidentiality obligations of the party, the party shall fully disclose and allow the other party to fully access all information and documents required by the other party in connection with the arbitration proceedings.

 

11.4.7   Unless otherwise ruled by the arbitral tribunal, the arbitration fee shall be borne by the losing party.

 

11.4.8   In the event of any dispute and arbitration of the dispute, in addition to the dispute, the parties shall continue to perform their respective obligations under this Agreement and shall have the right to exercise their rights under this Agreement.

 

11.4.9   The arbitral tribunal’s decision shall be final and binding on the parties, and the winning party may apply to the competent court for the enforcement of the award.

 

11.4.10 Before the formation of the arbitral tribunal, each party has the right to apply for temporary injunctive relief from any competent court.

 

11.4.11 In the course of hearing the dispute by the arbitral tribunal, this Agreement shall continue to be performed except for the part that is under dispute and subject to arbitration.

 

11.5             Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the other Capital Increase Transaction Documents and its related appendices and schedules to be signed under this Agreement constitute the entire understanding and agreements between the parties on the subject matter under this Agreement and supersede all previous written or verbal understanding or agreements on the subject matter related to this Agreement.

 

11.6             Notice. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all notices, requests, waivers or other communications made under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed formally served in the following circumstances: (a) when it is delivered by a person and the notified person signs for receipt, or the notice is retained at the address listed in Appendix VI to this Agreement, or the notified party refuses to accept it; (b) when the fax is confirmed to be received without any error if it is delivered by fax to the number listed in Appendix VI to this Agreement. (c) within five (5) business days after being sent by airmail or registered mail (request for receipt, postage prepaid, address as listed in Appendix VI to this Agreement); or (d) within three (3) business days after mailing through overnight express service (postage prepaid, sent to the address listed in Appendix VI to this Agreement and guaranteed delivery on the next business day), provided that the sending party obtains a delivery confirmation from the delivery agency;

 

27


 

To deliver the communications under this Agreement in any of the above ways, the sending party shall immediately send each communication of the notice under this Agreement to the sending object by e-mail (email address as listed in Appendix VI to this Agreement) or by telephone at the same time. However, failure to do so does not affect the effectiveness of such communications. A party may, for the purposes of Article 11.6, change or supplement the address set out in Appendix VI, or designate additional addresses, by giving written notice to other parties in the manner described above.

 

11.7             Modification and waiver. Any terms of this Agreement shall only be modified with the written consent of the parties. Any modification or waiver that is in force under Article 11.7 of this Agreement shall be binding on all parties to this Agreement and its successors, inheritors, executors, administrators, and assignees of the parties to this Agreement.

 

11.8             Delay or omission. Any party’s delay or omission to exercise the rights, powers or remedies granted to them due to other party’s breach or non-performance of this Agreement shall not prejudice such party’s rights, powers or remedies, nor shall it be deemed a waiver or default of such breach or non-performance or a similar breach or non-performance hereafter, nor shall it be deemed a waiver of any other breach or non-performance occurred before or after this. A waiver, permission, consent, or approval of breach or non-performance of any of the nature or characteristics of this Agreement, or a waiver of any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement, shall be made in writing and shall only be valid within the scope of such written provision. Any relief provided to any party under this Agreement according to law or otherwise shall be cumulative, rather than just selecting one of them.

 

11.9             Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be construed to the practicable extent, to enable its execution and the completion of transactions specified in this Agreement on substantially the same terms as previously stated. If no viable interpretation would allow the provision to be retained, it should be excluded from the remaining provisions of this Agreement, and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force, unless the excluded terms are crucial to the rights and interests intended to be enjoyed by the parties. In such circumstances, the parties shall make their best efforts to reach valid and enforceable alternative clauses or agreements through negotiation in good faith to realize the parties’ intention at the time of entering into this Agreement as far as possible.

 

28


 

11.10      Joint and several obligations. The obligations between the Founder and the Company under this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents are jointly and severally liable. The Founder and the Company are jointly and severally liable for the obligations of the Controlling Shareholder under this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents.

 

11.11      Non-joint and several obligations. The obligations between the Investors under this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents are not jointly and severally liable.

 

11.12      Non-violation. Any agreements or documents that should be entered into under this Agreement shall not violate the spirit and principles of this Agreement.

 

11.13      Language. This Agreement is executed in Chinese.

 

11.14      Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of texts. All texts are originals, but all texts together constitute a single document.

 

11.15      Priority of authority. The authority of this Agreement is superior to that of the Articles of Association. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of the Articles of Association and this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail.

 

11.16      Taking into force. This Agreement shall become effective on the date of official signature and seal (if applicable) of all the parties.

 

(There is no text below, next page is for signature)

 

29


 

(This is a signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have procured their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Liu Chengcheng

Signature: [signed]

 

Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd.

(Seal) [Chopped: Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. 1101081077300]

Legal representative: [signed]

 

Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Service Co., Ltd.

(Seal) [Chopped: Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Service Co., Ltd. 1101080814347]

Legal representative: [signed]

 

Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership)

(Seal) [Chopped: Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership)]

Authorized representative of the executive partner: [signed]

 

Signature page

 

30


 

(This is a signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have procured their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership)

(Seal) [Chopped: Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership)]

Authorized representative of the executive partner:

 

Signature page

 


 

(This is a signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have procured their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Jiaxing Xiaodu Content Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)

(Seal) [Chopped: Jiaxing Xiaodu Content Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership) 3304020025051]

Appointed representative of the executive partner:

 

Signature page

 


 

(This is a signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have procured their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Beijing Gobi Oasis Angel Investment Center (Limited Partnership)

(Seal) [Chopped: Beijing Gobi Oasis Angel Investment Center (Limited Partnership) 1101080319389]

Appointed representative of the executive partner: [signed]

 

Signature page

 


 

(This is signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have promoted their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Suzhou Industrial Park Gobi Yinghe Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)

(Seal) [Chopped: Suzhou Industrial Park Gobi Yinghe Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership) 3205940045568]

Appointed representative of the executive partner: [signed]

 

Signature page

 


 

List of Appendices

 

Appendix I

 

List of Subsidiaries

 

 

 

Appendix II

 

List of Assets to be Transferred

 

 

 

Appendix III

 

Representations and Warranties of the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder

 

 

 

Appendix IV

 

Disclosure List

 

 

 

Appendix V

 

List of Key Employees

 

 

 

Appendix VI

 

Address for Notice

 


 

Appendix I

 

List of Subsidiaries

 

The Company, the controlling shareholder and the founder confirm that the Company has no subsidiaries.

 


 

Appendix II

 

List of Assets to be Transferred

 

I. Trademarks

 

KrTV (No. 15589656, Class 41), KrTV (No. 15589653, Class 9), KrTV (No. 15589654, Class 35), KrTV (No. 15589655, Class 38), KrTV (No. 15589657, Class 42), NEXT (No. 15309505, Class 9), NEXT (No. 15309505, Class 41), NEXT (No. 15309505, 42), WISE (No. 15589660, Class 38), WISE (No. 15360032, Class 41), WISE (No. 15589635, Class 42), WISE (No. 15589658, Class 9), 氪加 (No. 15113594, Class 9), 氪加 (No. 15113594, Class 16), 氪加 (No. 15113594, Class 35), 氪加 (No. 15113594, Class 36), 氪加(No. 15113594, Class 38), 氪加 (No. 15113594, Class 41), 氪加 (No. 15113594, Class 42), 氪加 (No. 15113594, Class 45), ,TV (No. 16003578, Class 42), ,TV (No. 16003574, Class 9), ,TV (No. 16003575, Class 35), ,TV (No. 16003576, Class 38), ,TV (No. 16003577, Class 41), KRVIDEO (No. 16003572, Class 41), KRVIDEO (No. 16003569, Class 9), KRVIDEO (No. 16003570, Class 35), KRVIDEO (No. 16003571, Class 38), KRVIDEO (No. 16003573, Class 42), To B 行家说 (No. 20611356, Class 35), To B 行家说 (No. 20611355, Class 38), To B 行家说 (No. 20611354, Class 41), KRLASS (No. 18301373, Class 35), KRLASS (No. 18301372, Class 38), KRLASS (No. 18301371, Class 41), KRLASS (No. 18301370, Class 42), KRLASS (No. 18301369, Class 43), KRLASS (No. 18301368, Class 45), KRLASS (No. 18301374, Class 9), TV+ Graphics (No. 16216730, Class 9), TV+ Graphics (No. 16216731, Class 35), TV+ Graphics (No. 16216732, Class 38), TV+ Graphics (No. 16216734, Class 42), TV+ Graphics (No. 16216733, Class 41), TV+ Graphics (No. 22439415, Class 42).

 

Appendix II - 1


 

II. Software Copyright

 

No.

 

Name of software

 

Registration
number

 

First publication
date

1

 

36氪 iOS client software V1.5

 

2014SR129852

 

January 1, 2013

2

 

36氪 media client software V1.5

 

2016SR264837

 

January 1, 2013

3

 

36氪 information publication platform

 

2016SR296841

 

August 28, 2016

4

 

36氪advertising platform

 

2016SR296866

 

August 28, 2016

5

 

36氪 multimedia showcase platform

 

2016SR296946

 

August 28, 2016

6

 

36氪SME service platform

 

2016SR298547

 

August 26, 2016

7

 

Internal reference information software for retail owners

 

2017SR293448

 

March 14, 2017

 

III. “wow36kr” official WeChat account.

 

IV. “36kr” Weibo account.

 

Appendix II - 2


 

Appendix III

 

Representations and Warranties of the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder

 

1.                                      Approval by the Regulatory Authority and Licenses

 

(1)                                 The Group Company has obtained all the licenses, consents and other permits and approvals required for its incorporation, valid existence and current business operations. The procedures are legal and compliant, and are in full force and effect. Moreover, the Group Company has completed within the statutory time limit the procedures of renewing or replacing licenses, consents and other permits and approvals that are about to expire.

 

(2)                                 All reports, declaration forms and materials on the existence and operation of the Group Company have been submitted or provided to the relevant government authorities as required by law or as a condition of any license, consent, permit or approval, except where omission of submission or provision will not have material adverse effects on the Group Company.

 

(3)                                 There are neither circumstances under which any license, consent, permit or approval necessary to continue the Group Company may be altered, revoked or not renewed, nor circumstances which may confer a right to alter or revoke, except for the circumstances under which the alterations, revocations or non-renewal will not have material adverse effects on the Group Company.

 

2.                                      Capacity to Act

 

(1)                                 The Founder has sufficient civil rights and capacity to sign this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents, fully fulfill all obligations under this Agreement and others Capital Increase Transaction Documents and complete transactions under this Agreement.

 

(2)                                 The Controlling Shareholder is a joint stock limited company duly incorporated and validly existing under China laws. The Controlling Shareholder has all the necessary powers, authorization and capabilities to sign this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents, and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the various Capital Increase Transaction Documents proposed under this Agreement.

 

Appendix III - 1


 

(3)                                 The Company is a limited liability company duly incorporated and validly existing under the PRC laws. The Company has all the necessary powers, authorization and capabilities to sign this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents, and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the various Capital Increase Transaction Documents proposed under this Agreement.

 

(4)                                 This Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents shall constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the parties in accordance with their respective terms upon signing and delivery by them and shall be enforceable against the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company unless subject to the following restrictions: (a) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other generally applicable laws concerning or affecting the exercise of rights of creditors; and (b) the applicable results of legal remedies.

 

(5)                                 The signing of this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents and performance of obligations under this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents by the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company will not:

 

(i)                                     result in the violation of any legal documents binding on them or the non-performance of obligations under such legal documents;

 

(ii)                                  result in the violation of any order, judgment or decree of any court or government authority binding on them; and

 

(iii)                               be detrimental to the legitimate interests of any third party.

 

except where the above circumstances will not affect the performance of obligations under this Agreement.

 

3.                                      Ownership

 

(1)                                 The Group Company is a limited liability company duly incorporated, existing and registered under the laws of its place of registration, and has the right and capacity to exercise all its civil rights of a corporate legal person.

 

(2)                                 As of the date of this Agreement, the registered capital of the Group Company has been effectively contributed and paid in accordance with the provisions of the Articles of Association, and there is no overdue or false capital contribution by shareholders.

 

(3)                                 There is no trust, holding agency, option, pledge or other form of guarantee, equity donation or other encumbrance on the equity of the Group Company or any part thereof, and there are no agreements or undertakings to provide or create any of the foregoing, and no person claims to be entitled to any of the above rights.

 

Appendix III - 2


 

(4)                                 There are no outstanding agreements or undertakings requesting the distribution, issuance or transfer of any equity in the Group Company, or that grant any person the right to request the distribution, issuance or transfer of any equity in the Group Company.

 

(5)                                 Except as disclosed to the Investors, the Company has not established any other offices, branches, nor does it hold shares or have similar shareholder interests in other companies, affiliates and other social organizations; or directly or indirectly control, hold shares of or have interests in any other entities.

 

(6)                                 The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company have submitted to the Investors or their representatives and consultants on the date of this Agreement copies of the current business license and other licenses of the Group Company and documents relating to the business operation of the Group Company and the Articles of Association. The above documents are complete, accurate, true and effective in all aspects.

 

(7)                                 The Group Company has kept the books necessary for the company operation in accordance with applicable laws, which accurately record the matters in the books; the Group Company has not received any notice or allegation that any of the above records are incorrect or shall be rectified.

 

(8)                                 All documents that should be submitted by the Group Company to all relevant government authorities have been submitted properly, except where not submitting will not have material adverse effects on the Group Company.

 

4.                                      Accuracy and Adequacy of Data

 

(1)                                 All information, documents and materials provided by the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company to the Investors or their consultants are true, accurate and complete in all material respects, and there are no circumstances under which the failure to disclose any facts or matters to the Investors or any of their consultants may cause any such information to be inaccurate or misleading in any such material respects due to any omission or ambiguity or any other reasons.

 

Appendix III - 3


 

(2)                                 The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder, and the Company have provided the Investors or their consultants at their reasonable request all the necessary information within their grasp for the Investors to decide whether to subscribe for the Company’s newly registered capital or not. The information, documents and materials relating to this Agreement provided by the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Founder to the Investor do not contain misrepresentations of material facts, or omit any material facts which would cause representations in this Agreement or such disclosures to be misleading.

 

5.                                      Accounts

 

(1)                                 In respect of the accounts of the Group Company:

 

(i)                                     They are prepared in accordance with the applicable laws and accounting principles generally recognized in the place of registration and adopted by companies operating businesses similar to those of the Group Company;

 

(ii)                                  They are complete and accurate in all respects, and the provisions for bad debts and doubtful debts, depreciation, depreciated and slow-moving inventory during any period as of or before the date of completion of its accounts are in accordance with the applicable accounting standards;

 

(iii)                               They are the true and fair reflection of the financial position of the Group Company, including but not limited to profits or losses; and

 

(iv)                              They are not subject to the effect of any special, extraordinary or non-recurring items, except for items explicitly disclosed in the accounts of the Group Company.

 

(2)                                 Except as disclosed to the Investors, the Group Company do not have any significant liabilities (whether actual or contingent, with undetermined amount or in dispute) that are not fully disclosed or accrued in the accounts or unfulfilled capital commitments.

 

6.                                      Accounting Records

 

(1)                                 The Group Company has kept complete accounts, books, original accounts, financial and other records; these accounting records contain the latest data and complete and accurate details of the business activities of the Group Company, as well as all matters that shall be recorded as required by the Company Law of the People’s Republic of China, the Enterprise Accounting System of the People’s Republic of China and other applicable laws and regulations.

 

Appendix III - 4


 

(2)                                 The Group Company owns or controls the accounts, books, original accounts, financial and other records as its property, and has not received any notice or allegation that any of the above records are incorrect or shall be rectified.

 

(3)                                 All transactions relating to the business of the Group Company have been correctly and timely recorded in the accounting records of the Group Company, and no substantial errors or deviations are included or reflected in these accounts, books, original accounts, financial and other records, and these records are sufficient to respectively truly and accurately reflect the financial position of the Group Company and to explain its transactions.

 

7.                                      Events after the Incorporation of the Group Company

 

(1)                                 After the official incorporation date of the Group Company and before the delivery date, in addition to the disclosed information:

 

(i)                                     There is no material adverse change in the financial or operating conditions or prospects of the Group Company, and as far as the Founder and the Controlling Shareholder are concerned, there is no circumstances causing such changes.

 

(ii)                                  The Group Company has been conducting normal and customary operations and operating its business in the same way as usual (including in terms of nature and scope);

 

(iii)                               The Group Company has not acted as a financing agent of debts or other receivables, or sold or agreed to sell debts or other receivables;

 

(iv)                              The Group Company has not generated debts, warranties, guarantees, advances or receivables with a total value over RMB one million (RMB1,000,000), except for the receivables generated from the course of normal business operations;

 

(v)                                 The Group Company has not generated receivables with a single-item value of over RMB one million (RMB1,000,000) and a cumulative value of over RMB one million (RMB1,000,000) outside the course of normal business operations;

 

Appendix III - 5


 

(vi)                              No mortgage, pledge or other encumbrance has been created on any assets of the Group Company;

 

(vii)                           The Group Company has not issued any securities;

 

(viii)                        The Group Company has not experienced an increase in staff costs, except for those reasonably incurred according to the rules and regulations in force or relevant employment contracts;

 

(ix)                              The Group Company has not provided any loans to any director, supervisor, manager or other employee of the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Group Company and its related parties, except for the advance travel expenses in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Group Company in the course of normal business operations;

 

(x)                                 The Group Company has not offered price reductions or discounts or rebates when providing services or provided services at prices below the cost that would have a material adverse effect on its profitability;

 

(xi)                              The Group Company has not altered the fiscal year.

 

(2)                                 The Group Company has not taken any actions that may lead to a violation of the undertakings in Article 7 of this Appendix.

 

8.                                      Contracts and Undertakings

 

(1)                                 As of the delivery date, except for the disclosed information, the Group Company is not a party to any of the following, nor is it under any of the (current or future) legal liability:

 

(i)                                     Any guarantee, indemnity, guarantee relationship or letter of credit other than those in normal business activities;

 

Appendix III - 6


 

(ii)                                  Any contract or arrangement directly or indirectly restricting the freedom of the Group Company to operate its business anywhere in the world in manners deemed appropriate, or directly or indirectly restricting the ability of the Group Company to transfer all or any part of its business;

 

(iii)                               Any joint venture contract or arrangement, partnership rights or obligations for the purpose of sharing profits (however, for the avoidance of doubt, does not include arrangements that share fees or operating income on a case-by-case basis) or any other contract or arrangements relating to the involvement of the Group Company in any business together with any other person;

 

(iv)                              Any contract or arrangement involving matters not falling within the scope of the Group Company’s ordinary business, or business transactions or arrangements constituting a deviation from the usual model of the Group Company;

 

(v)                                 Any contract or arrangement in which any director, supervisor, manager or related party or interested party of the Group Company directly or indirectly have interests, except for employment agreements;

 

(vi)                              Any contract or arrangement that is not signed in the ordinary course of business and involves expenditure or income of the Group Company of over RMB1,000,000 within any fiscal year;

 

(vii)                           Any contract or arrangement with related parties of the Group Company that is not signed in the ordinary course of business and involves payment or income of over RMB1,000,000;

 

(viii)                        Any contract or arrangement that the Group Company is unable to terminate by giving a notice three (3) months or less in advance without being subject to any special compensation fees; or

 

(ix)                              Any contract or arrangement that may be terminated once delivery occurs or the ownership or control of the Group Company changes, or will be subject to material adverse effect because of such changes.

 

Appendix III - 7


 

(2)                                 As far as the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are concerned, there is no significant contract to which the Group Company is a party that has been breached, become invalid or has reasons to be terminated, revoked, abolished or refused to be performed, and no such allegations are known, except in the case where the third party of the relevant contracts failed to make payment.

 

(3)                                 The Group Company does not have any tenders or bids or sales or service proposals that are still valid, significant to its business and, if accepted, will likely result in loss.

 

9.                                      Authorization

 

In addition to authorizing employees to enter into regular trade contracts or engage in business operations and management activities customary for the Group Company, the Group Company has not granted or provided any person with any authorization or other power basis that is yet to be completed or remains in force to enter into any contract or undertaking on behalf of the Group Company.

 

10.                               Operations

 

Major customers or major suppliers of the Group Company have not ceased or indicated their intention to cease transactions with the Group Company, and as far as the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are concerned, no major customer or major supplier of the Group Company may substantially reduce the transactions with the Group Company; as far as the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are concerned, the signing or delivery of this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents will not adversely affect the attitudes or actions of major customers and suppliers towards the Group Company.

 

The Group Company has complied with all applicable laws, regulations, government regulations and related permits and licenses in the course of business.

 

11.                               Arrangements among the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder

 

The Company does not agree to provide guarantees or any collateral or indemnity for any debt or obligation of the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder, directors, supervisors or managers of the Company or any of their related parties or interested parties. The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and their related parties or interested parties will cooperate with the Company in completing the qualified initial public offering, trying to solve the problem of horizontal competition with the Company to ensure that the Company’s qualified initial public offering is not affected.

 

Appendix III - 8


 

12.                               Bank Account and Borrowing

 

Except as disclosed to the Investors,

 

(1)                                 The Group Company has no outstanding loaned capital, nor has it borrowed or agreed to borrow any money that has not been repaid or with unfulfilled borrowing obligations. It is not a party to any of the following and does not have any obligation related to any of the following:

 

(i)                                     Any loan agreement, bond, acceptance credit, money order, promissory note, finance lease, debt or inventory financing, discount or accounts receivable factoring arrangement or sale and leaseback arrangement; or

 

(ii)                                  Any other arrangement for the purpose of raising funds or providing funds or credit.

 

(2)                                 The Group Company does not hold any shares or securities not fully paid or with any incidental obligations, nor does it have any obligation related to the above shares or securities.

 

(3)                                 The Group Company has not lent or agreed to lend any money without receiving repayment and does not own interests in any existing or future debts.

 

(4)                                 The Group Company has not signed any mortgage, guarantee or indemnity contract that is invalid and unenforceable in accordance with its terms.

 

(5)                                 No event has occurred that would constitute any non-performance of or default on any terms of any loaned capital, borrowings, bonds or financing of the Group Company, or would render any third party the right to request repayment before the normal due date, and no other person has alleged that such an event has occurred.

 

(6)                                 The Group Company has not borrowed any money from any source of funds after the official incorporation date, except where borrowings are made in the ordinary course of business and do not constitute a material adverse effect on the production and operation of the Group Company.

 

Appendix III - 9


 

(7)                                 The Group Company does not have any debts or accounts payable to the following persons/entities:

 

(i)                                     The Founder

 

(ii)                                  The Controlling Shareholder

 

(iii)                               Directors, supervisors or managers of the Company; or

 

(iv)                              Related parties or interested parties of the above persons/entities.

 

13.                               Insolvency

 

(1)                                 No order requiring the liquidation of the Group Company has been made; no request for the liquidation of the Group Company has been submitted; no meeting for the purpose of reviewing the resolution of the liquidation of the Group Company has been convened; no such resolution has been passed.

 

(2)                                 No ruling on the bankruptcy of the Group Company has been made; no petition or application for such orders has been submitted; no bankruptcy administrator of the Group Company has been appointed; no notice for the purpose of appointing the bankruptcy administrator of the Group Company has been issued or submitted; no step or procedure for the purpose of appointing the bankruptcy administrator of the Group Company has been taken or carried out.

 

(3)                                 No receiver (including administrative receiver) related to all or any of the assets of the Group Company has been appointed.

 

(4)                                 No proposal on the formation of a debt restructuring agreement or similar arrangement between the Group Company and creditors has been made.

 

(5)                                 There is currently no valid moratorium for the Group Company, and no step or procedure for the purpose of obtaining such moratorium has been taken or carried out.

 

(6)                                 There is no event involving the Group Company that is similar to any of the above.

 

(7)                                 The Group Company is not insolvent or unable to repay its debts, nor does it cease repaying debts due.

 

(8)                                 No effective judgment, mediation paper or ruling on the Group Company is not fulfilled.

 

Appendix III - 10


 

14.                               Litigation and Claims

 

(1)                                 As far as the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are concerned, the Group Company, the Controlling Shareholder or the Founder are not involved in any pending lawsuits, arbitrations or other dispute resolution procedures or administrative or criminal proceedings affecting the major assets and business of the Group Company or this capital increase as plaintiffs, defendants or in other capacities. As far as the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are concerned, there are no lawsuits, arbitrations or other dispute resolution procedures or administrative or criminal proceedings that is pending and filed by or against the Group Company, the Controlling Shareholder or the Founder, threatened by the Group Company or by others against the Group Company, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Founder, or expected to be filed by or against the Group Company, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Founder. As far as the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are concerned, there are no facts or circumstances that could lead to any lawsuits, arbitrations, mediations or administrative or criminal proceedings.

 

(2)                                 As far as the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are concerned, the Group Company, the Controlling Shareholder or the Founder has not received any written notice of any investigation or inquiry on matters of the Group Company, the Controlling Shareholder or the Founder from any government authority or other agencies currently or in the past, in particular but not limited to matters in environmental protection, public health, fire protection, safety, labor, taxation. The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company are not aware of any circumstances that would lead to such formal investigations or inquiries.

 

(3)                                 The Group Company has not committed any criminal, illegal, wrongful or unauthorized acts or breached any obligations or responsibilities in accordance with or arising out of regulations, contracts or other rules, nor does it have legal liabilities involving the above acts or breaches. And there is no unresolved claim against the Group Company, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Founder, except for those without material adverse effects on the production and operation of the Group Company.

 

(4)                                 The Group Company has not produced, sold or provided any products or services that fail to comply with all applicable laws, regulations or standards in material respects, or are defective or hazardous, or do not comply with any relevant explicit representations or warranties.

 

Appendix III - 11


 

15.                               Ownership and Status of Assets

 

(1)                                 The assets required by the Group Company in the course of business are included in its accounts.

 

(2)                                 The Group Company is the legal and beneficial owner of each asset (except for current assets that are sold, disposed of or used in the normal course of business) included in its accounts or acquired after the official incorporation date; there is no encumbrance on these assets, and each of the assets that may be possessed is owned by the Group Company.

 

(3)                                 The Group Company has the ownership of all intangible assets and fixed assets that are reflected as assets in its balance sheet, and there is no encumbrance, or attachment by courts. Such intangible assets and fixed assets are properly registered under the Group Company at the relevant registries of the government authority in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations if registration is feasible and necessary.

 

(4)                                 The Group Company has the whole, transferable title not subject to any encumbrance to the movable and immovable property and assets used in its business. The Group Company has paid all taxes and other related fees in full in accordance with applicable laws, and there is no default of payment or circumstances where supplementary payment of taxes or other fees is necessary.

 

(5)                                 All non-owned land, buildings and fixed assets currently used by the Group Company are leased under valid leases. All such leases are legal and valid. The Group Company has not violated the leases or not been at fault under the leases.

 

(6)                                 There are no options, mortgages, pledges, liens (except for liens that are generated according to the law in the ordinary course of business) or other forms of guarantees or other encumbrances relating to, created on, or affecting all or part of the business or assets of the Group Company. And there are no agreements or undertakings providing or creating any of the above, and no person claims to be entitled to any of the above interests.

 

(7)                                 All vehicles and office equipment used by the Group Company in relation to its business are normally repaired, maintained, and operated, and are available for use in the business of the Group Company.

 

Appendix III - 12


 

16.                               Intellectual Property

 

(1)                                 The Group Company does not use any name other than the name displayed on its business license and “36Kr” or “36”.

 

(2)                                 The Group Company owns or has the right to use all intellectual property assets and business information that are currently used for the ordinary course of business or that are required to meet current plans and proposals.

 

(3)                                 All fees and steps for the renewal, application and other formal registration of intellectual property assets owned by the Group Company necessary for their maintenance, protection and enforcement have been paid or taken, or will be paid and taken as planned.

 

(4)                                 The intellectual property assets owned by the Group Company are valid, existing and enforceable and are not subject to any mortgage, encumbrance or other rights.

 

(5)                                 All licenses involving intellectual property assets and business information and contracts relating thereto entered into by the Group Company will not be terminated by this capital increase and/or a change in ownership or control of the Group Company.

 

(6)                                 As far as the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are concerned, any third party has not violated any license or contract relating to any intellectual property assets currently used for business purposes.

 

(7)                                 The Group Company is not obligated to license, sublicense or carry out any transfer of any intellectual property assets or business information it owns or uses.

 

(8)                                 As far as the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are concerned, no third party is infringing or has infringed or used without permission any intellectual property assets or business information owned or used by the Group Company.

 

(9)                                 The activities, business information and intellectual property assets of the Group Company do not constitute and has not constituted infringement or unauthorized use of intellectual property assets or business information of any third party.

 

(10)                          The intellectual property assets and business information owned by the Group Company are not the subject of any litigation, objection or administrative proceeding.

 

Appendix III - 13


 

(11)                          The confidential information owned by the Group Company has not been disclosed or otherwise permitted to be known to any third party without such third party performing confidentiality obligations.

 

(12)                          The Group Company is not a party to any confidentiality or other contract restricting the free use or disclosure of its business information, nor does it assume any obligation restricting the free use or disclosure of its business information that may have a material adverse effect on the business of the Group Company.

 

(13)                          The operation of the Group Company does not result in the payment of intellectual property royalties or similar payment obligations.

 

17.                               Information Technology

 

The information technology and domain names owned or used by the Group Company is not the subject of any litigations, dispute or claim; as far as the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are concerned, there are no expected or likely litigations, disputes or claims relating to any information technology or domain names owned or used by the Group Company.

 

18.                               Employees

 

(1)                                 Since the official incorporation date of the Group Company, no significant changes have been made to the remuneration or other terms of employment of any manager of the Group Company.

 

(2)                                 The employees of the Group Company have not made any claims on any intellectual property assets relating to the business of the Group Company, and as far as the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are concerned, no employee will make such a claim.

 

(3)                                 There are no unresolved or likely disputes among any member and any union or other organizations formed for similar purpose of the Group Company, and the Group Company is not a party to any collective bargaining agreement or other arrangements (whether or not binding).

 

(4)                                 The Group Company does not have any actions or circumstances in major violations of laws or regulations relating to labor, employment, social insurance and/or housing provident fund.

 

Appendix III - 14


 

(5)                                 As far as the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are concerned, no employee or other personnel or former employee or other former personnel threaten to file against the Group Company, and no other person threaten to file against the Group Company for any employee or other personnel or former employee or other former personnel, claims involving any accident, injury, unpaid salary, overtime payment, severance payment, social security payment, leave or any other matters caused or incurred by the employment or hiring of such employee or other personnel or former employee or other former personnel by the Group Company, and there is no such claims pending.

 

19.                               Environmental Matters

 

(1)                                 The Group Company has legally obtained and holds all or any of the permits, consents, licenses, approvals, certificates and other authorizations necessary for its production and operations required under any applicable laws relating to environmental protection (“Environmental Protection Law”), and all or any of the terms and conditions under these authorizations required by the Environmental Protection Law, except where omission of such will not result in material adverse effects on the legal and normal operation of the Group Company;

 

(2)                                 The Group Company complies with and has always complied with the Environmental Protection Law in major respects;

 

(3)                                 As far as the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are concerned, the Group Company has not received any form of information from any relevant authorities that it may or may be alleged to be in violation of the Environmental Protection Law;

 

(4)                                 As far as the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are concerned, there are no legal proceedings or other litigations, claims or investigations against the Group Company with material adverse effects on the production and operations of the Group Company or relating thereto or otherwise in connection with the Environmental Protection Law, nor are there any pending or potential legal proceedings or other litigations, claims or investigations.

 

(5)                                 As far as the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are concerned, there are no facts or circumstances that could lead to actual or potential environmental liability for the Group Company;

 

(6)                                 The Group Company has not received any notice or notification of complaints or claims on any environmental matter from any person;

 

Appendix III - 15


 

(7)                                 The Group Company has not received any injunctions or similar remedies or orders from competent courts on any environmental matter or made any commitments to the courts.

 

20.                               Taxes

 

(1)                                 The Group Company has submitted all tax returns required by the relevant tax authorities in accordance with the law, and all such tax returns are complete and correct in all material respects. The Group Company has paid all the payable taxes (whether or not displayed on the tax returns) in accordance with the requirements of the relevant tax authorities as required by law, or has made appropriate provisions in its financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the relevant tax authorities as required by law. Any assets or property of the Group Company are not subject to tax guarantees enjoined to be provided by the relevant tax authorities, except for those relating to taxes outstanding and payable; the Group Company is in compliance with the requirements of the relevant tax authorities applicable to it or its business (including but not limited to, if any, the conditions for preferential tax treatment); and as far as the Founder, the controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are concerned, no government or regulatory authority will impose or have reasons to impose any additional taxes on the Group Company during any period that a tax return has been filed or required to be filed. The Group Company has no:

 

(i)                                     dispute or claim on any tax liability that has been claimed or filed by any government or regulatory authority, or;

 

(ii)                                  warning about any reasonably expected tax liability dispute or claim as far as the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder, and/or the Company are concerned.

 

(2)                                 Provisions made in the accounts of the Group Company are sufficient for the deferred tax and are fully compliant with the accounting practices generally recognized in the place of registration and adopted by companies or organizations operating similar businesses.

 

(3)                                 If all the facts and circumstances known by the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are known facts and circumstances at the time of accounts preparation, the provisions for the deferred tax in the corresponding accounts shall not be more than the provisions already made.

 

Appendix III - 16


 

21.                               Tax Returns, Disputes, Records and Requests

 

(1)                                 The Group Company has submitted and provided on its own or arranged others to submit and provide all applicable tax returns and all data required by any tax authority.

 

(2)                                 On the date of this Agreement, the Group Company has neither tax liability that is unresolved or expected to occur, in which the tax authority may recover any taxes (including fines or interest) from the Group Company, nor dispute or disagreement with any tax authority concerning any tax benefits to the Group Company, and there are no circumstances that will very likely lead to such disputes or disagreements.

 

22.                               Insurance

 

As far as the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are concerned, all major assets of the Group Company that may and need to be insured according to industry practices (specifically real estate and vehicles, if any) have been insured in accordance with applicable laws and industry practices against risks that are usually insured against.

 

23.                               Incentive Mechanism

 

There are neither other stock option or other similar performance-based incentive arrangements (including stock appreciation rights scheme) for employees (or former employees), directors (or former directors), supervisors (or former supervisors) or consultants (or former consultants) or contractors (or former contractors) of the Group Company, nor other similar arrangements that are affecting any of the above persons.

 

24.                               No State-owned Assets

 

The Group Company does not have any state-owned assets, and does not need to undergo any form of assessment of state-owned assets or obtain approval for disposal of state-owned assets in order to facilitate the completion of the transaction in accordance with laws and regulations of China.

 

25.                               No Undisclosed Business

 

As of the delivery date, the business of the Group Company has not exceeded the business scope approved in its business license. The Group Company has not engaged in any business that is not disclosed to the Investors.

 

Appendix III - 17


 

26.                               Compliant Business Practices

 

(1)                                 The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company acknowledge that the related parties of the Group Company and any other person acting on behalf of the above parties do not, whether or not related to transactions under this Agreement or related to other matters, (i) deliberately violate any applicable laws and orders; (ii) make any improper payments to government officials for business benefits or advantages.

 

(2)                                 The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company acknowledge that the Group Company and/or the related parties of the Group Company and any other person acting on behalf of the above parties does not take any actions that may violate the applicable anti-corruption laws which include but are not limited to: relevant anti-corruption and anti-commercial bribery laws and regulations of China, the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 as amended, and the applicable anti-corruption laws of other countries (hereinafter referred to as “Anti-corruption Laws”). Any of the related parties of the Group Company and any other person acting on behalf of the above parties have never offered, paid, promised to pay or authorized to pay any money or anything of value to any government official taking office in any government authority or any entity (if the related party of the Group Company knew that all or part of such money or things of value would very likely be offered, given or promised to be given to any government official (either directly or indirectly)). For the purposes of this article, government authority also includes any entity or enterprise owned or controlled by government authorities or international public organizations.

 

(3)                                 The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company acknowledge that the Group Company and/or the related parties of the Group Company and any other person acting on behalf of the above parties, for the following purposes: (i) influence any act or decision within the authority of the government official; (ii) induce the government official to perform any act or omission in respect of his/her statutory duties; (iii) obtain any improper advantage; (iv) obtain any government research grant or national special project; (v) assist the Group Company in obtaining or retaining business or introduce business to the Group Company; or (v) induce the government official to influence or interfere with acts or decisions of any government authorities, have never accepted, offered, paid, promised to pay, authorized to pay, or taken actions to procure the acceptance, offer, or payment of any money or anything of value to any government officials taking office in any government authority or any entity (if the related party of the Group Company knew that all or part of such money or things of value would very likely be offered, given or promised to be given any government official (either directly or indirectly)).

 

Appendix III - 18


 

(4)                                 The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company acknowledge that the Group Company and/or the related parties of the Group Company and any other person acting on behalf of the above parties has not violated the principle of fair competition and employed means such as giving, receiving property or other benefits to obtain transaction opportunities or other economic benefits in business activities.

 

(5)                                 The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder, and the Company acknowledge that key employees of the Group Company have not held any administrative position in any government authority, university or other public institution, and have not taken advantage of their positions outside the Group Company to seek any improper benefits for the Group Company, including but not limited to obtaining transaction opportunities, government approvals, or government research grants for the Group Company.

 

(6)                                 No government official, government authority or entity currently has any direct or indirect interest in the Group Company, or any legal or beneficial interest in the Group Company and the proceeds from capital increase subscriptions paid to the Group Company by the Investors under this Agreement.

 

(7)                                 The Group Company maintains and will maintain accurate and complete books and records in accordance with the applicable anti-corruption laws and generally recognized accounting principles.

 

Appendix III - 19


 

Appendix IV

 

Disclosure List

 

1. As of the date of issuance of this disclosure list, an application to change the operating entity of the Telecom and Information Services Business License is ongoing, and the operating entity will be changed from the Controlling Shareholder to the Company. In accordance with the requirements of the regulatory laws, the Company will make every reasonable and essential effort to obtain other qualification certificates necessary for the main business.

 

2. As of the date of issuance of this disclosure list, the owner of the “wow36kr” official WeChat account, “36kr” Weibo account, software copyright of the Company’s corresponding business (36 iOS client software V1.5; 36 media client software V1.5) of the Company is the Controlling Shareholder.

 

3. On May 8, 2017 and June 5, 2017, the Controlling Shareholder signed the Loan Agreement with the Company and provided the Company with a loan of RMB6,521,260.

 

4. The relevant wages, social insurance and housing provident fund of individual employees of the Company who need to apply for work permits and sign labor contracts with the Controlling Shareholder are all borne by the Controlling Shareholder. After the Company has completed the application to become qualified for handling work permits, such employees will have theirs replaced.

 


 

Appendix V

 

List of Key Employees

 

Name

 

Position

 

Identification number

Feng Dagang

 

President

 

132801197810243614

Zhang Zhuo

 

Assistant President

 

110108198311236028

Li Yang

 

Chief Editor

 

210402197611192941

Ye Hongguang

 

Vice President of Business Center

 

130206197910210016

Li Zheng

 

General Manager of Brand Advertising

 

510781198201130075

 


 

Appendix VI

 

Address for Notice

 

For the purposes of the article on notice set forth in this Agreement, the original addresses of the parties are as follows:

 

To the Founder:

 

Liu Chengcheng

Address: 6th Floor, Haizhi Chuangtou, 34 Haidian Street, Haidian District, Beijing, China

Recipient: Wang Jingyu

Phone: 010-59974030

Zip code: 100089

E-mail: wangjingyu@36kr.com

 

To the Controlling Shareholder:

 

Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Service Co., Ltd.

Address: 6th Floor, Haizhi Chuangtou, 34 Haidian Street, Haidian District, Beijing, China

Recipient: Wang Jingyu

Phone: 010-59974030

Zip code: 100089

E-mail: wangjingyu@36kr.com

 

To the Company

 

Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd.

Address: 6th Floor, Haizhi Chuangtou, 34 Haidian Street, Haidian District, Beijing, China

Recipient: Wang Jingyu

Phone: 010-59974030

Zip code: 100089

E-mail: wangjingyu@36kr.com

 


 

To the Investors

 

Suzhou Industrial Park Gobi Yinghe Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)

 

Address: Room 1508, Gopher Center, 757 Mengzi Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China

Recipient: Xu Chen

Phone: 021-51601618

Fax: 021-56295805

Zip code: 200023

E-mail: ken@gobi.cn

 

Jiaxing Xiaodu Content Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)

 

Address: [    ]

Recipient: [    ]

Phone: [    ]

Fax: [    ]

Zip code: [    ]

E-mail: [    ]

 

Beijing Gobi Oasis Angel Investment Center (Limited Partnership)

 

Address: Room 906, Block H, Phoenix Land Plaza, A5 Shuguang Xili, Beijing, China

Recipient: Jiang Tao

Phone: 86.10.8455.4115

Fax: 86.10.8455.4119

Zip code: 100028

E-mail: don@gobi.cn

 


 

Annex I

 

Regarding the Shareholders Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd.

 


 

Annex II

 

Articles of Association of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd.

 




Exhibit 10.6

 


 

Capital Increase Agreement

 


 

of

 

Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd.

 

Between

 

Liu Chengcheng

 

Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Service Co., Ltd.

 

Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership)

 

Suzhou Industrial Park Gebi Yinghe Venture Capital Partnership (Limited Partnership)

 

Beijing Gebi Lvzhou Angel Investment Center (Limited Partnership)

 

Jiaxing Xiaodu Neirong Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)

 

Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd.

 

and

 

Hangzhou Jincun Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)

 

November 2017

 

Beijing, China

 

FOR DUE DILIGENCE ONLY

 


 

Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd.

 

The Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “the Agreement” or the “Capital Increase Agreement” was signed by the following parties in Beijing, China on 14 November 2017:

 

Founder:

 

1.                                      Liu Chengcheng (hereinafter referred to as the “Founder”)

 

ID number: 320911198811194339

 

Address: No. 117, Group 1, Xinhuo Village, Yandu New District, Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province

 

Company Shareholders:

 

2.                                      Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Service Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Controlling Shareholder”)

 

Address: 5/F and 6/F, No. 34, Haidian Street, Haidian District, Beijing

 

Legal representative: Liu Chengcheng

 

3.                                      Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership) (hereinafter referred to as “Zhang Gongzi”)

 

Address: 1102-072, 11th Floor, Block G1, TEDA MSD, Second Avenue, Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area

 

Executive partner: Liu Chengcheng

 

Investor Shareholders:

 

4.                                      Suzhou Industrial Park Gebi Yinghe Venture Capital Partnership (Limited Partnership) (hereinafter referred to as “Gebi Yinghe”)

 

Address: Room 240, Building 19, Dongsha Lake Equity Investment Center, No. 183, Suhong East Road, Suzhou Industrial Park

 

Appointed representative of the executive partner: Zhu Lin

 

1


 

5.                                      Beijing Gebi Lvzhou Angel Investment Center (Limited Partnership) (hereinafter referred to as “Gebi Lvzhou”)

 

Address: Room 5430, Shenchang Building, No. 51 Zhichun Road, Haidian District, Beijing

 

Appointed representative of the executive partner: Jiang Tao

 

6.                                      Jiaxing Xiaodu Neirong Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership) (hereinafter referred to as “Xiaodu Investment”)

 

Address: Room 106-70, Dongfang Building, 100 Zhuyuan Road, Nanhu District, Jiaxing, Zhejiang

 

Executive partner delegate: Hu Hao

 

The Company Increasing Capital:

 

7.                                      Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “the Company”)

 

Address: Room 601, 6/F, No. 34 Haidian Street, Haidian District, Beijing

 

Legal representative: Liu Chengcheng

 

Investors Subscribing for this Capital Increase:

 

8.                                      Hangzhou Jincun Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership) (hereinafter referred to as “Jincun Investment”)

 

Address: Room 614, Guangxin Business Building, 58 Xintang Road, Jianggan District, Hangzhou

 

The executive partner delegates: Wang Huaping

 

(Gebi Yinghe, Gebi Lvzhou, Xiaodu Investment and Jincun Investment are collectively referred to as “Investors”, Company Shareholders and Investor Shareholders are collectively referred to as “Existing Shareholders”, the Founder, Company Shareholders, Investor Shareholders, Jincun Investment and the Company are collectively referred to as the “Parties” and individually as a “Party” in this Agreement)

 

2


 

Preface

 

A.                                    The Founder is a Chinese citizen who has a residence and has lived for a long time in China.

 

B.                                    Existing Shareholders are companies incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the PRC.

 

C.                                    The Company is a limited liability company incorporated and validly existing under the law of the PRC. On the date of this Agreement, the registered capital of the Company is RMB Ten Million And Three Hundred And Fifty Thousand (RMB10,350,000), and its shareholding structure is listed below:

 

No.

 

Shareholder name

 

Registered
capital held
(RMB)

 

Shareholding
ratio

 

1.

 

Controlling Shareholder

 

8,000,000

 

77.30

%

2.

 

Zhang Gongzi

 

2,000,000

 

19.32

%

3.

 

Gebi Yinghe

 

233,334

 

2.25

%

4.

 

Xiaodu Investment

 

83,333

 

0.81

%

5.

 

Gebi Lvzhou

 

33,333

 

0.32

%

Total

 

 

 

10,350,000

 

100.00

%

 

D.                                    According to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the parties agree that, subject to the completion of the pre-delivery action provided in Article 2 of this Agreement, the Capital Increase shall consist of the First Capital Increase of the Company subscribed for by Investor Shareholders, and the Second Capital Increase of the Company subscribed for by Jincun Investment:

 

(a)                                 For the First Capital Increase, Investor Shareholders shall invest a total of RMB Forty Two Million (RMB42,000,000) (“Subscription Money for the First Capital Increase”) to subscribe for the Company’s newly increased registered capital of RMB Three Hundred And Fifty Thousand (RMB350,000), and the Company’s registered capital shall increase from RMB Ten Million (RMB10,000,000) to RMB Ten Million And Three Hundred And Fifty Thousand (RMB10,350,000). (“First Capital Increase”);

 

3


 

(b)                                 For the Second Capital Increase, the parties agree that, pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Jincun Investment shall invest a total of RMB Twenty Million (RMB20,000,000) (“ Subscription Money for the Second Capital Increase”) to subscribe for the Company’s newly increased registered capital of RMB One Hundred And Sixty Six Thousand Six Hundred And Sixty Six (RMB166,666), and the Company’s registered capital shall increase from RMB Ten Million And Three Hundred And Fifty Thousand (RMB10,350,000) to RMB Ten Million Five Hundred And Sixteen Thousand Six Hundred And Sixty Six (RMB10,516,666). (“Second Capital Increase”).

 

The Subscription Money for the First Capital Increase and the Subscription Money for the Second Capital Increase are collectively referred to as the “Subscription Money for Capital Increase”.

 

4


 

Text of the Agreement

 

In view of this, according to the relevant laws, regulations and normative documents of China, the parties reach unanimously agreement as follows through friendly negotiation:

 

1.                                      Definition

 

1.1                               Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement or the context of this Agreement otherwise requires, the following expressions have the following meanings in this Agreement:

 

“Capital Increase Agreement I”

 

The Capital Increase Agreement signed by the Company, the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and Investor Shareholders on October 23, 2017.

 

 

 

“This Capital Increase” or “This Transaction”

 

shall mean the Second Capital Increase contemplated under this Agreement and the First Capital Increase contemplated under the Capital Increase Agreement I.

 

 

 

“the Agreement” or “the Capital Increase Agreement”

 

the Capital Increase Agreement, also including amendments, additions and adjustments and attachments to this Agreement from time to time through negotiations of the parties.

 

 

 

“Founder”

 

has the meaning as specified in the Foreword

 

 

 

“Controlling Shareholder”

 

has the meaning as specified in the Foreword

 

 

 

“Existing Shareholders”

 

shall have the meaning as defined in Preamble.

 

5


 

“Jincun Investment”

 

shall have the meaning as defined in Preamble.

 

 

 

“Gebi Yinghe”

 

has the meaning as specified in the Foreword

 

 

 

“Gebi Lvzhou”

 

has the meaning as specified in the Foreword

 

 

 

“Xiaodu Investment”

 

has the meaning as specified in the Foreword

 

 

 

“Investor”

 

has the meaning as specified in the Foreword

 

 

 

“Majority Investors”

 

shall mean the investors holding more than two-thirds (2/3) of the newly increased registered capital of the Company in this capital increase after this transaction.

 

 

 

“Foreword”

 

the part between the title of the Agreement and the Preface of this Agreement.

 

 

 

“Preface”

 

the Preface of this Agreement.

 

 

 

“One Party” and “the Parties”

 

has the meaning as specified in the Foreword.

 

 

 

“Third Party”

 

any person other than the parties to this Agreement.

 

 

 

“The Company”

 

has the meaning as specified in the Foreword

 

 

 

“Shareholders Agreement”

 

the Shareholders Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. with the same format and content as Appendix I of this Agreement.

 

 

 

“Asset Transfer”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 2.1 of this Agreement

 

6


 

“Assets to be Transferred”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 2.1 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Subscription Money for Capital Increase”

 

shall have the meaning as defined in Preamble.

 

 

 

“Newly Increased Registered Capital”

 

shall have the meaning as defined in Preamble.

 

 

 

“Capital Increase Subscription Price”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 3.1.1 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Delivery”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 4.1 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Delivery Date”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 4.1 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Capital Increase Transaction Document”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 4.1.8 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Business Plan”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 4.1.9 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Disclosure List”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 5.1 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Board of Directors”

 

the Company’s board of directors.

 

 

 

“Industrial and Commercial Administration”

 

the corresponding industrial and commercial administrative department in China responsible for the approval and registration of the establishment, change (including but not limited to Capital Increase, equity transfer, etc.) of the Company.

 

7


 

“Shareholder Meeting”

 

shareholder meeting of the Company.

 

 

 

“Related Parties”

 

For the purpose of a specific person, (a) when it is a natural person, the spouse of the person and his immediate family members (whether blood relative or adopted) or any trust established and maintained only for the benefit of the person, the spouse of the person and/or the immediate family members; and (b) when it is any person, the person indirectly or indirectly controlling such specific person through one or more media, controlled by such specific person or jointly controlled together with such specific person.

 

 

 

“Interested parties”

 

for any person, (a) the person acting as a director, supervisor, manager (director and above) or a partner or the Company or organization holding directly or indirectly no less than ten percent (10%) of any kind of equity securities interests, (b) trust or other properties in which the person enjoys a substantial interest or in which the person acts as a trustee or holds a similar position, and (c) any immediate family member or a collateral relative within three generations of such person, the spouse of such person or the immediate family member or a collateral relative within three generations of the spouse of such person.

 

 

 

“Qualified Initial Public Offering”

 

listing of the Company on stock exchanges in China or Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or other internationally recognized stock exchanges that are approved by most Investors in accordance with the applicable securities transaction laws and regulations of the applicable jurisdiction, public offering of shares of the Company.

 

8


 

“Contract”

 

any agreement, arrangement, commitment, stipulation, license, compensation, contract, instrument, lease, permit, permission or binding memorandum of understanding (whether written or not).

 

 

 

“Control”

 

(including the meaning of the terms “Controlling”, “Controlled” and “Commonly Controlled by”), for the purpose of any person, the authority to directly or indirectly direct the person’s management or policy (related to operational controls, financial controls or other controls), whether by holding securities with voting rights, or by contract or otherwise.

 

 

 

“Subsidiaries”

 

the Company and other non-natural person parties in which the Company directly or indirectly holds fifty percent (50%) of the voting rights. As of the signing date of this Agreement, the list of the Company’s subsidiaries is detailed in Appendix I of this Agreement.

 

 

 

“Group Company”

 

the Company and/or subsidiaries.

 

 

 

“Encumbrance”

 

(a) any obligation, guarantee for the purpose of any person, or pledge, guarantee, mortgage, lien, security deed, trust deed, retention of rights, security interest or other third party rights conferring any kind of payment priority on it; (b) any easement or guarantee granting the use or possession right to any person; (c) any power of attorney, letter of authority, voting trust agreement, equity interest, option, preemptive right, priority negotiation or refusal right or transfer restrictions in favor of any person; (d) any unfavorable claims relating to ownership, possession or use; encumbrance also includes agreements or arrangements relating to the above.

 

9


 

“RMB”

 

the legal currency of China.

 

 

 

“Person”

 

should be interpreted as broadly as possible and should include individuals, partnerships (including but not limited to limited partnerships), companies, associated enterprises, joint stock limited companies, limited liability companies, trusts, joint ventures or cooperative enterprises (including Sino-foreign joint ventures and Sino-foreign cooperative enterprise), non-corporate organizations and government agencies.

 

 

 

“Applicable Laws”

 

for the purpose of any person, any constitution, treaty, statute, laws, regulations, decrees, guidelines, rules, judgments, common law rules, orders, edicts, rulings, injunctions, government approvals, approvals, grants, licenses, permits, consents, instructions, requirements that apply to such person or any property or business thereof, whether it is effective on or after the date of this Agreement or revised from time to time or re-enacted, or other government restrictions of any government agency or any similar government decrees, or decisions made by it, or relevant provisions relating to the interpretation and implementation of any of the foregoing.

 

 

 

“Taxes”

 

Any and all taxes payable (including but not limited to any income tax, business tax, stamp duty or other taxes, duties, charges, fees, deductions, fines or withholding taxes imposed, collected or apportioned). “Tax revenue” should also be interpreted accordingly.

 

 

 

“Litigation”

 

Any litigation, prosecution, legal procedure, claim, arbitration or investigation.

 

10


 

“Loss”

 

All direct or indirect losses, liabilities, damages, deficiencies, value impairments, litigation, debts, responsibilities, benefits, interests, fines, fees, judgments or reconciliations of any nature or kind, including all related costs and expenses, including but not limited to reasonable lawyer fees and expenses, litigation fees, arbitration fees, reconciliation fees and investigation fees of any kind or nature, whether it is legal or equitable, known or unknown, foreseeable or unforeseeable.

 

 

 

“Knowledge”

 

When a person “knows”, it means such person actually knows. It should be knowledge acquired after proper consultation and due diligence that should be conducted by such person as a prudent business person in managing its business. These investigations include appropriate consultation with such person and the management, directors, key employees and professional consultants (including lawyers, accountants and consultants) of its related parties.

 

 

 

“Business Day”

 

any day when China’s banks usually operate public-facing business (except for Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays in China).

 

 

 

“Articles of Association”

 

Articles of Association of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. with the same format and content as Appendix II of this Agreement.

 

 

 

“Confidential Information”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 8.1 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Government Authority”

 

any government or its political branch, whether at the federal, central, state, provincial, municipal, or local level, and regardless of administrative, legislative, or judicial nature, including any representative office, authority, council, bureau, committee, court, department, or other institutions.

 

11


 

“Intellectual Property Assets”

 

all patents, patent applications, registered trademarks, service trademarks, trademark applications, unregistered logos, trade names, registered designs, unregistered design rights, domain names, copyrights, copyright registrations and applications, and all other related rights, inventions, utility models, appearance design, database and all related rights, all computer software including all source code, object code, firmware, development tools, files, records and data, including all storage media for any of the above contents, formulation, design, commercial secrets, confidentialities, proprietary information, proprietary rights, know-how and procedures, and all documents relating to any of the above contents.

 

 

 

“Material Adverse Effect”

 

material adverse effect on the condition (financial condition or other) of a particular person, the assets associated with it, the results of operations or prospects, or its business (currently or intended to be carried out).

 

 

 

“China”

 

the People’s Republic of China, but for the purposes of this Agreement, not including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan.

 

 

 

“Main Business”

 

Internet commercial media.

 

 

 

“Dispute”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 11.4.1 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Arbitration Commission”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 11.4.2 of this Agreement

 

12


 

1.2                    Interpretation. The term “this Agreement” means all of this Agreement and is not a clause, appendix, attachment or other part of this Agreement. Terms, appendices or attachments expressed in this Agreement shall be the corresponding terms, appendices or attachments in this Agreement, unless they are inconsistent with the subject matter or context.

 

1.3                    Headings. The headings of the terms are for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

 

1.4                    References. References to the Chinese law in this Agreement shall include any laws, regulations, legally binding policies or other supporting legislation in the region. References to the law shall include versions that have been revised or changed from time to time. References to this Agreement or any contract shall be construed as including the relevant contract that may be amended, supplemented, altered or updated.

 

1.5                    Appendix and attachment. The appendices and annexes to this Agreement constitute an integral part of this Agreement and have the same legal effect as this Agreement.

 

2.                           Pre-delivery action

 

2.1                    Asset Transfer. The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company undertake that before delivery, the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and related parties shall sign the transfer agreement with the Company to transfer in whole or license free of charge all assets held by them relating to the Company’s Main Business (hereinafter referred to as”Assets Proposed to be Transferred”, see Appendix II of this Agreement for the specific list of such assets proposed to be transferred) to the Company, and transfer free of charge and register under the Company’s name (“Asset Transfer”) or license free of charge for use by the Company a series of documents, materials, files and information relating to the assets proposed to be transferred to the Company. The obligations of the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company under Article 2.1 shall only be deemed to have been fulfilled after confirmation in writing by Jincun Investment.

 

13


 

3.                                      Capital Increase

 

3.1                                       Second Capital Increase.

 

3.1.1          The parties agree that, subject to the fulfilment of terms and conditions of this Agreement and other capital increase transaction documents, Jincun Investment shall invest a total of RMB Twenty Million (RMB20,000,000) to subscribe for the Company’s newly increased registered capital of RMB One Hundred And Sixty Six Thousand Six Hundred And Sixty Six (RMB166,666) at the subscription price of RMB One Hundred And Twenty (RMB120) for each RMB1 of newly increased registered capital (hereinafter referred to as “Subscription Price for Capital Increase”), and the premium portion of the Subscription Money for Capital Increase of RMB Nineteen Million Eight Hundred And Thirty Three Thousand Three Hundred And Thirty Four (RMB19,833,334) paid by Jincun Investment shall be included in the capital reserve of the Company.

 

3.1.2          The proportion of equity interest after the Capital Increase is completed. After the completion of the Capital Increase mentioned in the above Article 3.1.1, the Company’s shareholders and capital contribution ratio shall be listed as follows:

 

No.

 

Shareholder
name

 

Holding registered capital
(RMB)

 

Shareholding
ratio

 

1.

 

Controlling Shareholder

 

8,000,000

 

76.07

%

2.

 

Zhang Gongzi

 

2,000,000

 

19.02

%

3.

 

Gebi Yinghe

 

233,334

 

2.22

%

4.

 

Jincun Investment

 

166,666

 

1.58

%

5.

 

Xiaodu Investment

 

83,333

 

0.79

%

6.

 

Gebi Lvzhou

 

33,333

 

0.32

%

 

 

Total

 

10,516,666

 

100

%

 

3.2                    Consent and Waiver. Existing Shareholders agree to and approve the capital increase by Jincun Investment and the subscription for newly increased registered capital by Jincun Investment, and waive the pre-emptive right to subscribe for the above newly increased registered capital.

 

14


 

3.3                    Time of Payment of the Subscription Money for Capital Increase. The parties agree that Jincun Investment shall pay the corresponding Subscription Money for Capital Increase in full to the Company on the Delivery Date. On the day when Jincun Investment pays the Subscription Money for the Second Capital Increase in full, the Company shall promptly record Jincun Investment and the number and proportion of company shares held by it in the Company’s shareholder register, and issue a capital contribution certificate stamped by the Company and signed by the Company’s legal representative to Jincun Investment. From the Delivery Date, Jincun Investment shall be entitled to the rights as a Company Shareholder in accordance with this Agreement and the Shareholders Agreement (including but not limited to the right to obtain the Company’s undistributed profits).

 

3.4                    Business License Renewal. Within ten (10) business days after Jincun Investment pays the Subscription Money for Capital Increase in full to the Company, the Company shall apply to the Industrial and Commercial Administration for registration of changes of relevant corporate matters due to this capital increase (including the filing of new Company Shareholders, Articles of Association, and new board members of the Company) and the renewal of business licenses to reflect that Jincun Investment has paid the newly increased registered capital of the Company in accordance with this Agreement and become a Company Shareholder, and Existing Shareholders shall take all necessary actions and sign all necessary documents to assist the Company in completing the registration of changes in the Second Capital Increase.

 

4.                           Delivery of the Second Capital Increase

 

4.1                    Conditions for the Delivery of the Second Capital Increase. The obligation of Jincun Investment to pay the Subscription Money for the Second Capital Increase in accordance with Articles 3.1.1 and 3.3 of this Agreement (hereinafter referred to as “Delivery”) shall be subject to the fulfillment of the following conditions unless waived in writing by Jincun Investment. Delivery shall be conducted on one of the ten (10) business days agreed upon by the parties after the following preconditions have been fulfilled or waived in writing, or other dates and times agreed by the parties (hereinafter referred to as “Delivery Date”), remotely in the manner of document exchange and signing:

 

15


 

4.1.1          Due Diligence. Jincun Investment completes and passes the due diligence on the Group Company (including but not limited to commercial due diligence, legal due diligence, financial due diligence), and the results of the due diligence are satisfactory to the investors; the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company shall fully cooperate with Jincun Investment in conducting the above due diligence, including but not limited to arranging customer meetings and providing relevant contracts and legal documents and financial information of the Group Company. The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company have fully, truthfully and completely disclosed the assets, liabilities, equity interests, external guarantees of the Group Company and all information relating to the Second Capital Increase in writing to Jincun Investment.

 

4.1.2          Representations and warranties. The representations and warranties made by the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company in Appendix III to this Agreement are true, accurate and not misleading in all material respects on the Delivery Date; however, if a representation and warranty clearly refers to the condition on an earlier date before the Delivery Date, the statement and warranty shall be true, accurate and not misleading as of that earlier date.

 

4.1.3          Performance Obligations. Existing Shareholders and the Company have properly performed and complied with all agreements, obligations and conditions that are required to be fulfilled or observed upon or before the Delivery contained in this Agreement and capital increase transaction documents.

 

4.1.4          Approval, Consent and Waiver. Existing Shareholders and the Company shall have obtained all the approvals, consents and waivers required to complete the Second Capital Increase, including but not limited to the corresponding pre-emptive right that Existing Shareholders shall waive, and all permits, licenses, approvals, filings or consents of any government authority or regulatory authority or other persons (other than industrial and commercial registration) (if any).

 

4.1.5          No material adverse effects. From the date of signing this Agreement to the Delivery Date, the Group Company has not encountered any material adverse effect events.

 

4.1.6          Contracts with Key Employees. The key employees of the Company (see the list of key employees in Appendix V) have signed employment agreements, confidentiality agreements, non-solicitation agreements and non-competition agreement with the Company in the form and content satisfactory to Jincun Investment.

 

16


 

4.1.7          Pre-delivery Actions. Jincun Investment confirms that, the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company have completed the Asset Transfer in accordance with Article 2 of this Agreement.

 

4.1.8          Signing of the Capital Increase Transaction Documents. The Founder, Existing Shareholders, the Investors and/or the Company shall have signed the Capital Increase Agreement, the Shareholders Agreement and Articles of Association and all other subsidiary documents required by applicable laws (hereinafter referred to as “Capital Increase Transaction Documents”) for the purpose of this Capital Increase. If the Industrial and Commercial Administration requires the submission of the Capital Increase Agreement for this capital increase, Existing Shareholders, the Company and/or the Investors shall sign a simplified version of the Capital Increase Agreement confirmed by the parties. If any government authority requires changes to any of the provisions of any capital increase transaction documents upon submission to the relevant government authority for registration, the Founder, Existing Shareholders, the Investors and the Company shall promptly negotiate whether to make the required changes. No change shall have any legal effect without the written consent of the Founder, Existing Shareholder, Jincun Investment and the Company.

 

4.1.9          Approval of Future Business Plans by Jincun Investment. The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company shall submit to Jincun Investment detailed R&D plan, promotion plan of the Company (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Business Plans”) for the next twelve (12) months after the completion of the capital increase and the Company’s budget plan, and the above business plans shall be approved by the investors.

 

4.1.10   Authorized Use of Intellectual Property Assets. The Controlling Shareholder and its related parties shall sign an authorized use agreement with the Company in the form and content satisfactory to Jincun Investment to license free of charge the intellectual property assets relating to the Company’s main business, such as the trademarks”36Kr” and “36”, trade name 36Kr” to the Company for use.

 

4.1.11   Asset Transfer. The Controlling Shareholder shall transfer free of charge and register under the Company’s name the domain name 36kr.com, 36Kr official Weibo account, 36Kr Alipay account and 36Kr WeChat payment account to the Company.

 

17


 

4.1.12   Approval by the Investment Committees of the Investors. Jincun Investment has obtained approval from the respective investment committees or similar institutions for this capital increase of the Company.

 

4.1.13   Delivery Certificate. The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company shall have delivered a duly signed delivery certificate to Jincun Investment, proving all the conditions for delivery set forth in Article 4.1 have been fulfilled.

 

4.2                    Delivery conditions of the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder. The obligations of the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder on the Delivery Date shall depend on the satisfaction of the following prerequisites on or before the Delivery Date, unless otherwise the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder waive in writing:

 

4.2.1          Representations and warranties. The representations and warranties made by Jincun Investment under this Agreement are true and accurate in all material respects on the Delivery Date; however, if a statement and warranty clearly refer to the condition on an earlier date before the Delivery Date, the statement and warranty shall be true as of that earlier date.

 

4.2.2          Performance of obligations. The Jincun Investment have properly performed and complied with all the stipulations, obligations and conditions contained in this Agreement that are required to be fulfilled or complied with on or before the Delivery Date.

 

5.                           Representations and warranties

 

5.1                    Representations and warranties of the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder. The Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder respectively state and guarantee to the Investors that:

 

5.1.1          Apart from the disclosures in Appendix IV to this Agreement (hereinafter referred to as the “Disclosure List”, such Disclosure List shall be deemed as modification and restriction of the representations and warranties stipulated in Appendix III to this Agreement), the representations and warranties stipulated in Appendix III to this Agreement are true, accurate and not misleading on the date of signature of this Agreement and will be true, accurate and not misleading on the Delivery Date (except for representations and warranties specific to a particular date, and in such circumstances, such representations and warranties shall be true, accurate and not misleading at such dates).

 

18


 

5.1.2          Enforceability. Upon signing of this Agreement and delivery, it shall constitute its legal, valid and binding obligations and enforceability in accordance with its respective terms, unless it is subject to the following restrictions: (a) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, restructuring or other general applicable laws relating to or affecting the exercise of the rights of creditors; and (b) the applicable results of legal remedies.

 

5.2                    Representations and Warranties of the Investors. The investors severally but not jointly hereby represent and warrant to the other parties that the following representations and warranties are true, accurate and not misleading as at the date of this Agreement as well as the Delivery Date:

 

5.2.1          Establishment according to law. Investors are formally established and validly existing in accordance with the laws of their respective place of registration.

 

5.2.2          Authorization. The Investors have all the necessary powers, authorizations and capabilities to enter into this Agreement and the Capital Increase Transaction Document formulated under this Agreement and to perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Capital Increase Transaction Document formulated under this Agreement. This Agreement and the Capital Increase Transaction Document formulated under this Agreement shall constitute valid and binding obligations for the Investors after this Agreement and the Capital Increase Transaction Document formulated under this Agreement have been signed by the Investors and delivered (but for the document which becomes effective only after approval by the relevant government agency, when the approval is received), and are enforceable to the Investors in accordance with the terms thereof, unless they are subject to the following restrictions: (a) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other generally applicable laws relating to or affecting the exercise of the rights of creditors; and (b) the applicable results of legal remedies.

 

6.                           Undertakings

 

6.1                    The Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder respectively make the following undertakings to the Investors:

 

19


 

6.1.1          Use of the Subscription Money for the Second Capital Increase. They shall ensure that the Subscription Money for the Second Capital Increase is used for the execution of the Company’s business plans approved by the Company and the investors, and not for any other purpose than the Company’s main business. In particular the Subscription Money for the Second Capital Increase may not be used to repay the Company’s loans (including but not limited to loans of RMB Six Million Five Hundred And Twenty One Thousand Two Hundred And Sixty (RMB6,521,260) in total provided to the Company by the Controlling Shareholder pursuant to the Loan Agreement signed with the Company on May 8, 2017 and June 5, 2017.

 

6.1.2          Registered Capital Contribution. They shall ensure that Existing Shareholders are required to contribute their subscribed capital in full and on time in accordance with the Articles of Association.

 

6.1.3          Prohibition of non-main business. Ensure that the Group Company only engages in the main business. Unless otherwise approved by the majority of Investors in writing, the Group Company shall not engage in any other business other than the main business.

 

6.1.4          Dedication and non-compete undertaking. The Founder and the Controlling Shareholder shall ensure that the key employees listed in Appendix V of this Agreement are fully committed to the overall management and operation of the Group Company (unless the Board expressly dismisses their duties) and shall not engage in any business operation that is not related to the business of the Group Company; and the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and its related parties or interested parties shall not, directly or indirectly in any form, alone or together with any other person or through any other person, engage in any business that competes or is related to the business of the Group Company, or is associated with or having an interest in such business, before an earlier date between the date the Company completes the qualified IPO and the Investors withdraw from the Company.

 

6.1.5          Non-soliciting. Neither the Founder nor the Controlling Shareholder shall persuade or encourage any employee of the Group Company to accept other employment, or to recruit any employee of the Group Company in other ways; or to provide any form of consultation, guidance, counsel, assistance or funding to any person engaged in a business that competes with the business of the Group Company.

 

6.1.6          Non-encumbrance. Unless approved in writing by Investors, the Company shall ensure that the Group Company continues to have good and negotiable title to its property and assets and shall not place any encumbrances on any of its property and assets. For the property and assets leased, the Company shall ensure that the Group Company complies with the lease contract as a party, and the Company shall ensure that the Group Company has and maintains a valid leasing interest in the property and assets.

 

20


 

6.1.7          Obtaining the qualification certificate. The Company shall, within six (6) months after the Delivery Date, make every reasonable and necessary effort to obtain the qualification certificates required for engaging in the main business in accordance with the laws of China, including but not limited to the value-added telecommunications business license (ICP certificate).

 

6.1.8          Transfer of the WeChat account. The Controlling Shareholder shall transfer the 36Kr WeChat official account (WeChat account: wow36kr) and all articles, material libraries, historical messages, and following users under the WeChat account to the Company within three (3) months after delivery.

 

6.1.9          Protection of intellectual property assets. The Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder shall continue to take all reasonable measures to protect the intellectual property assets owned by the Group Company, including but not limited to carry out the registration, filing, and application procedures for intellectual property rights such as trademarks, trade names, domain names, copyrights, computer software copyrights, utility models, appearance design and patents related to the main business.

 

6.1.10   Further assurance. Prior to the Delivery Date, the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder shall jointly and severally (a) cooperate with the Investors to provide all due diligence information required by the Investors; (b) take all necessary or appropriate actions and other measures to complete the transactions under this Agreement, including facilitating the satisfaction of the prerequisite conditions of delivery set forth in Article 4 of this Agreement as soon as possible where practicable; and (c) sign and submit other agreements, certifications, instruments and documents that are necessary for the terms and objectives of this Agreement to enter into effect, and take or procure to take all actions to achieve such purposes.

 

6.1.11   Additional guarantees. Except as required by this Agreement, the Company shall not pass resolutions of shareholder meeting or board of directors on the matters listed in Article 9.1 and Articles 10.3(1)-(17) of the Shareholders Agreement without the prior written consent of the Investors prior to the Delivery Date. However, the Group Company may operate their respective businesses in the same way as in the past, and can pass resolutions and sign contracts during normal business operations.

 

21


 

6.1.12   Compliance. At any time from the Delivery Date, the Company shall make every reasonable business effort to ensure that all actions of the Company and the Group Company are in compliance with all applicable laws and maintain that any and all major permits and licenses are legal, valid and fully effective unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Investors.

 

6.1.13   Exclusive period. The Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder agree that without the prior written consent of the Investors, during the period from the date of signing of this Agreement to an earlier date between (a) the Delivery Date and (b) when this Agreement is terminated, the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder or any of their related person shall not:

 

(1)                                 solicit, initiate, encourage or accept any of the following proposals or offers from any person: (a) any investment in the Group Company; (b) any acquisition of all or any part of the equity interests or assets of the Group Company; (c) acquisition, merger or other form of business combination of the Group Company or its main business; or (d) any capital restructuring, asset restructuring or other abnormal business transaction involving the Group Company or related to the Group Company; or

 

(2)                                 To sign any agreement, memorandum, letter of intent or similar legal document on the above matters, participate in any discussion, negotiation and other forms of exchanges, or to provide other persons with information related to the above matters, or to cooperate or assist with, or participate in, facilitate or encourage the effort or attempt made by any other person to attempt to carry out the above matters in any way.

 

The Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder agree that, during the period from the date of signing of this Agreement to the earlier date between (a) the Delivery Date and (b) when this Agreement is terminated, the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder shall immediately cease or ensure any other related person to cease all existing discussions, conversations, negotiations and other forms of exchanges with any other person so far on the above matters; if any person puts forth any such proposal or offer, or any person has made any attempt or other contact, the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder shall immediately notify the Investors and shall, in the notification sent to the Investors, state clear in a reasonable detailed manner the identity of the person making the proposal, offer, attempt or contact, and the terms and conditions of such proposal, offer, attempt or other contact.

 

22


 

7.                           Compensation

 

7.1                    The representations and warranties in Articles 5 of this Agreement and Appendix III and the undertakings in Article 6 of this Agreement shall continue to be in effect after the Delivery Date.

 

7.2                    The Controlling Shareholder shall compensate other parties for all losses, directly or indirectly, arising out of, in connection with, in relation to, or generated in association with its violation of the statements, warranties, undertakings or agreements made in this Agreement and the Capital Increase Transaction Document, defend for them and protect them from damage.

 

7.3                    The Company and the Founder shall jointly and severally indemnify, defend and hold other parties unharmed from all losses arising from, in connection with, relating to, or incidental to the breach of representations, warranties, undertakings or agreements made in this Agreement and Capital Increase Transaction Documents directly or indirectly by the Company, the Controlling Shareholder, Zhang Gongzi and the Founder.

 

7.4                    Jincun Investment shall indemnify, defend and hold other parties unharmed from all losses arising from, in connection with, relating to, or incidental to the breach of representations, warranties, undertakings or agreements made in this Agreement and Capital Increase Transaction Documents directly or indirectly.

 

7.5                    Any Investor Shareholder shall indemnify, defend and hold other parties unharmed from all losses arising from, in connection with, relating to, or incidental to the breach of representations, warranties, undertakings or agreements made in this Agreement and Capital Increase Transaction Documents directly or indirectly by such investors.

 

7.6                    Jincun Investment shall not be liable for any loss, liability, responsibility, obligation or debt (whether of contractual nature or otherwise), any taxes or any other matter of the Company arising out of or related to the events prior to the Delivery Date, except for those attributable to the Investors.

 

23


 

7.7                    Notwithstanding the above, the Founder agrees to be liable for any losses, liabilities, responsibilities, obligations or debts of the Company (whether contractual or otherwise), any taxes or any other matters arising from or relating to events occurring prior to the Delivery Date (except for those due to reasons of the investors), unless disclosed in the disclosure list in Appendix IV of this Agreement (subject to Article 7.7 of this Agreement). The Founder shall first pay or bear such losses, liabilities, obligations, debts, taxes or responsibilities with its own funds, and save the Company from paying or bearing such losses, liabilities, obligations, debts, taxes or responsibilities. If the Company actually pays or bears such losses, liabilities, obligations, debts, taxes or responsibilities, at the request of the Company or the investors, the Founder shall promptly reimburse the Company for the amount incurred.

 

7.8                    Notwithstanding the above, and regardless of whether it is disclosed in the disclosure list of Appendix IV of this Agreement, the investors shall have the right to require the Controlling Shareholder, the Company, the Founder to be jointly liable to the losses  over RMB100,000 caused to the investors by the Company’s failure to obtain the operating permit for value-added telecommunications services (ICP certificate).

 

7.9                    Notwithstanding the above, if the Controlling Shareholder fails to complete the migration of WeChat account in accordance with Article 6.1.8 of this Agreement, and does not complete within the 60-day grace period given by the investors, for each additional day, the controlling shareholder, the Company, and Founder shall pay the deferred performance penalty to the investors based on the Subscription Money for Capital Increase at the interest rate of five ten thousandth per day. The payment of such deferred performance penalty shall not affect other joint liabilities for damages claimed by the investor based on the losses suffered. The Controlling Shareholder, the Company, and Founder shall be jointly and severally liable, except for delay caused by Tencent, if the Controlling Shareholder and the Company have submitted a transfer application to Tencent.

 

24


 

8.                           Confidentiality and prohibition of disclosure

 

8.1                    Confidentiality. From the date of signing this Agreement, unless the parties unanimously agree otherwise, each party shall keep and procure each person controlled by such party to keep confidentiality of the terms, conditions and existence of this Agreement and any Capital Increase Transaction Document under this Agreement, the identity of each party, and any other non-public information (hereinafter collectively referred to as “confidential information”) received from the other party or prepared by such party and only in connection with this Agreement or the aforementioned documents; however, any party may disclose confidential information or allow the disclosure of confidential information in the following circumstances: (a) to the extent required by applicable law or any rules of the stock exchange; but such party shall, to the practicable extent permitted by applicable laws, immediately notify the other parties of the fact in writing and (with the cooperation and reasonable efforts of the other parties) take all reasonable efforts to seek protective orders, confidential treatment or other appropriate remedies; in such cases, such party shall only provide the part of the confidential information that is legally required to be disclosed, and every reasonable effort should be made to keep confidentiality of such confidential information within the scope of reasonable request of any other parties; (b) in order to fulfill its obligations related to this Agreement, disclose to its managers, directors, employees, investors, partners, shareholders and professional consultants in the circumstances that must be known, as long as such party informs each person who obtains any confidential information disclosed of the confidential nature of such confidential information, and such person commits to comply with the same confidentiality obligations as such party regarding the confidential information. For the avoidance of doubt, the Confidential Information does not include the following information: (i) information that the recipient has legally obtained prior to the disclosure by the disclosing party, and (ii) information known to the public through disclosure not due to the recipient’s violation of Article 8 of this Agreement; or (iii) information legally obtained by the recipient from a third party, and the recipient is not aware of the violation of any legal or contractual obligations over the non-disclosure of the information by the third party.

 

8.2                    Information release. Without the prior written consent of the parties, the parties shall not release any information on this Agreement and any Capital Increase Transaction Document and this Capital Increase through press conferences, conferences, advertisements, announcements, professional or industry publications, marketing materials or otherwise.

 

25


 

9.                           Termination

 

9.1                    Termination of the Agreement. Subject to other terms of this Agreement, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated under this Agreement shall be terminated as agreed in writing by the parties. If the Delivery is not completed within forty-five (45) business days from the date of this Agreement due to the Company, Company Shareholders and the Founder (rather than inaction of government authorities, force majeure, reasons of the investors or other similar reasons), or the Company, Existing Shareholders, and/or the Founder have material breaches under this Agreement or the Shareholders Agreement, Jincun Investment shall have the right to terminate this Agreement unilaterally after notifying other parties in writing, and this Agreement shall be terminated immediately upon the such written notice by Jincun Investment, except for the liability for damages of Existing Shareholders and/or the Company as set force in Article 7 of this Agreement. If the Delivery is not completed within forty-five (45) business days from the date of this Agreement due to Jincun Investment (rather than inaction of government authorities, force majeure, reasons of the Company and/or Existing Shareholders or other similar reasons), the Company (and on behalf of the Controlling Shareholder, Zhang Gongzi and the Founder) shall have the right to terminate this Agreement unilaterally after notifying Jincun Investment in writing, and this Agreement shall be terminated immediately upon the such written notice by the Company and Investor Shareholders, except for the liability for damages of Jincun Investment and/or the Company as set force in Article 7 of this Agreement.

 

9.2                    Effect of Termination. If this Agreement is terminated in accordance with the provisions of Article 9.1 above, this Agreement shall immediately be invalidated and cease to be effective. In order to avoid ambiguity, if Jincun Investment unilaterally terminates this Agreement pursuant to Article 9.1 above, Jincun Investment shall not assume any responsibility for its unilateral termination of this Agreement. Meanwhile, if the Company and Investor Shareholders unilaterally terminate this Agreement pursuant to Article 9.1 above, the Company, Company Shareholders, the Founder, Investor Shareholders shall not assume any responsibility for their unilateral termination of this Agreement.

 

9.3                    Continue to be effective. Regardless of the contrary regulations of any provision, the provisions of Article 8 (Confidentiality and Prohibition of Disclosure), Article 9 (Termination), Article 10 (Cancellation of the Agreement), Article 11.3 (Applicable Laws), and Article 11.4 (Dispute Resolution) shall continue to be valid after the expiration of the term or termination of this Agreement.

 

26


 

10.                    Cancellation of the Agreement

 

10.1             Cancellation of the Agreement. This Agreement may be cancelled when:

 

10.1.1   The parties to this Agreement agree to terminate this Agreement in writing;

 

10.1.2   Any party to this Agreement may cancel this Agreement by giving notice in writing to the other parties of this Agreement at least ten (10) business days in advance in the following circumstances:

 

(1)                                 The statements or warranties in this Agreement of any party to this Agreement are materially untrue, inaccurate or significantly omitted when the statements or warranties are made or on the Delivery Date;

 

(2)                                 Any party to this Agreement fails to fulfill the commitments, undertakings and obligations under this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, and fails to take effective remedial measures within thirty (30) days after the written demand of the other parties in this Agreement.

 

10.2             Effect of the cancellation of the Agreement.

 

10.2.1   After this Agreement is cancelled in accordance with the provisions of Article 10.1 above, this Agreement shall immediately become invalid.

 

10.2.2   After the cancellation of this Agreement, the parties to this Agreement shall return the considerations received under this Agreement from other parties in accordance with the principles of fairness, reasonableness, and good faith, and make the best attempt to restore the status of this Agreement before signing.

 

10.2.3   After the cancellation of this Agreement, all rights and obligations of the parties under this Agreement shall be terminated, except for the compensation liability borne by the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder, the Company and/or Investors as stipulated in Article 7 of this Agreement.

 

10.3             Continue to be effective. Regardless of the contrary regulations of any provision, the provisions of Article 8 (Confidentiality and Prohibition of Disclosure), Article 9 (Termination), Article 10 (Cancellation of the Agreement), Article 11.3 (Applicable Laws), and Article 11.4 (Dispute Resolution) shall continue to be valid after the cancellation of this Agreement.

 

27


 

11.                    Other provisions

 

11.1             Binding; transfer. Neither party shall transfer any of its rights and/or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of other parties; however, the Investors shall have the right to transfer its rights, interests and obligations under this Agreement to its related parties without the consent of other parties. This Agreement shall be binding on and beneficial to the successors, inheritors, executors, administrators, and assignees of the parties to this Agreement.

 

11.2             Costs. The parties shall each bear the taxes incurred in the execution and performance of this Agreement as required by laws of the PRC. If the Delivery under this Agreement fails to be completed due to reasons not attributable to any party, all costs incurred by the parties in the preparation, execution and performance of this Agreement shall be borne by each of the parties respectively.

 

11.3             Applicable laws. This Agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the law of China in all respects.

 

11.4             Dispute resolution.

 

11.4.1   Any dispute, contradiction or claims (each referred to as a “dispute”) arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the interpretation, breach of contract, termination or validity of this Agreement shall first be resolved through negotiation by the parties to the dispute. The negotiation shall commence immediately upon the written notice requesting negotiation from any party to other parties to the dispute.

 

11.4.2   If the dispute is not resolved within fifteen (15) days from the date of the notice, any party to the dispute may submit the dispute to the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (hereinafter referred to as the “Arbitration Commission”) for arbitration application.

 

11.4.3   Arbitration shall be conducted by the Arbitration Commission in Beijing. The arbitral tribunal shall consist of three (3) arbitrators. The applicant shall select one (1) arbitrator, and the opposing party shall jointly select one (1) arbitrator. The two (2) arbitrators shall jointly select the third arbitrator as the chief arbitrator of the arbitral tribunal; if any member of the arbitral tribunal fails to be appointed within fifteen (15) days after the date of receipt of the arbitration notice issued by the Arbitration Commission, the relevant arbitrator shall be appointed by the director of the Arbitration Commission.

 

28


 

11.4.4   The arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in Chinese. The arbitral tribunal shall conduct arbitration in accordance with the arbitration rules enforced by the Arbitration Commission at the time of arbitration. However, in case of any contradiction between the rules and the provisions of Article 11.4 of this Agreement, including the provisions on the appointment of arbitrators, the provisions of Article 11.4 of this Agreement shall prevail.

 

11.4.5   The arbitrator shall resolve any disputes submitted by the parties in strict accordance with the substantive law of China; however, if the laws promulgated by China have no provision on a certain issue, the international legal principles and practices shall apply.

 

11.4.6   Any party to the arbitration shall cooperate with the other parties to the arbitration. Unless being subject to the confidentiality obligations of the party, the party shall fully disclose and allow the other party to fully access all information and documents required by the other party in connection with the arbitration proceedings.

 

11.4.7   Unless otherwise ruled by the arbitral tribunal, the arbitration fee shall be borne by the losing party.

 

11.4.8   In the event of any dispute and arbitration of the dispute, in addition to the dispute, the parties shall continue to perform their respective obligations under this Agreement and shall have the right to exercise their rights under this Agreement.

 

11.4.9   The arbitral tribunal’s decision shall be final and binding on the parties, and the winning party may apply to the competent court for the enforcement of the award.

 

11.4.10 Before the formation of the arbitral tribunal, each party has the right to apply for temporary injunctive relief from any competent court.

 

11.4.11 In the course of hearing the dispute by the arbitral tribunal, this Agreement shall continue to be performed except for the part that is under dispute and subject to arbitration.

 

11.5             Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the other Capital Increase Transaction Documents and its related appendices and schedules to be signed under this Agreement constitute the entire understanding and agreements between the parties on the subject matter under this Agreement and supersede all previous written or verbal understanding or agreements on the subject matter related to this Agreement.

 

29


 

11.6             Notice. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all notices, requests, waivers or other communications made under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed formally served in the following circumstances: (a) when it is delivered by a person and the notified person signs for receipt, or the notice is retained at the address listed in Appendix VI to this Agreement, or the notified party refuses to accept it; (b) when the fax is confirmed to be received without any error if it is delivered by fax to the number listed in Appendix VI to this Agreement. (c) within five (5) business days after being sent by airmail or registered mail (request for receipt, postage prepaid, address as listed in Appendix VI to this Agreement); or (d) within three (3) business days after mailing through overnight express service (postage prepaid, sent to the address listed in Appendix VI to this Agreement and guaranteed delivery on the next business day), provided that the sending party obtains a delivery confirmation from the delivery agency;

 

To deliver the communications under this Agreement in any of the above ways, the sending party shall immediately send each communication of the notice under this Agreement to the sending object by e-mail (email address as listed in Appendix VI to this Agreement) or by telephone at the same time. However, failure to do so does not affect the effectiveness of such communications. A party may, for the purposes of Article 11.6, change or supplement the address set out in Appendix VI, or designate additional addresses, by giving written notice to other parties in the manner described above.

 

11.7             Modification and waiver. Any terms of this Agreement shall only be modified with the written consent of the parties. Any modification or waiver that is in force under Article 11.7 of this Agreement shall be binding on all parties to this Agreement and its successors, inheritors, executors, administrators, and assignees of the parties to this Agreement.

 

11.8             Delay or omission. Any party’s delay or omission to exercise the rights, powers or remedies granted to them due to other party’s breach or non-performance of this Agreement shall not prejudice such party’s rights, powers or remedies, nor shall it be deemed a waiver or default of such breach or non-performance or a similar breach or non-performance hereafter, nor shall it be deemed a waiver of any other breach or non-performance occurred before or after this. A waiver, permission, consent, or approval of breach or non-performance of any of the nature or characteristics of this Agreement, or a waiver of any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement, shall be made in writing and shall only be valid within the scope of such written provision. Any relief provided to any party under this Agreement according to law or otherwise shall be cumulative, rather than just selecting one of them.

 

30


 

11.9             Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be construed to the practicable extent, to enable its execution and the completion of transactions specified in this Agreement on substantially the same terms as previously stated. If no viable interpretation would allow the provision to be retained, it should be excluded from the remaining provisions of this Agreement, and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force, unless the excluded terms are crucial to the rights and interests intended to be enjoyed by the parties. In such circumstances, the parties shall make their best efforts to reach valid and enforceable alternative clauses or agreements through negotiation in good faith to realize the parties’ intention at the time of entering into this Agreement as far as possible.

 

11.10      Joint and several obligations. The obligations between the Founder and the Company under this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents are jointly and severally liable. The Founder and the Company are jointly and severally liable for the obligations of the Controlling Shareholder under this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents.

 

11.11      Non-joint and several obligations. The obligations between the Investors under this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents are not jointly and severally liable.

 

11.12      Non-violation. Any agreements or documents that should be entered into under this Agreement shall not violate the spirit and principles of this Agreement.

 

11.13      Language. This Agreement is executed in Chinese.

 

11.14      Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of texts. All texts are originals, but all texts together constitute a single document.

 

11.15      Priority of authority. The authority of this Agreement is superior to that of the Articles of Association. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of the Articles of Association and this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail.

 

11.16      Taking into force. This Agreement shall become effective on the date of official signature and seal (if applicable) of all the parties.

 

(There is no text below, next page is for signature)

 

31


 

(This is a signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have procured their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Liu Chengcheng

 

Signature:

 

Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd.

 

(Seal)

 

Legal representative:

 

Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Service Co., Ltd.

 

(Seal)

 

Legal representative:

 

Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership)

 

(Seal)

 

Authorized representative of the executive partner:

 

Signature page

 


 

(This is signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have promoted their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Suzhou Industrial Park Gebi Yinghe Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)

 

(Seal)

 

Appointed representative of the executive partner:

 

Signature page

 


 

(This is a signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have procured their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Beijing Gebi Lvzhou Angel Investment Center (Limited Partnership)

 

(Seal)

 

Appointed representative of the executive partner:

 

Signature page

 


 

(This is a signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have procured their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Jiaxing Xiaodu Neirong Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)

 

(Seal)

 

Appointed representative of the executive partner:

 

Signature page

 


 

(This is a signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have procured their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Hangzhou Jincun Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)

 

(Seal)

 

Appointed representative of the executive partner:

 

Signature page

 


 

List of Appendices

 

Appendix I

 

List of Subsidiaries

 

 

 

Appendix II

 

List of Assets to be Transferred

 

 

 

Appendix III

 

Representations and Warranties of the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder

 

 

 

Appendix IV

 

Disclosure List

 

 

 

Appendix V

 

List of Key Employees

 

 

 

Appendix VI

 

Address for Notice

 


 

Appendix I

 

List of Subsidiaries

 

The Company, the controlling shareholder and the founder confirm that the Company has no subsidiaries.

 


 

Appendix II

 

List of Assets to be Transferred

 

I. Trademarks

 

KrTV (No. 15589656, Class 41), KrTV (No. 15589653, Class 9), KrTV (No. 15589654, Class 35), KrTV (No. 15589655, Class 38), KrTV (No. 15589657, Class 42), NEXT (No. 15309505, Class 9), NEXT (No. 15309505, Class 41), NEXT (No. 15309505, 42), WISE (No. 15589660, Class 38), WISE (No. 15360032, Class 41), WISE (No. 15589635, Class 42), WISE (No. 15589658, Class 9), 氪加 (No. 15113594, Class 9), 氪加 (No. 15113594, Class 16), 氪加 (No. 15113594, Class 35), 氪加 (No. 15113594, Class 36), 氪加(No. 15113594, Class 38), 氪加 (No. 15113594, Class 41), 氪加 (No. 15113594, Class 42), 氪加 (No. 15113594, Class 45), ,TV (No. 16003578, Class 42), ,TV (No. 16003574, Class 9), ,TV (No. 16003575, Class 35), ,TV (No. 16003576, Class 38), ,TV (No. 16003577, Class 41), KRVIDEO (No. 16003572, Class 41), KRVIDEO (No. 16003569, Class 9), KRVIDEO (No. 16003570, Class 35), KRVIDEO (No. 16003571, Class 38), KRVIDEO (No. 16003573, Class 42), To B 行家说 (No. 20611356, Class 35), To B 行家说 (No. 20611355, Class 38), To B 行家说 (No. 20611354, Class 41), KRLASS (No. 18301373, Class 35), KRLASS (No. 18301372, Class 38), KRLASS (No. 18301371, Class 41), KRLASS (No. 18301370, Class 42), KRLASS (No. 18301369, Class 43), KRLASS (No. 18301368, Class 45), KRLASS (No. 18301374, Class 9), TV+ Graphics (No. 16216730, Class 9), TV+ Graphics (No. 16216731, Class 35), TV+ Graphics (No. 16216732, Class 38), TV+ Graphics (No. 16216734, Class 42), TV+ Graphics (No. 16216733, Class 41), TV+ Graphics (No. 22439415, Class 42).

 

Appendix II - 1


 

II. Software Copyright

 

No.

 

Name of software

 

Registration
number

 

First publication
date

1

 

36氪 iOS client software V1.5

 

2014SR129852

 

January 1, 2013

2

 

36氪 media client software V1.5

 

2016SR264837

 

January 1, 2013

3

 

36氪 information publication platform

 

2016SR296841

 

August 28, 2016

4

 

36氪advertising platform

 

2016SR296866

 

August 28, 2016

5

 

36氪 multimedia showcase platform

 

2016SR296946

 

August 28, 2016

6

 

36氪SME service platform

 

2016SR298547

 

August 26, 2016

7

 

Internal reference information software for retail owners

 

2017SR293448

 

March 14, 2017

 

III. “wow36kr” official WeChat account.

 

IV. “36kr” Weibo account.

 

Appendix II - 2


 

Appendix III

 

Representations and Warranties of the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder

 

1.                           Approval by the Regulatory Authority and Licenses

 

(1)                                 The Group Company has obtained all the licenses, consents and other permits and approvals required for its incorporation, valid existence and current business operations. The procedures are legal and compliant, and are in full force and effect. Moreover, the Group Company has completed within the statutory time limit the procedures of renewing or replacing licenses, consents and other permits and approvals that are about to expire.

 

(2)                                 All reports, declaration forms and materials on the existence and operation of the Group Company have been submitted or provided to the relevant government authorities as required by law or as a condition of any license, consent, permit or approval, except where omission of submission or provision will not have material adverse effects on the Group Company.

 

(3)                                 There are neither circumstances under which any license, consent, permit or approval necessary to continue the Group Company may be altered, revoked or not renewed, nor circumstances which may confer a right to alter or revoke, except for the circumstances under which the alterations, revocations or non-renewal will not have material adverse effects on the Group Company.

 

2.                           Capacity to Act

 

(1)                                 The Founder has sufficient civil rights and capacity to sign this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents, fully fulfill all obligations under this Agreement and others Capital Increase Transaction Documents and complete transactions under this Agreement.

 

(2)                                 The Controlling Shareholder is a joint stock limited company duly incorporated and validly existing under China laws. The Controlling Shareholder has all the necessary powers, authorization and capabilities to sign this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents, and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the various Capital Increase Transaction Documents proposed under this Agreement.

 

(3)                                 The Company is a limited liability company duly incorporated and validly existing under the PRC laws. The Company has all the necessary powers, authorization and capabilities to sign this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents, and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the various Capital Increase Transaction Documents proposed under this Agreement.

 

Appendix III - 3


 

(4)                                 This Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents shall constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the parties in accordance with their respective terms upon signing and delivery by them and shall be enforceable against the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company unless subject to the following restrictions: (a) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other generally applicable laws concerning or affecting the exercise of rights of creditors; and (b) the applicable results of legal remedies.

 

(5)                                 The signing of this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents and performance of obligations under this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents by the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company will not:

 

(i)                                     result in the violation of any legal documents binding on them or the non-performance of obligations under such legal documents;

 

(ii)                                  result in the violation of any order, judgment or decree of any court or government authority binding on them; and

 

(iii)                               be detrimental to the legitimate interests of any third party.

 

except where the above circumstances will not affect the performance of obligations under this Agreement.

 

3.                           Ownership

 

(1)                                 The Group Company is a limited liability company duly incorporated, existing and registered under the laws of its place of registration, and has the right and capacity to exercise all its civil rights of a corporate legal person.

 

(2)                                 As of the date of this Agreement, the registered capital of the Group Company has been effectively contributed and paid in accordance with the provisions of the Articles of Association, and there is no overdue or false capital contribution by shareholders.

 

Appendix III - 4


 

(3)                                 There is no trust, holding agency, option, pledge or other form of guarantee, equity donation or other encumbrance on the equity of the Group Company or any part thereof, and there are no agreements or undertakings to provide or create any of the foregoing, and no person claims to be entitled to any of the above rights.

 

(4)                                 There are no outstanding agreements or undertakings requesting the distribution, issuance or transfer of any equity in the Group Company, or that grant any person the right to request the distribution, issuance or transfer of any equity in the Group Company.

 

(5)                                 Except as disclosed to the Investors, the Company has not established any other offices, branches, nor does it hold shares or have similar shareholder interests in other companies, affiliates and other social organizations; or directly or indirectly control, hold shares of or have interests in any other entities.

 

(6)                                 The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company have submitted to the Investors or their representatives and consultants on the date of this Agreement copies of the current business license and other licenses of the Group Company and documents relating to the business operation of the Group Company and the Articles of Association. The above documents are complete, accurate, true and effective in all aspects.

 

(7)                                 The Group Company has kept the books necessary for the company operation in accordance with applicable laws, which accurately record the matters in the books; the Group Company has not received any notice or allegation that any of the above records are incorrect or shall be rectified.

 

(8)                                 All documents that should be submitted by the Group Company to all relevant government authorities have been submitted properly, except where not submitting will not have material adverse effects on the Group Company.

 

4.                           Accuracy and Adequacy of Data

 

(1)                                 All information, documents and materials provided by the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company to the Investors or their consultants are true, accurate and complete in all material respects, and there are no circumstances under which the failure to disclose any facts or matters to the Investors or any of their consultants may cause any such information to be inaccurate or misleading in any such material respects due to any omission or ambiguity or any other reasons.

 

Appendix III - 5


 

(2)                                 The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder, and the Company have provided the Investors or their consultants at their reasonable request all the necessary information within their grasp for the Investors to decide whether to subscribe for the Company’s newly registered capital or not. The information, documents and materials relating to this Agreement provided by the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Founder to the Investor do not contain misrepresentations of material facts, or omit any material facts which would cause representations in this Agreement or such disclosures to be misleading.

 

5.                           Accounts

 

(1)                                 In respect of the accounts of the Group Company:

 

(i)                                     They are prepared in accordance with the applicable laws and accounting principles generally recognized in the place of registration and adopted by companies operating businesses similar to those of the Group Company;

 

(ii)                                  They are complete and accurate in all respects, and the provisions for bad debts and doubtful debts, depreciation, depreciated and slow-moving inventory during any period as of or before the date of completion of its accounts are in accordance with the applicable accounting standards;

 

(iii)                               They are the true and fair reflection of the financial position of the Group Company, including but not limited to profits or losses; and

 

(iv)                              They are not subject to the effect of any special, extraordinary or non-recurring items, except for items explicitly disclosed in the accounts of the Group Company.

 

(2)                                 Except as disclosed to the Investors, the Group Company do not have any significant liabilities (whether actual or contingent, with undetermined amount or in dispute) that are not fully disclosed or accrued in the accounts or unfulfilled capital commitments.

 

Appendix III - 6


 

6.                           Accounting Records

 

(1)                                 The Group Company has kept complete accounts, books, original accounts, financial and other records; these accounting records contain the latest data and complete and accurate details of the business activities of the Group Company, as well as all matters that shall be recorded as required by the Company Law of the People’s Republic of China, the Enterprise Accounting System of the People’s Republic of China and other applicable laws and regulations.

 

(2)                                 The Group Company owns or controls the accounts, books, original accounts, financial and other records as its property, and has not received any notice or allegation that any of the above records are incorrect or shall be rectified.

 

(3)                                 All transactions relating to the business of the Group Company have been correctly and timely recorded in the accounting records of the Group Company, and no substantial errors or deviations are included or reflected in these accounts, books, original accounts, financial and other records, and these records are sufficient to respectively truly and accurately reflect the financial position of the Group Company and to explain its transactions.

 

7.                           Events after the Incorporation of the Group Company

 

(1)                                 After the official incorporation date of the Group Company and before the Delivery Date, in addition to the disclosed information:

 

(i)                                     There is no material adverse change in the financial or operating conditions or prospects of the Group Company, and as far as the Founder and the Controlling Shareholder are concerned, there is no circumstances causing such changes.

 

(ii)                                  The Group Company has been conducting normal and customary operations and operating its business in the same way as usual (including in terms of nature and scope);

 

(iii)                               The Group Company has not acted as a financing agent of debts or other receivables, or sold or agreed to sell debts or other receivables;

 

(iv)                              The Group Company has not generated debts, warranties, guarantees, advances or receivables with a total value over RMB one million (RMB1,000,000), except for the receivables generated from the course of normal business operations;

 

Appendix III - 7


 

(v)                                 The Group Company has not generated receivables with a single-item value of over RMB one million (RMB1,000,000) and a cumulative value of over RMB one million (RMB1,000,000) outside the course of normal business operations;

 

(vi)                              No mortgage, pledge or other encumbrance has been created on any assets of the Group Company;

 

(vii)                           The Group Company has not issued any securities;

 

(viii)                        The Group Company has not experienced an increase in staff costs, except for those reasonably incurred according to the rules and regulations in force or relevant employment contracts;

 

(ix)                              The Group Company has not provided any loans to any director, supervisor, manager or other employee of the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Group Company and its related parties, except for the advance travel expenses in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Group Company in the course of normal business operations;

 

(x)                                 The Group Company has not offered price reductions or discounts or rebates when providing services or provided services at prices below the cost that would have a material adverse effect on its profitability;

 

(xi)                              The Group Company has not altered the fiscal year.

 

(2)                                 The Group Company has not taken any actions that may lead to a violation of the undertakings in Article 7 of this Appendix.

 

8.                           Contracts and Undertakings

 

(1)                                 As of the Delivery Date, except for the disclosed information, the Group Company is not a party to any of the following, nor is it under any of the (current or future) legal liability:

 

(i)                                     Any guarantee, indemnity, guarantee relationship or letter of credit other than those in normal business activities;

 

Appendix III - 8


 

(ii)                                  Any contract or arrangement directly or indirectly restricting the freedom of the Group Company to operate its business anywhere in the world in manners deemed appropriate, or directly or indirectly restricting the ability of the Group Company to transfer all or any part of its business;

 

(iii)                               Any joint venture contract or arrangement, partnership rights or obligations for the purpose of sharing profits (however, for the avoidance of doubt, does not include arrangements that share fees or operating income on a case-by-case basis) or any other contract or arrangements relating to the involvement of the Group Company in any business together with any other person;

 

(iv)                              Any contract or arrangement involving matters not falling within the scope of the Group Company’s ordinary business, or business transactions or arrangements constituting a deviation from the usual model of the Group Company;

 

(v)                                 Any contract or arrangement in which any director, supervisor, manager or related party or interested party of the Group Company directly or indirectly have interests, except for employment agreements;

 

(vi)                              Any contract or arrangement that is not signed in the ordinary course of business and involves expenditure or income of the Group Company of over RMB1,000,000 within any fiscal year;

 

(vii)                           Any contract or arrangement with related parties of the Group Company that is not signed in the ordinary course of business and involves payment or income of over RMB1,000,000;

 

(viii)                        Any contract or arrangement that the Group Company is unable to terminate by giving a notice three (3) months or less in advance without being subject to any special compensation fees; or

 

(ix)                              Any contract or arrangement that may be terminated once delivery occurs or the ownership or control of the Group Company changes, or will be subject to material adverse effect because of such changes.

 

(2)                                 As far as the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are concerned, there is no significant contract to which the Group Company is a party that has been breached, become invalid or has reasons to be terminated, revoked, abolished or refused to be performed, and no such allegations are known, except in the case where the third party of the relevant contracts failed to make payment.

 

Appendix III - 9


 

(3)                                 The Group Company does not have any tenders or bids or sales or service proposals that are still valid, significant to its business and, if accepted, will likely result in loss.

 

9.                           Authorization

 

In addition to authorizing employees to enter into regular trade contracts or engage in business operations and management activities customary for the Group Company, the Group Company has not granted or provided any person with any authorization or other power basis that is yet to be completed or remains in force to enter into any contract or undertaking on behalf of the Group Company.

 

10.                    Operations

 

Major customers or major suppliers of the Group Company have not ceased or indicated their intention to cease transactions with the Group Company, and as far as the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are concerned, no major customer or major supplier of the Group Company may substantially reduce the transactions with the Group Company; as far as the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are concerned, the signing or delivery of this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents will not adversely affect the attitudes or actions of major customers and suppliers towards the Group Company.

 

The Group Company has complied with all applicable laws, regulations, government regulations and related permits and licenses in the course of business.

 

11.                    Arrangements among the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder

 

The Company does not agree to provide guarantees or any collateral or indemnity for any debt or obligation of the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder, directors, supervisors or managers of the Company or any of their related parties or interested parties. The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and their related parties or interested parties will cooperate with the Company in completing the qualified initial public offering, trying to solve the problem of horizontal competition with the Company to ensure that the Company’s qualified initial public offering is not affected.

 

Appendix III - 10


 

12.           Bank Account and Borrowing

 

Except as disclosed to the Investors,

 

(1)                                 The Group Company has no outstanding loaned capital, nor has it borrowed or agreed to borrow any money that has not been repaid or with unfulfilled borrowing obligations. It is not a party to any of the following and does not have any obligation related to any of the following:

 

(i)                                     Any loan agreement, bond, acceptance credit, money order, promissory note, finance lease, debt or inventory financing, discount or accounts receivable factoring arrangement or sale and leaseback arrangement; or

 

(ii)                                  Any other arrangement for the purpose of raising funds or providing funds or credit.

 

(2)                                 The Group Company does not hold any shares or securities not fully paid or with any incidental obligations, nor does it have any obligation related to the above shares or securities.

 

(3)                                 The Group Company has not lent or agreed to lend any money without receiving repayment and does not own interests in any existing or future debts.

 

(4)                                 The Group Company has not signed any mortgage, guarantee or indemnity contract that is invalid and unenforceable in accordance with its terms.

 

(5)                                 No event has occurred that would constitute any non-performance of or default on any terms of any loaned capital, borrowings, bonds or financing of the Group Company, or would render any third party the right to request repayment before the normal due date, and no other person has alleged that such an event has occurred.

 

(6)                                 The Group Company has not borrowed any money from any source of funds after the official incorporation date, except where borrowings are made in the ordinary course of business and do not constitute a material adverse effect on the production and operation of the Group Company.

 

(7)                                 The Group Company does not have any debts or accounts payable to the following persons/entities:

 

Appendix III - 11


 

(i)                                     The Founder

 

(ii)                                  The Controlling Shareholder

 

(iii)                               Directors, supervisors or managers of the Company; or

 

(iv)                              Related parties or interested parties of the above persons/entities.

 

13.                    Insolvency

 

(1)                                 No order requiring the liquidation of the Group Company has been made; no request for the liquidation of the Group Company has been submitted; no meeting for the purpose of reviewing the resolution of the liquidation of the Group Company has been convened; no such resolution has been passed.

 

(2)                                 No ruling on the bankruptcy of the Group Company has been made; no petition or application for such orders has been submitted; no bankruptcy administrator of the Group Company has been appointed; no notice for the purpose of appointing the bankruptcy administrator of the Group Company has been issued or submitted; no step or procedure for the purpose of appointing the bankruptcy administrator of the Group Company has been taken or carried out.

 

(3)                                 No receiver (including administrative receiver) related to all or any of the assets of the Group Company has been appointed.

 

(4)                                 No proposal on the formation of a debt restructuring agreement or similar arrangement between the Group Company and creditors has been made.

 

(5)                                 There is currently no valid moratorium for the Group Company, and no step or procedure for the purpose of obtaining such moratorium has been taken or carried out.

 

(6)                                 There is no event involving the Group Company that is similar to any of the above.

 

(7)                                 The Group Company is not insolvent or unable to repay its debts, nor does it cease repaying debts due.

 

(8)                                 No effective judgment, mediation paper or ruling on the Group Company is not fulfilled.

 

14.                    Litigation and Claims

 

(1)                                 As far as the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are concerned, the Group Company, the Controlling Shareholder or the Founder are not involved in any pending lawsuits, arbitrations or other dispute resolution procedures or administrative or criminal proceedings affecting the major assets and business of the Group Company or this capital increase as plaintiffs, defendants or in other capacities. As far as the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are concerned, there are no lawsuits, arbitrations or other dispute resolution procedures or administrative or criminal proceedings that is pending and filed by or against the Group Company, the Controlling Shareholder or the Founder, threatened by the Group Company or by others against the Group Company, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Founder, or expected to be filed by or against the Group Company, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Founder. As far as the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are concerned, there are no facts or circumstances that could lead to any lawsuits, arbitrations, mediations or administrative or criminal proceedings.

 

Appendix III - 12


 

(2)                                 As far as the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are concerned, the Group Company, the Controlling Shareholder or the Founder has not received any written notice of any investigation or inquiry on matters of the Group Company, the Controlling Shareholder or the Founder from any government authority or other agencies currently or in the past, in particular but not limited to matters in environmental protection, public health, fire protection, safety, labor, taxation. The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company are not aware of any circumstances that would lead to such formal investigations or inquiries.

 

(3)                                 The Group Company has not committed any criminal, illegal, wrongful or unauthorized acts or breached any obligations or responsibilities in accordance with or arising out of regulations, contracts or other rules, nor does it have legal liabilities involving the above acts or breaches. And there is no unresolved claim against the Group Company, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Founder, except for those without material adverse effects on the production and operation of the Group Company.

 

(4)                                 The Group Company has not produced, sold or provided any products or services that fail to comply with all applicable laws, regulations or standards in material respects, or are defective or hazardous, or do not comply with any relevant explicit representations or warranties.

 

Appendix III - 13


 

15.                    Ownership and Status of Assets

 

(1)                                 The assets required by the Group Company in the course of business are included in its accounts.

 

(2)                                 The Group Company is the legal and beneficial owner of each asset (except for current assets that are sold, disposed of or used in the normal course of business) included in its accounts or acquired after the official incorporation date; there is no encumbrance on these assets, and each of the assets that may be possessed is owned by the Group Company.

 

(3)                                 The Group Company has the ownership of all intangible assets and fixed assets that are reflected as assets in its balance sheet, and there is no encumbrance, or attachment by courts. Such intangible assets and fixed assets are properly registered under the Group Company at the relevant registries of the government authority in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations if registration is feasible and necessary.

 

(4)                                 The Group Company has the whole, transferable title not subject to any encumbrance to the movable and immovable property and assets used in its business. The Group Company has paid all taxes and other related fees in full in accordance with applicable laws, and there is no default of payment or circumstances where supplementary payment of taxes or other fees is necessary.

 

(5)                                 All non-owned land, buildings and fixed assets currently used by the Group Company are leased under valid leases. All such leases are legal and valid. The Group Company has not violated the leases or not been at fault under the leases.

 

(6)                                 There are no options, mortgages, pledges, liens (except for liens that are generated according to the law in the ordinary course of business) or other forms of guarantees or other encumbrances relating to, created on, or affecting all or part of the business or assets of the Group Company. And there are no agreements or undertakings providing or creating any of the above, and no person claims to be entitled to any of the above interests.

 

(7)                                 All vehicles and office equipment used by the Group Company in relation to its business are normally repaired, maintained, and operated, and are available for use in the business of the Group Company.

 

Appendix III - 14


 

16.                    Intellectual Property

 

(1)                                 The Group Company does not use any name other than the name displayed on its business license and “36Kr” or “36”.

 

(2)                                 The Group Company owns or has the right to use all intellectual property assets and business information that are currently used for the ordinary course of business or that are required to meet current plans and proposals.

 

(3)                                 All fees and steps for the renewal, application and other formal registration of intellectual property assets owned by the Group Company necessary for their maintenance, protection and enforcement have been paid or taken, or will be paid and taken as planned.

 

(4)                                 The intellectual property assets owned by the Group Company are valid, existing and enforceable and are not subject to any mortgage, encumbrance or other rights.

 

(5)                                 All licenses involving intellectual property assets and business information and contracts relating thereto entered into by the Group Company will not be terminated by this capital increase and/or a change in ownership or control of the Group Company.

 

(6)                                 As far as the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are concerned, any third party has not violated any license or contract relating to any intellectual property assets currently used for business purposes.

 

(7)                                 The Group Company is not obligated to license, sublicense or carry out any transfer of any intellectual property assets or business information it owns or uses.

 

(8)                                 As far as the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are concerned, no third party is infringing or has infringed or used without permission any intellectual property assets or business information owned or used by the Group Company.

 

(9)                                 The activities, business information and intellectual property assets of the Group Company do not constitute and has not constituted infringement or unauthorized use of intellectual property assets or business information of any third party.

 

Appendix III - 15


 

(10)                          The intellectual property assets and business information owned by the Group Company are not the subject of any litigation, objection or administrative proceeding.

 

(11)                          The confidential information owned by the Group Company has not been disclosed or otherwise permitted to be known to any third party without such third party performing confidentiality obligations.

 

(12)                          The Group Company is not a party to any confidentiality or other contract restricting the free use or disclosure of its business information, nor does it assume any obligation restricting the free use or disclosure of its business information that may have a material adverse effect on the business of the Group Company.

 

(13)                          The operation of the Group Company does not result in the payment of intellectual property royalties or similar payment obligations.

 

17.                    Information Technology

 

The information technology and domain names owned or used by the Group Company is not the subject of any litigations, dispute or claim; as far as the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are concerned, there are no expected or likely litigations, disputes or claims relating to any information technology or domain names owned or used by the Group Company.

 

18.                    Employees

 

(1)                                 Since the official incorporation date of the Group Company, no significant changes have been made to the remuneration or other terms of employment of any manager of the Group Company.

 

(2)                                 The employees of the Group Company have not made any claims on any intellectual property assets relating to the business of the Group Company, and as far as the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are concerned, no employee will make such a claim.

 

(3)                                 There are no unresolved or likely disputes among any member and any union or other organizations formed for similar purpose of the Group Company, and the Group Company is not a party to any collective bargaining agreement or other arrangements (whether or not binding).

 

(4)                                 The Group Company does not have any actions or circumstances in major violations of laws or regulations relating to labor, employment, social insurance and/or housing provident fund.

 

Appendix III - 16


 

(5)                                 As far as the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are concerned, no employee or other personnel or former employee or other former personnel threaten to file against the Group Company, and no other person threaten to file against the Group Company for any employee or other personnel or former employee or other former personnel, claims involving any accident, injury, unpaid salary, overtime payment, severance payment, social security payment, leave or any other matters caused or incurred by the employment or hiring of such employee or other personnel or former employee or other former personnel by the Group Company, and there is no such claims pending.

 

19.                    Environmental Matters

 

(1)                                 The Group Company has legally obtained and holds all or any of the permits, consents, licenses, approvals, certificates and other authorizations necessary for its production and operations required under any applicable laws relating to environmental protection (“Environmental Protection Law”), and all or any of the terms and conditions under these authorizations required by the Environmental Protection Law, except where omission of such will not result in material adverse effects on the legal and normal operation of the Group Company;

 

(2)                                 The Group Company complies with and has always complied with the Environmental Protection Law in major respects;

 

(3)                                 As far as the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are concerned, the Group Company has not received any form of information from any relevant authorities that it may or may be alleged to be in violation of the Environmental Protection Law;

 

(4)                                 As far as the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are concerned, there are no legal proceedings or other litigations, claims or investigations against the Group Company with material adverse effects on the production and operations of the Group Company or relating thereto or otherwise in connection with the Environmental Protection Law, nor are there any pending or potential legal proceedings or other litigations, claims or investigations.

 

Appendix III - 17


 

(5)                                 As far as the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are concerned, there are no facts or circumstances that could lead to actual or potential environmental liability for the Group Company;

 

(6)                                 The Group Company has not received any notice or notification of complaints or claims on any environmental matter from any person;

 

(7)                                 The Group Company has not received any injunctions or similar remedies or orders from competent courts on any environmental matter or made any commitments to the courts.

 

20.                    Taxes

 

(1)                                 The Group Company has submitted all tax returns required by the relevant tax authorities in accordance with the law, and all such tax returns are complete and correct in all material respects. The Group Company has paid all the payable taxes (whether or not displayed on the tax returns) in accordance with the requirements of the relevant tax authorities as required by law, or has made appropriate provisions in its financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the relevant tax authorities as required by law. Any assets or property of the Group Company are not subject to tax guarantees enjoined to be provided by the relevant tax authorities, except for those relating to taxes outstanding and payable; the Group Company is in compliance with the requirements of the relevant tax authorities applicable to it or its business (including but not limited to, if any, the conditions for preferential tax treatment); and as far as the Founder, the controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are concerned, no government or regulatory authority will impose or have reasons to impose any additional taxes on the Group Company during any period that a tax return has been filed or required to be filed. The Group Company has no:

 

(i)                                     dispute or claim on any tax liability that has been claimed or filed by any government or regulatory authority, or;

 

(ii)                                  warning about any reasonably expected tax liability dispute or claim as far as the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder, and/or the Company are concerned.

 

(2)                                 Provisions made in the accounts of the Group Company are sufficient for the deferred tax and are fully compliant with the accounting practices generally recognized in the place of registration and adopted by companies or organizations operating similar businesses.

 

Appendix III - 18


 

(3)                                 If all the facts and circumstances known by the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are known facts and circumstances at the time of accounts preparation, the provisions for the deferred tax in the corresponding accounts shall not be more than the provisions already made.

 

21.                    Tax Returns, Disputes, Records and Requests

 

(1)                                 The Group Company has submitted and provided on its own or arranged others to submit and provide all applicable tax returns and all data required by any tax authority.

 

(2)                                 On the date of this Agreement, the Group Company has neither tax liability that is unresolved or expected to occur, in which the tax authority may recover any taxes (including fines or interest) from the Group Company, nor dispute or disagreement with any tax authority concerning any tax benefits to the Group Company, and there are no circumstances that will very likely lead to such disputes or disagreements.

 

22.                    Insurance

 

As far as the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are concerned, all major assets of the Group Company that may and need to be insured according to industry practices (specifically real estate and vehicles, if any) have been insured in accordance with applicable laws and industry practices against risks that are usually insured against.

 

23.                    Incentive Mechanism

 

There are neither other stock option or other similar performance-based incentive arrangements (including stock appreciation rights scheme) for employees (or former employees), directors (or former directors), supervisors (or former supervisors) or consultants (or former consultants) or contractors (or former contractors) of the Group Company, nor other similar arrangements that are affecting any of the above persons.

 

24.                    No State-owned Assets

 

The Group Company does not have any state-owned assets, and does not need to undergo any form of assessment of state-owned assets or obtain approval for disposal of state-owned assets in order to facilitate the completion of the transaction in accordance with laws and regulations of China.

 

Appendix III - 19


 

25.                    No Undisclosed Business

 

As of the Delivery Date, the business of the Group Company has not exceeded the business scope approved in its business license. The Group Company has not engaged in any business that is not disclosed to the Investors.

 

26.                    Compliant Business Practices

 

(1)                                 The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company acknowledge that the related parties of the Group Company and any other person acting on behalf of the above parties do not, whether or not related to transactions under this Agreement or related to other matters, (i) deliberately violate any applicable laws and orders; (ii) make any improper payments to government officials for business benefits or advantages.

 

(2)                                 The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company acknowledge that the Group Company and/or the related parties of the Group Company and any other person acting on behalf of the above parties does not take any actions that may violate the applicable anti-corruption laws which include but are not limited to: relevant anti-corruption and anti-commercial bribery laws and regulations of China, the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 as amended, and the applicable anti-corruption laws of other countries (hereinafter referred to as “Anti-corruption Laws”). Any of the related parties of the Group Company and any other person acting on behalf of the above parties have never offered, paid, promised to pay or authorized to pay any money or anything of value to any government official taking office in any government authority or any entity (if the related party of the Group Company knew that all or part of such money or things of value would very likely be offered, given or promised to be given to any government official (either directly or indirectly)). For the purposes of this article, government authority also includes any entity or enterprise owned or controlled by government authorities or international public organizations.

 

Appendix III - 20


 

(3)                                 The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company acknowledge that the Group Company and/or the related parties of the Group Company and any other person acting on behalf of the above parties, for the following purposes: (i) influence any act or decision within the authority of the government official; (ii) induce the government official to perform any act or omission in respect of his/her statutory duties; (iii) obtain any improper advantage; (iv) obtain any government research grant or national special project; (v) assist the Group Company in obtaining or retaining business or introduce business to the Group Company; or (v) induce the government official to influence or interfere with acts or decisions of any government authorities, have never accepted, offered, paid, promised to pay, authorized to pay, or taken actions to procure the acceptance, offer, or payment of any money or anything of value to any government officials taking office in any government authority or any entity (if the related party of the Group Company knew that all or part of such money or things of value would very likely be offered, given or promised to be given any government official (either directly or indirectly)).

 

(4)                                 The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company acknowledge that the Group Company and/or the related parties of the Group Company and any other person acting on behalf of the above parties has not violated the principle of fair competition and employed means such as giving, receiving property or other benefits to obtain transaction opportunities or other economic benefits in business activities.

 

(5)                                 The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder, and the Company acknowledge that key employees of the Group Company have not held any administrative position in any government authority, university or other public institution, and have not taken advantage of their positions outside the Group Company to seek any improper benefits for the Group Company, including but not limited to obtaining transaction opportunities, government approvals, or government research grants for the Group Company.

 

(6)                                 No government official, government authority or entity currently has any direct or indirect interest in the Group Company, or any legal or beneficial interest in the Group Company and the proceeds from capital increase subscriptions paid to the Group Company by the Investors under this Agreement.

 

(7)                                 The Group Company maintains and will maintain accurate and complete books and records in accordance with the applicable anti-corruption laws and generally recognized accounting principles.

 

Appendix III - 21


 

Appendix IV

 

Disclosure List

 

1. As of the date of issuance of this disclosure list, an application to change the operating entity of the Telecom and Information Services Business License is ongoing, and the operating entity will be changed from the Controlling Shareholder to the Company.

 

2. As of the date of issuance of this disclosure list, the owner of the “wow36kr” official WeChat account, “36kr” Weibo account, software copyright of the Company’s corresponding business of the Company is the Controlling Shareholder.

 

3. On May 8, 2017 and June 5, 2017, the Controlling Shareholder signed the Loan Agreement with the Company and provided the Company with a loan of RMB6,521,260.

 

4. The relevant wages, social insurance and housing provident fund of individual employees of the Company who need to apply for work permits and sign labor contracts with the Controlling Shareholder are all borne by the Controlling Shareholder. After the Company has completed the application to become qualified for handling work permits, such employees will have theirs replaced.

 


 

Appendix V

 

List of Key Employees

 

Name

 

Position

 

Identification number

Feng Dagang

 

President

 

132801197810243614

Zhang Zhuo

 

Assistant President

 

110108198311236028

Li Yang

 

Chief Editor

 

210402197611192941

Ye Hongguang

 

Vice President of Business Center

 

130206197910210016

Li Zheng

 

General Manager of Brand Advertising

 

510781198201130075

 


 

Appendix VI

 

Address for Notice

 

For the purposes of the article on notice set forth in this Agreement, the original addresses of the parties are as follows:

 

To the Founder:

Liu Chengcheng

Address: 6th Floor, Haizhi Chuangtou, 34 Haidian Street, Haidian District, Beijing, China

Recipient: Wang Jingyu

Phone: 010-59974030

Zip code: 100089

E-mail: wangjingyu@36kr.com

 

To the Controlling Shareholder:

Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Service Co., Ltd.

Address: 6th Floor, Haizhi Chuangtou, 34 Haidian Street, Haidian District, Beijing, China

Recipient: Wang Jingyu

Phone: 010-59974030

Zip code: 100089

E-mail: wangjingyu@36kr.com

 

To the Company

Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd.

Address: 6th Floor, Haizhi Chuangtou, 34 Haidian Street, Haidian District, Beijing, China

Recipient: Wang Jingyu

Phone: 010-59974030

Zip code: 100089

E-mail: wangjingyu@36kr.com

 


 

To investors of this round

Suzhou Industrial Park Gebi Yinghe Venture Capital Partnership (Limited Partnership)

Address: Room 1508, Gopher Center, 757 Mengzi Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China

Recipient: Xu Chen

Phone: 021-51601618

Fax: 021-56295805

Zip code: 200023

E-mail: ken@gobi.cn

 

Jiaxing Xiaodu Neirong Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)

Address: Pactera Building, Phase 2, Zhongguancun Software Park, 8 Dongbeiwang West Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China

Recipient: Liu Renjie

Phone: 18610451803

Zip code: 100193

E-mail: liurenjie@itv.baidu.com

 

Beijing Gebi Lvzhou Angel Investment Center (Limited Partnership)

Address: Room 906, Block H, Phoenix Land Plaza, A5 Shuguang Xili, Beijing, China

Recipient: Jiang Tao

Phone: 86.10.8455.4115

Fax: 86.10.8455.4119

Zip code: 100028

E-mail: don@gobi.cn

 


 

Hangzhou Jincun Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)

Address: Room 3211, 32nd Floor, Jintou Financial Building, 2-6 Qingchun East Road, Jianggan District, Hangzhou

Recipient: Chen Chenjie

Phone: 0571-87225309

Fax:

Zip code: 310016

E-mail: chenchenjie@hzfi.cn

 


 

Annex I

 

Regarding the Shareholders Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd.

 


 

Annex II

 

Articles of Association of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd.

 


 

(This is a signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have procured their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Liu Chengcheng

Signature: [signed]

 

Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd.

(Seal) [Chopped: Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. 1101081077300]

Legal representative: [signed]

 

Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Service Co., Ltd.

(Seal) [Chopped: Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Service Co., Ltd. 1101080814347]

Legal representative: [signed]

 

Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership)

(Seal) [Chopped: Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership)]

Authorized representative of the executive partner: [signed]

 

Signature page

 


 

(This is a signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have procured their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership)

(Seal) [Chopped: Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership)]

Authorized representative of the executive partner:

 


 

(This is a signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have procured their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Jiaxing Xiaodu Neirong Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)

(Seal) [Chopped: Jiaxing Xiaodu Neirong Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership) 3304020025051]

 

Appointed representative of the executive partner:

 

Signature page

 


 

(This is a signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have procured their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Beijing Gebi Lvzhou Angel Investment Center (Limited Partnership)

(Seal) [Chopped: Beijing Gebi Lvzhou Angel Investment Center (Limited Partnership) 1101080319389]

 

Appointed representative of the executive partner:

 

[signed]

 

Signature page

 


 

(This is signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have promoted their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Suzhou Industrial Park Gebi Yinghe Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)

(Seal) [Chopped: Suzhou Industrial Park Gebi Yinghe Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership) 3205940045568]

 

Appointed representative of the executive partner: [signed]

 

Signature page

 


 

(This is signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have promoted their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Hangzhou Jincun Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)

(Seal) [Chopped: Hangzhou Jincun Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership) 3301040112941]

 

Appointed representative of the executive partner: [signed]

 

Signature page

 




Exhibit 10.7

 


 

Capital Increase Agreement

 


 

of

 

Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd.

 

Between

 

Liu Chengcheng

 

Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Service Co., Ltd.

 

Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership)

 

Suzhou Industrial Park Gebi Yinghe Venture Capital Partnership (Limited Partnership)

 

Beijing Gebi Lvzhou Angel Investment Center (Limited Partnership)

 

Jiaxing Xiaodu Neirong Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)

 

Hangzhou Jincun Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)

 

and

 

Shenzhen Guohong No.2 Enterprise Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)

 

Gongqingcheng Fenzhong Chuangxiang Information Technology Co., Ltd.

 

December 2017

 

Beijing, China

 

FOR DUE DILIGENCE ONLY

 


 

Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd.

 

The Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “this Agreement” or the “Capital Increase Agreement” was signed by the following parties in Beijing, China on 12 December 2017:

 

Founder:

 

1.                                      Liu Chengcheng (hereinafter referred to as the “Founder”)

ID number: 320911198811194339

Address: No. 117, Group 1, Xinhuo Village, Yandu New District, Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province

 

Company Shareholders:

 

2.                                      Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Service Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Controlling Shareholder”)

Address: 5/F and 6/F, No. 34, Haidian Street, Haidian District, Beijing

Legal representative: Liu Chengcheng

 

3.                                      Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership) (hereinafter referred to as “Zhang Gongzi”)

Address: 1102-072, 11th Floor, Block G1, TEDA MSD, Second Avenue, Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area

Executive partner: Liu Chengcheng

 

Previous Investor Shareholders:

 

4.                                      Suzhou Industrial Park Gebi Yinghe Venture Capital Partnership (Limited Partnership) (hereinafter referred to as “Gebi Yinghe”)

Address: Room 240, Building 19, Dongsha Lake Equity Investment Center, No. 183, Suhong East Road, Suzhou Industrial Park

Appointed representative of the executive partner: Zhu Lin

 

5.                                      Beijing Gebi Lvzhou Angel Investment Center (Limited Partnership) (hereinafter referred to as “Gebi Lvzhou”)

Address: Room 5430, Shenchang Building, No. 51 Zhichun Road, Haidian District, Beijing

Appointed representative of the executive partner: Jiang Tao

 

2


 

6.                                      Jiaxing Xiaodu Neirong Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership) (hereinafter referred to as “Xiaodu Investment”)

Address: Room 106-70, Dongfang Building, 100 Zhuyuan Road, Nanhu District, Jiaxing, Zhejiang

Executive partner delegate: Hu Hao

 

7.                                      Hangzhou Jincun Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership) (hereinafter referred to as “Jincun Investment”)

Address: Room 614, Guangxin Business Building, 58 Xintang Road, Jianggan District, Hangzhou

Executive partner delegate: Wang Huaping

 

The Company Increasing Capital:

 

8.                                      Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “the Company”)

Address: 601, 6th Floor, 34 Haidian Street, Haidian District, Beijing

Legal representative: Liu Chengcheng

 

Investors Subscribing for this Capital Increase:

 

9.                                      Shenzhen Guohong No.2 Enterprise Corporate Management Partnership (Limited Partnership) (hereinafter referred to as “Guohong No.2”)

Address: 18D, Tairan Jinsong Building, Tairan Avenue, Shatou Street, Futian District, Shenzhen

Executive partner delegate: Ma Zhiqiang

 

10.                               Gongqingcheng Fenzhong Chuangxiang Information Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Fenzhong Chuangxiang”)

Address: Private Equity Fund Park, Gongqingcheng, Jiujiang, Jiangxi

Legal representative: Ding Xiaojing

 

(Gebi Yinghe, Gebi Lvzhou, Xiaodu Investment, Jincun Investment, Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang are collectively referred to as “Investor Shareholders”, the Controlling Shareholder, Zhang Gongzi are collectively referred to as “Company Shareholders”, the Controlling Shareholder, Zhang Gongzi, Gebi Yinghe, Gebi Lvzhou, Xiaodu Investment, Jincun Investment are collectively referred to as “Existing Shareholders”, the Founder, Company Shareholders, Investor Shareholders and the Company are collectively referred to as “the Parties “ and individually referred to as a “Party” in this Agreement)

 

3


 

Preface

 

A.                                    The Founder is a Chinese citizen who has a residence and has lived for a long time in China.

 

B.                                    Existing Shareholders are companies incorporated and validly existing under the laws of China.

 

C.                                    The Company is a limited liability company incorporated and validly existing under the laws of China. As of the date of this Agreement, the registered capital of the Company is RMB Ten Million Five Hundred And Sixteen Thousand Six Hundred And Sixty Six (RMB10,516,666), and its shareholding structure is listed below:

 

No.

 

Shareholder name

 

Holding
registered
capital
(RMB)

 

Shareholding
ratio

 

1.

 

Xieli Zhucheng

 

8,000,000

 

76.07

%

2.

 

Zhang Gongzi

 

2,000,000

 

19.02

%

3.

 

Gebi Yinghe

 

233,334

 

2.22

%

4.

 

Jincun Investment

 

166,667

 

1.58

%

5.

 

Xiaodu Investment

 

83,333

 

0.79

%

6.

 

Gebi Lvzhou

 

33,333

 

0.32

%

 

 

Total

 

10,516,666

 

100.00

%

 

D.                                    Pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the parties agree that, for this Capital Increase, Guohong No.2 will invest RMB90,000,000 in the Company to subscribe for the newly registered capital of the Company of RMB749,997 (hereinafter referred to as “Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscriptions of Guohong No.2”) and Fenzhong Chuangxiang will invest RMB30,000,000 in the Company to subscribe for the newly registered capital of the Company of RMB249,999 (hereinafter referred to as “Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscriptions of Fenzhong Chuangxiang” and collectively with Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscriptions of Guohong No.2 as “Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscriptions”). The newly registered capital of the Company is RMB999,996 (hereinafter referred to as “Newly Registered Capital”), and the registered capital of the Company is increased from RMB10,516,666 to RMB11,516,662.

 

4


 

Text of the Agreement

 

In view of this, according to the relevant laws, regulations and normative documents of China, the parties reach unanimously agreement as follows through friendly negotiation:

 

1.              Definition

 

1.1                               Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement or the context of this Agreement otherwise requires, the following expressions have the following meanings in this Agreement:

 

“This Capital Increase” or “This Transaction”

 

shall mean the Capital Increase Agreement proposed to be completed under this Agreement

 

 

 

“This Agreement” or “the Capital Increase Agreement”

 

the Capital Increase Agreement, also including amendments, supplements and adjustments and attachments to this Agreement from time to time through negotiations of the parties.

 

 

 

“Founder”

 

has the meaning as specified in the Preamble

 

 

 

“Controlling Shareholder”

 

has the meaning as specified in the Preamble

 

 

 

“Existing Shareholders”

 

shall have the meaning as defined in Preamble.

 

 

 

“Guohong No.2”

 

shall have the meaning as defined in Preamble.

 

 

 

“Fenzhong Chuangxiang”

 

shall have the meaning as defined in Preamble.

 

 

 

“Jincun Investment”

 

shall have the meaning as defined in Preamble.

 

 

 

“Gebi Yinghe”

 

has the meaning as specified in the Preamble

 

 

 

“Gebi Lvzhou”

 

has the meaning as specified in the Preamble

 

 

 

“Xiaodu Investment”

 

has the meaning as specified in the Preamble

 

5


 

“Investor Shareholders”

 

shall have the meaning as defined in Preamble.

 

 

 

“Preamble”

 

the part between the title of the Agreement and the Preface of this Agreement.

 

 

 

“Preface”

 

the Preface of this Agreement.

 

 

 

“Party” and “the Parties”

 

has the meaning as specified in the Preamble.

 

 

 

“Third Party”

 

any person other than the parties to this Agreement.

 

 

 

“The Company”

 

has the meaning as specified in the Preamble

 

 

 

“Shareholders Agreement”

 

the Shareholders Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. with the same format and content as Appendix I of this Agreement.

 

 

 

“Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscriptions”

 

has the meaning as specified in Preamble of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Newly Registered Capital”

 

has the meaning as specified in Preamble of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Capital Increase Subscription Price”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 3.1.1 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Delivery”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 4.1 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Delivery Date”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 4.1 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Capital Increase Transaction Document”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 4.1.7 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Business Plan”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 4.1.8 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Disclosure List”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 5.1 of this Agreement

 

6


 

“Board of Directors”

 

the Company’s board of directors.

 

 

 

“Industrial and Commercial Administration”

 

the corresponding industrial and commercial administrative department in China responsible for the approval and registration of the establishment, change (including but not limited to Capital Increase, equity transfer, etc.) of the Company.

 

 

 

“Shareholder Meeting”

 

shareholder meeting of the Company.

 

 

 

“Related Parties”

 

For the purpose of a specific person, (a) when it is a natural person, the spouse of the person and his immediate family members (whether blood relative or adopted) or any trust established and maintained only for the benefit of the person, the spouse of the person and/or the immediate family members; and (b) when it is any person, the person indirectly or indirectly controlling such specific person through one or more media, controlled by such specific person or jointly controlled together with such specific person.

 

 

 

“Interested parties”

 

for any person, (a) the person acting as a director, supervisor, manager (director and above) or a partner or a company or organization holding directly or indirectly no less than ten percent (10%) of any kind of equity securities interests, (b) trust or other properties in which the person enjoys a substantial interest or in which the person acts as a trustee or holds a similar position, and (c) any immediate family member or a collateral relative within three generations of such person, the spouse of such person or the immediate family member or a collateral relative within three generations of the spouse of such person.

 

 

 

“Qualified Initial Public Offering”

 

shall mean the listing and public offering of shares of the Company at stock exchanges in China, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or other internationally recognized stock exchanges considered and approved by the general meeting of shareholders according to the securities laws and regulations of the applicable jurisdiction(s). Unless approved in advance by Guohong No.2, qualified initial public offering does not include the listing of the Company in the National Equities Exchange and Quotations.

 

7


 

“Contract”

 

any agreement, arrangement, commitment, stipulation, license, compensation, contract, instrument, lease, permit, permission or binding memorandum of understanding (whether written or not).

 

 

 

“Control”

 

(including the meaning of the terms “Controlling”, “Controlled” and “Commonly Controlled by”), for the purpose of any person, the authority to directly or indirectly direct the person’s management or policy (related to operational controls, financial controls or other controls), whether by holding securities with voting rights, or by contract or otherwise.

 

 

 

“Subsidiaries”

 

the Company and other non-natural person parties in which the Company directly or indirectly holds fifty percent (50%) of the voting rights. As of the signing date of this Agreement, the list of the Company’s subsidiaries is detailed in Appendix I of this Agreement.

 

 

 

“Group Company”

 

the Company and/or subsidiaries.

 

 

 

“Encumbrance”

 

(a) any obligation, guarantee for the purpose of any person, or pledge, guarantee, mortgage, lien, security deed, trust deed, retention of rights, security interest or other third party rights conferring any kind of payment priority on it; (b) any easement or guarantee granting the use or possession right to any person; (c) any power of attorney, letter of authority, voting trust agreement, equity interest, option, preemptive right, priority negotiation or refusal right or transfer restrictions in favor of any person; (d) any unfavorable claims relating to ownership, possession or use; encumbrance also includes agreements or arrangements relating to the above.

 

8


 

“RMB”

 

the legal currency of China.

 

 

 

“Person”

 

should be interpreted as broadly as possible and should include individuals, partnerships (including but not limited to limited partnerships), companies, associated enterprises, joint stock limited companies, limited liability companies, trusts, joint ventures or cooperative enterprises (including Sino-foreign joint ventures and Sino-foreign cooperative enterprise), non-corporate organizations and government authorities.

 

 

 

“Applicable Laws”

 

for the purpose of any person, any constitution, treaty, statute, laws, regulations, decrees, guidelines, rules, judgments, common law rules, orders, edicts, rulings, injunctions, government approvals, approvals, grants, licenses, permits, consents, instructions, requirements that apply to such person or any property or business thereof, whether it is effective on or after the date of this Agreement or revised from time to time or re-enacted, or other government restrictions of any government authority or any similar government decrees, or decisions made by it, or relevant provisions relating to the interpretation and implementation of any of the foregoing.

 

 

 

“Taxes”

 

Any and all taxes payable (including but not limited to any income tax, business tax, stamp duty or other taxes, duties, charges, fees, deductions, fines or withholding taxes imposed, collected or apportioned). “Tax revenue” should also be interpreted accordingly.

 

 

 

“Litigation”

 

Any litigation, prosecution, legal procedure, claim, arbitration or investigation.

 

 

 

“Loss”

 

All direct or indirect losses, liabilities, damages, deficiencies, value impairments, litigation, debts, responsibilities, benefits, interests, fines, fees, judgments or reconciliations of any nature or kind, including all related costs and expenses, including but not limited to reasonable lawyer fees and expenses, litigation fees, arbitration fees, reconciliation fees and investigation fees of any kind or nature, whether it is legal or equitable, known or unknown, foreseeable or unforeseeable.

 

9


 

“Known”

 

When something is “known” to a person, it means something that is actually known to such person. It should be something known after proper consultation and due diligence that should be conducted by such person as a prudent business person in managing its business. Such due diligence includes appropriate consultation with such person and the management, directors, key employees and professional consultants (including lawyers, accountants and consultants) of its related parties.

 

 

 

“Business Day”

 

any day when China’s banks usually operate public-facing business (except for Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays in China).

 

 

 

“Articles of Association”

 

Articles of Association of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. with the same format and content as Appendix II of this Agreement.

 

 

 

“Confidential Information”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 8.1 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Government Authority”

 

any government or its political branch, whether at the federal, central, state, provincial, municipal, or local level, and regardless of administrative, legislative, or judicial nature, including any representative office, authority, council, bureau, committee, court, department, or other institutions.

 

 

 

“Intellectual Property Assets”

 

all patents, patent applications, registered trademarks, service trademarks, trademark applications, unregistered logos, trade names, registered designs, unregistered design rights, domain names, copyrights, copyright registrations and applications, and all other related rights, inventions, utility models, appearance design, database and all related rights, all computer software including all source code, object code, firmware, development tools, files, records and data, including all storage media for any of the above contents, formulation, design, commercial secrets, confidentialities, proprietary information, proprietary rights, know-how and procedures, and all documents relating to any of the above contents.

 

10


 

“Material Adverse Effect”

 

material adverse effect on the condition (financial condition or other) of a particular person, the assets associated with it, the results of operations or prospects, or its business (currently or intended to be carried out).

 

 

 

“China”

 

the People’s Republic of China, but for the purposes of this Agreement, not including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan.

 

 

 

“Main Business”

 

Internet commercial media.

 

 

 

“Dispute”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 11.4.1 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Arbitration Commission”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 11.4.2 of this Agreement

 

1.2                               Interpretation. The term “this Agreement” means all of this Agreement and is not a clause, appendix, attachment or other part of this Agreement. Terms, appendices or attachments expressed in this Agreement shall be the corresponding terms, appendices or attachments in this Agreement, unless they are inconsistent with the subject matter or context.

 

1.3                               Headings. The headings of the terms are for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

 

1.4                               References. References to the laws of China in this Agreement shall include any laws, regulations, legally binding policies or other supporting legislation in the region. References to the law shall include versions that have been revised or altered from time to time. References to this Agreement or any contract shall be construed as including the relevant contract that may be amended, supplemented, altered or updated.

 

1.5                               Appendix and attachment. The appendices and annexes to this Agreement constitute an integral part of this Agreement and have the same legal effect as this Agreement.

 

11


 

2.                           Pre-delivery Action

 

2.1                    Application for Intellectual Property Transfer. The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company undertake that the Controlling Shareholder shall commence the legal process of registration change to register all the intellectual properties in Appendix II under the name of the Company before delivery.

 

2.2                    The obligations of the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company under Article 2.1 shall only be deemed to have been fulfilled after confirmation in writing by the Investor Shareholders.

 

3.                           Capital Increase

 

3.1                    This Capital Increase.

 

3.1.1          The parties agree that, subject to the fulfilment of terms and conditions of this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents, Guohong No.2 shall invest RMB90,000,000 in the Company to subscribe for the newly registered capital of the Company of RMB749,997; Fenzhong Chuangxiang shall invest RMB30,000,000 in the Company to subscribe for the newly registered capital of the Company of RMB249,999. The total newly registered capital of the Company invested by Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang shall amount to a total of RMB999,996 at the subscription price of RMB120 for each RMB1 of the newly registered capital (hereinafter referred to as “Capital Increase Subscription Price”), and the premium portion of the Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscriptions paid by Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang shall be included in the capital reserve of the Company.

 

3.1.2          The Proportion of Equity Interest after the Capital Increase is Completed. After the completion of the Capital Increase mentioned in the above Article 3.1.1, the Company’s shareholders and capital contribution ratio shall be listed as follows:

 

No.

 

Shareholder
name

 

Holding registered
capital
(RMB)

 

Shareholding
ratio

 

1

 

Controlling Shareholder

 

8,000,000

 

69.46

%

2

 

Zhang Gongzi

 

2,000,000

 

17.37

%

3

 

Guohong No.2

 

749,997

 

6.51

%

4

 

Fenzhong Chuangxiang

 

249,999

 

2.17

%

5

 

Gebi Yinghe

 

233,334

 

2.03

%

6.

 

Jincun Investment

 

166,666

 

1.45

%

7.

 

Xiaodu Investment

 

83,333

 

0.72

%

8.

 

Gebi Lvzhou

 

33,333

 

0.29

%

Total

 

1,1516,662

 

100.00

%

 

12


 

3.2                    Consent and Waiver. Existing Shareholders agree to and approve the Capital Increase by Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang and the subscription for Newly Registered Capital by Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang, and waive the pre-emptive right to subscribe for the above Newly Registered Capital.

 

3.3                    Time of Payment of the Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscriptions. The parties agree that Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang shall pay the corresponding Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscriptions in full to the Company on the Delivery Date. On the day when Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang pays the Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscriptions in full, the Company shall immediately record Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang and the number and proportion of the Company’s shares held by them in the Company’s shareholder registry, and issue capital contribution certificates stamped by the Company and signed by the Company’s legal representative to Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang. From the Delivery Date, Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang shall be entitled to the rights as shareholders of the Company in accordance with this Agreement and the Shareholders Agreement (including but not limited to the right to obtain the Company’s undistributed profits).

 

3.4                    Business License Update. Within ten (10) business days after Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang pays the Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscriptions in full to the Company, the Company shall apply to the Industrial and Commercial Administration for the registration of changes in the relevant corporate registration matters due to this Capital Increase (including the filing of the new shareholders of the Company, the Articles of Association, and the new board members of the Company) and the update of the business licenses to reflect that Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang has paid the Newly Registered Capital of the Company in accordance with this Agreement and become shareholders of the Company, and Existing Shareholders shall take all necessary actions and sign all necessary documents to assist the Company in completing the registration of changes for the Capital Increase by Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang.

 

13


 

3.5                    The parties acknowledge and agree to accept that Tianhong Innovation Asset Management Co., Ltd. shall invest no more than RMB Ninety Million (RMB90,000,000) in the Company at the Capital Increase Subscription Price before December 31, 2017. In order to avoid objections, the parties acknowledge that the preferential rights granted to the newly registered capital of the Company subscribed by Tianhong Innovation Asset Management Co., Ltd. shall not take precedence over that of the Investor Shareholders. At that time, the shareholders of the Company shall cooperate in signing legal documents with the form and content that are satisfactory to the new investors (including but not limited to the Capital Increase Agreement, the Shareholders Agreement, the new Articles of Association, the commitment letter for the waiver of the subscription rights, resolutions of the shareholder meetings, etc.) to realize the subscription of the Company’s newly registered capital by Tianhong Innovation Asset Management Co., Ltd..

 

4.                           Delivery of the Capital Increase

 

4.1                    Conditions for the Delivery of the Capital Increase. The obligation of Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang to pay the Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscriptions in accordance with Articles 3.1.1 and 3.3 of this Agreement (hereinafter referred to as “Delivery”) shall be subject to the fulfillment of the following conditions, unless Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang waive in writing. Delivery shall be conducted on one of the ten (10) business days agreed upon by the parties after the following preconditions have been fulfilled or waived in writing, or other dates and times agreed by the parties (hereinafter referred to as the “Delivery Date”), by the remote exchange of document and signing:

 

4.1.1          Due Diligence. Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang have completed and passed due diligence on the Group Company (including but not limited to commercial due diligence, legal due diligence, financial due diligence), and the results of due diligence are satisfactory to Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang; the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company shall fully cooperate with Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang in conducting the above-mentioned due diligence, including but not limited to arranging customer meetings and providing relevant contracts and legal documents and financial information of the Group Company. The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company have fully, truthfully and completely disclosed in writing to Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang the assets, liabilities, equity interests, external guarantees of the Group Company and all information relating to this Capital Increase.

 

14


 

4.1.2          Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties made by the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company in Appendix III to this Agreement are true, accurate and not misleading in all material respects on the Delivery Date; however, if a representation and warranty clearly refers to the condition on an earlier date before the Delivery Date, the representation and warranty shall be true, accurate and not misleading as of that earlier date.

 

4.1.3          Performance of Obligations. Existing Shareholders and the Company have properly performed and complied with all agreements, obligations and conditions that are required to be fulfilled or observed upon or before the Delivery contained in this Agreement and the Capital Increase Transaction Documents.

 

4.1.4          Approval, Consent and Waiver. Existing Shareholders and the Company shall have obtained all the approvals, consents and waivers required to complete this Capital Increase, including but not limited to the corresponding pre-emptive right that Existing Shareholders shall waive, and all permits, licenses, approvals, filings or consents of any government authority or regulatory authority or other persons (other than the industrial and commercial registration) (if any).

 

4.1.5          No Material Adverse Effects. From the date of signing this Agreement to the delivery date, the Group Company has not encountered any material adverse effect events.

 

4.1.6          Contracts with Key Employees. The key employees of the Company (see the list of key employees in Appendix V of this Agreement) have signed employment agreements, confidentiality agreements, business strife limitation agreements and non-competition agreement with the Company with the form and content that are satisfactory to Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang.

 

4.1.7          Signing of the Capital Increase Transaction Documents. The parties shall have signed the Capital Increase Agreement, the Shareholders Agreement and the Articles of Association and all other ancillary documents required by applicable laws (hereinafter referred to as “Capital Increase Transaction Documents”) for the purpose of this Capital Increase.

 

If any government authority requires changes to any of the provisions of any Capital Increase Transaction Document upon submission of the Capital Increase Transaction Documents to the relevant government authority for registration, the parties shall promptly negotiate whether to make the required changes. No change shall have legal effect without the written consent of the parties.

 

15


 

4.1.8          Written Approval of Future Business Plans. The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company shall have submitted to Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang the detailed research and development plan, promotion plan of the Company (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Business Plans”) for the next twelve (12) months after the completion of this Capital Increase and the Company’s budget plan, and the above business plans shall have been approved in writing by Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang.

 

4.1.9          Approval by Shareholders and the Investment Committees. Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang has obtained approval from their respective shareholders and investment committees or similar institutions for this Capital Increase of the Company and all contents of the Capital Increase Transaction Documents.

 

4.1.10   Delivery Certificate. The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company shall have delivered a duly signed delivery certificate to Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang, proving all the conditions for Delivery set forth in Article 4.1 have been fulfilled.

 

4.2                    Delivery Conditions of the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder. The obligations of the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder on the Delivery Date shall depend on the satisfaction of the following prerequisites on or before the delivery Date, unless otherwise waived by the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder in writing:

 

4.2.1          Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties made by Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang under this Agreement are true and accurate in all material respects on the Delivery Date; however, if a particular representation and warranty expressly states circumstances of an earlier date before the Delivery Date, the representation and warranty shall be true as of that earlier date.

 

4.2.2          Performance Obligations. Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang have properly performed and complied with all agreements, obligations and conditions that are required to be fulfilled or observed upon or before the Delivery Date contained in this Agreement.

 

16


 

5.                           Representations and Warranties

 

5.1                    Representations and Warranties of the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder. The Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder respectively represent and warrant to Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang:

 

5.1.1          In addition to the disclosures in Appendix IV to this Agreement (hereinafter referred to as the “Disclosure List”, such Disclosure List shall be deemed as modification and restriction of the representations and warranties stipulated in Appendix III to this Agreement), the representations and warranties stipulated in Appendix III to this Agreement are true, accurate and not misleading on the date of signature of this Agreement and will be true, accurate and not misleading on the Delivery Date (except for representations and warranties specific to a particular date, and in such circumstances, such representations and warranties shall be true, accurate and not misleading at such date).

 

5.1.2          Enforceability. Upon signing of this Agreement and Delivery, it shall constitute its legal, valid and binding obligations and enforceability in accordance with its respective terms, unless it is subject to the following restrictions: (a) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, restructuring or other general applicable laws relating to or affecting the exercise of the rights of creditors; and (b) the applicable results of legal remedies.

 

5.2                    Representations and Warranties of Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang. Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang hereby represent and warrant to the other parties that the following representations and warranties are true, accurate and not misleading as at the date of this Agreement, and are also true, accurate and not misleading as at the Delivery Date that:

 

5.2.1          Legal Incorporation. They are formally incorporated and validly existing in accordance with the laws of their places of registration.

 

5.2.2          Authorization. They have all the necessary powers, authorizations and capabilities to sign and perform their obligations under this Agreement and the Capital Increase Transaction Documents proposed under this Agreement. This Agreement and the Capital Increase Transaction Documents proposed under this Agreement shall constitute the valid and binding obligations of Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang upon signing and delivery (documents that take effect only after approval by relevant government authority are subject to such approval) by Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang and shall be enforceable against Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang in accordance with the terms unless subject to the following restrictions: (a) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other generally applicable laws concerning or affecting the exercise of rights of creditors; and (b) the applicable results of legal remedies.

 

17


 

6.                           Undertakings

 

6.1                    The Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder make following undertakings to Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang respectively:

 

6.1.1          Use of the Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscriptions. They shall ensure that the Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscriptions are used for the execution of the Company’s business plans approved by the Company and Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang, and not for any other purpose than the Company’s main business. In particular the Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscriptions may not be used to repay the Company’s loans (including but not limited to the loans of RMB Seven Million One Hundred And Twenty Three Thousand Five Hundred And Twenty One and Thirty Eight Cents (RMB7,123,521.38) in total provided to the Company by the Controlling Shareholder pursuant to the 3 loan agreements signed with the Company on May 8, 2017 and June 5, 2017.

 

6.1.2          Registered Capital Contribution. They shall ensure that the Existing Shareholders contribute their subscribed capital in full and on time in accordance with the Articles of Association.

 

6.1.3          Prohibition of Non-main Business. They shall ensure that the Group Company shall only engage in the main business. Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Investor Shareholders, the Group Company shall not engage in any business other than the main business.

 

6.1.4          Non-competition. The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and their related parties or interested parties shall not, before the earlier of the date when the Company complete the Qualified Initial Public Offering or the date Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang withdraw from the Company, directly or indirectly, alone, together with any other persons or through any other persons, in whatever form: (1) engage in any business related to the business of the Company; (2) conduct new investment (whether through equity or contractual manner) in any entity that engages in the business of the Company, engages in the same business as the Company or engages in business competing with the business of the Company (including research and development and production activities relating to the competing business); or (3) provide advice, assistance or funding to any competitive business.

 

18


 

For the purpose of the Qualified Initial Public Offering of the Company, the Founder, the Company, the Controlling Shareholder shall, at the request and the advice of the intermediaries employed to realize the Qualified Initial Public Offering of the Company or the Investor Shareholders, do their best on the disposal or restriction of the competing business and other related activities that they directly or indirectly own or participate in.

 

6.1.5          Key Employee Commitments. The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder, the Company shall ensure that the key employees listed in Appendix V of this Agreement are fully committed to the overall management and operation of the Group Company (unless the Board of Directors expressly dismisses their duties), and shall not engage in any business unrelated to the business of the Group Company.

 

The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder, the Company shall ensure that Feng Dagang, one of the key employees, will not engage in or be associated with or have interests in any business competing or associated with the business of the Group Company, before an earlier date between the date the Company completes the Qualified Initial Public Offering and the date the Investor Shareholders withdraw from the Company.

 

6.1.6          Non-soliciting. Neither the Founder nor the Controlling Shareholder shall persuade or encourage any employee of the Group Company to accept other employment, or to recruit any employee of the Group Company in other ways; or to provide any form of consultation, guidance, counsel, assistance or funding to any person engaged in a business that competes with the business of the Group Company.

 

6.1.7          No Encumbrance. Unless otherwise approved in writing by the Investor Shareholders, the Company shall ensure that the Group Company continues to have good and transferable title to its property and assets and will not create any encumbrance on its property and assets. For its leased property and assets, the Company shall ensure that the Group Company complies with its lease contract as a party, and the Company shall ensure that the Group Company has and maintains a valid leasehold interest in the property and assets.

 

6.1.8          Obtaining Qualification Certificates. The Company shall obtain the necessary qualification certificates for engaging in the main business in accordance with the laws of China before December 31, 2019, including but not limited to the online publishing license, except where the competent authority confirms that the Company’s main business does not require that license.

 

19


 

6.1.9          Change of Business Scope of Huake Technology. The Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder shall, before December 31, 2019, ensure that “organizing cultural and artistic exchange activities (excluding performance); market research; corporate planning; advertising design, production, agency and publication; hosting exhibitions and presentation activities” would be removed from the business scope of Huake Technology.

 

6.1.10   Transfer of the WeChat and Weibo Accounts. Within two (2) months after the Delivery Date, the Controlling Shareholder shall change the registration of the 36Kr WeChat official account (wow36kr) and 36kr Weibo account to register them under the name of the Company, and all the articles, material library, message history, and followers and other contents of the WeChat and Weibo accounts shall be transferred to the Company.

 

6.1.11   Transfer of the Computer Software Copyright. The Controlling Shareholder shall change the registration of all computer software copyrights in Appendix II to register them under the name of the Company within three (3) months after the Delivery Date.

 

6.1.12   Transfer of Trademark Rights. The Controlling Shareholder shall change the registration of all trademark rights in Appendix II to register them under the name of the Company within fifteen (15) months after the Delivery Date.

 

6.1.13   Arrangement of the Shareholders’ Equity of the Controlling Shareholder. The Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder shall ensure that all shareholders of the Controlling Shareholder issue written documents before December 31, 2019 confirming whether to convert their respective equity/shares of the Controlling Shareholder into equity in the Company or not. If all or part of the shareholders of the Controlling Shareholder decide to convert the equity/shares, a prior written consent of the Investor Shareholders shall be required.

 

If the equity of the Investor Shareholders are diluted due to the equity/share conversion of the shareholders of the Controlling Shareholder, the Company shall issue a certain amount of the newly registered capital of the Company to the Investor Shareholders free of charge or at the lowest price permitted by laws of China, and/or the Controlling Shareholder shall transfer a certain amount of equity/shares of the Company to the Investor Shareholders free of charge or at the lowest price permitted by laws of China, to ensure that the interest of Investor Shareholders are not adversely affected (to avoid ambiguity, all expenses arising from the foregoing arrangements shall be borne by the Controlling Shareholder, including but not limited to the additional Proceeds From Capital Increase Subscriptions or proceeds from equity transfer paid by all Investor Shareholders, as well as related taxes, transaction costs, etc.), otherwise, shareholders of the Controlling Shareholder shall not convert the equity/shares of the Controlling Shareholder held by them.

 

20


 

6.1.14   Protection of Intellectual Property Assets. The Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder shall continue to take all reasonable measures to protect the intellectual property assets owned by the Group Company, including but not limited to carry out the registration, filing, and application procedures for intellectual property rights such as trademarks, trade names, domain names, copyrights, computer software copyrights, utility models, appearance design and patents related to the main business.

 

6.1.15   Further Assurance. Before the Delivery Date, the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder shall jointly and severally (a) cooperate with Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang to provide all due diligence information required by Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang; (b) take all necessary or appropriate actions and other measures to complete the transaction proposed under this Agreement, including facilitating the fulfillment of the delivery preconditions specified in Article 4 of this Agreement as soon as practicable; and (c) sign and submit other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents necessary for the entry into force of the terms and objectives of this Agreement, and take or procure the taking of all actions for the purpose of achieving such purposes.

 

6.1.16   Additional Warranty. Unless required by this Agreement, the Company will not pass resolutions at the shareholders’ meeting or the Board of Directors on the matters listed in Article 9.1 and Article 10.3(1)-(17) of the Shareholders Agreement before the Delivery Date without prior written consent of Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang. However, the Group Company may conduct its respective business in the same way as before, and pass resolutions and sign contracts in the ordinary course of business.

 

6.1.17   Compliance. At any time from the Delivery Date, unless Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang agree otherwise, the Company shall use its reasonable business efforts to ensure that all actions of the Group Company comply with all applicable laws and shall maintain any and all major permits and licenses legal, valid and fully effective.

 

21


 

6.1.18   Exclusive Period. The Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder agree, during the period from the date of this Agreement to an earlier date between (a) the Delivery Date and (b) the date of termination of this Agreement, without the prior written consent of Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang, the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder or any of their related person will not:

 

(1)                                 solicit, initiate, encourage or accept any of the following proposals or offers from any person: (a) any investment in the Group Company; (b) any acquisition of all or any part of the equity interests or assets of the Group Company; (c) acquisition, merger or other form of business combination of the Group Company or its main business; or (d) any capital restructuring, asset restructuring or other abnormal business transaction involving the Group Company or related to the Group Company; or

 

(2)                                 To sign any agreement, memorandum, letter of intent or similar legal document on the above matters, participate in any discussion, negotiation and other forms of exchanges, or to provide other persons with information related to the above matters, or to cooperate or assist with, or participate in, facilitate or encourage the effort or attempt made by any other person trying to carry out the above matters in any way.

 

The Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder agree that, during the period from the date of signing of this Agreement to the earlier date between (a) the Delivery Date and (b) when this Agreement is terminated, the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder shall immediately cease or ensure any other related person to cease all existing discussions, conversations, negotiations and other forms of exchanges with any other person so far on the above matters; if any person puts forth any such proposal or offer, or any person has made any attempt or other contact, the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder shall immediately notify Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang and shall, in the notification sent to Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang, state clear in reasonable details on the identity of the person making the proposal, offer, attempt or contact, and the terms and conditions of such proposal, offer, attempt or other contact.

 

22


 

7.                           Compensation

 

7.1                    The representations and warranties in Articles 5 of this Agreement and Appendix III and the undertakings in Article 6 of this Agreement shall continue to be in force after the Delivery Date.

 

7.2                    The Controlling Shareholder shall indemnify, defend and hold other parties harmless from all losses arising from, in connection with, relating to, or incidental to the breach of the representations, warranties, undertakings or agreements made in this Agreement and the Capital Increase Transaction Document directly or indirectly by the Controlling Shareholder.

 

7.3                    The Company and the Founder shall jointly and severally indemnify, defend and hold other parties harmless from all losses arising from, in connection with, relating to, or incidental to the breach of representations, warranties, undertakings or agreements made in this Agreement and the Capital Increase Transaction Documents directly or indirectly by the Company, the Company Shareholders and the Founder.

 

7.4                    Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang severally but not jointly make the representations, warranties or undertakings in this Agreement and the Capital Increase Transaction Documents and shall severally but not jointly indemnify, defend and hold other parties harmless from all losses arising from, in connection with, relating to, or incidental to the breach of representations, warranties, undertakings or agreements made in this Agreement and Capital Increase Transaction Documents directly or indirectly by them.

 

7.5                    Any of the Investor Shareholders shall severally but not jointly indemnify, defend and hold other parties harmless from all losses arising from, in connection with, relating to, or incidental to the breach of representations, warranties, undertakings or agreements made in this Agreement and the Capital Increase Transaction Documents directly or indirectly by any of the Investor Shareholders.

 

7.6                    Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang shall not be liable for any losses, liabilities, responsibilities, obligations or debts of the Company (whether contractual or otherwise), any taxes or any other matters arising from or relating to events occurring prior to the Delivery Date, except due to the respective reasons of Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang where shareholders of each investor shall only bear the corresponding responsibility for the direct economic losses caused to the Company by themselves subject to their respective investment amount under this Agreement.

 

23


 

7.7                    Notwithstanding the above, the Founder and the Controlling Shareholder agree to be liable for any losses, liabilities, responsibilities, obligations or debts of the Company (whether contractual or otherwise), any taxes or any other matters arising from or relating to events occurring prior to the Delivery Date (except for those due to reasons of Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang), unless disclosed in the disclosure list in Appendix IV of this Agreement (subject to Article 7.7 of this Agreement), and the Founder and the Controlling Shareholder shall first pay or bear such losses, liabilities, obligations, debts, taxes or responsibilities with its own funds, and save the Company from paying or bearing such losses, liabilities, obligations, debts, taxes or responsibilities. If the Company actually pays or bears such losses, liabilities, obligations, debts, taxes or responsibilities, at the request of Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang, the Founder and the Controlling Shareholder shall promptly reimburse the Company for the amount incurred.

 

7.8                    Notwithstanding the above, and regardless of whether it is disclosed in the disclosure list of Appendix IV of this Agreement, Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang shall have the right to seek joint indemnity from the Controlling Shareholder, the Founder for the losses caused to the Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang by the Company’s failure to obtain the necessary qualification certificates for the main business, including but not limited to the operating permit for value-added telecommunications services (ICP certificate) and the online publishing license.

 

7.9                    For any form of punishment imposed on the Company due to the Company’s failure to obtain the necessary qualification certificates for the main business, including but not limited to the operating permit for value-added telecommunications services (ICP certificate) and the online publishing license, at the request of Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang, the Founder and the Controlling Shareholder shall promptly reimburse the Company for the amount incurred and the losses suffered.

 

7.10             Notwithstanding the above, if the Controlling Shareholder fails to complete the transfer of the trademark rights, computer software copyrights, the WeChat and Weibo accounts in accordance with Articles 6.1.10, 6.1.11, 6.1.12 of this Agreement, and still fails to complete within the 60-day grace period given by the Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang, for each additional day, the Controlling Shareholder, the Company, and Founder shall pay the deferred performance penalty to the Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang based on Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscription at an interest rate of five over ten thousand per day. The payment of such deferred performance penalty shall not affect other joint liabilities for damages claimed by Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang based on the losses suffered. The Controlling Shareholder, the Company, and Founder shall be jointly and severally liable for the foregoing.

 

24


 

8.                           Confidentiality and Prohibition of Disclosure

 

8.1                    Confidentiality. From the date of this Agreement, unless the parties unanimously agree otherwise, each party shall, and shall procure each person under the control of such party to, keep confidential the terms, conditions of this Agreement and any Capital Increase Transaction Documents under this Agreement and their existence, the identity of each party, and any other non-public information received from another party or prepared by such party only relating to this Agreement or the foregoing documents (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Confidential Information”); however, any party may disclose or permit the disclosure of confidential information: (a) to the extent required by applicable laws or any exchange rules; but such party shall, where practicable and to the extent permitted by applicable laws, promptly notify the other parties of the facts and (with the cooperation and reasonable efforts of the other parties) take all reasonable efforts to seek protective orders and confidential treatment or other appropriate remedies; in such cases, such party shall only provide that portion of the confidential information that is legally required to be disclosed, and shall make reasonable efforts to keep such information confidential within the reasonable requirements of any other parties; (b) for the purpose of performing its obligations in connection with this Agreement, to its managers, directors, employees, investors, partners, shareholders and professional advisers on a need-to-know basis, as long as such party informs each person who obtains any confidential information disclosed of the confidential nature of such confidential information, and such person promises to abide by the same confidentiality obligations regarding the confidential information as such party. For the avoidance of doubt, confidential information does not include the following: (i) information that the recipient has legally obtained before the disclosure by the disclosing party, and (ii) information known to the public not due to the disclosure by the recipient in violation of Article 8 of this Agreement; or (iii) information legally obtained by the recipient from a third party and the recipient does not know if the third party is violating any legal or contractual obligation of not disclosing that information to it.

 

25


 

8.2                    Publication of Information. Without the prior written consent of the parties, the parties may not publish any information on this Agreement and any Capital Increase Transaction Documents and this Capital Increase through press conferences, meetings, advertisements, announcements, professional or industry publications, marketing materials, or otherwise.

 

9.                           Termination

 

9.1                    Termination of the Agreement. Subject to other terms of this Agreement, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated under this Agreement shall be terminated as agreed in writing by the parties. If the delivery is not completed within forty-five (45) business days from the date of this Agreement due to the Company, the Company Shareholders and the Founder (rather than inaction of government authorities, force majeure, reasons of the Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang or other similar reasons), or the Company, the Existing Shareholders, and/or the Founder have material breaches under this Agreement or the Shareholders Agreement, Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang shall have the right to terminate this Agreement unilaterally after notifying the other parties in writing, and this Agreement shall be terminated immediately upon such a written notice by Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang, except for the liability for damages of the Existing Shareholders and/or the Company as set forth in Article 7 of this Agreement.

 

If the delivery is not completed within forty-five (45) business days from the date of this Agreement due to Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang (rather than inaction of government authorities, force majeure, reasons of the Company and/or the Existing Shareholders or other similar reasons), the Company (and on behalf of the Controlling Shareholder, Zhang Gongzi and the Founder) and the Existing Shareholders shall have the right to terminate this Agreement unilaterally after notifying Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang in writing, and this Agreement shall be terminated immediately upon the such a written notice by the Company and the Existing Shareholders, except for the liability for damages of Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang and/or the Company as set forth in Article 7 of this Agreement.

 

Notwithstanding the above, Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang shall be independent parties, and shall be entitled to the rights and assume the obligations under this Agreement respectively without being affected by other parties.

 

26


 

9.2                    Effect of Termination. If this Agreement is terminated in accordance with the provisions of Article 9.1 above, this Agreement shall immediately be invalidated and cease to have effect. In order to avoid ambiguity, if Guohong No.2 Fenzhong and Chuangxiang unilaterally terminate this Agreement pursuant to Article 9.1 above, Guohong No.2 Fenzhong and Chuangxiang shall not assume any responsibility for its unilateral termination of this Agreement. Meanwhile, if the Company and the Existing Shareholders unilaterally terminate this Agreement pursuant to Article 9.1 above, the Company, Company Shareholders, the Founder, the Existing Shareholders shall not assume any responsibility for their unilateral termination of this Agreement.

 

9.3                    Survival. Regardless of the contrary regulations of any provision, the provisions of Article 8 (Confidentiality and Prohibition of Disclosure), Article 9 (Termination), Article 10 (Cancellation of the Agreement), Article 11.3 (Applicable Laws), and Article 11.4 (Dispute Resolution) shall survive the expiration of the term or termination of this Agreement.

 

10.                    Cancellation of the Agreement

 

10.1             Cancellation of the Agreement. This Agreement may be cancelled when:

 

10.1.1   The parties to this Agreement agree to terminate this Agreement in writing;

 

10.1.2   Any party to this Agreement may cancel this Agreement by giving notice in writing to the other parties of this Agreement at least ten (10) business days in advance in the following circumstances:

 

(1)                                 The representations or warranties in this Agreement of any party to this Agreement are materially untrue, inaccurate or significantly omitted when the representations or warranties are made or on the Delivery Date;

 

(2)                                 Any party to this Agreement fails to fulfill the commitments, undertakings and obligations under this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, and fails to take effective remedial measures within thirty (30) days upon a written demand issued by the other parties to this Agreement.

 

10.2             Effect of the Cancellation of the Agreement.

 

10.2.1   After this Agreement is cancelled in accordance with the provisions of Article 10.1 above, this Agreement shall immediately become invalid.

 

27


 

10.2.2   After the cancellation of this Agreement, the parties to this Agreement shall return the considerations received under this Agreement from other parties in accordance with the principles of fairness, reasonableness, and good faith, and make the best attempt to restore the state of affairs before the signing of this Agreement.

 

10.2.3 After the cancellation of this Agreement, all rights and obligations of the parties under this Agreement shall be terminated, except for the liability for damages of the parties as set forth in Article 7 of this Agreement.

 

10.3             Survival. Regardless of the contrary regulations of any provision, the provisions of Article 8 (Confidentiality and Prohibition of Disclosure), Article 9 (Termination), Article 10 (Cancellation of the Agreement), Article 11.3 (Applicable Laws), and Article 11.4 (Dispute Resolution) shall survive the cancellation of this Agreement.

 

11.                    Other Provisions

 

11.1             Binding Force; Transfer. No party may transfer any of its rights and/or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other parties; however, Investor Shareholders shall have the right to transfer the rights, interests and obligations under this Agreement to their related parties without the consent of other parties. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, successors, executors, administrators, and transferees of the parties of this Agreement.

 

11.2             Costs. The parties shall each bear the taxes incurred in the execution and performance of this Agreement as required by laws of China. If the delivery under this Agreement fails to be completed due to reasons not attributable to any party, all costs incurred by the parties in the preparation, execution and performance of this Agreement shall be borne by each of the parties respectively.

 

11.3             Applicable Laws. This Agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the law of China in all respects.

 

11.4             Dispute Resolution.

 

11.4.1   Any dispute, contradiction or claims (each referred to as a “dispute”) arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the interpretation, violation, termination or validity of this Agreement shall first be resolved through negotiation by the parties to the dispute. The negotiation shall commence immediately upon the written notice requesting negotiation from any party to the other parties to the dispute.

 

28


 

11.4.2   If the dispute is not resolved within fifteen (15) days from the date of the notice, any party to the dispute may submit the dispute to the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (hereinafter referred to as the “Arbitration Commission”) for arbitration application.

 

11.4.3   Arbitration shall be conducted in Beijing under the auspices of the Arbitration Commission. The arbitral tribunal shall consist of three (3) arbitrators. The applicant shall select one (1) arbitrator, and the opposing party shall jointly select one (1) arbitrator. The two (2) arbitrators shall jointly select the third arbitrator as the chief arbitrator of the arbitral tribunal; if any member of the arbitral tribunal is not appointed within fifteen (15) days after the date of receipt of the arbitration notice issued by the Arbitration Commission, the relevant arbitrator shall be appointed by the director of the Arbitration Commission.

 

11.4.4   The arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in Chinese. The arbitral tribunal shall conduct arbitration in accordance with the arbitration rules enforced by the Arbitration Commission at the time of arbitration. However, in case of any contradiction between the rules and the provisions of Article 11.4 of this Agreement, including the provisions on the appointment of arbitrators, the provisions of Article 11.4 of this Agreement shall prevail.

 

11.4.5   The arbitrator shall resolve any disputes submitted by the parties in strict accordance with the substantive law of China; however, if the laws promulgated by China have no provision on a certain issue, the international legal principles and practices shall apply.

 

11.4.6   Any party to the arbitration shall cooperate with the other parties to the arbitration. Unless being subject to the confidentiality obligations of the party, the party shall fully disclose and allow the other party to fully access all information and documents required by the other party in connection with the arbitration proceedings.

 

11.4.7   Unless otherwise ruled by the arbitral tribunal, the arbitration fee shall be borne by the losing party.

 

11.4.8   In the event of any dispute and arbitration of the dispute, except for the matter under dispute, the parties shall continue to perform their respective obligations under this Agreement and shall have the right to exercise their rights under this Agreement.

 

29


 

11.4.9   The arbitral tribunal’s decision shall be final and binding on the parties, and the winning party may apply to the competent court for the enforcement of the decision.

 

11.4.10     Before the formation of the arbitral tribunal, each party has the right to apply for temporary injunctive relief from any competent court.

 

11.4.11     In the course of hearing the dispute by the arbitral tribunal, this Agreement shall continue to be performed except for the part that is under dispute and subject to arbitration.

 

11.5             Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the other Capital Increase Transaction Documents and its related appendices and schedules to be signed under this Agreement constitute the entire understanding and agreements between the parties on the subject matter under this Agreement and supersede all previous written or verbal understanding or agreements on the subject matter related to this Agreement.

 

11.6             Notice. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all notices, requests, waivers or other communications made under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed formally served in the following circumstances: (a) when it is delivered by hand and signed for receipt by the party being notified or retained at the address listed in Appendix VI to this Agreement, or the party being notified refuses to accept it; (b) upon receipt of the confirmation that the facsimile is without error if it is delivered by facsimile to the number listed in Appendix VI to this Agreement; (c) within five (5) business days after being sent by airmail or registered mail (request for receipt, postage prepaid, address as listed in Appendix VI to this Agreement); or (d) within three (3) business days after delivery through overnight express service (postage prepaid, sent to the address listed in Appendix VI to this Agreement and guaranteed delivery on the next business day), provided that the sending party obtains a delivery confirmation from the delivery agency;

 

To deliver the communications under this Agreement in any of the above ways, the sending party shall immediately send each communication made according to this Agreement to the receiving party by email (email address as listed in Appendix VI to this Agreement) or by telephone at the same time. However, failure to do so does not affect the effectiveness of such communications. A party may, for the purposes of Article 11.6, change or supplement the address set out in Appendix VI, or designate additional addresses, by giving written notice to other parties in the manner described above.

 

11.7             Modification and Waiver. Any terms of this Agreement shall only be modified with the written consent of the parties. Any modification or waiver that is in force under Article 11.7 of this Agreement shall be binding on all parties to this Agreement and its successors, inheritors, executors, administrators, and assignees of the parties to this Agreement.

 

30


 

11.8             Delay or Omission. Any party’s delay or omission to exercise the rights, powers or remedies granted to them due to other party’s breach or non-performance of this Agreement shall not prejudice such party’s rights, powers or remedies, nor shall it be deemed a waiver or default of such breach or non-performance or a similar breach or non-performance hereafter, nor shall it be deemed a waiver of any other breach or non-performance occurred before or after this. A waiver, permission, consent, or approval of breach or non-performance of any of the nature or characteristics of this Agreement, or a waiver of any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement, shall be made in writing and shall only be valid within the scope of such written provision. Any relief provided to any party under this Agreement according to law or otherwise shall be cumulative, rather than just selecting one of them.

 

11.9             Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be construed to the practicable extent, to enable its execution and the completion of the transactions stipulated in this Agreement on substantially the same terms as previously stated. If no viable interpretation would allow the provision to be retained, it should be excluded from the remaining provisions of this Agreement, and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force, unless the excluded terms are crucial to the rights and interests intended to be enjoyed by the parties. In such circumstances, the parties shall make their best efforts to come up with valid and enforceable alternative clauses or agreements through negotiation in good faith to realize the parties’ intention at the time of entering into this Agreement to the greatest extent.

 

11.10      Joint Liability. The obligations of the Founder, Controlling Shareholder and the Company under this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents are joint liabilities.

 

11.11      Non-joint Liability. The obligations of the Investor Shareholders under this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents are not joint liabilities.

 

11.12      Non-violation. Any agreements or documents that should be entered into under this Agreement shall not violate the spirit and principles of this Agreement.

 

11.13      Language. This Agreement is executed in Chinese.

 

31


 

11.14      Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of texts. All texts are originals, but all texts together constitute a single document.

 

11.15      Priority of Authority. The authority of this Agreement is superior to that of the Articles of Association. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of the Articles of Association and this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail.

 

11.16      Entering into Force. This Agreement shall become effective on the date of official signature and seal (if applicable) of all the parties.

 

(There is no text below, next page is for signature)

 

32


 

(This is a signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have procured their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Liu Chengcheng

Signature: [signed]

 

Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd.

(Seal) [Chopped: Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. 1101081077300]

Legal representative: [signed]

 

Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Service Co., Ltd.

(Seal) [Chopped: Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Service Co., Ltd. 1101080814347]

Legal representative: [signed]

 

Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership)

(Seal) [Chopped: Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership)]

Executive partner delegate: [signed]

 

Signature page

 

33


 

(This is a signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have procured their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership)

(Seal) [Chopped: Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership)]

Executive partner delegate:

 


 

(This is a signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have procured their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Jiaxing Xiaodu Neirong Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)

(Seal) [Chopped: Jiaxing Xiaodu Neirong Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership) 3304020025051]

Executive partner delegate:

 

Signature page

 


 

(This is a signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have procured their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Beijing Gebi Lvzhou Angel Investment Center (Limited Partnership)

(Seal) [Chopped: Beijing Gebi Lvzhou Angel Investment Center (Limited Partnership) 1101080319389]

Executive partner delegate: [signed]

 

Signature page

 


 

(This is signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have promoted their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Suzhou Industrial Park Gebi Yinghe Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)

(Seal) [Chopped: Suzhou Industrial Park Gebi Yinghe Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership) 3205940045568]

Executive partner delegate: [signed]

 

Signature page

 


 

(This is signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have promoted their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Hangzhou Jincun Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)

(Seal) [Chopped: Hangzhou Jincun Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership) 3301040112941]

Executive partner delegate: [signed]

 

Signature page

 


 

(This is signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have promoted their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Gongqingcheng Fenzhong Chuangxiang Information Technology Co., Ltd.

(Seal) [Chopped: Gongqingcheng Fenzhong Chuangxiang Information Technology Co., Ltd. 3604820009040]

Legal representative: [signed]

 

Signature page

 


 

(This is signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have promoted their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Shenzhen Guohong No.2 Enterprise Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)

(Seal) [Chopped: Shenzhen Guohong No.2 Enterprise Management Partnership (Limited Partnership) 4403041137861]

Executive partner delegate: [signed]

 

Signature page

 


 

List of Appendices

 

Appendix I

List of Subsidiaries

Appendix II

List of Assets Proposed to be Transferred

Appendix III

Representations and Warranties of the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder

Appendix IV

Disclosure List

Appendix V

List of Key Employees

Appendix VI

Address for Notice

 


 

Appendix I

 

List of Subsidiaries

 

Tianjin 36 Hearts Technology Co., Ltd.

 

Beijing Point 72 Creative Interactive Media Culture Co., Ltd.

 


 

Appendix II

 

List of Proposed Transfer of Assets

 

I. Trademarks

 

KrTV (No. 15589656, Class 41), KrTV (No. 15589653, Class 9), KrTV (No. 15589654, Class 35), KrTV (No. 15589655, Class 38), KrTV (No. 15589657, Class 42), NEXT (No. 15309505, Class 9), NEXT (No. 15309505, Class 41), NEXT (No. 15309505, 42), WISE (No. 15589660, Class 38), WISE (No. 15360032, Class 41), WISE (No. 15589635, Class 42), WISE (No. 15589658, Class 9), 氪加 (No. 15113594, Class 9), 氪加 (No. 15113594, Class 16), 氪加 (No. 15113594, Class 35), 氪加 (No. 15113594, Class 36), 氪加(No. 15113594, Class 38), 氪加 (No. 15113594, Class 41), 氪加 (No. 15113594, Class 42), 氪加 (No. 15113594, Class 45), KRVIDEO (No. 16003572, Class 41), To B 行家说 (No. 20611356, Class 35), To B 行家说 (No. 20611355, Class 38), To B 行家说 (No. 20611354, Class 41), KRLASS (No. 18301373, Class 35), KRLASS (No. 18301372, Class 38), KRLASS (No. 18301371, Class 41), KRLASS (No. 18301370, Class 42), KRLASS (No. 18301369, Class 43), KRLASS (No. 18301368, Class 45), KRLASS (No. 18301374, Class 9).

 

36kr (No. 16216719, Class 12) 36kr (No. 16216728, Class 34), 36kr (No. 16216725, Class 24), 36kr (No. 16216721, Class 15), 36kr (No. 16216722, Class 17), 36kr (No. 16216724, Class 23), 36kr (No. 15859617, Class 7), 36kr (No. 15590615, Class 11), 36kr (No. 16216723, Class 22), 36kr (No. 16216726, Class 26), 36kr (No. 15588620, Class 3), 36kr ( No. 16216727, Class 27), 36kr (No. 16216720, Class 13), 36kr (No. 15589619, Class 4), 36kr (No. 15589621 Class 2), 36kr (No. 15589622, Class 1), 36kr (No. 15589616, Class 10), 36kr (No. 15589618, Class 5), 36kr (No. 15323976, Class 20), 36kr (No. 15323974, Class 18), 36kr (No. 15024737, Class 9), 36kr (No. 15323973, Class 14), 36kr (No. 15360033, Class 16), 36kr (No. 15323988, Class 45), 36kr (No. 15323987, Class 40), 36kr (No. 15323986, Class 39), 36kr (No. 15323985, Class 37), 36kr (No. 15323984, Class 33) 36kr (No. 15323983, Class 32), 36kr (No. 15323982, Class 31), 36kr (No. 15323981, Class 30), 36kr (No. 15323980, Class 29), 36kr (No. 15323979, Class 28), 36kr (No. 15323978 Class 25), 36kr (No. 15323977, Class 21), 36kr (No. 15323975, Class 19), 36Kr (No. 15323972, Class 8), 36kr (No. 15323971, Class 6), 36kr (No. 12901487, Class 36), 36kr (No. 12901617, Class 42), 36kr (No. 12901737, Class 43), 36kr (No. 13894004, Class 41), 36kr (No. 12901443, Class 35), 36kr (No. 13893969, Class 38) 36 (No. 15589614, Class 1)36 (No. 15589613, Class 2)36 (No. 15589612, Class 3)

 


 

II. Software Copyright

 

No.

 

Name of software

 

Registration
number

 

First publication
date

1

 

36氪 iOS client software V1.5

 

2014SR129852

 

January 1, 2013

2

 

36氪 media client software V1.5

 

2016SR264837

 

January 1, 2013

3

 

36氪 information publication platform

 

2016SR296841

 

August 28, 2016

4

 

36氪advertising platform

 

2016SR296866

 

August 28, 2016

5

 

36氪 multimedia showcase platform

 

2016SR296946

 

August 28, 2016

6

 

36氪SME service platform

 

2016SR298547

 

August 26, 2016

7

 

Internal reference information software for retail owners

 

2017SR293448

 

March 14, 2017

 

1. 36Kr WeChat official account (wow36kr) and 36kr Weibo account, and all the articles, material library, message history, followers and other contents of such accounts

 


 

Appendix III

 

Representations and Warranties of the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder

 

1.                           Approval by the Regulatory Authority and Licenses

 

(1)                                 The Group Company has obtained all the licenses, consents and other permits and approvals required for its incorporation, valid existence and current business operations. The procedures are legal and compliant, and are in full force and effect. Moreover, the Group Company has completed within the statutory time limit the procedures of renewing or replacing licenses, consents and other permits and approvals that are about to expire.

 

(2)                                 All reports, declaration forms and materials on the existence and operation of the Group Company have been submitted or provided to the relevant government authorities as required by law or as a condition of any license, consent, permit or approval, except where omission of submission or provision will not have material adverse effects on the Group Company.

 

(3)                                 There are neither circumstances under which any license, consent, permit or approval necessary to continue the Group Company may be altered, revoked or not renewed, nor circumstances which may confer a right to alter or revoke, except for the circumstances under which the alterations, revocations or non-renewal will not have material adverse effects on the Group Company.

 

2.                           Capacity to Act

 

(1)                                 The Founder has sufficient civil rights and capacity to sign this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents, fully fulfill all obligations under this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents and complete transactions under this Agreement.

 

(2)                                 The Controlling Shareholder is a joint stock limited company duly incorporated and validly existing under China laws. The Controlling Shareholder has all the necessary powers, authorization and capabilities to sign this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents, and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the various Capital Increase Transaction Documents proposed under this Agreement.

 

Appendix III - 1


 

(3)                                 The Company is a limited liability company duly incorporated and validly existing under the PRC laws. The Company has all the necessary powers, authorization and capabilities to sign this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents, and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the various Capital Increase Transaction Documents proposed under this Agreement.

 

(4)                                 This Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents shall constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the parties in accordance with their respective terms upon signing and delivery by them and shall be enforceable against the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company unless subject to the following restrictions: (a) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other generally applicable laws concerning or affecting the exercise of rights of creditors; and (b) the applicable results of legal remedies.

 

(5)                                 The signing of this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents and performance of obligations under this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents by the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company will:

 

(i)                                     not result in the violation of any legal documents binding on them or the non-performance of obligations under such legal documents;

 

(ii)                                  not result in the violation of any order, judgment or decree of any court or government authority binding on them; and

 

(iii)                               not be detrimental to the legitimate interests of any third party.

 

Except where the above circumstances will not affect the performance of obligations under this Agreement.

 

3.                           Ownership

 

(1)                                 The Group Company is a limited liability company duly incorporated, existing and registered under the laws of its place of registration, and has the right and capacity to exercise all its civil rights as a corporate legal person.

 

(2)                                 As of the date of this Agreement, the registered capital of the Group Company has been effectively contributed and paid in accordance with the provisions of the Articles of Association, and there is no overdue or false capital contribution by shareholders.

 

Appendix III - 2


 

(3)                                 There is no trust, holding agency, option, pledge or other form of guarantee, equity donation or other encumbrance on the equity of the Group Company or any part thereof, and there are no agreements or undertakings to provide or create any of the foregoing, and no person claims to be entitled to any of the above rights.

 

(4)                                 There are no outstanding agreements or undertakings requesting the distribution, issuance or transfer of any equity in the Group Company, or that grant any person the right to request the distribution, issuance or transfer of any equity in the Group Company.

 

(5)                                 Except as disclosed to Guohong No.2 Fenzhong and Chuangxiang, the Company has not established any other offices, branches, nor does it hold shares or have similar shareholder interests in other companies, affiliates and other social organizations; or directly or indirectly control, hold shares of or have interests in any other entities.

 

(6)                                 The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company have submitted to Guohong No.2 Fenzhong and Chuangxiang or their representatives and consultants on the date of this Agreement copies of the current business license and other licenses of the Group Company and documents relating to the business operation of the Group Company and the Articles of Association. The above documents are complete, accurate, true and effective in all respects.

 

(7)                                 The Group Company has kept the books necessary for the company operation in accordance with applicable laws, which accurately record the matters in the books; the Group Company has not received any notice or allegation that any of the above records are incorrect or shall be rectified.

 

(8)                                 All documents that should be submitted by the Group Company to all relevant government authorities have been submitted properly, except where not submitting will not have material adverse effects on the Group Company.

 

4.                           Accuracy and Adequacy of Data

 

(1)                                 All information, documents and materials provided by the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company to Guohong No.2 Fenzhong and Chuangxiang or their consultants are true, accurate and complete in all material respects, and there are no circumstances under which the failure to disclose any facts or matters to Guohong No.2 Fenzhong and Chuangxiang or any of their consultants may cause any such information to be inaccurate or misleading in any such material respects due to any omission or ambiguity or any other reasons.

 

Appendix III - 3


 

(2)                                 The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder, and the Company have provided Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang or their consultants at their reasonable request all the necessary information within their grasp for Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang to decide whether to subscribe for the Company’s newly registered capital or not. The information, documents and materials relating to this Agreement provided by the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Founder to Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang do not contain misrepresentations of material facts, or omit any material facts which would cause representations in this Agreement or such disclosures to be misleading.

 

5.                           Accounts

 

(1)                                 In respect of the accounts of the Group Company:

 

(i)                                     They are prepared in accordance with the applicable laws and accounting principles generally recognized in the place of registration and adopted by companies operating businesses similar to those of the Group Company;

 

(ii)                                  They are complete and accurate in all respects, and the provisions for bad debts and doubtful debts, depreciation, depreciated and slow-moving inventory during any period as of or before the date of completion of its accounts are in accordance with the applicable accounting standards;

 

(iii)                               They are the true and fair reflection of the financial position of the Group Company, including but not limited to profits or losses; and

 

(iv)                              They are not subject to the effect of any special, extraordinary or non-recurring items, except for items explicitly disclosed in the accounts of the Group Company.

 

(2)                                 Except as disclosed to Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang, the Group Company do not have any significant liabilities (whether actual or contingent, with undetermined amount or in dispute) that are not fully disclosed or accrued in the accounts or unfulfilled capital commitments.

 

Appendix III - 4


 

6.                           Accounting Records

 

(1)                                 The Group Company has kept complete accounts, books, original accounts, financial and other records; these accounting records contain the latest data and complete and accurate details of the business activities of the Group Company, as well as all matters that shall be recorded as required by the Company Law of the People’s Republic of China, the Enterprise Accounting System of the People’s Republic of China and other applicable laws and regulations.

 

(2)                                 The Group Company owns or controls the accounts, books, original accounts, financial and other records as its property, and has not received any notice or allegation that any of the above records are incorrect or shall be rectified.

 

(3)                                 All transactions relating to the business of the Group Company have been correctly and timely recorded in the accounting records of the Group Company, and no substantial errors or deviations are included or reflected in these accounts, books, original accounts, financial and other records, and these records are sufficient to respectively truly and accurately reflect the financial position of the Group Company and to explain its transactions.

 

7.                           Events after the Incorporation of the Group Company

 

(1)                                 After the official incorporation date of the Group Company and before the Delivery Date, in addition to the disclosed information:

 

(i)                                     There is no material adverse change in the financial or operating conditions or prospects of the Group Company, and as far as it is known to the Founder and the Controlling Shareholder, there is no circumstances causing such changes.

 

(ii)                                  The Group Company has been conducting normal and customary operations and operating its business in the same way as usual (including in terms of nature and scope);

 

(iii)                               The Group Company has not acted as a financing agent of debts or other receivables, or sold or agreed to sell debts or other receivables;

 

Appendix III - 5


 

(iv)                              The Group Company has not generated debts, warranties, guarantees, advances or receivables with a total value over RMB One Million (RMB1,000,000), except for the receivables generated from the course of normal business operations;

 

(v)                                 The Group Company has not signed any guarantee agreement, nor has it assumed any guarantee liability for the debts and obligations of the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder, the Investor Shareholders and third parties, including but not limited to mortgage, pledge and warranty guarantees.

 

(vi)                              The Group Company has not generated receivables with a single-item value of over RMB One Million (RMB1,000,000) and a cumulative value of over RMB One Million (RMB1,000,000) outside the course of normal business operations;

 

(vii)                           No mortgage, pledge or other encumbrance has been created on any assets of the Group Company;

 

(viii)                        The Group Company has not issued any securities;

 

(ix)                              The Group Company has not experienced an increase in staff costs, except for those reasonably incurred according to the rules and regulations in force or relevant employment contracts;

 

(x)                                 The Group Company has not provided any loans to any director, supervisor, manager or other employee of the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Group Company and their interested parties, except for the advance travel expenses in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Group Company in the course of normal business operations;

 

(xi)                              The Group Company has not offered price reductions or discounts or rebates when providing services or provided services at prices below the cost that would have a material adverse effect on its profitability;

 

(xii)                           The Group Company has not altered the fiscal year.

 

(2)                                 The Group Company has not taken any actions that may lead to a violation of the undertakings in Article 7 of this Appendix.

 

Appendix III - 6


 

8.                           Contracts and Undertakings

 

(1)                                 As of the Delivery Date, except for the disclosed information, the Group Company is not a party to any of the following, nor is it under any of the (current or future) legal liability:

 

(i)                                     Any guarantee, indemnity, guarantee relationship or letter of credit other than those in normal business activities;

 

(ii)                                  Any contract or arrangement directly or indirectly restricting the freedom of the Group Company to operate its business anywhere in the world in manners deemed appropriate, or directly or indirectly restricting the ability of the Group Company to transfer all or any part of its business;

 

(iii)                               Any joint venture contract or arrangement, partnership rights or obligations for the purpose of sharing profits (however, for the avoidance of doubt, does not include arrangements that share fees or operating income on a case-by-case basis) or any other contract or arrangement relating to the involvement of the Group Company in any business together with any other person;

 

(iv)                              Any contract or arrangement involving matters not falling within the scope of the Group Company’s ordinary business, or business transactions or arrangements constituting a deviation from the usual model of the Group Company;

 

(v)                                 Any contract or arrangement in which any director, supervisor, manager or related party or interested party of the Group Company directly or indirectly have interests, except for employment agreements;

 

(vi)                              Any contract or arrangement that is not signed in the ordinary course of business and involves expenditure or income of the Group Company of over RMB One Million (RMB1,000,000) within any fiscal year;

 

(vii)                           Any contract or arrangement with related parties of the Group Company that is not signed in the ordinary course of business and involves payment or income of over RMB One Million (RMB1,000,000);

 

(viii)                        Any contract or arrangement that the Group Company is unable to terminate by giving a notice three (3) months or less in advance without being subject to any special compensation fees; or

 

Appendix III - 7


 

(ix)                              Any contract or arrangement that may be terminated once delivery occurs or the ownership or control of the Group Company changes, or will be subject to material adverse effect because of such changes.

 

(2)                                 As far as it is known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company, there is no significant contract to which the Group Company is a party that has been breached, become invalid or has reasons to be terminated, revoked, abolished or refused to be performed, and no such allegations are known, except in the case where the third party of the relevant contracts failed to make payment.

 

(3)                                 The Group Company does not have any tenders or bids or sales or service proposals that are still valid, significant to its business and, if accepted, will likely result in loss.

 

9.                           Authorization

 

In addition to authorizing employees to enter into regular trade contracts or engage in business operations and management activities customary for the Group Company, the Group Company has not granted or provided any person with any authorization or other power basis that is yet to be completed or remains in force to enter into any contract or undertaking on behalf of the Group Company.

 

10.                    Operations

 

Major customers or major suppliers of the Group Company have not ceased or indicated their intention to cease transactions with the Group Company, and as far as it is known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company, no major customer or major supplier of the Group Company may substantially reduce the transactions with the Group Company; as far as it is known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company, the signing or delivery of this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents will not adversely affect the attitudes or actions of major customers and suppliers towards the Group Company.

 

The Group Company has complied with all applicable laws, regulations, government regulations and related permits and licenses in the course of business.

 

11.                    Arrangements among the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder

 

The Company has not agreed to provide guarantees or any collateral or indemnity for any debt or obligation of the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder, directors, supervisors or managers of the Company or any of their related parties or interested parties. The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and their related parties or interested parties will cooperate with the Company in completing the Qualified Initial Public Offering, trying to solve the problem of horizontal competition with the Company to ensure that the Company’s Qualified Initial Public Offering is not affected.

 

Appendix III - 8


 

12.                               Bank Account and Borrowing

 

Except as disclosed to Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang,

 

(1)                                 The Group Company has no outstanding loaned capital, nor has it borrowed or agreed to borrow any money that has not been repaid or with unfulfilled borrowing obligations. It is not a party to any of the following and does not have any obligation related to any of the following:

 

(i)                                     Any loan agreement, bond, acceptance credit, money order, promissory note, finance lease, debt or inventory financing, discount or accounts receivable factoring arrangement or sale and leaseback arrangement; or

 

(ii)                                  Any other arrangement for the purpose of raising funds or providing funds or credit.

 

(2)                                 The Group Company does not hold any shares or securities not fully paid or with any incidental obligations, nor does it have any obligation related to the above shares or securities.

 

(3)                                 The Group Company has not lent or agreed to lend any money without receiving repayment and does not own interests in any existing or future debts.

 

(4)                                 The Group Company has not signed any mortgage, guarantee or indemnity contract that is invalid and unenforceable in accordance with its terms.

 

(5)                                 No event has occurred that would constitute any non-performance of or default on any terms of any loaned capital, borrowings, bonds or financing of the Group Company, or would render any third party the right to request repayment before the normal due date, and no other person has alleged that such an event has occurred.

 

(6)                                 The Group Company has not borrowed any money from any source of funds after the official incorporation date, except where borrowings are made in the ordinary course of business and do not constitute a material adverse effect on the production and operation of the Group Company.

 

Appendix III - 9


 

(7)                                 The Group Company does not have any debts or accounts payable to the following persons/entities:

 

(i)                                     The Founder

 

(ii)                                  The Controlling Shareholder

 

(iii)                               Directors, supervisors or managers of the Company; or

 

(iv)                              Related parties or interested parties of the above persons/entities.

 

13.                    Insolvency

 

(1)                                 No order requiring the liquidation of the Group Company has been made; no request for the liquidation of the Group Company has been submitted; no meeting for the purpose of reviewing the resolution of the liquidation of the Group Company has been convened; no such resolution has been passed.

 

(2)                                 No ruling on the bankruptcy of the Group Company has been made; no petition or application for such orders is made; no bankruptcy administrator relating to the Group Company has been appointed; no notice for the purpose of appointing a bankruptcy administrator relating to the Group Company has been issued or submitted; no step or procedure for the appointment of a bankruptcy administrator relating to the Group Company has been taken or carried out.

 

(3)                                 No receiver (including administrative receiver) related to all or any of the assets of the Group Company has been appointed.

 

(4)                                 No proposal on the formation of a debt restructuring agreement or similar arrangement between the Group Company and creditors has been made.

 

(5)                                 There is currently no valid moratorium for the Group Company, and no step or procedure for the purpose of obtaining such moratorium has been taken or carried out.

 

(6)                                 There is no event involving the Group Company that is similar to any of the above.

 

(7)                                 The Group Company is not insolvent or unable to repay its debts, nor does it cease repaying debts due.

 

Appendix III - 10


 

(8)                                 No effective judgment, mediation paper or ruling on the Group Company is not fulfilled.

 

14.    Litigation and Claims

 

(1)                                 As far as it is known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company, the Group Company, the Controlling Shareholder or the Founder and their respective related parties or interested parties are not involved in any pending lawsuits, arbitrations or other dispute resolution procedures or administrative or criminal proceedings that is affecting the major assets and business of the Group Company or this Capital Increase as plaintiffs, defendants or in other capacities. As far as it is known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company, there are no lawsuits, arbitrations or other dispute resolution procedures or administrative or criminal proceedings pending and filed by or against the Group Company, the Controlling Shareholder or the Founder and their respective related parties or interested parties, threatened by the Group Company or by others against the Group Company, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Founder and their respective related parties or interested parties, or expected to be filed by or against the Group Company, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Founder and their respective related parties or interested parties. As far as it is known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company, there are no facts or circumstances that could lead to any lawsuits, arbitrations, mediations or administrative or criminal proceedings.

 

(2)                                 As far as it is known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company, the Group Company, the Controlling Shareholder or the Founder and their respective related parties or interested parties has not received any written notice of any investigation or inquiry on matters of the Group Company, the Controlling Shareholder or the Founder and their respective related parties or interested parties by any government authority or other agencies currently or in the past, in particular but not limited to matters in environmental protection, public health, fire protection, safety, labor, taxation. The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company are not aware of any circumstances that would lead to such formal investigations or inquiries.

 

Appendix III - 11


 

(3)                                 The Group Company has not committed any criminal, illegal, unlawful or unauthorized acts or breached any obligations or responsibilities in accordance with or arising out of regulations, contracts or other rules, nor does it have legal liabilities involving the above acts or breaches. And there is no unresolved claim against the Group Company, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Founder and their respective related parties or interested parties, except for those without material adverse effects on the production and operation of the Group Company.

 

(4)                                 The Group Company has not produced, sold or provided any products or services that fail to comply with all applicable laws, regulations or standards in material respects, or are defective or hazardous, or are not consistent with any relevant explicit representations or warranties.

 

15.                    Ownership and Status of Assets

 

(1)                                 The assets required by the Group Company in the course of business are included in its accounts.

 

(2)                                 The Group Company is the legal and beneficial owner of each asset (except for current assets that are sold, disposed of or used in the normal course of business) included in its accounts or acquired after the official incorporation date; there is no encumbrance on these assets, and each of the assets that may be possessed is owned by the Group Company.

 

(3)                                 The Group Company has the ownership of all intangible assets and fixed assets that are reflected as assets in its balance sheet, and there is no encumbrance, or attachment by courts. Such intangible assets and fixed assets are properly registered under the Group Company at the relevant registries of the government authority in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations if registration is feasible and necessary.

 

(4)                                 The Group Company has the whole, transferable title not subject to any encumbrance to the movable and immovable property and assets used in its business. The Group Company has paid all taxes and other related fees in full in accordance with applicable laws, and there is no default of payment or circumstances where supplementary payment of taxes or other fees is necessary.

 

(5)                                 All non-owned land, buildings and fixed assets currently used by the Group Company are leased under valid leases. All such leases are legal and valid. The Group Company has not violated the leases or been at fault under the leases.

 

Appendix III - 12


 

(6)                                 There are no options, mortgages, pledges, liens (except for liens that are generated according to the law in the ordinary course of business) or other forms of guarantees or other encumbrances relating to, created on, or affecting all or part of the business or assets of the Group Company. And there are no agreements or undertakings providing or creating any of the above, and no person claims to be entitled to any of the above interests.

 

(7)                                 All vehicles and office equipment used by the Group Company in relation to its business are normally repaired, maintained, and operated, and are available for use in the business of the Group Company.

 

16.                    Intellectual Property

 

(1)                                 The Group Company does not use any name other than the name displayed on its business license and “36Kr” or “36”.

 

(2)                                 The Group Company owns or has the right to use all intellectual property assets and business information that are currently used for the ordinary course of business or that are required to meet current plans and proposals.

 

(3)                                 All fees and steps for the renewal, application and other formal registration of intellectual property assets owned by the Group Company necessary for their maintenance, protection and enforcement have been paid or taken, or will be paid and taken as planned.

 

(4)                                 The intellectual property assets owned by the Group Company are valid, existing and enforceable and are not subject to any mortgage, encumbrance or other rights.

 

(5)                                 All licenses involving intellectual property assets and business information and contracts relating thereto entered into by the Group Company will not be terminated by this Capital Increase and/or a change in ownership or control of the Group Company.

 

(6)                                 As far as it is known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company, any third party has not violated any license or contract relating to any intellectual property assets currently used for business purposes.

 

(7)                                 The Group Company is not obligated to license, sublicense or carry out any transfer of any intellectual property assets or business information it owns or uses.

 

Appendix III - 13


 

(8)                                 As far as the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are concerned, no third party is infringing or has infringed or used without permission any intellectual property assets or business information owned or used by the Group Company.

 

(9)                                 The activities, business information and intellectual property assets of the Group Company do not constitute and has not constituted infringement or unauthorized use of intellectual property assets or business information of any third party.

 

(10)                          The intellectual property assets and business information owned by the Group Company are not the subject of any litigation, objection or administrative proceeding.

 

(11)                          The confidential information owned by the Group Company has not been disclosed or otherwise permitted to be known to any third party without such third party performing confidentiality obligations.

 

(12)                          The Group Company is not a party to any confidentiality or other contract restricting the free use or disclosure of its business information, nor does it assume any obligation restricting the free use or disclosure of its business information that may have a material adverse effect on the business of the Group Company.

 

(13)                          The operation of the Group Company does not result in the payment of intellectual property royalties or similar payment obligations.

 

17.                    Information Technology

 

The information technology and domain names owned or used by the Group Company is not the subject of any litigations, dispute or claim; as far as it is known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company, there are no expected or likely litigations, disputes or claims relating to any information technology or domain names owned or used by the Group Company.

 

18.                    Employees

 

(1)                                 Since the official incorporation date of the Group Company, no significant changes have been made to the remuneration or other terms of employment of any manager of the Group Company.

 

(2)                                 The employees of the Group Company have not made any claims on any intellectual property assets relating to the business of the Group Company, and as far as it is known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company, no employee will make such a claim.

 

Appendix III - 14


 

(3)                                 There are no unresolved or likely disputes among any member and any union or other organizations formed for similar purpose of the Group Company, and the Group Company is not a party to any collective bargaining agreement or other arrangements (whether or not binding).

 

(4)                                 The Group Company does not have any actions or circumstances in major violations of laws or regulations relating to labor, employment, social insurance and/or housing provident fund.

 

(5)                                 As far as it is known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company, no employee or other personnel or former employee or other former personnel threaten to file against the Group Company, and no other person threaten to file against the Group Company for any employee or other personnel or former employee or other former personnel, claims involving any accident, injury, unpaid salary, overtime payment, severance payment, social security payment, leave or any other matters caused or incurred by the employment or hiring of such employee or other personnel or former employee or other former personnel by the Group Company, and there is no such claims pending.

 

19.                    Environmental Matters

 

(1)                                 The Group Company has legally obtained and holds all or any of the permits, consents, licenses, approvals, certificates and other authorizations necessary for its production and operations required under any applicable laws relating to environmental protection (“Environmental Protection Law”), and all or any of the terms and conditions under these authorizations required by the Environmental Protection Law, except where omission of such will not result in material adverse effects on the legal and normal operation of the Group Company;

 

(2)                                 The Group Company complies with and has always complied with the Environmental Protection Law in major respects;

 

(3)                                 As far as it is known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company, the Group Company has not received any form of information from any relevant authorities that it may or may be alleged to be in violation of the Environmental Protection Law;

 

Appendix III - 15


 

(4)                                 As far as it is known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company, there are no legal proceedings or other litigations, claims or investigations against the Group Company with material adverse effects on the production and operation of the Group Company or relating thereto or otherwise in connection with the Environmental Protection Law, nor are there any pending or potential legal proceedings or other litigations, claims or investigations.

 

(5)                                 As far as it is known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company, there are no facts or circumstances that could lead to actual or potential environmental liability for the Group Company;

 

(6)                                 The Group Company has not received any notice or notification of complaints or claims on any matters relating to environmental protection matter from any person;

 

(7)                                 The Group Company has not received any injunctions or similar remedies or orders from competent courts on any environmental matter or made any commitments to the courts.

 

20.                    Taxes

 

(1)                                 The Group Company has submitted all tax returns required by the relevant tax authorities in accordance with the law, and all such tax returns are complete and correct in all material respects. The Group Company has paid all the payable taxes (whether or not displayed on the tax returns) in accordance with the requirements of the relevant tax authorities as required by law, or has made appropriate provisions in its financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the relevant tax authorities as required by law. Any assets or property of the Group Company are not subject to tax guarantees enjoined to be provided by the relevant tax authorities, except for those relating to taxes outstanding and payable; the Group Company is in compliance with the requirements of the relevant tax authorities applicable to it or its business (including but not limited to, if any, the conditions for preferential tax treatment); and as far as it is known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company, no government or regulatory authority will impose or have reasons to impose any additional taxes on the Group Company during any period that a tax return has been filed or required to be filed. The Group Company has no:

 

(i)                                     dispute or claim on any tax liability that has been claimed or filed by any government or regulatory authority, or;

 

Appendix III - 16


 

(ii)                                  warning about any reasonably expected tax liability dispute or claim as far as it is known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder, and/or the Company.

 

(2)                                 Provisions made in the accounts of the Group Company are sufficient for the deferred tax and are fully compliant with the accounting practices generally recognized in the place of registration and adopted by companies or organizations operating similar businesses.

 

(3)                                 If all the facts and circumstances known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are known facts and circumstances at the time of accounts preparation, the provisions for the deferred tax in the corresponding accounts shall not be more than the provisions already made.

 

21.                    Tax Returns, Disputes, Records and Requests

 

(1)                                 The Group Company has submitted and provided on its own or arranged others to submit and provide all applicable tax returns and all data required by any tax authority.

 

(2)                                 On the date of this Agreement, the Group Company has neither tax liability that is unresolved or expected to occur, in which the tax authority may recover any taxes (including fines or interest) from the Group Company, nor dispute or disagreement with any tax authority concerning any tax benefits to the Group Company, and there are no circumstances that will very likely lead to such disputes or disagreements.

 

22.                    Insurance

 

As far as it is known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company, all major assets of the Group Company that may and need to be insured according to industry practices (specifically real estate and vehicles, if any) have been insured in accordance with applicable laws and industry practices against risks that are usually insured against.

 

23.                    Incentive Mechanism

 

There are neither other stock option nor other similar performance-based incentive arrangements (including stock appreciation rights scheme) for employees (or former employees), directors (or former directors), supervisors (or former supervisors) or consultants (or former consultants) or contractors (or former contractors) of the Group Company, nor other similar arrangements that are affecting any of the above persons.

 

Appendix III - 17


 

24.                    No State-owned Assets

 

The Group Company does not have any state-owned assets, and does not need to undergo any form of assessment of state-owned assets or obtain approval for disposal of state-owned assets in order to facilitate the completion of the transaction in accordance with the laws and regulations of China.

 

25.                    No Undisclosed Business

 

As of the delivery date, the business of the Group Company has not exceeded the business scope approved in its business license. The Group Company has not engaged in any business that is not disclosed to Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang.

 

26.                    Compliant Business Practices

 

(1)                                 The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company acknowledge that the related parties of the Group Company and any other person acting on behalf of the above parties do not, whether or not related to transactions under this Agreement or related to other matters, (i) deliberately violate any applicable laws and orders; (ii) make any improper payments to government officials for business benefits or advantages.

 

(2)                                 The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company acknowledge that the Group Company and/or the related parties of the Group Company and any other person acting on behalf of the above parties does not take any actions that may violate the applicable anti-corruption laws which include but are not limited to: relevant anti-corruption and anti-commercial bribery laws and regulations of China, the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 as amended, and the applicable anti-corruption laws of other countries (hereinafter referred to as “Anti-corruption Laws”). Any of the related parties of the Group Company and any other person acting on behalf of the above parties have never offered, paid, promised to pay or authorized to pay any money or anything of value to any government official taking office in any government authority or any entity (if the related party of the Group Company knew that all or part of such money or things of value would very likely be offered, given or promised to be given to any government official (either directly or indirectly)). For the purposes of this article, government authority also includes any entity or enterprise owned or controlled by government authorities or international public organizations.

 

Appendix III - 18


 

(3)                                 The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company acknowledge that the Group Company and/or the related parties of the Group Company and any other person acting on behalf of the above parties, for the following purposes: (i) influence any act or decision within the authority of the government official; (ii) induce the government official to perform any act or omission in respect of his/her statutory duties; (iii) obtain any improper advantage; (iv) obtain any government research grant or national special project; (v) assist the Group Company in obtaining or retaining business or introduce business to the Group Company; or (v) induce the government official to influence or interfere with acts or decisions of any government authorities, have never accepted, offered, paid, promised to pay, authorized to pay, or taken actions to procure the acceptance, offer, or payment of any money or anything of value to any government officials taking office in any government authority or any entity (if the related party of the Group Company knew that all or part of such money or things of value would very likely be offered, given or promised to be given any government official (either directly or indirectly)).

 

(4)                                 The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company acknowledge that the Group Company and/or the related parties of the Group Company and any other person acting on behalf of the above parties has not violated the principle of fair competition and employed means such as giving, receiving property or other benefits to obtain transaction opportunities or other economic benefits in business activities.

 

(5)                                 The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder, and the Company acknowledge that key employees of the Group Company have not held any administrative position in any government authority, university or other public institution, and have not taken advantage of their positions outside the Group Company to seek any improper benefits for the Group Company, including but not limited to obtaining transaction opportunities, government approvals, or government research grants for the Group Company.

 

(6)                                 No government official, government authority or entity currently has any direct or indirect interest in the Group Company, or any legal or beneficial interest in the Group Company and the proceeds From Capital Increase Subscriptions paid to the Group Company by Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang under this Agreement.

 

Appendix III - 19


 

(7)                                 The Group Company maintains and will maintain accurate and complete books and records in accordance with the applicable anti-corruption laws and generally recognized accounting principles.

 

Appendix III - 20


 

Appendix IV

 

Disclosure List

 

1. As of the date of issuance of this disclosure list, the owner of the “wow36kr” official WeChat account, the “36kr” Weibo account of the Company and the intellectual property in Appendix II is the Controlling Shareholder.

 

2. As of the date of issuance of this disclosure list, the owner of the trademark rights of “36” and “36kr” of the Company is the Controlling Shareholder, and the Company has not signed a transfer agreement with the Controlling Shareholder.

 

3. On May 8, 2017 and June 5, 2017, the Controlling Shareholder signed the Loan Agreement with the Company and provided the Company with a loan of RMB7,123,521.38.

 

4. The relevant wages, social insurance and housing provident fund of individual employees of the Company who need to apply for work permits and sign labor contracts with the Controlling Shareholder are all borne by the Controlling Shareholder. After the Company has completed the application to become qualified for handling work permits, such employees will have theirs replaced.

 


 

Appendix V

 

List of Key Employees

 

Name

 

Position

 

Identification number

Feng Dagang

 

President

 

132801197810243614

Zhang Zhuo

 

Assistant President

 

110108198311236028

Li Yang

 

Chief Editor

 

210402197611192941

Ye Hongguang

 

Vice President of Business Center

 

130206197910210016

Li Zheng

 

General Manager of Brand Advertising

 

510781198201130075

 


 

Appendix VI

 

Address for Notice

 

For the purposes of the article on notice set forth in this Agreement, the original addresses of the parties are as follows:

 

To the Founder:

 

Liu Chengcheng

Address: 6th Floor, Haizhi Chuangtou, 34 Haidian Street, Haidian District, Beijing, China

Recipient: Wang Jingyu

Phone: 010-59974030

Zip code: 100089

E-mail: wangjingyu@36kr.com

 

To the Controlling Shareholder:

 

Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Service Co., Ltd.

Address: 6th Floor, Haizhi Chuangtou, 34 Haidian Street, Haidian District, Beijing, China

Recipient: Wang Jingyu

Phone: 010-59974030

Zip code: 100089

E-mail: wangjingyu@36kr.com

 

To the Company

 

Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd.

Address: 6th Floor, Haizhi Chuangtou, 34 Haidian Street, Haidian District, Beijing, China

Recipient: Wang Jingyu

Phone: 010-59974030

Zip code: 100089

E-mail: wangjingyu@36kr.com

 


 

To the Investor Shareholders

 

Suzhou Industrial Park Gebi Yinghe Venture Capital Partnership (Limited Partnership)

Address: Room 1508, Gopher Center, 757 Mengzi Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China

Recipient: Xu Chen

Phone: 021-51601618

Fax: 021-56295805

Zip code: 200023

E-mail: ken@gobi.cn

 

Jiaxing Xiaodu Neirong Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)

Address: Pactera Building, Phase 2, Zhongguancun Software Park, 8 Dongbeiwang West Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China

Recipient: Liu Renjie

Phone: 18610451803

Zip code: 100193

E-mail: liurenjie@itv.baidu.com

 

Beijing Gebi Lvzhou Angel Investment Center (Limited Partnership)

Address: Room 906, Block H, Phoenix Land Plaza, A5 Shuguang Xili, Beijing, China

Recipient: Jiang Tao

Phone: 86.10.8455.4115

Fax: 86.10.8455.4119

Zip code: 100028

E-mail: don@gobi.cn

 


 

Hangzhou Jincun Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)

Address: Room 3211, 32nd Floor, Jintou Financial Building, 2-6 Qingchun East Road, Jianggan District, Hangzhou

Recipient: Chen Chenjie

Phone: 0571-87225309

Fax:

Zip code: 310016

E-mail: chenchenjie@hzfi.cn

 

Shenzhen Guohong No.2 Enterprise Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)

Address: 9th Floor, Block A, Fairmount Tower, Wangjing, Chaoyang District, Beijing

Recipient: Zhang Shu

Phone: 18610053125

Zip code: 100102

E-mail: zhangshu@cpcfund.cn

 

Gongqingcheng Fenzhong Chuangxiang Information Technology Co., Ltd.

Address: 28th Floor, No. 369, Jiangsu Road, Changning District, Shanghai

Recipient: Lin Nan

Phone: 18621585219

E-mail: linnan@focusmedia.cn

 


 

Annex I

 

Regarding the Shareholders Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd.

 


 

Annex II

 

Articles of Association of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd.

 




Exhibit 10.8

 


 

Capital Increase Agreement

 


 

of

 

Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd.

 

Between

 

Liu Chengcheng

 

Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Service Co., Ltd.

 

Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership)

 

Suzhou Industrial Park Gebi Yinghe Venture Capital Partnership (Limited Partnership)

 

Beijing Gebi Lvzhou Angel Investment Center (Limited Partnership)

 

Jiaxing Xiaodu Neirong Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)

 

Hangzhou Jincun Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)

 

Shenzhen Guohong NO.2 Enterprise Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)

 

Gongqingcheng Fenzhong Chuangxiang Information Technology Co., Ltd.

 

Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd.

 

and

 

Ningbo Meishan Baoshui Gangqu Tianhong Lvyan Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)

 

Beijing Wentou Huyu Investment Co., Ltd.

 

[] 2017

Beijing, China

 

FOR DUE DILIGENCE ONLY

 


 

Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd.

 

The Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “this Agreement” or the “Capital Increase Agreement” was signed by the following parties in Beijing, China on [] 2017:

 

Founder:

 

1.                                      Liu Chengcheng (hereinafter referred to as the “Founder”)

ID number: 320911198811194339

Address: No. 117, Group 1, Xinhuo Village, Yandu New District, Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province

 

Company Shareholders:

 

2.                                      Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Service Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Controlling Shareholder”)

Address: 5/F and 6/F, No. 34, Haidian Street, Haidian District, Beijing

Legal representative: Liu Chengcheng

 

3.                                      Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership) (hereinafter referred to as “Zhang Gongzi”)

Address: 1102-072, 11th Floor, Block G1, TEDA MSD, Second Avenue, Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area

Executive partner: Liu Chengcheng

 

Investor Shareholders:

 

4.                                      Suzhou Industrial Park Gebi Yinghe Venture Capital Partnership (Limited Partnership) (hereinafter referred to as “Gebi Yinghe”)

Address: Room 240, Building 19, Dongsha Lake Equity Investment Center, No. 183, Suhong East Road, Suzhou Industrial Park

Executive partner delegate: Zhu Lin

 

5.                                      Beijing Gebi Lvzhou Angel Investment Center (Limited Partnership) (hereinafter referred to as “Gebi Lvzhou”)

Address: Room 5430, Shenchang Building, No. 51 Zhichun Road, Haidian District, Beijing

Executive partner delegate: Jiang Tao 

 

2


 

6.                                      Jiaxing Xiaodu Neirong Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership) (hereinafter referred to as “Xiaodu Investment”)

Address: Room 106-70, Dongfang Building, No. 100 Zhuyuan Road, Nanhu District, Jiaxing, Zhejiang

Executive partner delegate: Hu Hao

 

7.                                      Hangzhou Jincun Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership) (hereinafter referred to as “Jincun Investment”)

Address: Room 614, Guangxin Business Building, No. 58 Xintang Road, Jianggan District, Hangzhou

Executive partner delegate: Wang Huaping

 

8.                                      Shenzhen Guohong No.2 Enterprise Management Partnership (Limited Partnership) (hereinafter referred to as “Guohong No.2”)

Address: 18D, Tairan Jinsong Building, Tairan Avenue, Shatou Street, Futian District, Shenzhen

Executive partner delegate: Ma Zhiqiang

 

9.                                      Gongqingcheng Fenzhong Chuangxiang Information Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Fenzhong Chuangxiang”)

Address: Private Equity Fund Park, Gongqingcheng, Jiujiang, Jiangxi

Legal representative: Ding Xiaojing

 

The Company Increasing Capital:

 

10.                               Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “the Company”)

Address: 601, 6th Floor, 34 Haidian Street, Haidian District, Beijing

Legal representative: Liu Chengcheng

 

Investor Shareholders Subscribing for this Capital Increase:

 

11.                               Ningbo Meishan Baoshui Gangqu Tianhong Lvyan Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership) (hereinafter referred to as “Tianhong Lvyan”)

Address: Room 1248, Office Building 18, Business Center, Meishan Avenue, Beilun District, Ningbo, Zhejiang

Executive partner delegate: Sun Ning

 

3


 

12.                               Beijing Wentou Huyu Investment Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Wentou Huyu”)

Address: Room 303, 3/F, Building 56, No.2 Jingyuan North Street, Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, Beijing

Legal representative: Gao Haitao

 

(Gebi Yinghe, Gebi Lvzhou, Xiaodu Investment, Jincun Investment, Tianhong Lvyan, Guohong No.2, Fenzhong Chuangxiang and Wentou Huyu are collectively referred to as “Investor Shareholders”; the Controlling Shareholder and Zhang Gongzi are collectively referred to as “Company Shareholders”; the Controlling Shareholder, Zhang Gongzi, Gebi Yinghe, Gebi Lvzhou, Xiaodu Investment, Jincun Investment, Guohong No.2, and Fenzhong Chuangxiang are collectively referred to as “Existing Shareholders”; the Founder, Company Shareholders, Investor Shareholders and the Company are collectively referred to as “the parties” and individually referred to as a “party” in this Agreement)

 

4


 

Preface

 

A.                                    The Founder is a Chinese citizen who has a residence and has lived for a long time in China.

 

B.                                    Existing Shareholders are companies incorporated and validly existing under the laws of China.

 

C.                                    The Company is a limited liability company incorporated and validly existing under the laws of China. As of the date of signing this Agreement, the registered capital of the Company is RMB Eleven Million Five Hundred and Sixteen Thousand Six Hundred and Sixty-two (RMB11,516,662). The Company’s shareholding structure is listed below:

 

No.

 

Shareholder name

 

Holding registered
capital
(RMB)

 

Shareholding
ratio

 

1

 

Controlling Shareholder

 

8,000,000

 

69.46

%

2

 

Zhang Gongzi

 

2,000,000

 

17.37

%

3

 

Guohong No.2

 

749,997

 

6.51

%

4

 

Fenzhong Chuangxiang

 

249,999

 

2.17

%

5

 

Gebi Yinghe

 

233,334

 

2.03

%

6

 

Jincun Investment

 

166,666

 

1.45

%

7

 

Xiaodu Investment

 

83,333

 

0.72

%

8

 

Gebi Lvzhou

 

33,333

 

0.29

%

 

 

Total

 

11,516,662

 

100

%

 

Pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the parties agree that for this Capital Increase, Tianhong Lvyan will invest RMB Fifty-six Million (RMB 56,000,000) (hereinafter referred to as “Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscription of Tianhong Lvyan”) to the Company to subscribe for the newly registered capital of RMB Four Hundred Sixty Six Thousand Six Hundred and Sixty-six (RMB466,666) of the Company; Wentou Huyu will invest RMB Fourteen Million (RMB14,000,000) (hereinafter referred to as “Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscription of Wentou Huyu”), to subscribe for the newly registered capital of RMB One Hundred and Sixteen Thousand Six Hundred and Sixty-six (RMB116,666); Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu together will invest RMB Seventy Million (RMB70,000,000) to the Company (hereinafter referred to as “Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscriptions”).

 

5


 

The Company’s newly registered capital is RMB Five Hundred Eighty-three Thousand Three Hundred and Thirty-two (RMB583,332). The registered capital of the Company is increased from RMB Eleven Million Five Hundred and Sixteen Thousand Six Hundred and Sixty-two (RMB11,516,662) to RMB Twelve Million Ninety-nine Thousand Nine Hundred and Ninety-four (RMB12,099,994).

 

6


 

Text of the Agreement

 

In view of this, according to the relevant laws, regulations and normative documents of China, the parties reach unanimously agreement as follows through friendly negotiation:

 

1.              Definition

 

1.1                               Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement or the context of this Agreement otherwise requires, the following expressions have the following meanings in this Agreement:

 

“This Capital Increase” or “This Transaction”

 

shall mean the Capital Increase Agreement proposed to be completed under this Agreement

 

 

 

“This Agreement” or “the Capital Increase Agreement”

 

this Capital Increase Agreement, also including amendments, supplements and adjustments and attachments to this Agreement from time to time through negotiations of the parties.

 

 

 

“Founder”

 

has the meaning as specified in the Preamble

 

 

 

“Controlling Shareholder”

 

has the meaning as specified in the Preamble

 

 

 

“Existing Shareholders”

 

shall have the meaning as defined in Preamble

 

 

 

“Tianhong Lvyan”

 

has the meaning as specified in the Preamble

 

 

 

“Wentou Huyu”

 

has the meaning as specified in the Preamble

 

 

 

“Guohong No.2”

 

shall have the meaning as defined in Preamble.

 

 

 

“Fenzhong Chuangxiang”

 

shall have the meaning as defined in Preamble.

 

 

 

“Jincun Investment”

 

shall have the meaning as defined in Preamble.

 

 

 

“Gebi Yinghe”

 

has the meaning as specified in the Preamble

 

7


 

“Gebi Lvzhou”

 

has the meaning as specified in the Preamble

 

 

 

“Xiaodu Investment”

 

has the meaning as specified in the Preamble

 

 

 

“Investor Shareholders”

 

shall have the meaning as defined in Preamble.

 

 

 

Majority Shareholders”

 

the Investor Shareholders holding more than two-thirds (inclusive) of the entire equity held by all Investor Shareholders after this Transaction.

 

 

 

“Preamble”

 

the part between the title of this Agreement and the Preface of this Agreement.

 

 

 

“Preface”

 

the Preface of this Agreement.

 

 

 

“Party” and “the Parties”

 

has the meaning as specified in the Preamble.

 

 

 

“Third Party”

 

any person other than the parties to this Agreement.

 

 

 

“The Company”

 

has the meaning as specified in the Preamble

 

 

 

“Shareholders Agreement”

 

the Shareholders Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. with the same format and content as Annex I of this Agreement.

 

 

 

“Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscriptions”

 

has the meaning as specified in Preamble of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Newly Registered Capital”

 

has the meaning as specified in Preamble of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Capital Increase Subscription Price”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 3.1.1 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Delivery”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 4.1 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Delivery Date”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 4.1 of this Agreement

 

8


 

“Capital Increase Transaction Documents”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 4.1.7 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Business Plan”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 4.1.8 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Disclosure List”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 5.1 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Board of Directors”

 

the Company’s board of directors.

 

 

 

“Industrial and Commercial Administration”

 

the corresponding industrial and commercial administrative department in China responsible for the approval and registration of the establishment, change (including but not limited to Capital Increase, equity transfer, etc.) of the Company.

 

 

 

“Shareholder Meeting”

 

shareholder meetings of the Company.

 

 

 

“Related Parties”

 

For the purpose of a specific person, (a) when it is a natural person, the spouse of the person and his immediate family members (whether blood relative or adopted) or any trust established and maintained only for the benefit of the person, the spouse of the person and/or the immediate family members; and (b) when it is any person, the person indirectly or indirectly controlling such specific person through one or more media, controlled by such specific person or jointly controlled together with such specific person.

 

 

 

“Interested parties”

 

for any person, (a) the person acting as a director, supervisor, manager (director and above) or a partner or a company or organization holding directly or indirectly no less than ten percent (10%) of any kind of equity securities interests, (b) trust or other properties in which the person enjoys a substantial interest or in which the person acts as a trustee or holds a similar position, and (c) any immediate family member or a collateral relative within three generations of such person, the spouse of such person or the immediate family member or a collateral relative within three generations of the spouse of such person.

 

9


 

“Qualified Initial Public Offering”

 

shall mean the listing and public offering of shares of the Company at stock exchanges in China, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or other internationally recognized stock exchanges considered and approved by the general meeting of shareholders according to the securities laws and regulations of the applicable jurisdiction(s). Unless approved respectively in advance by Tianhong Lvyan and Guohong No.2, qualified initial public offering does not include the listing of the Company in the National Equities Exchange and Quotations.

 

 

 

“Contract”

 

any agreement, arrangement, commitment, stipulation, license, compensation, contract, instrument, lease, permit, permission or binding memorandum of understanding (whether written or not).

 

 

 

“Control”

 

(including the meaning of the terms “Controlling”, “Controlled” and “Commonly Controlled by”), for the purpose of any person, the authority to directly or indirectly direct the person’s management or policies (related to operational controls, financial controls or other controls), whether by holding securities with voting rights, or by contract or otherwise.

 

 

 

“Subsidiaries”

 

the Company and other non-natural person parties in which the Company directly or indirectly holds over fifty percent (50%) of the voting rights. As of the signing date of this Agreement, the list of the Company’s subsidiaries is detailed in Appendix I of this Agreement.

 

 

 

“Group Company”

 

the Company and/or subsidiaries.

 

10


 

“Encumbrance”

 

(a) any obligation, guarantee for the purpose of any person, or pledge, guarantee, mortgage, lien, security deed, trust deed, retention of rights, security interest or other third party rights conferring any kind of payment priority on it; (b) any easement or guarantee granting the use or possession right to any person; (c) any power of attorney, letter of authority, voting trust agreement, equity interest, option, preemptive right, priority negotiation or refusal right or transfer restrictions in favor of any person; (d) any unfavorable claims relating to ownership, possession or use; encumbrance also includes agreements or arrangements relating to the above.

 

 

 

“RMB”

 

the legal currency of China.

 

 

 

“Person”

 

should be interpreted as broadly as possible and should include individuals, partnerships (including but not limited to limited partnerships), companies, associated enterprises, joint stock limited companies, limited liability companies, trusts, joint ventures or cooperative enterprises (including Sino-foreign joint ventures and Sino-foreign cooperative enterprise), non-corporate organizations and government authorities.

 

 

 

“Applicable Laws”

 

for the purpose of any person, any constitution, treaty, statute, laws, regulations, decrees, guidelines, rules, judgments, common law rules, orders, edicts, rulings, injunctions, government approvals, approvals, grants, licenses, permits, consents, instructions, requirements that apply to such person or any property or business thereof, whether it is effective on or after the date of this Agreement or revised from time to time or re-enacted, or other government restrictions of any government authority or any similar government decrees, or decisions made by it, or relevant provisions relating to the interpretation and implementation of any of the foregoing.

 

 

 

“Taxes”

 

Any and all taxes payable (including but not limited to any income tax, business tax, stamp duty or other taxes, duties, charges, fees, deductions, fines or withholding taxes imposed, collected or apportioned). “Tax revenue” should also be interpreted accordingly.

 

 

 

“Litigation”

 

Any litigation, prosecution, legal procedure, claim, arbitration or investigation.

 

11


 

“Loss”

 

All direct or indirect losses, liabilities, damages, deficiencies, value impairments, litigation, debts, responsibilities, benefits, interests, fines, fees, judgments or reconciliations of any nature or kind, including all related costs and expenses, including but not limited to reasonable lawyer fees and expenses, litigation fees, arbitration fees, reconciliation fees and investigation fees of any kind or nature, whether it is legal or equitable, known or unknown, foreseeable or unforeseeable.

 

 

 

“Known”

 

When something is “known” to a person, it means something that is actually known to such person. It should be something known after proper consultation and due diligence that should be conducted by such person as a prudent business person in managing its business. Such due diligence includes appropriate consultation with such person and the management, directors, key employees and professional consultants (including lawyers, accountants and consultants) of its related parties.

 

 

 

“Business Day”

 

any day when China’s banks usually operate public-facing business (except for Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays in China).

 

 

 

“Articles of Association”

 

Articles of Association of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. with the same format and content as Annex II of this Agreement.

 

 

 

“Confidential Information”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 8.1 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Government Authority”

 

any government or its political branch, whether at the federal, central, state, provincial, municipal, or local level, and regardless of administrative, legislative, or judicial nature, including any representative office, authority, council, bureau, committee, court, department, or other institutions.

 

 

 

“Intellectual Property Assets”

 

all patents, patent applications, registered trademarks, service trademarks, trademark applications, unregistered logos, trade names, registered designs, unregistered design rights, domain names, copyrights, copyright registrations and applications, and all other related rights, inventions, utility models, appearance design, database and all related rights, all computer software including all source code, object code, firmware, development tools, files, records and data, including all storage media for any of the above contents, formulation, design, commercial secrets, confidentialities, proprietary information, proprietary rights, know-how and procedures, and all documents relating to any of the above contents.

 

12


 

“Material Adverse Effect”

 

material adverse effect on the condition (financial condition or other) of a particular person, the assets associated with it, the results of operations or prospects, or its business (currently or intended to be carried out).

 

 

 

“China”

 

the People’s Republic of China, but for the purposes of this Agreement, not including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan.

 

 

 

“Main Business”

 

Internet commercial media.

 

 

 

“Dispute”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 11.4.1 of this Agreement

 

 

 

“Arbitration Commission”

 

has the meaning as specified in Article 11.4.2 of this Agreement

 

1.2                               Interpretation. The term “this Agreement” means all of this Agreement and is not a clause, appendix, attachment or other part of this Agreement. Terms, appendices or attachments expressed in this Agreement shall be the corresponding terms, appendices or attachments in this Agreement, unless they are inconsistent with the subject matter or context.

 

1.3                               Headings. The headings of the terms are for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

 

1.4                               References. References to the laws of China in this Agreement shall include any laws, regulations, legally binding policies or other supporting legislation in the region. References to the law shall include versions that have been revised or altered from time to time. References to this Agreement or any contract shall be construed as including the relevant contracts that may be amended, supplemented, altered or updated.

 

13


 

1.5                               Appendix and Annex. The appendices and annexes to this Agreement constitute an integral part of this Agreement and have the same legal effect as this Agreement.

 

2.                                      Pre-delivery Action

 

2.1                               Application for Intellectual Property Transfer. The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company undertake that before delivery, the Controlling Shareholder shall commence the legal process of registration change to register the “wow36kr” WeChat public account, the “36kr” Weibo account and all the intellectual property rights in Appendix II under the name of the Company.

 

2.2                               Changes to the ICP Certificate. The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company undertake that registration of the operating permit for value-added telecommunications services held by the Controlling Shareholder shall be changed to register it under the name of the Company before delivery.

 

2.3                               The obligations of the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company under Article 2.1, 2.2 shall only be deemed fulfilled after confirmation in writing by the Investor Shareholders.

 

3.                                      Capital Increase

 

3.1                               This Capital Increase.

 

3.1.1                     The parties agree that, subject to the fulfillment of the terms and conditions of this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents, Tianhong Lvyan shall invest RMB Fifty-six Million (RMB56,000,000) in the Company to subscribe for the newly registered capital of the Company of RMB Four Hundred Sixty Six Thousand Six Hundred and Sixty-six (RMB466,666); Wentou Huyu shall invest RMB Fourteen Million (RMB14,000,000) in the Company to subscribe for the newly registered capital of the Company of RMB One Hundred and Sixteen Thousand Six Hundred and Sixty-six (RMB116,666). The subscription price for each RMB1 of the newly registered capital shall be RMB One Hundred and Twenty (RMB120) (hereinafter referred to as “Capital Increase Subscription Price”) and the premium portion of the Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscriptions paid by Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu shall be included in the capital reserve of the Company.

 

14


 

3.1.2                     The Proportion of Equity Interest after the Capital Increase is Completed. After the completion of the Capital Increase mentioned in the above Article 3.1.1, the Company’s shareholders and capital contribution ratio shall be as follows:

 

No.

 

Shareholder name

 

Holding registered
capital
(RMB)

 

Shareholding
ratio

 

1

 

Controlling Shareholder

 

8,000,000

 

66.116

%

2

 

Zhang Gongzi

 

2,000,000

 

16.529

%

3

 

Guohong No.2

 

749,997

 

6.198

%

4

 

Tianhong Lvyan

 

466,666

 

3.857

%

5

 

Fenzhong Chuangxiang

 

249,999

 

2.066

%

6

 

Gebi Yinghe

 

233,334

 

1.928

%

7

 

Jincun Investment

 

166,666

 

1.377

%

8

 

Wentou Huyu

 

116,666

 

0.964

%

9

 

Xiaodu Investment

 

83,333

 

0.689

%

10

 

Gebi Lvzhou

 

33,333

 

0.275

%

 

 

Total:

 

12,099,994

 

100

%

 

3.2                               Consent and Waiver. The Existing Shareholders agree to and approve the Capital Increase by Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu and the subscription for the Newly Registered Capital by Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu, and waive the pre-emptive right to the above Newly Registered Capital.

 

15


 

3.3                    Time of Payment of the Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscriptions. The parties agree that Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu shall pay the corresponding Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscriptions to the Company in full on the Delivery Date. On the day when Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu pay the Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscriptions in full, the Company shall immediately record Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu and the number and proportion of the shares of the Company held by them in the Company’s shareholder register, and issue the capital contribution certificates with official seal of the Company signed by the legal representative of the Company to Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu. From the Delivery Date, Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu shall be entitled to the rights as shareholders of the Company (including but not limited to the right of receiving the Company’s undistributed profits) in accordance with this Agreement and the Shareholder Agreement.

 

3.4                    Business License Update. Within ten (10) business days after Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu have paid the Company the full amount of the Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscriptions, the Company shall apply to the Industrial and Commercial Administration for registration of changes in the relevant corporate registration matters due to this Capital Increase (including the filing of the new shareholders of the Company, the Articles of Association and new members in the Board of Directors of the Company) and the update of the business license to reflect that Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu have paid for the Company’s Newly Registered Capital in accordance with this Agreement and became shareholders of the Company; the Existing Shareholders shall take all necessary actions and sign all necessary documents to assist the Company in completing the registration of changes for this Capital Increase by Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu.

 

4.              Capital Increase Delivery

 

4.1                    Conditions for Capital Increase Delivery. The obligation of Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu to pay the Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscriptions in accordance with Articles 3.1.1 and 3.3 of this Agreement (hereinafter referred to as “Delivery”) shall be subject to the fulfillment of following preconditions, unless Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu waive in writing. Delivery shall be conducted on a date agreed by the parties within ten (10) business days after all of the following preconditions are met or waived in writing, or such other date and time agreed by the parties in writing (hereinafter referred to as the “Delivery Date”), by the remote exchange of documents and signatures:

 

16


 

4.1.1          Due Diligence. Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu have completed and passed due diligence (including but not limited to commercial due diligence, legal due diligence, and financial due diligence) on the Group Company, and the results of due diligence are satisfactory to Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu; the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company shall make their best efforts to cooperate with Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu in the above-mentioned due diligence, including but not limited to arranging customer meetings, providing relevant contracts, as well as legal documents and financial information of the Group Company; the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company have fully, truthfully and completely disclosed to Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu in writing the assets, liabilities, equity interests, external guarantees of the Group Company and all information related to this Capital Increase.

 

4.1.2          Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties made by the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company in Appendix III to this Agreement are true, accurate and not misleading in all material respects on the Delivery Date; however, if a representation and warranty clearly refers to the condition on an earlier date before the Delivery Date, the representation and warranty shall be true, accurate and not misleading as of that earlier date.

 

4.1.3          Performance of Obligations. Existing Shareholders and the Company have properly performed and complied with all agreements, obligations and conditions that are required to be fulfilled or observed upon or before the Delivery contained in this Agreement and the Capital Increase Transaction Documents.

 

4.1.4          Approval, Consent and Waiver. Existing Shareholders and the Company shall have obtained all the approvals, consents and waivers required to complete this Capital Increase, including but not limited to the corresponding pre-emptive right that Existing Shareholders shall waive, and all permits, licenses, approvals, filings or consents of any government authority or regulatory authority or other persons (other than the industrial and commercial registration) (if any).

 

4.1.5          No Material Adverse Effects. From the date of signing this Agreement to the Delivery Date, the Group Company has not encountered any material adverse effect events.

 

17


 

4.1.6          Contracts with Key Employees. The Company’s key employees (see Appendix V of this Agreement for the list of key employees) have signed employment agreements with the Company with the form and contents that are satisfactory to Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu, as well as confidentiality agreements, business strife limitation agreements and non-competition agreements.

 

4.1.7          Signing of the Capital Increase Transaction Documents. The parties shall have signed the Capital Increase Agreement, the Shareholders Agreement and the Articles of Association and all other ancillary documents required by applicable laws (hereinafter referred to as “Capital Increase Transaction Documents”) for the purpose of this Capital Increase.

 

If any government authority requires changes to any of the provisions of any Capital Increase Transaction Document upon submission of the Capital Increase Transaction Documents to the relevant government authority for registration, the parties shall promptly negotiate whether to make the required changes. No change shall have legal effect without the written consent of the parties.

 

4.1.8          Recognition of Future Business Plans by Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu. The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company shall have submitted to Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu the detailed research and development plan, promotion plan (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Business Plans”) and the Company’s budget plan for the next twelve (12) months after the completion of this Capital Increase, and the above Business Plans shall have been approved in writing by Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu.

 

4.1.9          Approval by Shareholder and Investment Committees. Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu have obtained approval from their respective shareholders and investment committees or similar organizations for this Capital Increase of the Company and all contents of the Capital Increase Transaction Documents.

 

4.1.10   Delivery Certificate. The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company should have delivered a duly signed delivery certificate to Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu to prove that all Delivery conditions set forth in Article 4.1 herein have been satisfied.

 

4.2                    Delivery Conditions of the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder. The obligations of the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder on the Delivery Date shall depend on the satisfaction of the following prerequisites on or before the delivery Date, unless otherwise waived by the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder in writing:

 

18


 

4.2.1          Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties made by Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu under this Agreement are true and accurate in all material respects on the Delivery Date; however, if a particular representation and warranty expressly states circumstances of an earlier date before the Delivery Date, the representation and warranty shall be true as of that earlier date.

 

4.2.2          Performance of Obligations. Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu have properly performed and complied with all agreements, obligations and conditions that are required to be fulfilled or observed upon or before the Delivery Date contained in this Agreement.

 

5.                           Representations and Warranties

 

5.1                    Representations and Warranties of the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder. The Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder respectively represent and warrant to Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu:

 

5.1.1          In addition to the disclosures in Appendix IV to this Agreement (hereinafter referred to as the “Disclosure List”, such Disclosure List shall be deemed modification and restriction of the representations and warranties stipulated in Appendix III to this Agreement), the representations and warranties stipulated in Appendix III to this Agreement are true, accurate and not misleading on the date of signature of this Agreement and will be true, accurate and not misleading on the Delivery Date (except for representations and warranties specific to a particular date, and in such circumstances, such representations and warranties shall be true, accurate and not misleading at such date).

 

5.1.2          Enforceability. Upon signing of this Agreement and Delivery, it shall constitute its legal, valid and binding obligations and enforceability in accordance with its respective terms, unless it is subject to the following restrictions: (a) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, restructuring or other general applicable laws relating to or affecting the exercise of the rights of creditors; and (b) the applicable results of legal remedies.

 

5.2                    Representations and Warranties of Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu. Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu hereby represent and warrant to the other parties that the following representations and warranties are true, accurate and not misleading as at the date of this Agreement, and are also true, accurate and not misleading as at the Delivery Date that:

 

19


 

5.2.1          Legally Incorporated. They are formally incorporated and validly existing in accordance with the laws of their places of registration.

 

5.2.2          Authorization. They have all the necessary powers, authorizations and capabilities to sign and perform their obligations under this Agreement and the Capital Increase Transaction Documents proposed under this Agreement. This Agreement and the Capital Increase Transaction Documents proposed under this Agreement shall constitute the valid and binding obligations of Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu upon signing and delivery (documents that take effect only after approval by relevant government authority are subject to such approval) by Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu and shall be enforceable against Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu in accordance with the terms unless subject to the following restrictions: (a) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other generally applicable laws concerning or affecting the exercise of rights of creditors; and (b) the applicable results of legal remedies.

 

6.                           Undertakings

 

6.1                    The Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder make following undertakings to Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu respectively:

 

6.1.1          Use of the Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscriptions. They shall ensure that the Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscriptions are used for the execution of the Company’s business plans approved by the Company and Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu, and not for any other purpose than the Company’s main business. In particular the Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscriptions may not be used to repay the Company’s loans (including but not limited to the loans of RMB Seven Million One Hundred Twenty Three Thousand Five Hundred Twenty One and Thirty Eight Cents (RMB7,123,521.38) in total provided to the Company by the Controlling Shareholder pursuant to the 3 loan agreements signed with the Company on May 8, 2017 and June 5, 2017.

 

6.1.2          Registered Capital Contribution. They shall ensure that the Existing Shareholders contribute their subscribed capital in full and on time in accordance with the Articles of Association.

 

6.1.3          Prohibition of Non-main Business. They shall ensure that the Group Company shall only engage in the main business. Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Investor Shareholders, the Group Company shall not engage in any business other than the main business.

 

20


 

6.1.4          Non-competition. The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and their related parties or interested parties shall not, before the earlier of the date when the Company complete the Qualified Initial Public Offering or the date Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu withdraw from the Company, directly or indirectly, alone, together with any other persons or through any other persons, in whatever form: (1) engage in any business related to the business of the Company; (2) conduct new investment (whether through equity or contractual manner) in any entity that engages in the business of the Company, engages in the same business as the Company or engages in business competing with the business of the Company (including research and development and production activities relating to the competing business); or (3) provide advice, assistance or funding to any competitive business.

 

For the purpose of the Qualified Initial Public Offering of the Company, the Founder, the Company, the Controlling Shareholder shall, at the request and the advice of the intermediaries employed to realize the Qualified Initial Public Offering of the Company or the Investor Shareholders, do their best on the disposal or restriction of the competing business and other related activities that they directly or indirectly own or participate in.

 

6.1.5          Key Employee Commitments. The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder, the Company shall ensure that the key employees listed in Appendix V of this Agreement are fully committed to the overall management and operation of the Group Company (unless the Board of Directors expressly dismisses their duties), and shall not engage in any business unrelated to the business of the Group Company.

 

The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder, the Company shall ensure that Feng Dagang, one of the key employees, will not engage in or be associated with or have interests in any business competing or associated with the business of the Group Company, before an earlier date between the date the Company completes the Qualified Initial Public Offering and the date the Investor Shareholders withdraw from the Company.

 

6.1.6          Non-soliciting. Neither the Founder nor the Controlling Shareholder shall persuade or encourage any employee of the Group Company to accept other employment, or to recruit any employee of the Group Company in other ways; or to provide any form of consultation, guidance, counsel, assistance or funding to any person engaged in a business that competes with the business of the Group Company.

 

21


 

6.1.7          No Encumbrance. Unless otherwise approved in writing by the Investor Shareholders, the Company shall ensure that the Group Company continues to have good and transferable title to its property and assets and will not create any encumbrance on its property and assets. For its leased property and assets, the Company shall ensure that the Group Company complies with its lease contract as a party, and the Company shall ensure that the Group Company has and maintains a valid leasehold interest in the property and assets.

 

6.1.8          Obtaining Qualification Certificates. The Company shall obtain the necessary qualification certificates for engaging in the main business in accordance with the laws of China before December 31, 2019, including but not limited to the online publishing license, except where the competent authority confirms that the Company’s main business does not require that license.

 

6.1.9          Change of Business Scope of Huake Technology. The Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder shall, before December 31, 2019, ensure that “organizing cultural and artistic exchange activities (excluding performance); market research; corporate planning; advertising design, production, agency and publication; hosting exhibitions and presentation activities” would be removed from the business scope of Huake Technology.

 

6.1.10   Transfer of the WeChat and Weibo Accounts. Within two (2) months after the Delivery Date, the Controlling Shareholder shall transfer the 36Kr WeChat official account (wow36kr) and 36kr Weibo account to the Company free of charge, change the registration to register them under the name of the Company, and all the articles, material library, message history, and followers and other contents of the WeChat and Weibo accounts shall be transferred to the Company.

 

6.1.11   Transfer of the Computer Software Copyright. The Controlling Shareholder shall change the registration of all computer software copyrights in Appendix II to register them under the name of the Company within three (3) months after the Delivery Date.

 

6.1.12   Transfer of Trademark Rights. The Controlling Shareholder shall change the registration of all trademark rights in Appendix II to register them under the name of the Company within fifteen (15) months after the Delivery Date.

 

6.1.13   Equity arrangement of shareholders of the Controlling Shareholder. The Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder, and all shareholders of the Controlling Shareholder, shall issue a written document confirming whether to convert their respective equity/shares of the Controlling Shareholder into equity of the Company before December 31, 2019. If, at that time, all or part of the shareholders of the Controlling Shareholder decide to convert the equity/shares, it shall require prior written consent of the Investor Shareholders (which must include the respective prior written consent of Majority Investors, Tianhong Lvyan and Guohong No.2).

 

22


 

If the equity held by the Investor Shareholders is diluted due to the equity/share conversion of the shareholders of the Controlling Shareholder, the Company shall issue a certain amount of newly registered capital to the Investor Shareholders and/or the Controlling Shareholder shall transfer a certain number of equity/shares of the Company to the Investor Shareholders free of charge to ensure that the equity interests of the Investor Shareholders are not subject to unfavorable effects, and all the rights of the shareholders of the Controlling Shareholder shall not be prioritized or preferential to the Investor Shareholders. Otherwise, the shareholders of the Controlling Shareholder shall not convert their equity/shares of the Controlling Shareholder. Taxes and fees (if any) imposed on the Investor Shareholders due to the free transfer and capital increase shall be borne by the Controlling Shareholder.

 

6.1.14   Protection of Intellectual Property Assets. The Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder shall continue to take all reasonable measures to protect the intellectual property assets owned by the Group Company, including but not limited to carrying out the registration, filing, and application procedures for intellectual property rights such as trademarks, trade names, domain names, copyrights, computer software copyrights, utility models, appearance design and patents related to the main business.

 

6.1.15   Further Assurance. Before the Delivery Date, the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder shall jointly and severally (a) cooperate with Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu to provide all due diligence information required by Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu; (b) take all necessary or appropriate actions and other measures to complete the transaction proposed under this Agreement, including facilitating the fulfillment of the delivery preconditions specified in Article 4 of this Agreement as soon as practicable; and (c) sign and submit other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents necessary for the entry into force of the terms and objectives of this Agreement, and take or procure the taking of all actions for the purpose of achieving such purposes.

 

6.1.16   Additional Warranty. Unless required by this Agreement, the Company will not pass resolutions at the shareholders’ meeting or the Board of Directors on the matters listed in Article 9.1 and Article 10.3(1)-(17) of the Shareholders Agreement before the Delivery Date without prior written consent of Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu. However, the Group Company may conduct its respective business in the same way as before, and pass resolutions and sign contracts in the ordinary course of business.

 

23


 

6.1.17   Compliance. At any time from the Delivery Date, unless Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu agree otherwise in writing, the Company shall use its reasonable business efforts to ensure that all actions of the Group Company comply with all applicable laws and shall maintain any and all major permits and licenses legal, valid and fully effective.

 

6.1.18   Exclusive Period. The Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder agree, during the period from the date of this Agreement to an earlier date between (a) the Delivery Date and (b) the date of termination of this Agreement, without the prior written consent of Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu, the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder or any of their related person will not:

 

(1)                                 solicit, initiate, encourage or accept any of the following proposals or offers from any person: (a) any investment in the Group Company; (b) any acquisition of all or any part of the equity interests or assets of the Group Company; (c) acquisition, merger or other form of business combination of the Group Company or its main business; or (d) any capital restructuring, asset restructuring or other abnormal business transaction involving the Group Company or related to the Group Company; or

 

(2)                                 To sign any agreement, memorandum, letter of intent or similar legal document on the above matters, participate in any discussion, negotiation and other forms of exchanges, or to provide other persons with information related to the above matters, or to cooperate or assist with, or participate in, facilitate or encourage the effort or attempt made by any other person trying to carry out the above matters in any way.

 

The Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder agree that, during the period from the date of signing of this Agreement to the earlier date between (a) the Delivery Date and (b) when this Agreement is terminated, the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder shall immediately cease or ensure any other related person to cease all existing discussions, conversations, negotiations and other forms of exchanges with any other person so far on the above matters; if any person puts forth any such proposal or offer, or any person has made any attempt or other contact, the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder shall immediately notify Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu and shall, in the notification sent to Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu, state clear in reasonable details on the identity of the person making the proposal, offer, attempt or contact, and the terms and conditions of such proposal, offer, attempt or other contact.

 

24


 

7.                           Compensation

 

7.1                    The representations and warranties in Articles 5 of this Agreement and Appendix III and the undertakings in Article 6 of this Agreement shall continue to be in force after the Delivery Date.

 

7.2                    The Controlling Shareholder shall indemnify and defend other parties for and hold them harmless from all losses arising out of, in connection with, in relation to, or incidental to the direct or indirect breach of representations, warranties, undertakings or agreements made in this Agreement and the Capital Increase Transaction Document by the Controlling Shareholder.

 

7.3                    The Company and the Founder shall jointly and severally indemnify and defend other parties for and hold them harmless from all losses arising out of, in connection with, in relation to, or incidental to the direct or indirect breach of representations, warranties, undertakings or agreements made in this Agreement and the Capital Increase Transaction Documents by the Company, the Company Shareholders and the Founder.

 

7.4                    Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu shall indemnify and defend other parties for and hold them harmless from all losses arising out of, in connection with, in relation to, or incidental to the direct or indirect breach of representations, warranties, undertakings or agreements in this Agreement and the Capital Increase Transaction Document by Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu.

 

7.5                    Any of the Investor Shareholders shall severally but not jointly indemnify and defend other parties for and hold them harmless from all losses arising out of, in connection with, in relation to, or incidental to the direct or indirect breach of representations, warranties, undertakings or agreements made in this Agreement and the Capital Increase Transaction Documents by such Investor Shareholder.

 

7.6                    Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu shall not be liable for any losses, liabilities, responsibilities, obligations or debts of the Company (whether contractual or otherwise), any taxes or any other matters arising from or relating to events occurring prior to the Delivery Date, except due to the respective reasons of Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu where shareholders of each investor shall only bear the corresponding responsibility for the direct economic losses caused to the Company by themselves subject to their respective investment amount under this Agreement.

 

25


 

7.7                    Notwithstanding the above, the Founder and the Controlling Shareholder agree to be liable for any losses, liabilities, responsibilities, obligations or debts of the Company (whether contractual or otherwise), any taxes or any other matters arising from or relating to events occurring prior to the Delivery Date (except for those due to reasons of Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu), unless disclosed in the disclosure list in Appendix IV of this Agreement (subject to Article 7.7 of this Agreement), and the Founder and the Controlling Shareholder shall first pay or bear such losses, liabilities, obligations, debts, taxes or responsibilities with its own funds, and save the Company from paying or bearing such losses, liabilities, obligations, debts, taxes or responsibilities. If the Company actually pays or bears such losses, liabilities, obligations, debts, taxes or responsibilities, at the request of Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu, the Founder and the Controlling Shareholder shall promptly reimburse the Company for the amount incurred.

 

7.8                    Notwithstanding the above, and regardless of whether it is disclosed in the disclosure list of Appendix IV of this Agreement, Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu shall have the right to seek joint indemnity from the Controlling Shareholder, the Founder for the losses caused to the Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu by the Company’s failure to obtain the necessary qualification certificates for the main business, including but not limited to the operating permit for value-added telecommunications services (ICP certificate) and the online publishing license.

 

7.9                    For any form of punishment imposed on the Company due to the Company’s failure to obtain the necessary qualification certificates for the main business, including but not limited to the operating permit for value-added telecommunications services (ICP certificate) and the online publishing license, at the request of Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu, the Founder and the Controlling Shareholder shall promptly reimburse the Company for the amount incurred and the losses suffered.

 

7.10             Notwithstanding the above, if the Controlling Shareholder fails to complete the transfer of the trademark rights, computer software copyrights, the WeChat and Weibo accounts in accordance with Articles 6.1.10, 6.1.11, 6.1.12 of this Agreement, and still fails to complete within the 60-day grace period given by the Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu, for each additional day, the Controlling Shareholder, the Company, and Founder shall pay the deferred performance penalty to the Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu based on Proceeds from Capital Increase Subscription at an interest rate of five over ten thousand per day. The payment of such deferred performance penalty shall not affect other joint liabilities for damages claimed by Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu based on the losses suffered. The Controlling Shareholder, the Company, and Founder shall be jointly and severally liable for the foregoing.

 

26


 

8.                           Confidentiality and Prohibition of Disclosure

 

8.1                    Confidentiality. From the date of this Agreement, unless the parties unanimously agree otherwise, each party shall, and shall procure each person under the control of such party to, keep confidential the terms, conditions of this Agreement and any Capital Increase Transaction Documents under this Agreement and their existence, the identity of each party, and any other non-public information received from another party or prepared by such party only relating to this Agreement or the foregoing documents (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Confidential Information”); however, any party may disclose or permit the disclosure of confidential information: (a) to the extent required by applicable laws or any exchange rules; but such party shall, where practicable and to the extent permitted by applicable laws, promptly notify the other parties of the facts and (with the cooperation and reasonable efforts of the other parties) take all reasonable efforts to seek protective orders and confidential treatment or other appropriate remedies; in such cases, such party shall only provide that portion of the confidential information that is legally required to be disclosed, and shall make reasonable efforts to keep such information confidential within the reasonable requirements of any other parties; (b) for the purpose of performing its obligations in connection with this Agreement, to its managers, directors, employees, investors, partners, shareholders and professional advisers on a need-to-know basis, as long as such party informs each person who obtains any confidential information disclosed of the confidential nature of such confidential information, and such person promises to abide by the same confidentiality obligations regarding the confidential information as such party. For the avoidance of doubt, confidential information does not include the following: (i) information that the recipient has legally obtained before the disclosure by the disclosing party, and (ii) information known to the public not due to the disclosure by the recipient in violation of Article 8 of this Agreement; or (iii) information legally obtained by the recipient from a third party and the recipient does not know if the third party is violating any legal or contractual obligation of not disclosing that information to it.

 

27


 

8.2                    Publication of Information. Without the prior written consent of the parties, the parties may not publish any information on this Agreement and any Capital Increase Transaction Documents and this Capital Increase through press conferences, meetings, advertisements, announcements, professional or industry publications, marketing materials, or otherwise.

 

9.                           Termination

 

9.1                    Termination of the Agreement. Subject to other terms of this Agreement, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated under this Agreement shall be terminated as agreed in writing by the parties. If the delivery is not completed within forty-five (45) business days from the date of this Agreement due to reasons of the Company, the Company Shareholders and the Founder (rather than inaction of government authorities, force majeure, reasons of the Guohong No.2 and Fenzhong Chuangxiang or other similar reasons), or the Company, the Existing Shareholders, and/or the Founder have material breaches under this Agreement or the Shareholders Agreement, Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu shall have the right to terminate this Agreement unilaterally after notifying the other parties in writing, and this Agreement shall be terminated immediately upon such a written notice by Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu, except for the liability for damages of the Existing Shareholders and/or the Company as set forth in Article 7 of this Agreement.

 

If the delivery is not completed within forty-five (45) business days from the date of this Agreement due to the reasons of Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu (rather than inaction of government authorities, force majeure, reasons of the Company and/or the Existing Shareholders or other similar reasons), the Company (and on behalf of the Controlling Shareholder, Zhang Gongzi and the Founder) and the Existing Shareholders shall have the right to terminate this Agreement unilaterally after notifying Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu in writing, and this Agreement shall be terminated immediately upon the such a written notice by the Company and the Existing Shareholders, except for the liability for damages of Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu as set forth in Article 7 of this Agreement.

 

9.2                    Effect of Termination. If this Agreement is terminated in accordance with the provisions of Article 9.1 above, this Agreement shall immediately be invalidated and cease to have effect. In order to avoid ambiguity, if Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu unilaterally terminate this Agreement pursuant to Article 9.1 above, Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu shall not assume any responsibility for their unilateral termination of this Agreement. Meanwhile, if the Company and the Existing Shareholders unilaterally terminate this Agreement pursuant to Article 9.1 above, the Company, Company Shareholders, the Founder, the Existing Shareholders shall not assume any responsibility for their unilateral termination of this Agreement.

 

28


 

9.3                    Survival. Regardless of the contrary provisions of any terms, the provisions of Article 8 (Confidentiality and Prohibition of Disclosure), Article 9 (Termination), Article 10 (Cancellation of the Agreement), Article 11.3 (Applicable Laws), and Article 11.4 (Dispute Resolution) shall survive the expiration of the term or termination of this Agreement.

 

10.                    Cancellation of the Agreement

 

10.1             Cancellation of the Agreement. This Agreement may be cancelled when:

 

10.1.1   The parties to this Agreement agree to terminate this Agreement in writing;

 

10.1.2   Any party to this Agreement may cancel this Agreement by giving notice in writing to the other parties of this Agreement at least ten (10) business days in advance in the following circumstances:

 

(1)                                 The representations or warranties in this Agreement of any party to this Agreement are materially untrue, inaccurate or significantly omitted when the representations or warranties are made or on the Delivery Date;

 

(2)                                 Any party to this Agreement fails to fulfill the commitments, undertakings and obligations under this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, and fails to take effective remedial measures within thirty (30) days upon a written demand issued by the other parties to this Agreement.

 

10.2             Effect of the Cancellation of the Agreement.

 

10.2.1   After this Agreement is cancelled in accordance with the provisions of Article 10.1 above, this Agreement shall immediately become invalid.

 

10.2.2   After the cancellation of this Agreement, the parties to this Agreement shall return the considerations received under this Agreement from other parties in accordance with the principles of fairness, reasonableness, and good faith, and make the best attempt to restore the state of affairs before the signing of this Agreement.

 

29


 

10.2.3   After the cancellation of this Agreement, all rights and obligations of the parties under this Agreement shall be terminated, except for the liability for damages of the parties as set forth in Article 7 of this Agreement.

 

10.3             Survival. Regardless of the contrary provisions of any terms, the provisions of Article 8 (Confidentiality and Prohibition of Disclosure), Article 9 (Termination), Article 10 (Cancellation of the Agreement), Article 11.3 (Applicable Laws), and Article 11.4 (Dispute Resolution) shall survive the cancellation of this Agreement.

 

11.                    Other Provisions

 

11.1             Binding Force; Transfer. No party may transfer any of its rights and/or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other parties; however, Investor Shareholders shall have the right to transfer the rights, interests and obligations under this Agreement to their related parties without the consent of other parties. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, successors, executors, administrators, and transferees of the parties of this Agreement.

 

11.2             Costs. The parties shall each bear the taxes incurred in the execution and performance of this Agreement as required by laws of China. If the delivery under this Agreement fails to be completed due to reasons not attributable to any party, all costs incurred by the parties in the preparation, execution and performance of this Agreement shall be borne by each of the parties respectively.

 

11.3             Applicable Laws. This Agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the law of China in all respects.

 

11.4             Dispute Resolution.

 

11.4.1   Any dispute, contradiction or claims (each referred to as a “dispute”) arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the interpretation, violation, termination or validity of this Agreement shall first be resolved through negotiation by the parties to the dispute. The negotiation shall commence immediately upon the written notice requesting negotiation from any party to the other parties to the dispute.

 

11.4.2   If the dispute is not resolved within fifteen (15) days from the date of the notice, any party to the dispute may submit the dispute to the Beijing Arbitration Commission (hereinafter referred to as the “Arbitration Commission”) for arbitration application.

 

30


 

11.4.3   Arbitration shall be conducted in Beijing under the auspices of the Arbitration Commission. The arbitral tribunal shall consist of three (3) arbitrators. The applicant shall select one (1) arbitrator, and the opposing party shall jointly select one (1) arbitrator. The two (2) arbitrators shall jointly select the third arbitrator as the chief arbitrator of the arbitral tribunal; if any member of the arbitral tribunal is not appointed within fifteen (15) days after the date of receipt of the arbitration notice issued by the Arbitration Commission, the relevant arbitrator shall be appointed by the director of the Arbitration Commission.

 

11.4.4   The arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in Chinese. The arbitral tribunal shall conduct arbitration in accordance with the arbitration rules enforced by the Arbitration Commission at the time of arbitration. However, in case of any contradiction between the rules and the provisions of Article 11.4 of this Agreement, including the provisions on the appointment of arbitrators, the provisions of Article 11.4 of this Agreement shall prevail.

 

11.4.5   The arbitrator shall resolve any disputes submitted by the parties in strict accordance with the substantive law of China; however, if the laws promulgated by China have no provision on a certain issue, the international legal principles and practices shall apply.

 

11.4.6   Any party to the arbitration shall cooperate with the other parties to the arbitration. Unless being subject to the confidentiality obligations of the party, the party shall fully disclose and allow the other party to fully access all information and documents required by the other party in connection with the arbitration proceedings.

 

11.4.7   Unless otherwise ruled by the arbitral tribunal, the arbitration fee shall be borne by the losing party.

 

11.4.8   In the event of any dispute and arbitration of the dispute, except for the matter under dispute, the parties shall continue to perform their respective obligations under this Agreement and shall have the right to exercise their rights under this Agreement.

 

11.4.9   The arbitral tribunal’s decision shall be final and binding on the parties, and the winning party may apply to the competent court for the enforcement of the decision.

 

11.4.10 Before the formation of the arbitral tribunal, each party has the right to apply for temporary injunctive relief from any competent court.

 

11.4.11 In the course of hearing the dispute by the arbitral tribunal, this Agreement shall continue to be performed except for the part that is under dispute and subject to arbitration.

 

31


 

11.5             Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the other Capital Increase Transaction Documents and its related appendices and schedules to be signed under this Agreement constitute the entire understanding and agreements between the parties on the subject matter under this Agreement and supersede all previous written or verbal understanding or agreements on the subject matters related to this Agreement. In order to avoid ambiguity, this Agreement does not waive, replace or rescind the obligations and responsibilities under the capital increase agreement signed by the Founder, the Company Shareholders, and the Company with other Investor Shareholders apart from Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu.

 

11.6             Notice. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all notices, requests, waivers or other communications made under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed formally served in the following circumstances: (a) delivered by hand: the date indicated on the receipt signed by the person being notified and obtained by the notify party, address as listed in Appendix I to this Agreement; (b) delivered by registered mail: the 5th day from the date indicated on the receipt for domestic registration mail held by the notify party, address as listed in Appendix I to this Agreement; (c) facsimile transmission: the date of receiving a confirmation for successful transmission after sending to the number listed in Appendix I to this Agreement; (d) Express Mail Service: the third day from the date of the postmark on the delivery voucher held by the notify party, address as listed in Appendix I to this Agreement; or (e) E-mail: the date of successful sending displayed on the sender’s e-mail system.

 

To deliver communications under this Agreement in any of the above ways, the sending party shall immediately send each communication of notice under this Agreement to the receiving party by e-mail (e-mail address as listed in Appendix I to this Agreement) or by telephone at the same time.

 

If the service address or contact information of any party changes during the term of this Agreement, the changing party shall immediately notify other parties on the day of such change. When the disputes related to this Agreement are involved in arbitration or civil proceedings, and when any party changes its address, the party shall fulfill the notice obligation of service address change to the arbitration institution or the court. Any liability or loss arising from the failure to perform such notice obligation shall be borne by the changing party.

 

32


 

If any party to this Agreement fails to fulfill the notice obligation of service address change in the manners described above, the service address provided in Appendix I to this Agreement shall still be deemed valid. If the legal instruments are unable to be actually received by the parties or delivered by post due to reasons such as inaccurate service address provided or confirmed by the parties to this Agreement, failure to promptly notify other parties and the court pursuant to the procedure after changing the service address, or refusal to receive and sign the notice by the parties concerned or the designated recipient, the date of the notice being returned shall be deemed the date of service; if it is delivered directly, the date on which the service person records the on-the-spot circumstances on the service receipt shall be deemed the date of service; if the notice obligation of service address change is fulfilled, the service address after the change shall be the valid service address. The court, when serving by mail, may serve directly to the service address specified by the above-mentioned parties in this Agreement, and the court instruments served by mail shall be deemed legally served even if the party fails to receive such instruments served by the court.

 

The applicable scope of the service addresses stipulated in Appendix I to this Agreement includes documents such as notices, agreements when the parties to this Agreement are not resolving a dispute through litigation or arbitration procedures, and the service of relevant documents and legal instruments in the event of disputes arising from this Agreement. It also includes the first instance, second instance, retrial and enforcement procedures when the relevant dispute is subject to arbitration or civil proceedings.

 

When a dispute related to this Agreement is subject to arbitration or civil proceedings, if a party responds to the case and submit a confirmation of the service address directly to the arbitration institution or the court, and such confirmed address is inconsistent with the service address confirmed prior to the case, the service address confirmed and submitted to the arbitration institution and the court shall prevail (the manners and legal consequences of service stipulated herein shall also apply to such service address).

 

11.7             Modification and Waiver. Any terms of this Agreement shall only be modified with the written consent of the parties. Any modification or waiver that is in force under Article 11.7 of this Agreement shall be binding on all parties to this Agreement and its successors, inheritors, executors, administrators, and assignees of the parties to this Agreement.

 

11.8             Delay or Omission. Any party’s delay or omission to exercise the rights, powers or remedies granted to them due to other party’s breach or non-performance of this Agreement shall not prejudice such party’s rights, powers or remedies, nor shall it be deemed a waiver or default of such breach or non-performance or a similar breach or non-performance hereafter, nor shall it be deemed a waiver of any other breach or non-performance occurred before or after this. A waiver, permission, consent, or approval of breach or non-performance of any nature or characteristics of this Agreement, or a waiver of any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement, shall be made in writing and shall only be valid within the scope of such written provision. Any relief provided to any party under this Agreement according to law or otherwise shall be cumulative, rather than just selecting one of them.

 

33


 

11.9             Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be construed to the practicable extent, to enable its execution and the completion of the transactions stipulated in this Agreement on substantially the same terms as previously stated. If no viable interpretation would allow the provision to be retained, it should be excluded from the remaining provisions of this Agreement, and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force, unless the excluded terms are crucial to the rights and interests intended to be enjoyed by the parties. In such circumstances, the parties shall make their best efforts to come up with a valid and enforceable replacement clause or agreement through negotiation in good faith to realize the parties’ intention at the time of entering into this Agreement to the greatest extent.

 

11.10      Joint Liability. The obligations of the Founder, Controlling Shareholder and the Company under this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents are joint liabilities.

 

11.11      Non-joint Liability. The obligations of the Investor Shareholders under this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents are not joint liabilities.

 

11.12      Non-violation. Any agreements or documents that should be entered into under this Agreement shall not violate the spirit and principles of this Agreement.

 

11.13      Language. This Agreement is executed in Chinese.

 

11.14      Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of texts. All texts are originals, but all texts together constitute a single document.

 

11.15      Priority of Authority. The authority of this Agreement is superior to that of the Articles of Association. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of the Articles of Association and this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail.

 

34


 

11.16      Entering into Force. This Agreement shall become effective on the date of official signature and seal (if applicable) by all the parties.

 

(There is no text below, next page is for signature)

 

35


 

(This is a signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have procured their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Liu Chengcheng

 

Signature:

 

 

Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd.

 

(Seal)

 

Legal representative:

 

 

Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Service Co., Ltd.

 

(Seal)

 

Legal representative:

 

 

Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership)

 

(Seal)

 

Executive partner delegate:

 

Signature page

 

36


 

(This is signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have promoted their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Suzhou Industrial Park Gebi Yinghe Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)

 

(Seal)

 

Executive partner delegate:

 

Signature page

 


 

(This is a signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have procured their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Beijing Gebi Lvzhou Angel Investment Center (Limited Partnership)

 

(Seal)

 

Executive partner delegate:

 

Signature page

 


 

(This is a signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have procured their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Jiaxing Xiaodu Neirong Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)

 

(Seal)

 

Executive partner delegate:

 

Signature page

 


 

(This is signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have promoted their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Hangzhou Jincun Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)

 

(Seal)

 

Executive partner delegate:

 

Signature page

 


 

(This is signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have promoted their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Shenzhen Guohong No.2 Enterprise Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)

 

(Seal)

 

Executive partner delegate:

 

Signature page

 


 

(This is signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have promoted their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Gongqingcheng Fenzhong Chuangxiang Information Technology Co., Ltd.

 

(Seal) [Chopped: Gongqingcheng Fenzhong Chuangxiang Information Technology Co., Ltd. 3604820009040]

 

Legal representative: [signed]

 

Signature page

 


 

(This is signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have promoted their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Ningbo Meishan Baoshui Gangqu Tianhong Lvyan Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)

 

(Seal)

 

Executive partner delegate:

 

Signature page

 


 

(This is signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have promoted their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Beijing Wentou Huyu Investment Co., Ltd.

 

(Seal)

 

Executive partner delegate:

 

Signature page

 


 

List of Appendices

 

Appendix I

List of Subsidiaries

Appendix II

List of Assets Proposed to be Transferred

Appendix III

Representations and Warranties of the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder

Appendix IV

Disclosure List

Appendix V

List of Key Employees

Appendix VI

Address for Notice

 


 

Appendix I

 

List of Subsidiaries

 

Tianjin 36 Hearts Technology Co., Ltd.

 

Beijing Point 72 Creative Interactive Media Culture Co., Ltd.

 


 

Appendix II

 

List of Proposed Transfer of Assets

 

I. Trademarks

 

KrTV (No. 15589656, Class 41), KrTV (No. 15589653, Class 9), KrTV (No. 15589654, Class 35), KrTV (No. 15589655, Class 38), KrTV (No. 15589657, Class 42), NEXT (No. 15309505, Class 9), NEXT (No. 15309505, Class 41), NEXT (No. 15309505, 42), WISE (No. 15589660, Class 38), WISE (No. 15360032, Class 41), WISE (No. 15589635, Class 42), WISE (No. 15589658, Class 9), 氪加 (No. 15113594, Class 9), 氪加 (No. 15113594, Class 16), 氪加 (No. 15113594, Class 35), 氪加 (No. 15113594, Class 36), 氪加(No. 15113594, Class 38), 氪加 (No. 15113594, Class 41), 氪加 (No. 15113594, Class 42), 氪加 (No. 15113594, Class 45), KRVIDEO (No. 16003572, Class 41), To B 行家说 (No. 20611356, Class 35), ToB 行家说 (No. 20611355, Class 38), To B 行家说 (No. 20611354, Class 41), KRLASS (No. 183013733, Class 35), KRLASS (No. 18301372, Class 38), KRLASS (No. 18301371, Class 41), KRLASS (No. 18301370, Class 42), KRLASS (No. 18301369, Class 43), KRLASS (No. 18301368, Class 45), KRLASS (No. 18301374, Class 9).

 

36kr (No. 16216719, Class 12) , 36kr (No. 16216728, Class 34), 36kr (No. 16216725, Class 24), 36kr (No. 16216721, Class 15), 36kr (No. 16216722, Class 17), 36kr (No. 16216724, Class 23), 36kr (No. 15589617, Class 7), 36kr (No. 15589615, Class 11), 36kr (No. 16216723, Class 22), 36kr (No. 16216726, Class 26), 36kr (No. 15589620, Class 3), 36kr (No. 16216727, Class 27), 36kr (No. 16216720, Class 13), 36kr (No. 15589619, Class 4), 36kr (No. 15589621, Class 2), 36kr (No. 15589622, Class 1), 36kr (No. 15589616, Class 10), 36kr (No. 15589618, Class 5), 36kr (No. 15323976, Class 20), 36kr (No. 15323974, Class 18), 36kr (No. 15024737, Class 9), 36kr (No. 15323973, Class 14), 36kr (No. 15360033, Class 16), 36kr (No. 15323988, Class 45), 36kr (No. 15323987, Class 40), 36kr (No. 15323986, Class 39), 36kr (No. 15323985, Class 37), 36kr (No. 15323984, Class 33), 36kr (No. 15323983, Class 32), 36kr (No. 15323982, Class 31), 36kr (No. 15323981, Class 30), 36kr (No. 15323980, Class 29), 36kr (No. 15323979, Class 28), 36kr (No. 15323978, Class 25), 36kr (No. 15323977, Class 21), 36kr (No. 15323975, Class 19), 36kr (No. 15323972, Class 8), 36kr (No. 15323971, Class 6), 36kr (No. 12901487, Class 36), 36kr (No. 12901617, Class 42), 36kr (No. 12901737, Class 43), 36kr (No. 13894004, Class 41), 36kr (No. 12901443, Class 35), 36kr (No. 13893969, Class 38)

 

36 (No. 15589614, Class 1), 36 (No. 15589613, Class 2), 36 (No. 15589612, Class 3), 36 (No. 15589611, Class 4), 36 (No. 15589610, Class 5), 36 (No. 15323953, Class 6), 36 (No. 15589609, Class 7), 36 (No. 15323954, Class 8), 36 (No. 15024738, Class 9), 36 (No. 15589608, Class 10), 36 (No. 15589607, Class 11), 36 (No. 15589606, Class 12), 36 (No. 15589605, Class 13), 36 (No. 15323955, Class 14), 36 (No. 15589604, Class 14) , 36 (No. 15589601, Class 15), 36 (No. 15113596, Class 16), 36 (No. 15589600, Class 17), 36 (No. 15323956, Class 18), 36 (No. 15323957, Class 19) , 36 (No. 15323958, Class 20), 36 (No. 15323959, Class 21), 36 (No. 15589599, Class 22), 36 (No. 15589598, Class 23), 36 (No. 15589597, Class 24), 36 (No. 15589596, Class 26), 36 (No. 15589595, Class 27), 36 (No. 15323961, Class 28), 36 (No. 15323962, Class 29), 36 (No. 15323963, Class 30), 36 (No. 15323964, Class 31), 36 (No. 15323965, Class 32), 36 (No. 15323966, Class 33), 36 (No. 15589594, Class 34), 36 (No. 9818949, Class 35), 36 (No. 12901505, Class 36), 36 (No. 15323967, Class 37), 36 (No. 13893962, Class 38), 36 (No. 15323968, Class 39), 36 (No. 15323969, Class 40), 36 (No. 13894014, Class 41), 36 (No. 12901772, Class 43), 36 (No. 15589592, Class 44), 36 (No. 15323970, Class 45)

 


 

II. Software Copyright

 

No.

 

Name of software

 

Registration
number

 

First publication
date

1

 

36氪 iOS client software V1.5

 

2014SR129852

 

January 1, 2013

2

 

36氪 media client software V1.5

 

2016SR264837

 

January 1, 2013

3

 

36氪 information publication platform

 

2016SR296841

 

August 28, 2016

4

 

36氪advertising platform

 

2016SR296866

 

August 28, 2016

5

 

36氪 multimedia showcase platform

 

2016SR296946

 

August 28, 2016

6

 

36氪SME service platform

 

2016SR298547

 

August 26, 2016

7

 

Internal reference information software for retail owners

 

2017SR293448

 

March 14, 2017

 

III. 36Kr WeChat official account (wow36kr) and 36kr Weibo account, and all the articles, material library, message history, followers and other contents of such accounts

 


 

Appendix III

 

Representations and Warranties of the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder

 

1.                           Approval by the Regulatory Authority and Licenses

 

(1)                                 The Group Company has obtained all the licenses, consents and other permits and approvals required for its incorporation, valid existence and current business operations. The procedures are legal and compliant, and are in full force and effect. Moreover, the Group Company has completed within the statutory time limit the procedures of renewing or replacing licenses, consents and other permits and approvals that are about to expire.

 

(2)                                 All reports, declaration forms and materials on the existence and operation of the Group Company have been submitted or provided to the relevant government authorities as required by law or as a condition of any license, consent, permit or approval, except where omission of submission or provision will not have material adverse effects on the Group Company.

 

(3)                                 There are neither circumstances under which any license, consent, permit or approval necessary to continue the Group Company may be altered, revoked or not renewed, nor circumstances which may confer a right to alter or revoke, except for the circumstances under which the alterations, revocations or non-renewal will not have material adverse effects on the Group Company.

 

2.                           Capacity to Act

 

(1)                                 The Founder has sufficient civil rights and capacity to sign this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents, fully fulfill all obligations under this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents and complete transactions under this Agreement.

 

(2)                                 The Controlling Shareholder is a joint stock limited company duly incorporated and validly existing under the PRC laws. The Controlling Shareholder has all the necessary powers, authorization and capabilities to sign this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents, and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the various Capital Increase Transaction Documents proposed under this Agreement.

 

Appendix III - 1


 

(3)                                 The Company is a limited liability company duly incorporated and validly existing under the PRC laws. The Company has all the necessary powers, authorization and capabilities to sign this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents, and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the various Capital Increase Transaction Documents proposed under this Agreement.

 

(4)                                 This Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents shall constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the parties in accordance with their respective terms upon signing and delivery by them and shall be enforceable against the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company unless subject to the following restrictions: (a) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other generally applicable laws concerning or affecting the exercise of rights of creditors; and (b) the applicable results of legal remedies.

 

(5)                                 The signing of this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents and performance of obligations under this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents by the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company will:

 

(i)                                     not result in the violation of any legal documents binding on them or the non-performance of obligations under such legal documents;

 

(ii)                                  not result in the violation of any order, judgment or decree of any court or government authority binding on them; and

 

(iii)                               not be detrimental to the legitimate interests of any third party.

 

Except where the above circumstances will not affect the performance of obligations under this Agreement.

 

3.                           Ownership

 

(1)                                 The Group Company is a limited liability company duly incorporated, existing and registered under the laws of its place of registration, and has the right and capacity to exercise all its civil rights as a corporate legal person.

 

(2)                                 As of the date of this Agreement, the registered capital of the Group Company has been effectively contributed and paid in accordance with the provisions of the Articles of Association, and there is no overdue or false capital contribution by shareholders.

 

Appendix III - 2


 

(3)                                 There is no trust, holding agency, option, pledge or other form of guarantee, equity donation or other encumbrance on the equity of the Group Company or any part thereof, and there are no agreements or undertakings to provide or create any of the foregoing, and no person claims to be entitled to any of the above rights.

 

(4)                                 There are no outstanding agreements or undertakings requesting the distribution, issuance or transfer of any equity in the Group Company, or that grant any person the right to request the distribution, issuance or transfer of any equity in the Group Company.

 

(5)                                 Except as disclosed to Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu, the Company has not established any other offices, branches, nor does it hold shares or have similar shareholder interests in other companies, affiliates and other social organizations; or directly or indirectly control, hold shares of or have interests in any other entities.

 

(6)                                 The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company have submitted to Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu or their representatives and consultants on the date of this Agreement copies of the current business license and other licenses of the Group Company and documents relating to the business operation of the Group Company and the Articles of Association. The above documents are complete, accurate, true and effective in all respects.

 

(7)                                 The Group Company has kept the books necessary for the company operation in accordance with applicable laws, which accurately record the matters in the books; the Group Company has not received any notice or allegation that any of the above records are incorrect or shall be rectified.

 

(8)                                 All documents that should be submitted by the Group Company to all relevant government authorities have been submitted properly, except where not submitting will not have material adverse effects on the Group Company.

 

4.                           Accuracy and Adequacy of Data

 

(1)                                 All information, documents and materials provided by the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company to Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu or their consultants are true, accurate and complete in all material respects, and there are no circumstances under which the failure to disclose any facts or matters to Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu or any of their consultants may cause any such information to be inaccurate or misleading in any such material respects due to any omission or ambiguity or any other reasons.

 

Appendix III - 3


 

(2)                                 The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder, and the Company have provided Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu or their consultants at their reasonable request all the necessary information within their grasp for Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu to decide whether to subscribe for the Company’s newly registered capital or not. The information, documents and materials relating to this Agreement provided by the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Founder to Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu do not contain misrepresentations of material facts, or omit any material facts which would cause representations in this Agreement or such disclosures to be misleading.

 

5.                           Accounts

 

(1)                                 In respect of the accounts of the Group Company:

 

(i)                                     They are prepared in accordance with the applicable laws and accounting principles generally recognized in the place of registration and adopted by companies operating businesses similar to those of the Group Company;

 

(ii)                                  They are complete and accurate in all respects, and the provisions for bad debts and doubtful debts, depreciation, depreciated and slow-moving inventory during any period as of or before the date of completion of its accounts are in accordance with the applicable accounting standards;

 

(iii)                               They are the true and fair reflection of the financial position of the Group Company, including but not limited to profits or losses; and

 

(iv)                              They are not subject to the effect of any special, extraordinary or non-recurring items, except for items explicitly disclosed in the accounts of the Group Company.

 

(2)                                 Except as disclosed to Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu, the Group Company do not have any significant liabilities (whether actual or contingent, with undetermined amount or in dispute) that are not fully disclosed or accrued in the accounts or unfulfilled capital commitments.

 

Appendix III - 4


 

6.                           Accounting Records

 

(1)                                 The Group Company has kept complete accounts, books, original accounts, financial and other records; these accounting records contain the latest data and complete and accurate details of the business activities of the Group Company, as well as all matters that shall be recorded as required by the Company Law of the People’s Republic of China, the Enterprise Accounting System of the People’s Republic of China and other applicable laws and regulations.

 

(2)                                 The Group Company owns or controls the accounts, books, original accounts, financial and other records as its property, and has not received any notice or allegation that any of the above records are incorrect or shall be rectified.

 

(3)                                 All transactions relating to the business of the Group Company have been correctly and timely recorded in the accounting records of the Group Company, and no substantial errors or deviations are included or reflected in these accounts, books, original accounts, financial and other records, and these records are sufficient to respectively truly and accurately reflect the financial position of the Group Company and to explain its transactions.

 

7.                           Events after the Incorporation of the Group Company

 

(1)                                 After the official incorporation date of the Group Company and before the Delivery Date, in addition to the disclosed information:

 

(i)                                     There is no material adverse change in the financial or operating conditions or prospects of the Group Company, and as far as it is known to the Founder and the Controlling Shareholder, there is no circumstances causing such changes.

 

(ii)                                  The Group Company has been conducting normal and customary operations and operating its business in the same way as usual (including in terms of nature and scope);

 

(iii)                               The Group Company has not acted as a financing agent of debts or other receivables, or sold or agreed to sell debts or other receivables;

 

(iv)                              The Group Company has not generated debts, warranties, guarantees, advances or receivables with a total value over RMB One Million (RMB1,000,000), except for the receivables generated from the course of normal business operations;

 

Appendix III - 5


 

(v)                                 The Group Company has not signed any guarantee agreement, nor has it assumed any guarantee liability for the debts and obligations of the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder, the Investor Shareholders and third parties, including but not limited to mortgage, pledge and warranty guarantees.

 

(vi)                              The Group Company has not generated receivables with a single-item value of over RMB One Million (RMB1,000,000) and a cumulative value of over RMB One Million (RMB1,000,000) outside the course of normal business operations;

 

(vii)                           No mortgage, pledge or other encumbrance has been created on any assets of the Group Company;

 

(viii)                        The Group Company has not issued any securities;

 

(ix)                              The Group Company has not experienced an increase in staff costs, except for those reasonably incurred according to the rules and regulations in force or relevant employment contracts;

 

(x)                                 The Group Company has not provided any loans to any director, supervisor, manager or other employee of the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Group Company and their interested parties, except for advance travel expenses in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Group Company in the course of normal business operations;

 

(xi)                              The Group Company has not offered price reductions or discounts or rebates when providing services or provided services at prices below the cost that would have a material adverse effect on its profitability;

 

(xii)                           The Group Company has not altered the fiscal year.

 

(2)                                 The Group Company has not taken any actions that may lead to a violation of the undertakings in Article 7 of this Appendix.

 

8.                           Contracts and Undertakings

 

(1)                                 As of the Delivery Date, except for the disclosed information, the Group Company is not a party to any of the following, nor is it under any of the (current or future) legal liability:

 

(i)                                     Any guarantee, indemnity, guarantee relationship or letter of credit other than those in normal business activities;

 

Appendix III - 6


 

(ii)                                  Any contract or arrangement directly or indirectly restricting the freedom of the Group Company to operate its business anywhere in the world in manners deemed appropriate, or directly or indirectly restricting the ability of the Group Company to transfer all or any part of its business;

 

(iii)                               Any joint venture contract or arrangement, partnership rights or obligations for the purpose of sharing profits (however, for the avoidance of doubt, does not include arrangements that share fees or operating income on a case-by-case basis) or any other contract or arrangement relating to the involvement of the Group Company in any business together with any other person;

 

(iv)                              Any contract or arrangement involving matters not falling within the scope of the Group Company’s ordinary business, or business transactions or arrangements constituting a deviation from the usual model of the Group Company;

 

(v)                                 Any contract or arrangement in which any director, supervisor, manager or related party or interested party of the Group Company directly or indirectly have interests, except for employment agreements;

 

(vi)                              Any contract or arrangement that is not signed in the ordinary course of business and involves expenditure or income of the Group Company of over RMB One Million (RMB1,000,000) within any fiscal year;

 

(vii)                           Any contract or arrangement with related parties of the Group Company that is not signed in the ordinary course of business and involves payment or income of over RMB One Million (RMB1,000,000);

 

(viii)                        Any contract or arrangement that the Group Company is unable to terminate by giving a notice three (3) months or less in advance without being subject to any special compensation fees; or

 

(ix)                              Any contract or arrangement that may be terminated once delivery occurs or the ownership or control of the Group Company changes, or will be subject to material adverse effect because of such changes.

 

Appendix III - 7


 

(2)                                 As far as it is known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company, there is no significant contract to which the Group Company is a party that has been breached, become invalid or has reasons to be terminated, revoked, abolished or refused to be performed, and no such allegations are known, except in the case where the third party of the relevant contracts failed to make payment.

 

(3)                                 The Group Company does not have any tenders or bids or sales or service proposals that are still valid, significant to its business and, if accepted, will likely result in loss.

 

9.                           Authorization

 

In addition to authorizing employees to enter into regular trade contracts or engage in business operations and management activities customary for the Group Company, the Group Company has not granted or provided any person with any authorization or other power basis that is yet to be completed or remains in force to enter into any contract or undertaking on behalf of the Group Company.

 

10.                    Operations

 

Major customers or major suppliers of the Group Company have not ceased or indicated their intention to cease transactions with the Group Company, and as far as it is known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company, no major customer or major supplier of the Group Company may substantially reduce the transactions with the Group Company; as far as it is known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company, the signing or delivery of this Agreement and other Capital Increase Transaction Documents will not adversely affect the attitudes or actions of major customers and suppliers towards the Group Company.

 

The Group Company has complied with all applicable laws, regulations, government regulations and related permits and licenses in the course of business.

 

11.                    Arrangements among the Company, the Controlling Shareholder and the Founder

 

The Company has not agreed to provide guarantees or any collateral or indemnity for any debt or obligation of the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder, directors, supervisors or managers of the Company or any of their related parties or interested parties. The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and their related parties or interested parties will cooperate with the Company in completing the Qualified Initial Public Offering, trying to solve the problem of horizontal competition with the Company to ensure that the Company’s Qualified Initial Public Offering is not affected.

 

Appendix III - 8


 

12.                               Bank Account and Borrowing

 

Except as disclosed to Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu,

 

(1)                                 The Group Company has no outstanding loaned capital, nor has it borrowed or agreed to borrow any money that has not been repaid or with unfulfilled borrowing obligations. It is not a party to any of the following and does not have any obligation related to any of the following:

 

(i)                                     Any loan agreement, bond, acceptance credit, money order, promissory note, finance lease, debt or inventory financing, discount or accounts receivable factoring arrangement or sale and leaseback arrangement; or

 

(ii)                                  Any other arrangement for the purpose of raising funds or providing funds or credit.

 

(2)                                 The Group Company does not hold any shares or securities not fully paid or with any incidental obligations, nor does it have any obligation related to the above shares or securities.

 

(3)                                 The Group Company has not lent or agreed to lend any money without receiving repayment and does not own interests in any existing or future debts.

 

(4)                                 The Group Company has not signed any mortgage, guarantee or indemnity contract that is invalid and unenforceable in accordance with its terms.

 

(5)                                 No event has occurred that would constitute any non-performance of or default on any terms of any loaned capital, borrowings, bonds or financing of the Group Company, or would render any third party the right to request repayment before the normal due date, and no other person has alleged that such an event has occurred.

 

(6)                                 The Group Company has not borrowed any money from any source of funds after the official incorporation date, except where borrowings are made in the ordinary course of business and do not constitute a material adverse effect on the production and operation of the Group Company.

 

(7)                                 The Group Company does not have any debts or accounts payable to the following persons/entities:

 

(i)                                     The Founder

 

Appendix III - 9


 

(ii)                                  The Controlling Shareholder

 

(iii)                               Directors, supervisors or managers of the Company; or

 

(iv)                              Related parties or interested parties of the above persons/entities.

 

13.                    Insolvency

 

(1)                                 No order requiring the liquidation of the Group Company has been made; no request for the liquidation of the Group Company has been submitted; no meeting for the purpose of reviewing the resolution of the liquidation of the Group Company has been convened; no such resolution has been passed.

 

(2)                                 No ruling on the bankruptcy of the Group Company has been made; no petition or application for such orders is made; no bankruptcy administrator relating to the Group Company has been appointed; no notice for the purpose of appointing a bankruptcy administrator relating to the Group Company has been issued or submitted; no step or procedure for the appointment of a bankruptcy administrator relating to the Group Company has been taken or carried out.

 

(3)                                 No receiver (including administrative receiver) related to all or any of the assets of the Group Company has been appointed.

 

(4)                                 No proposal on the formation of a debt restructuring agreement or similar arrangement between the Group Company and creditors has been made.

 

(5)                                 There is currently no valid moratorium for the Group Company, and no step or procedure for the purpose of obtaining such moratorium has been taken or carried out.

 

(6)                                 There is no event involving the Group Company that is similar to any of the above.

 

(7)                                 The Group Company is not insolvent or unable to repay its debts, nor does it cease repaying debts due.

 

(8)                                 No effective judgment, mediation paper or ruling on the Group Company is not fulfilled.

 

Appendix III - 10


 

14.           Litigation and Claims

 

(1)                                 As far as it is known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company, the Group Company, the Controlling Shareholder or the Founder and their respective related parties or interested parties are not involved in any pending lawsuits, arbitrations or other dispute resolution procedures or administrative or criminal proceedings that is affecting the major assets and business of the Group Company or this Capital Increase as plaintiffs, defendants or in other capacities. As far as it is known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company, there are no lawsuits, arbitrations or other dispute resolution procedures or administrative or criminal proceedings pending and filed by or against the Group Company, the Controlling Shareholder or the Founder and their respective related parties or interested parties, threatened by the Group Company or by others against the Group Company, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Founder and their respective related parties or interested parties, or expected to be filed by or against the Group Company, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Founder and their respective related parties or interested parties. As far as it is known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company, there are no facts or circumstances that could lead to any lawsuits, arbitrations, mediations or administrative or criminal proceedings.

 

(2)                                 As far as it is known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company, the Group Company, the Controlling Shareholder or the Founder and their respective related parties or interested parties has not received any written notice of any investigation or inquiry on matters of the Group Company, the Controlling Shareholder or the Founder and their respective related parties or interested parties by any government authority or other agencies currently or in the past, in particular but not limited to matters in environmental protection, public health, fire protection, safety, labor, taxation. The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company are not aware of any circumstances that would lead to such formal investigations or inquiries.

 

(3)                                 The Group Company has not committed any criminal, illegal, unlawful or unauthorized acts or breached any obligations or responsibilities in accordance with or arising out of regulations, contracts or other rules, nor does it have legal liabilities involving the above acts or breaches. And there is no unresolved claim against the Group Company, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Founder and their respective related parties or interested parties, except for those without material adverse effects on the production and operation of the Group Company.

 

Appendix III - 11


 

(4)                                 The Group Company has not produced, sold or provided any products or services that fail to comply with all applicable laws, regulations or standards in material respects, or are defective or hazardous, or are not consistent with any relevant explicit representations or warranties.

 

15.                    Ownership and Status of Assets

 

(1)                                 The assets required by the Group Company in the course of business are included in its accounts.

 

(2)                                 The Group Company is the legal and beneficial owner of each asset (except for current assets that are sold, disposed of or used in the normal course of business) included in its accounts or acquired after the official incorporation date; there is no encumbrance on these assets, and each of the assets that may be possessed is owned by the Group Company.

 

(3)                                 The Group Company has the ownership of all intangible assets and fixed assets that are reflected as assets in its balance sheet, and there is no encumbrance, or attachment by courts. Such intangible assets and fixed assets are properly registered under the Group Company at the relevant registries of the government authority in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations if registration is feasible and necessary.

 

(4)                                 The Group Company has the whole, transferable title not subject to any encumbrance to the movable and immovable property and assets used in its business. The Group Company has paid all taxes and other related fees in full in accordance with applicable laws, and there is no default of payment or circumstances where supplementary payment of taxes or other fees is necessary.

 

(5)                                 All non-owned land, buildings and fixed assets currently used by the Group Company are leased under valid leases. All such leases are legal and valid. The Group Company has not violated the leases or been at fault under the leases.

 

(6)                                 There are no options, mortgages, pledges, liens (except for liens that are generated according to the law in the ordinary course of business) or other forms of guarantees or other encumbrances relating to, created on, or affecting all or part of the business or assets of the Group Company. And there are no agreements or undertakings providing or creating any of the above, and no person claims to be entitled to any of the above interests.

 

Appendix III - 12


 

(7)                                 All vehicles and office equipment used by the Group Company in relation to its business are normally repaired, maintained, and operated, and are available for use in the business of the Group Company.

 

16.                    Intellectual Property

 

(1)                                 The Group Company does not use any name other than the name displayed on its business license and “36Kr” or “36”.

 

(2)                                 The Group Company owns or has the right to use all intellectual property assets and business information that are currently used for the ordinary course of business or that are required to meet current plans and proposals.

 

(3)                                 All fees and steps for the renewal, application and other formal registration of intellectual property assets owned by the Group Company necessary for their maintenance, protection and enforcement have been paid or taken, or will be paid and taken as planned.

 

(4)                                 The intellectual property assets owned by the Group Company are valid, existing and enforceable and are not subject to any mortgage, encumbrance or other rights.

 

(5)                                 All licenses involving intellectual property assets and business information and contracts relating thereto entered into by the Group Company will not be terminated by this Capital Increase and/or a change in ownership or control of the Group Company.

 

(6)                                 As far as it is known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company, any third party has not violated any license or contract relating to any intellectual property assets currently used for business purposes.

 

(7)                                 The Group Company is not obligated to license, sublicense or carry out any transfer of any intellectual property assets or business information it owns or uses.

 

(8)                                 As far as it is known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company, no third party is infringing or has infringed or used without permission any intellectual property assets or business information owned or used by the Group Company.

 

(9)                                 The activities, business information and intellectual property assets of the Group Company do not constitute and has not constituted infringement or unauthorized use of intellectual property assets or business information of any third party.

 

Appendix III - 13


 

(10)                          The intellectual property assets and business information owned by the Group Company are not the subject of any litigation, objection or administrative proceeding.

 

(11)                          The confidential information owned by the Group Company has not been disclosed or otherwise permitted to be known to any third party without such third party performing confidentiality obligations.

 

(12)                          The Group Company is not a party to any confidentiality or other contract restricting the free use or disclosure of its business information, nor does it assume any obligation restricting the free use or disclosure of its business information that may have a material adverse effect on the business of the Group Company.

 

(13)                          The operation of the Group Company does not result in the payment of intellectual property royalties or similar payment obligations.

 

17.                    Information Technology

 

The information technology and domain names owned or used by the Group Company is not the subject of any litigations, dispute or claim; as far as it is known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company, there are no expected or likely litigations, disputes or claims relating to any information technology or domain names owned or used by the Group Company.

 

18.                    Employees

 

(1)                                 Since the official incorporation date of the Group Company, no significant changes have been made to the remuneration or other terms of employment of any manager of the Group Company.

 

(2)                                 The employees of the Group Company have not made any claims on any intellectual property assets relating to the business of the Group Company, and as far as it is known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company, no employee will make such a claim.

 

(3)                                 There are no unresolved or likely disputes among any member and any union or other organizations formed for similar purpose of the Group Company, and the Group Company is not a party to any collective bargaining agreement or other arrangements (whether or not binding).

 

(4)                                 The Group Company does not have any actions or circumstances in major violations of laws or regulations relating to labor, employment, social insurance and/or housing provident fund.

 

Appendix III - 14


 

(5)                                 As far as it is known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company, no employee or other personnel or former employee or other former personnel threaten to file against the Group Company, and no other person threaten to file against the Group Company for any employee or other personnel or former employee or other former personnel, claims involving any accident, injury, unpaid salary, overtime payment, severance payment, social security payment, leave or any other matters caused or incurred by the employment or hiring of such employee or other personnel or former employee or other former personnel by the Group Company, and there is no such claims pending.

 

19.                    Environmental Matters

 

(1)                                 The Group Company has legally obtained and holds all or any of the permits, consents, licenses, approvals, certificates and other authorizations necessary for its production and operations required under any applicable laws relating to environmental protection (“Environmental Protection Law”), and all or any of the terms and conditions under these authorizations required by the Environmental Protection Law, except where omission of such will not result in material adverse effects on the legal and normal operation of the Group Company;

 

(2)                                 The Group Company complies with and has always complied with the Environmental Protection Law in major respects;

 

(3)                                 As far as it is known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company, the Group Company has not received any form of information from any relevant authorities that it may or may be alleged to be in violation of the Environmental Protection Law;

 

(4)                                 As far as it is known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company, there are no legal proceedings or other litigations, claims or investigations against the Group Company with material adverse effects on the production and operation of the Group Company or relating thereto or otherwise in connection with the Environmental Protection Law, nor are there any pending or potential legal proceedings or other litigations, claims or investigations.

 

Appendix III - 15


 

(5)                                 As far as it is known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company, there are no facts or circumstances that could lead to actual or potential environmental liability for the Group Company;

 

(6)                                 The Group Company has not received any notice or notification of complaints or claims on any matters relating to environmental protection matter from any person;

 

(7)                                 The Group Company has not received any injunctions or similar remedies or orders from competent courts on any environmental matter or made any commitments to such courts.

 

20.                    Taxes

 

(1)                                 The Group Company has submitted all tax returns required by the relevant tax authorities in accordance with the law, and all such tax returns are complete and correct in all material respects. The Group Company has paid all the payable taxes (whether or not displayed on the tax returns) in accordance with the requirements of the relevant tax authorities as required by law, or has made appropriate provisions in its financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the relevant tax authorities as required by law. Any assets or property of the Group Company are not subject to tax guarantees enjoined to be provided by the relevant tax authorities, except for those relating to taxes outstanding and payable; the Group Company is in compliance with the requirements of the relevant tax authorities applicable to it or its business (including but not limited to, if any, the conditions for preferential tax treatment); and as far as it is known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company, no government or regulatory authority will impose or have reasons to impose any additional taxes on the Group Company during any period that a tax return has been filed or required to be filed. The Group Company has no:

 

(i)                                     dispute or claim on any tax liability that has been claimed or filed by any government or regulatory authority, or;

 

(ii)                                  warning about any reasonably expected tax liability dispute or claim as far as it is known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder, and/or the Company.

 

(2)                                 Provisions made in the accounts of the Group Company are sufficient for the deferred tax and are fully compliant with the accounting practices generally recognized in the place of registration and adopted by companies or organizations operating similar businesses.

 

Appendix III - 16


 

(3)                                 If all the facts and circumstances known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company are known facts and circumstances at the time of accounts preparation, the provisions for the deferred tax in the corresponding accounts shall not be more than the provisions already made.

 

21.                    Tax Returns, Disputes, Records and Requests

 

(1)                                 The Group Company has submitted and provided on its own or arranged others to submit and provide all applicable tax returns and all data required by any tax authority.

 

(2)                                 On the date of this Agreement, the Group Company has neither tax liability that is unresolved or expected to occur, in which the tax authority may recover any taxes (including fines or interest) from the Group Company, nor dispute or disagreement with any tax authority concerning any tax benefits to the Group Company, and there are no circumstances that will very likely lead to such disputes or disagreements.

 

22.                    Insurance

 

As far as it is known to the Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and/or the Company, all major assets of the Group Company that may and need to be insured according to industry practices (specifically real estate and vehicles, if any) have been insured in accordance with applicable laws and industry practices against risks that are usually insured against.

 

23.                    Incentive Mechanism

 

There are neither other stock option nor other similar performance-based incentive arrangements (including stock appreciation rights scheme) for employees (or former employees), directors (or former directors), supervisors (or former supervisors) or consultants (or former consultants) or contractors (or former contractors) of the Group Company, nor other similar arrangements that are affecting any of the above persons.

 

24.                    No State-owned Assets

 

The Group Company does not have any state-owned assets, and does not need to undergo any form of assessment of state-owned assets or obtain approval for disposal of state-owned assets in order to facilitate the completion of the transaction in accordance with the laws and regulations of China.

 

25.                    No Undisclosed Business

 

As of the Delivery Date, the business of the Group Company has not exceeded the business scope approved in its business license. The Group Company has not engaged in any business that is not disclosed to Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu.

 

Appendix III - 17


 

26.                    Compliant Business Practices

 

(1)                                 The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company acknowledge that the related parties of the Group Company and any other person acting on behalf of the above parties do not, whether or not related to transactions under this Agreement or related to other matters, (i) deliberately violate any applicable laws and orders; (ii) make any improper payments to government officials for business benefits or advantages.

 

(2)                                 The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company acknowledge that the Group Company and/or the related parties of the Group Company and any other person acting on behalf of the above parties does not take any actions that may violate the applicable Anti-corruption Laws which include but are not limited to: relevant anti-corruption and anti-commercial bribery laws and regulations of China, the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 as amended, and the applicable anti-corruption laws of other countries (hereinafter referred to as “Anti-corruption Laws”). Any of the related parties of the Group Company and any other person acting on behalf of the above parties have never offered, paid, promised to pay or authorized to pay any money or anything of value to any government official taking office in any government authority or any entity (if the related party of the Group Company knew that all or part of such money or things of value would very likely be offered, given or promised to be given to any government official, either directly or indirectly). For the purposes of this article, government authority also includes any entity or enterprise owned or controlled by government authorities or international public organizations.

 

(3)                                 The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company acknowledge that the Group Company and/or the related parties of the Group Company and any other person acting on behalf of the above parties, for the following purposes: (i) influence any act or decision within the authority of the government official; (ii) induce the government official to perform any act or omission in respect of his/her statutory duties; (iii) obtain any improper advantage; (iv) obtain any government research grant or national special project; (v) assist the Group Company in obtaining or retaining business or introduce business to the Group Company; or (v) induce the government official to influence or interfere with acts or decisions of any government authorities, have never accepted, offered, paid, promised to pay, authorized to pay, or taken actions to procure the acceptance, offer, or payment of any money or anything of value to any government officials taking office in any government authority or any entity (if the related party of the Group Company knew that all or part of such money or things of value would very likely be offered, given or promised to be given any government official, either directly or indirectly).

 

Appendix III - 18


 

(4)                                 The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder and the Company acknowledge that the Group Company and/or the related parties of the Group Company and any other person acting on behalf of the above parties has not violated the principle of fair competition and employed means such as giving, receiving property or other benefits to obtain transaction opportunities or other economic benefits in business activities.

 

(5)                                 The Founder, the Controlling Shareholder, and the Company acknowledge that key employees of the Group Company have not held any administrative position in any government authority, university or other public institution, and have not taken advantage of their positions outside the Group Company to seek any improper benefits for the Group Company, including but not limited to obtaining transaction opportunities, government approvals, or government research grants for the Group Company.

 

(6)                                 No government official, government authority or entity currently has any direct or indirect interest in the Group Company, or any legal or beneficial interest in the Group Company and the Proceeds From Capital Increase Subscriptions paid to the Group Company by Tianhong Lvyan and Wentou Huyu under this Agreement.

 

(7)                                 The Group Company maintains and will maintain accurate and complete books and records in accordance with the applicable Anti-corruption Laws and generally recognized accounting principles.

 

Appendix III - 19


 

Appendix IV

 

Disclosure List

 

1. As of the date of issuance of this disclosure list, the owner of the “wow36kr” official WeChat account, the “36kr” Weibo account and the intellectual property in Appendix II is the Controlling Shareholder.

 

2. As of the date of issuance of this disclosure list, the owner of the trademark rights of “36” and “36kr” is the Controlling Shareholder. The Company uses the above trademark rights free of charge, and the Company has not signed a transfer agreement with the Controlling Shareholder.

 

3. On May 8, 2017 and June 5, 2017, the Controlling Shareholder signed the Loan Agreement with the Company and provided the Company with a loan of RMB7,123,521.38.

 

4. The relevant wages, social insurance and housing provident fund of individual employees of the Company who need to apply for work permits and sign labor contracts with the Controlling Shareholder are all borne by the Controlling Shareholder. After the Company has completed the application to become qualified for handling work permits, such employees will have theirs replaced.

 


 

Appendix V

 

List of Key Employees

 

Name

 

Position

 

Identification number

Feng Dagang

 

President

 

132801197810243614

Zhang Zhuo

 

Assistant President

 

110108198311236028

Li Yang

 

Chief Editor

 

210402197611192941

Ye Hongguang

 

Vice President of Business Center

 

130206197910210016

Li Zheng

 

General Manager of Brand Advertising

 

510781198201130075

 


 

Appendix VI

 

Address for Notice

 

For the purposes of the article on notice set forth in this Agreement, the original addresses of the parties are as follows:

 

To the Founder:

 

Liu Chengcheng

Address: 6th Floor, Haizhi Chuangtou, No.34 Haidian Street, Haidian District, Beijing, China

Recipient: Wang Jingyu

Phone: 010-59974030

Zip code: 100089

E-mail: wangjingyu@36kr.com

 

To the Company Shareholders:

 

Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Service Co., Ltd.

Address: 6th Floor, Haizhi Chuangtou, No.34 Haidian Street, Haidian District, Beijing, China

Recipient: Wang Jingyu

Phone: 010-59974030

Zip code: 100089

E-mail: wangjingyu@36kr.com

 

Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership)

Address: 6th Floor, Haizhi Chuangtou, No.34 Haidian Street, Haidian District, Beijing, China

Recipient: Wang Jingyu

Phone: 010-59974030

Zip code: 100089

E-mail: wangjingyu@36kr.com

 

To the Company

 

Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd.

Address: 6th Floor, Haizhi Chuangtou, No.34 Haidian Street, Haidian District, Beijing, China

Recipient: Wang Jingyu

Phone: 010-59974030

Zip code: 100089

E-mail: wangjingyu@36kr.com

 


 

To the Investor Shareholders

 

Suzhou Industrial Park Gebi Yinghe Venture Capital Partnership (Limited Partnership)

Address: Room 1508, Gopher Center, No.757 Mengzi Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China

Recipient: Xu Chen

Phone: 021-51601618

Fax: 021-56295805

Zip code: 200023

E-mail: ken@gobi.cn

 

Jiaxing Xiaodu Neirong Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)

Address: Pactera Building, Phase 2, Zhongguancun Software Park, 8 Dongbeiwang West Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China

Recipient: Liu Renjie

Phone: 18610451803

Zip code: 100193

E-mail: liurenjie@itv.baidu.com

 

Beijing Gebi Lvzou Angel Investment Center (Limited Partnership)

Address: Room 906, Block H, Phoenix Land Plaza, No.A5 Shuguang Xili, Beijing, China

Recipient: Jiang Tao

Phone: 86.10.8455.4115

Fax: 86.10.8455.4119

Zip code: 100028

E-mail: don@gobi.cn

 


 

Hangzhou Jincun Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)

Address: Room 3211, 32nd Floor, Jintou Financial Building, No.2-6 Qingchun East Road, Jianggan District, Hangzhou

Recipient: Chen Chenjie

Phone: 0571-87225309

Fax:

Zip code: 310016

E-mail: chenchenjie@hzfi.cn

 

Shenzhen Guohong No.2 Enterprise Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)

Address: 9th Floor, Block A, Fairmount Tower, Wangjing, Chaoyang District, Beijing

Recipient: Zhang Shu

Phone: 18610053125

Zip code: 100102

E-mail: zhangshu@cpcfund.cn

 

Gongqingcheng Fenzhong Chuangxiang Information Technology Co., Ltd.

Address: 28th Floor, No. 369, Jiangsu Road, Changning District, Shanghai

Recipient: Lin Nan

Phone: 18621585219

E-mail: linnan@focusmedia.cn

 


 

Ningbo Meishan Baoshui Gangqu Tianhong Lvyan Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)

Address: Room 1202, Block B, Global Trade Center, No.36 North Third Ring Road East, Dongcheng District, Beijing

Recipient: Wang Xi

Tel.: 18510249488

Zip code: 100010

Email: wangxi@thfund.com.cn

 

Beijing Wentou Huyu Investment Co., Ltd.

Address:

Recipient:

Tel.:

Zip code:

Email:

 


 

Annex I

 

Regarding the Shareholders Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd.

 


 

Annex II

 

Articles of Association of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd.

 


 

(This is a signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have procured their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Liu Chengcheng

Signature: [signed]

 

Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd.

(Seal) [Chopped: Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. 1101081077300]

Legal representative: [signed]

 

Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Service Co., Ltd.

(Seal) [Chopped: Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Service Co., Ltd. 1101080814347]

Legal representative: [signed]

 

Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership)

(Seal) [Chopped: Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership)]

Executive partner delegate: [signed]

 

Signature page

 


 

(This is signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have promoted their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Shenzhen Guohong No.2 Enterprise Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)

(Seal) [Chopped: Shenzhen Guohong No.2 Enterprise Management Partnership (Limited Partnership) 4403041137861]

Executive partner delegate: [signed]

 

Signature page

 


 

(This is a signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have procured their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Beijing Gebi Lvzhou Angel Investment Center (Limited Partnership)

(Seal) [Chopped: Beijing Gebi Lvzhou Angel Investment Center (Limited Partnership) 1101080319389]

Executive partner delegate: [signed]

 

Signature page

 


 

(This is signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have promoted their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Hangzhou Jincun Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)

(Seal) [Chopped: Hangzhou Jincun Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership) 3301040112941]

Executive partner delegate: [signed]

 

Signature page

 


 

(This is signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have promoted their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Gongqingcheng Fenzhong Chuangxiang Information Technology Co., Ltd.

(Seal) [Chopped: Gongqingcheng Fenzhong Chuangxiang Information Technology Co., Ltd. 3604820009040]

Legal representative: [signed]

 

Signature page

 


 

(This is signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have promoted their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Ningbo Meishan Baoshui Gangqu Tianhong Lvyan Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)

(Seal) [Chopped: Ningbo Meishan Baoshui Gangqu Tianhong Lvyan Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership) 3302060231082]

Executive partner delegate: [signed]

 

Signature page

 


 

(This is a signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have procured their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Jiaxing Xiaodu Neirong Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)

(Seal) [Chopped: Jiaxing Xiaodu Neirong Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership) 3304020025051]

Executive partner delegate:

 

Signature page

 


 

(This is signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have promoted their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Suzhou Industrial Park Gebi Yinghe Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)

(Seal) [Chopped: Suzhou Industrial Park Gebi Yinghe Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership) 3205940045568]

Executive partner delegate: [signed]

 

Signature page

 


 

(This is signature page)

 

In view of this, individuals of the parties or the parties to the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. have promoted their respective officially authorized representatives to sign the Capital Increase Agreement of Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd. on the date stated at the beginning of the Agreement.

 

Beijing Wentou Huyu Investment Co., Ltd.

(Seal) [Chopped: Beijing Wentou Huyu Investment Co., Ltd. 1001760012816]

Executive partner delegate: [signed]

 

Signature page

 




Exhibit 10.9

 

CONFIDENTIAL

 

SERIES D PREFERRED SHARE

 

SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

 

dated as of

 

September 23, 2019

 

among

 

36Kr Holdings Inc.

 

Dagang Feng

 

Palopo Holding Limited

 

PARTIES LISTED ON SCHEDULE I

 

and

 

PARTIES LISTED ON SCHEDULE II

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

PAGE

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 1

 

 

DEFINITIONS

 

1

 

 

 

 

Section 1.01.

Definitions

 

1

Section 1.02.

Other Defined Terms

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 2

 

 

PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES

 

8

 

 

 

 

Section 2.01.

Subscription and Issuance of Shares

 

8

Section 2.02.

Closing

 

8

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 3

 

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE WARRANTORS

 

8

 

 

 

 

Section 3.01.

Organization, Good Standing and Qualification

 

8

Section 3.02.

Capitalization

 

9

Section 3.03.

Corporate Structure; Subsidiaries

 

10

Section 3.04.

Authorization

 

10

Section 3.05.

Valid Issuance of Shares

 

10

Section 3.06.

Consents; No Conflicts

 

10

Section 3.07.

Restructuring

 

11

Section 3.08.

Offering

 

11

Section 3.09.

Compliance with Laws; Consents

 

11

Section 3.10.

Tax Matters

 

12

Section 3.11.

Financial Statements

 

12

Section 3.12.

Liabilities

 

12

Section 3.13.

Actions

 

12

Section 3.14.

Material Contracts

 

12

Section 3.15.

Title; Properties

 

14

Section 3.16.

Intellectual Property Rights

 

14

Section 3.17.

Labor and Employment Matters

 

14

Section 3.18.

No Brokers

 

15

Section 3.19.

Co-Founder Noncompetition

 

15

Section 3.20.

Full Disclosure

 

15

Section 3.21.

No Changes

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 4

 

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE INVESTORS

 

16

 

 

 

 

Section 4.01.

Organization and Good Standing

 

16

Section 4.02.

Authorization

 

16

 

i


 

Section 4.03.

Consents; No Conflicts

 

16

Section 4.04.

Financing

 

16

Section 4.05.

Purchase for Own Account

 

16

Section 4.06.

Restricted Securities

 

17

Section 4.07.

No Brokers

 

17

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 5

 

 

CONDITIONS OF THE INVESTORS’ OBLIGATIONS TO CONSUMMATE THE CLOSING

 

17

 

 

 

 

Section 5.01.

Representations and Warranties

 

17

Section 5.02.

Performance

 

17

Section 5.03.

Authorizations

 

17

Section 5.04.

Proceedings and Documents

 

17

Section 5.05.

Register of Members

 

17

Section 5.06.

Memorandum and Articles

 

17

Section 5.07.

Transaction Documents

 

18

Section 5.08.

Restructuring

 

18

Section 5.09.

Employment Agreement, Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation, IP Assignment and Confidentiality Agreement

 

18

Section 5.10.

No Material Adverse Effect

 

18

Section 5.11.

Closing Certificate

 

18

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 6

 

 

CONDITIONS OF THE COMPANY’S OBLIGATIONS TO CONSUMMATE THE CLOSING

 

18

 

 

 

 

Section 6.01.

Representations and Warranties

 

18

Section 6.02.

Performance

 

18

Section 6.03.

Transaction Documents

 

18

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 7

 

 

CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON-DISCLOSURE

 

18

 

 

 

 

Section 7.01.

Confidentiality

 

18

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 8

 

 

EXECUTORY PERIOD COVENANTS

 

19

 

 

 

 

Section 8.01.

Restructuring

 

19

Section 8.02.

Conduct of the Company

 

19

Section 8.03.

Notice of Certain Events

 

19

Section 8.04.

Access

 

19

Section 8.05.

Most Favorable Rights

 

19

Section 8.06.

Compliance with Laws

 

20

Section 8.07.

Filing of Memorandum and Articles

 

20

Section 8.08.

Transfer of Trademarks

 

20

 

ii


 

 

ARTICLE 9

 

 

TERMINATION

 

20

 

 

 

 

Section 9.01.

Termination

 

20

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 10

 

 

INDEMNIFICATION

 

20

 

 

 

 

Section 10.01.

Survival

 

20

Section 10.02.

Indemnification by Warrantors

 

21

Section 10.03.

Notice of Claims

 

21

Section 10.04.

Limitation of Liability

 

21

Section 10.05.

Exclusive Remedy

 

22

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 11

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

22

 

 

 

 

Section 11.01.

Further Assurances

 

22

Section 11.02.

Successors and Assigns

 

22

Section 11.03.

Third-Party Beneficiaries

 

23

Section 11.04.

Governing Law

 

23

Section 11.05.

Dispute Resolution

 

23

Section 11.06.

Notices

 

24

Section 11.07.

Specific Performance

 

24

Section 11.08.

Fees and Expenses

 

24

Section 11.09.

Finder’s Fee

 

24

Section 11.10.

Severability

 

25

Section 11.11.

Amendments and Waivers

 

25

Section 11.12.

No Waiver

 

25

Section 11.13.

Delays or Omissions

 

25

Section 11.14.

No Presumption

 

25

Section 11.15.

Headings and Subtitles; Interpretation

 

26

Section 11.16.

Counterparts

 

26

Section 11.17.

Entire Agreement

 

26

Section 11.18.

Independent Nature of Investors’ Obligations and Rights

 

26

 

 

 

 

Schedules and Exhibits

 

 

 

 

 

 

Schedule I

List of the Investors

 

I-1

Schedule II

List of Certain Group Companies

 

II-1

Schedule III

Address for Notices

 

III-1

Schedule IV

Restructuring

 

IV-1

Schedule V

List of Company’s Related Parties

 

V-1

Schedule VI

Disclosure Schedule

 

VI-1

Schedule VII

Capitalization Table

 

VII-1

Schedule VIII

List of Trademarks to be Transferred

 

VIII-1

 

iii


 

Exhibit A

Form of Second Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association

 

A-1

Exhibit B

Form of Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement

 

B-1

Exhibit C

Form of Closing Certificate

 

C-2

 

iv


 

SERIES D PREFERRED SHARE SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

 

THIS SERIES D PREFERRED SHARE SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into on September 23, 2019 by and among:

 

1.                                      36Kr Holdings Inc., an exempted company with limited liability incorporated under the Laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Company”),

 

2.                                      Mr. Dagang Feng (a PRC citizen, with ID number of 132801197810243614, the “Co-Founder”),

 

3.                                      Palopo Holding Limited, a business company incorporated under the Laws of the British Virgin Islands (the “Co-Founder Holdco”),

 

4.                                      each Person listed on Schedule I hereto (each, an “Investor” and collectively, the “Investors”), and

 

5.                                      each Person listed on Schedule II hereto.

 

Each of the parties to this Agreement is referred to herein individually as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties”.

 

RECITALS

 

A.                                    The Group (as defined below) has conducted the Restructuring (as defined below), upon the completion of which, the Company has become the Controlling holding company of the Group (other than the Company).

 

B.                                    The Investors wish to invest in the Company by subscribing for Series D Preferred Shares to be issued by the Company pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, and the Company wishes to issue and sell Series D Preferred Shares to the Investors pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement.

 

C.                                    The Parties desire to enter into this Agreement and make the respective representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

WITNESSETH

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals, the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties intending to be legally bound hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.01.                Definitions. The following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them below:

 

Accounting Standards” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States in effect from time to time, applied on a consistent basis.

 


 

Action” means any charge, claim, action, complaint, petition, investigation, appeal, suit, litigation, grievance, inquiry or other proceeding, whether administrative, civil, regulatory or criminal, whether at law or in equity, or otherwise under any applicable Law, and whether or not before any mediator, arbitrator or Governmental Authority.

 

Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly Controlling, Controlled by, or under common Control with such Person.

 

Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday or other day on which commercial banks are required or authorized by Law to be closed in the PRC, Hong Kong or the Cayman Islands.

 

Lotus” means Lotus Walk Inc.

 

Charter Documents” means, with respect to a particular legal entity, the articles of incorporation, certificate of incorporation, formation or registration (including, if applicable, certificates of change of name), memorandum of association, articles of association, bylaws, articles of organization, limited liability company agreement, trust deed, trust instrument, operating agreement, joint venture agreement, business license, or similar or other constitutive, governing, or charter documents, or equivalent documents, of such entity.

 

Closing Date” means the date of the Closing.

 

Company Owned IP” means any Intellectual Property owned by or exclusively licensed to any Group Company.

 

Company Registered IP” means any Intellectual Property for which registrations are owned by or held in the name of, or for which applications have been made in the name of, any Group Company.

 

Consent” means any consent, approval, authorization, release, waiver, permit, grant, franchise, concession, agreement, license, exemption or order of, registration, certificate, declaration or filing with, or report or notice to, any Person, including any Governmental Authority.

 

Contract” means a contract, agreement, indenture, note, bond, loan, instrument, lease, mortgage, franchise, license, commitment, purchase order, and other legally binding arrangement, whether written or oral.

 

Control” of a given Person means the power or authority, whether exercised or not, to direct the business, management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, as trustee, personal representative or executive, by Contract, credit arrangement or otherwise. The terms “Controlled” and “Controlling” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

Equity Securities” means, with respect to any Person, any shares, any and all shares of capital stock, membership interests, units, profits interests, ownership interests, equity interests, registered capital, and other equity securities of such Person, and any right, warrant, option, call, commitment, conversion privilege, preemptive right or other right to acquire any of the foregoing, or security convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for any of the foregoing, or any Contract providing for the acquisition of any of the foregoing, shares, awards, options, warrants, interests, rights under any equity appreciation, phantom equity, equity plans or similar plans or schemes with respect to such Person, and, with respect to the Company, shall include any Ordinary Shares, awards, options, warrants, interests, rights under the ESOP.

 

2


 

ESOP” means (i) any equity incentive, purchase or participation plan, employee stock option plan or similar plan of the Company approved and adopted in accordance with the Shareholders Agreement, or (ii) the shares reserved and subject to item (i), as the case may be.

 

Governmental Authority” means any government of any nation, federation, province, state or locality or any other political subdivision thereof, any entity, authority or body exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, including any government authority, agency, department, board, commission or instrumentality of the PRC or any other country, or any political subdivision thereof, any court, tribunal or arbitrator, and any self-regulatory organization.

 

Governmental Order” means any applicable order, ruling, decision, verdict, decree, writ, subpoena, mandate, command, directive, consent, approval, award, judgment, injunction or other similar determination or finding by, before or under the supervision of any Governmental Authority.

 

Group Company” means each of the companies listed on Schedule II attached hereto, and each other entity whose financial statements are consolidated with those of any Group Company in accordance with the Accounting Standards, and “Group” refers to all of Group Companies collectively.

 

Hong Kong” means the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China.

 

Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication, each of the following of such Person: (i) all indebtedness for borrowed money, (ii) all obligations issued, undertaken or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of business), (iii) all reimbursement or payment obligations with respect to letters of credit, surety bonds and other similar instruments, (iv) all obligations evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments, including obligations so evidenced that are incurred in connection with the acquisition of properties, assets or businesses, (v) all indebtedness created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, or incurred as financing, in either case with respect to any property or assets acquired with the proceeds of such indebtedness (even though the rights and remedies of the seller or bank under such agreement in the event of default are limited to repossession or sale of such property), (vi) all obligations that are capitalized (including capitalized lease obligations), (vii) all obligations under banker’s acceptance, letter of credit or similar facilities, (viii) all obligations to purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise acquire for value any Equity Securities of such Person, (ix) all obligations in respect of any interest rate swap, hedge or cap agreement, and (x) all guarantees issued in respect of the Indebtedness referred to in clauses (i) through (ix) above of any other Person, but only to the extent of such Indebtedness guaranteed.

 

Indemnifiable Loss” means, with respect to any Person, any action, claim, dispute, proceeding, cost, damage, deficiency, disbursement, expense, liability, loss, obligation, penalty, Taxes, settlement or judgment of any kind or nature imposed on or otherwise incurred or suffered by such Person, provided that the Indemnifiable Loss shall exclude any mental and emotional distress, and any speculative, consequential, exemplary or punitive damages.

 

3


 

Intellectual Property” means any and all (i) patents, patent rights and applications therefor and reissues, reexaminations, continuations, continuations-in-part, divisions, and patent term extensions thereof, (ii) inventions (whether patentable or not), discoveries, improvements, concepts, innovations and industrial models, (iii) registered and unregistered copyrights, copyright registrations and applications, mask works and registrations and applications therefor, author’s rights and works of authorship (including artwork, software, computer programs, source code, object code and executable code, firmware, development tools, files, records and data, and related documentation), (iv) URLs, web sites, web pages and any part thereof, (v) technical information, know-how, trade secrets, drawings, designs, design protocols, specifications, proprietary data, customer lists, databases, proprietary processes, technology, formulae, and algorithms and other intellectual property, (vi) trade names, trade dress, trademarks, domain names, service marks, logos, business names, and registrations and applications therefor, and (vii) the goodwill symbolized, associated with or represented by the foregoing.

 

Joint Venture Companies” means, collectively, 36Kr Global Holding (HK) Limited, (株式会社) 36Kr Japan and KRASIA PLUS PTE. LTD.

 

Key Employee” means each of the Co-Founder, LIANG Jihong (with PRC ID Number 110107197302030369) and LI Yang (with PRC ID Number 210402197611192941).

 

Knowledge” means, with respect to the Warrantors, the actual knowledge of the Warrantors after reasonable inquiry.

 

Law” or “Laws” means any and all provisions of any applicable constitution, treaty, statute, law, regulation, ordinance, code, rule, or rule of common law, any governmental approval, concession, grant, franchise, license, agreement, directive, requirement, or other governmental restriction or any similar form of decision of, or determination by, or any interpretation or administration of any of the foregoing by, any Governmental Authority, in each case as amended, and any and all applicable Governmental Orders.

 

Liabilities” means, with respect to any Person, all liabilities, obligations and commitments of such Person of any nature, whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise, and whether due or to become due.

 

Licenses” means (i) all licenses, sublicenses, and other Contracts to which any Group Company is a party and pursuant to which any third party is authorized to use, exercise or receive any benefit from any material Company IP, and (ii) all licenses, sublicenses and other Contracts to which any Group Company is a party and pursuant to which such Group Company is authorized to use, exercise, or receive any benefit from any material Intellectual Property of another Person, in each case except for (A) agreements involving “off-the-shelf” commercially available software, and (B) non-exclusive licenses to customers in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.

 

Lien” means any claim, charge, easement, encumbrance, lease, covenant, security interest, lien, option, pledge, rights of others, or restriction (whether on voting, sale, transfer, disposition or otherwise), whether imposed by Contract, understanding, law, equity or otherwise.

 

4


 

Majority Investors” means the Investors subscribing for 50% of the Shares hereunder.

 

Material Adverse Effect” means any event, occurrence, fact, condition, change or development that has had or has or could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on (i) the business, properties, assets, operations, results of operations, financial condition or Liabilities of the Group taken as a whole, with an adverse impact greater in value than 30% of the total net assets of the Group on a consolidated basis as of the Statement Date, or which cause the Company to be explicitly prohibited from conducting the principal business as presently being conducted, excluding any effect resulting from (A) changes in Accounting Standards or changes in the regulatory accounting requirements applicable to any industry in which the Group operates, (B) changes in the general economic or political conditions, (C) changes (including changes of applicable Laws) or conditions generally affecting the industry in which the Group operates, (D) acts of war, sabotage or terrorism or natural disasters, (E) the announcement or consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, (F) any action taken (or omitted to be taken) at the request of any Investor or (G) any action taken by the Company that is required, contemplated or permitted pursuant to this Agreement, provided that any event, occurrence, fact, condition, change or development referred to in clause (B) through (D) immediately above shall be taken into account in determining whether a Material Adverse Effect has occurred or could reasonably be expected to occur to the extent that such event, occurrence, fact, condition, change or development has an adverse effect on the Group that is disproportionate to the effect on other similar companies operating in the same industry, (ii) the ability of the Warrantors to consummate the transactions contemplated by any of the Transaction Documents on a timely basis or to perform the obligations under the Transaction Documents, or (iii) the validity and the enforceability of this Agreement against the Warrantors.

 

Memorandum and Articles” means the second amended and restated memorandum of association of the Company and the second amended and restated articles of association of the Company substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, to be adopted in accordance with applicable Law on or before the Closing pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and effective from the Closing Date.

 

Ordinary Shares” means the Company’s ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share.

 

Permitted Liens” means (i) Liens for Taxes not yet delinquent or the validity of which are being contested in good faith and for which there are adequate reserves on the applicable financial statements, (ii) Liens disclosed on the Financial Statements, (iii) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business, or (iv) other Liens which would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, proprietorship, association, limited liability company, firm, trust, estate or other enterprise or entity.

 

PRC” means the People’s Republic of China, but solely for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, excluding Hong Kong, the Macau Special Administrative Region and the islands of Taiwan.

 

Related Party” means, to the Knowledge of the Warrantors, (i) any shareholder that beneficially owns five percent (5%) or more of the share capital of any Group Company, (ii) any officer or director of any Group Company, any immediate family member of any of the foregoing in clauses (i) and (ii), and any Affiliate of any of the foregoing in clauses (i) and (ii), except for any other Group Company. The Company’s Related Parties include without limitation the Persons set forth on Schedule V.

 

5


 

Restructuring” means the transactions and actions set forth in Schedule IV hereto.

 

Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Series A-1 Preferred Shares” means the Series A-1 Preferred Shares of the Company, par value US$0.0001 per share, with the rights and privileges as set forth in the Memorandum and Articles.

 

Series A-2 Preferred Shares” means the Series A-2 Preferred Shares of the Company, par value US$0.0001 per share, with the rights and privileges as set forth in the Memorandum and Articles.

 

Series B-1 Preferred Shares” means the Series B-1 Preferred Shares of the Company, par value US$0.0001 per share, with the rights and privileges as set forth in the Memorandum and Articles.

 

Series B-2 Preferred Shares” means the Series B-2 Preferred Shares of the Company, par value US$0.0001 per share, with the rights and privileges as set forth in the Memorandum and Articles.

 

Series B-3 Preferred Shares” means the Series B-3 Preferred Shares of the Company, par value US$0.0001 per share, with the rights and privileges as set forth in the Memorandum and Articles.

 

Series B-4 Preferred Shares” means the Series B-4 Preferred Shares of the Company, par value US$0.0001 per share, with the rights and privileges as set forth in the Memorandum and Articles.

 

Series C-1 Preferred Shares” means the Series C-1 Preferred Shares of the Company, par value US$0.0001 per share, with the rights and privileges as set forth in the Memorandum and Articles.

 

Series C-2 Preferred Shares” means the Series C-2 Preferred Shares of the Company, par value US$0.0001 per share, with the rights and privileges as set forth in the Memorandum and Articles.

 

Series D Preferred Shares” means the Series D Preferred Shares of the Company, par value US$0.0001 per share, with the rights and privileges as set forth in the Memorandum and Articles.

 

Shareholders Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement to be entered into by and among the parties named therein on or prior to the Closing, which shall be substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.

 

Tax” means (i) in the PRC: (A) any national, provincial, municipal, or local taxes, charges, fees, levies, or other assessments, including, without limitation, all net income (including enterprise income tax and individual income withholding tax), turnover (including value-added tax, business tax, and consumption tax), resource (including urban and township land use tax), special purpose (including land value-added tax, urban maintenance and construction tax, and additional education fees), property (including urban real estate tax and land use fees), documentation (including stamp duty and deed tax), filing, recording, social insurance (including pension, medical, unemployment, housing, and other social insurance withholding), tariffs (including import duty and import value-added tax), and estimated and provisional taxes, charges, fees, levies, or other assessments of any kind whatsoever, (B) all interest, penalties (administrative, civil or criminal), or additional amounts imposed by any Governmental Authority in connection with any item described in clause (A) above, and (C) any form of transferee liability imposed by any Governmental Authority in connection with any item described in clauses (A) and (B) above and (ii) in any jurisdiction other than the PRC: all similar liabilities as described in clause (i)(A), (i)(B) and (i)(C) above.

 

6


 

Tax Return” means any return, report or statement showing Taxes, used to pay Taxes, or required to be filed with respect to any Tax (including any elections, declarations, schedules or attachments thereto, and any amendment thereof), including any information return, claim for refund, amended return or declaration of estimated or provisional Tax.

 

Transaction Documents” means this Agreement, the Shareholders Agreement, the Memorandum and Articles and each of the other agreements and documents delivered or otherwise required in connection with implementing the transactions contemplated by any of the foregoing.

 

Warrantors” means, collectively, the Group Companies (except for the Joint Venture Companies), the Co-Founder and the Co-Founder Holdco.

 

Section 1.02.                Other Defined Terms. The following terms shall have the meanings defined for such terms in the Sections set forth below:

 

Agreement

 

Preamble

Arbitration Notice

 

Section 11.05(a)

Balance Sheet

 

Section 3.11

Closing

 

Section 2.02(a)

Company

 

Preamble

Company IP

 

Section 3.16(a)

Disclosure Schedule

 

Article 3

Dispute

 

Section 11.05(a)

Financial Statements

 

Section 3.11

Financing Terms

 

Section 7.01

HKIAC

 

Section 11.05(b)

HKIAC Rules

 

Section 11.05(b)

Indemnified Party

 

Section 10.03

Indemnifying Party

 

Section 10.03

Investor

 

Preamble

Material Contracts

 

Section 3.14(a)

Parties

 

Preamble

Purchase Price

 

Section 2.01

Shares

 

Section 2.01

Statement Date

 

Section 3.11

 

7


 

ARTICLE 2

PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES

 

Section 2.01.                Subscription and Issuance of Shares. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Closing (as defined below), each Investor, severally and not jointly, agrees to subscribe for and purchase, and the Company agrees to issue and sell to such Investor, that number of Series D Preferred Shares set forth opposite such Investor’s name on Schedule I attached hereto (the “Shares”), with each Investor to pay as consideration for such Shares the aggregate purchase price set forth opposite such Investor’s name on Schedule I attached hereto (the “Purchase Price”). The capitalization table of the Company immediately before and after the Closing is attached as Schedule VII hereto.

 

Section 2.02.                Closing.

 

(a)                   Closing. The consummation of the subscription and issuance of the Shares with respect to each Investor pursuant to Section 2.01 (the “Closing”) shall take place remotely via the exchange of documents and signatures as soon as practicable, but in no event later than five Business Days after all closing conditions specified in Article 5 and Article 6 hereof have been waived or satisfied (other than those conditions to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver thereof at the Closing), or at such other time and place as the Company and the Investors shall mutually agree in writing.

 

(b)                   Deliveries by the Company at Closing. At the Closing, the Company shall deliver to each Investor (i) the updated register of members of the Company, certified by the registered agent of the Company as a true copy, reflecting the issuance to such Investor of the Shares being purchased by such Investor at the Closing, and (ii) copies of the certificate or certificates issued in the name of such Investor representing the Shares being purchased by such Investor at the Closing, with the duly executed original copies of which delivered to such Investor within ten (10) Business Days after the Closing.

 

(c)                    Deliveries by the Investors at Closing. At the Closing, each Investor shall pay its respective Purchase Price by wire transfer of immediately available funds in U.S. dollars to an account designated by the Company, provided that transfer instructions shall be delivered to each Investor at least five (5) Business Days prior to the Closing.

 

ARTICLE 3

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE WARRANTORS

 

Subject to such exceptions as may be fairly and specifically set forth in the disclosure schedule delivered by the Warrantors to the Investors as of the date hereof (the “Disclosure Schedule”) as set forth in Schedule VI hereto (it being understood that an item disclosed in one section of the Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed to be disclosed with respect to any other section of the Disclosure Schedule where the reference of such item would be apparent), each of the Warrantors jointly and severally represents and warrants to the Investors, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing, that:

 

Section 3.01.                Organization, Good Standing and Qualification. Each Group Company is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (or equivalent status in the relevant jurisdiction) under the Laws of the place of its incorporation or establishment and has all requisite power and authority to own its properties and assets and to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted, and to perform its obligations under each Transaction Document to which it is a party. Each Group Company is qualified to do business in each jurisdiction (or equivalent status in the relevant jurisdiction) in which it is currently transacting business, except where failure to be so qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

8


 

Section 3.02.                Capitalization.

 

(a)                                 Capitalization. (i) The authorized share capital of the Company is and immediately prior to the Closing shall be US$500,000 divided into (A) a total of 4,274,029,001 authorized Ordinary Shares, 176,843,000 of which shall be issued and outstanding, (B) a total of 65,307,000 authorized Series A-1 Preferred Shares, all of which shall be issued and outstanding, (C) a total of 101,261,000 authorized Series A-2 Preferred Shares, all of which shall be issued and outstanding, (D) a total of 250,302,000 authorized Series B-1 Preferred Shares, all of which shall be issued and outstanding, (E) a total of 14,593,000 authorized Series B-2 Preferred Shares, all of which shall be issued and outstanding, (F) a total of 56,105,000 authorized Series B-3 Preferred Shares, all of which shall be issued and outstanding, (G) a total of 20,982,000 authorized Series B-4 Preferred Shares, all of which shall be issued and outstanding, (H) a total of 164,876,000 authorized Series C-1 Preferred Shares, all of which shall be issued and outstanding, (I) a total of 12,545,000 authorized Series C-2 Preferred Shares, all of which shall be issued and outstanding, and (J) a total of 39,999,999 authorized Series D Preferred Shares, none of which shall be issued and outstanding. (ii) The authorized share capital of the Company immediately after the Closing shall be US$500,000 divided into (A) a total of 4,274,029,001 authorized Ordinary Shares, 176,843,000 of which shall be issued and outstanding, (B) a total of 65,307,000 authorized Series A-1 Preferred Shares, all of which shall be issued and outstanding, (C) a total of 101,261,000 authorized Series A-2 Preferred Shares, all of which shall be issued and outstanding, (D) a total of 250,302,000 authorized Series B-1 Preferred Shares, all of which shall be issued and outstanding, (E) a total of 14,593,000 authorized Series B-2 Preferred Shares, all of which shall be issued and outstanding, (F) a total of 56,105,000 authorized Series B-3 Preferred Shares, all of which shall be issued and outstanding, (G) a total of 20,982,000 authorized Series B-4 Preferred Shares, all of which shall be issued and outstanding, (H) a total of 164,876,000 authorized Series C-1 Preferred Shares, all of which shall be issued and outstanding, (I) a total of 12,545,000 authorized Series C-2 Preferred Shares, all of which shall be issued and outstanding, and (J) a total of 39,999,999 authorized Series D Preferred Shares, all of which shall be issued and outstanding.

 

(b)                           No Other Securities. Except as contemplated under the Transaction Documents or as in connection with the Restructuring, or as set forth in Section 3.02(b) of the Disclosure Schedule, (i) there are no other authorized or outstanding Equity Securities of any Group Company; (ii) no Equity Securities of any Group Company are subject to any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal (except to the extent provided by applicable Laws) or other rights to purchase such Equity Securities or any other rights with respect to such Equity Securities, and (iii) no Group Company is a party or subject to any Contract that affects or relates to the voting or giving of written consents with respect to, or the right to cause the redemption, or repurchase of, any Equity Security of such Group Company.

 

(c)                            Issuance and Status. Except as set forth in Section 3.02(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, all outstanding share capital or registered capital, as the case may be, of each Group Company have been duly and validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable, and are free of any and all Liens (except for any restrictions on transfer under the Transaction Documents and applicable Laws). Except as contemplated under the Transaction Documents or as in connection with the Restructuring, or as set forth in Section 3.02(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, there are no (i) resolutions pending to increase the share capital or registered capital of any Group Company or cause the liquidation, winding up, or dissolution of any Group Company, nor has any distress, execution or other process been levied against any Group Company, (ii) dividends which have accrued or been declared but are unpaid by any Group Company, (iii) obligations, contingent or otherwise, of any Group Company to repurchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire any Equity Securities, or (iv) outstanding or authorized equity appreciation, phantom equity, equity plans or similar rights with respect to any Group Company.

 

9


 

Section 3.03.                Corporate Structure; Subsidiaries. Section 3.03 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a structure chart showing the Group Companies, and indicating the ownership and Control relationships among the Group Companies upon the completion of the Restructuring, the nature of the legal entity which each Group Company constitutes and the jurisdiction in which each Group Company was organized. Except as set forth in Section 3.03 of the Disclosure Schedule, no Group Company owns or Controls, directly or indirectly, any Equity Security, interest or share in any other Person outside of the Group or is or was a participant in any joint venture, partnership or similar arrangement outside of the Group. No Group Company is obligated to make any investment in or capital contribution in or on behalf of any other Person.

 

Section 3.04.                Authorization. Each Warrantor has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and to carry out and perform its obligations thereunder. All actions on the part of each party to the Transaction Documents (other than the Investors) necessary for the authorization, execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents, the performance of all obligations of each such party, and, in the case of the Company, the authorization, issuance (or reservation for issuance), sale and delivery of the Shares, have been taken or will be taken prior to the Closing. Each Transaction Document has been duly executed and delivered by each party thereto (other than the Investors) and constitutes valid and legally binding obligations of such party, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms, except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other Laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and (ii) as limited by Laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies.

 

Section 3.05.                Valid Issuance of Shares. The Shares, when issued, delivered and paid for in accordance with the terms of this Agreement for the consideration expressed herein, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, free from any Liens (except for any restrictions on transfer under applicable Laws and under the Transaction Documents). The issuance of the Shares is not subject to any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or similar rights, other than those that have been duly waived in full or contemplated under the Transaction Documents.

 

Section 3.06.                Consents; No Conflicts. All Consents from or with any Governmental Authority or any other Person required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, in each case on the part of any party thereto (other than the Investors) have been duly obtained or completed (as applicable) and are in full force and effect. The execution, delivery and performance of each Transaction Document by each party thereto (other than the Investors) do not, and the consummation by each such party of the transactions contemplated thereby will not, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, (i) result in any violation of, be in conflict with, or constitute a default under any provision of any Charter Document of any Group Company, (ii) result in any violation of, be in conflict with, or constitute a default under, require any consent under any Governmental Order or any applicable Laws, (iii) result in any violation of, be in conflict with, or constitute a default in any material respect under, require any consent under, or give rise to any material right of termination, amendment, modification, acceleration or cancellation under, or give rise to any augmentation or acceleration of any material Liability of any Group Company under, any Material Contract, or (iv) result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the material properties or assets of any Group Company other than Permitted Liens.

 

10


 

Section 3.07.                Restructuring. All Consents from or with any Governmental Authority or with any other person in connection with the Restructuring have been obtained and all notifications or filings that may be required under the applicable Laws in connection with the Restructuring have been duly completed in accordance with the applicable Laws.

 

Section 3.08.                Offering. Subject to the accuracy of the Investors’ representations set forth in Article 4 of this Agreement, the offer, issuance and sale of the Shares are exempt from the qualification, registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act and any other applicable securities Laws.

 

Section 3.09.                Compliance with Laws; Consents.

 

(a)                   Except as set forth in Section 3.09(a) of the Disclosure Schedule (provided that such exception has not had, and would not have any Material Adverse Effect), each Group Company is, and during the three years preceding the Closing Date has been, in compliance with all applicable Laws. None of the Group Companies has received any notice, letter, or oral communication from any Governmental Authority regarding any violation, or failure on the part of such entity to comply with, any applicable Laws in all material respects, or required any Group Company to undertake, or to bear material cost of, any remedial action of any nature.

 

(b)                   Except as set forth in Section 3.09(b) of the Disclosure Schedule (provided that such exception has not had, and would not have any Material Adverse Effect), all Consents from or with the relevant Governmental Authorities required in respect of the due and proper establishment and operations of each Group Company as now conducted have been duly obtained or completed in accordance with all applicable Laws in all material respects.

 

(c)                    No Group Company nor any director, agent, employee or any other person acting for or on behalf of any member of the Group Companies has at any time taken any action, directly or indirectly, in violation of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, or other applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption laws (the “Anti-Bribery Laws”), and each Group Company conducts and has at all times conducted its business in compliance with Anti-Bribery Laws.

 

(d)                   Each Group Company complies and has at all times complied with all applicable economic and financial sanctions Laws and regulations of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, the European Union (or any Member State thereof), the United Nations and each other jurisdiction in which it operates or to which it is subject, including, without limitation those administered or enforced by the United States Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control or the United States Department of States.

 

(e)                    The Group Companies have no pending or potential liabilities arising from non-compliance of employment, social security and housing provident fund related legal requirements in excess of US$10,000 in total.

 

11


 

Section 3.10.                Tax Matters.

 

(a)                   Except as set forth in Section 3.10(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, each Group Company has timely filed all Tax Returns that are required to have been filed by it with any Governmental Authority, except to the extent that any failure to do so would not have a Material Adverse Effect, and all such Tax Returns are accurate and complete in all material respects.

 

(b)                   Except as set forth in Section 3.10(b) of the Disclosure Schedule, each Group Company has timely paid all Taxes owed by it which are due and payable (whether or not shown on any Tax Return) and timely withheld and remitted to the appropriate Governmental Authority all Taxes which it is obligated to withhold and remit from amounts owing to any employee, creditor, customer or third party, except, in each case, to the extent that any failure to do so would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 3.11.                Financial Statements. The unaudited consolidated balance sheet and statements of operations and cash flows for the Group Companies as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018 and the unaudited consolidated balance sheet (the “Balance Sheet”) and statements of operations and cash flows for the Group Companies as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2019 (the “Statement Date”) (collectively, the financial statements referred to above, the “Financial Statements”) shall be delivered to the Investors at request. The Financial Statements (i) have been prepared in accordance with the Accounting Standards applied on a consistent basis throughout the period involved, (ii) are based the books and records of the Group Companies, and (iii) fairly present in all material respects the financial condition and position of the Group Companies as of the dates indicated therein and the results of operations and cash flows of the Group Companies for the periods indicated therein, except in the case of unaudited financial statements for the omission of notes thereto and subject to normal year-end audit adjustments that are not expected to be material.

 

Section 3.12.                Liabilities. No Group Company has any material Liabilities of the type required to be disclosed on a balance sheet except for (i) Liabilities set forth in the Balance Sheet that have not been satisfied since the Statement Date, (ii) Liabilities incurred since the Statement Date in the ordinary course of the Group’s business consistent with its past practices. None of the Group Companies is a guarantor of any material Liabilities of any other Person (other than a Group Company).

 

Section 3.13.                          Actions. Except as set forth in Section 3.13 of the Disclosure Schedule, (i) there is no Action pending or, to the Knowledge of the Warrantors, threatened against or affecting any Group Company with respect to its businesses or proposed business activities, (ii) there is no judgment or award unsatisfied against any Group Company, nor is there any Governmental Order in effect and binding on any Group Company or their respective assets or properties, and (iii) there is no Action pending by any Group Company against any third party nor does any Group Company intend to commence any such Action, except, in each of (i), (ii) and (iii) above, as would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 3.14.                Material Contracts.

 

(a)                   Section 3.14(a) of the Disclosure Schedule contains a complete and accurate list of all Material Contracts as of the date hereof. “Material Contracts” means, collectively, each Contract to which a Group Company or any of its properties or assets is bound or subject to (but excluding (i) any Contracts that have been fully performed by all parties thereto, with no continuing obligations whatsoever by any party thereto, and (ii) any Contracts that are in connection with the Restructuring) that:

 

12


 

(i)                           involves obligations (contingent or otherwise) or payments in excess of US$200,000 per annum,

 

(ii)                          involves Intellectual Property that is material to a Group Company (other than generally-available “off-the-shelf” shrink-wrap software licenses obtained by the Group on non-exclusive and non-negotiated terms), including without limitation, the Licenses,

 

(iii)                           restricts the ability of a Group Company to compete or to conduct or engage in any business or activity in any territory,

 

(iv)                          is with a Related Party,

 

(v)                         involves Indebtedness, an extension of credit, a guaranty, surety or assumption of any obligation or any secondary or contingent Liabilities, deed of trust, or the grant of a Lien, in each case in excess of US$200,000 ,

 

(vi)                          involves the lease, license, sale, use, disposition or acquisition of a material amount of assets or of a business,

 

(vii)                           involves the establishment, contribution to, or operation of a partnership, joint venture, alliance or similar entity,

 

(viii)                           is with any Government Authority (other than any Contract entered into in the ordinary course of business),

 

(ix)                          is the physical basis of the operation of the Group Companies legally, including but not limited to the lease agreement of the registered address and business address of each of the Group Companies; and

 

(x)                         is otherwise material to the Group Companies taken as a whole.

 

(b)                   Each Material Contract is a valid and binding agreement of the Group Company that is a party thereto, the performance of which does not and will not violate any applicable Law or Governmental Order, and is in full force and effect and enforceable against such Group Company and any other party thereto, except (A) as may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and (B) as may be limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other remedies in the nature of equitable remedies. Each Group Company has duly performed all of its obligations under each Material Contract, and no breach or default, alleged breach or alleged default, or event which would (with the passage of time, notice or both) constitute a breach or default thereunder by such Group Company or, to the Warrantors’ Knowledge, by any other party thereto, has occurred. No Group Company has given notice (whether or not written) that it intends to terminate a Material Contract or that any other party thereto has breached, violated or defaulted under any Material Contract. No Group Company has received any notice (whether written or not) that it has breached, violated or defaulted under any Material Contract or that any other party thereto intends to terminate such Material Contract.

 

13


 

Section 3.15.                Title; Properties. Except as set forth in Section 3.15 of the Disclosure Schedule, each Group Company has good and valid title to, or in the case of leased property and assets have valid leasehold interests in, all of its respective material assets, whether real, personal, tangible or intangible (including those reflected in the Balance Sheet, together with all assets acquired thereby since the Statement Date, but excluding those that have been disposed of since the Statement Date in the ordinary course of business consistent with its past practice), in each case free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens. No Group Company has joint ownership, together with any other person which is not a Group Company, in respect of any material property or assets which are used in connection with the business of such Group Company.

 

Section 3.16.                Intellectual Property Rights.

 

(a)                   Company IP. Each Group Company owns or otherwise has sufficient rights to all Intellectual Property necessary and sufficient to conduct its business as currently conducted by such Group Company (the “Company IP”) without any conflict with or infringement of the rights of any other Person, except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)                   IP Ownership. Except as disclosed in Section 3.16(b) of the Disclosure Schedule, all Company Registered IP is owned by and registered or applied for solely in the name of a Group Company, is valid and subsisting and has not been abandoned, and all necessary registration, maintenance and renewal fees with respect thereto and currently due have been satisfied. No Company Owned IP is subject to any proceeding or outstanding Governmental Order or settlement agreement or stipulation that (i) restricts in any manner the use, transfer or licensing thereof, or the making, using, sale, or offering for sale of any Group Company’s products or services, by any Group Company or (ii) may affect the validity, use or enforceability of such Company Owned IP, except, in each case of (i) and (ii) above, as would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c)                    Infringement, Misappropriation and Claims. No Group Company has violated, infringed or misappropriated in any material respect any Intellectual Property of any other Person, nor has any Group Company received any written notice alleging any of the foregoing, except to the extent that any such infringement or violation would not have a Material Adverse Effect. To the Knowledge of the Warrantors, no Person has violated, infringed or misappropriated any material Company IP of any Group Company, and no Group Company has given any written notice to any other Person alleging any of the foregoing.

 

(d)                   Protection of IP. Each Group Company has taken reasonable and appropriate steps to protect, maintain and safeguard material Company IP and made the applicable filings, registrations and payments of fees in all material respects in connection with the foregoing.

 

Section 3.17.                Labor and Employment Matters. Except as set forth in Section 3.17 of the Disclosure Schedule, each Group Company has complied with all applicable Laws related to labor or employment, including provisions thereof relating to wages, hours, working conditions, benefits, retirement, social welfare, equal opportunity and collective bargaining, except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect. There is not pending or, to the Knowledge of the Warrantors, threatened, any Action relating to the violation or alleged violation of any applicable Laws by any Group Company related to labor or employment, including any charge or complaint filed by an employee with any Governmental Authority or any Group Company.

 

14


 

Section 3.18.                No Brokers. Neither any Group Company, any Warrantor nor any of their respective Affiliates has any Contract with any broker, finder or similar agent with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or by any other Transaction Documents, and none of them has incurred any Liability for any brokerage fees, agents’ fees, commissions or finders’ fees in connection with any of the Transaction Documents or the consummation of the transactions contemplated therein.

 

Section 3.19.                Co-Founder Noncompetition. Except as set forth in Section 3.19 of the Disclosure Schedule, none of the Co-Founder and his Affiliates has, directly or indirectly, (i) engaged in or assisted others in engaging in any business that directly or indirectly compete with the business of the Company (“Restricted Business”) as of the Closing; (ii) had an interest in any Person that engages directly or indirectly in the Restricted Business in any capacity, including as a partner, shareholder, member, employee, director, principal, agent, trustee or consultant; or (iii) intentionally interfered in any material respect with the business relationships (whether formed prior to or after the date of this Agreement) between any Group Company and business partners of such Group Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Co-Founder may own, directly or indirectly, solely as an investment, securities of any Person traded on any national securities exchange if such Co-Founder is not a controlling Person of, or a member of a group which controls, such Person and does not, directly or indirectly, own 1% or more of any class of securities of such Person.

 

Section 3.20.                Full Disclosure. No representation or warranty by the Warrantors in this Agreement and no statement contained in the Disclosure Schedules to this Agreement or any certificate or other document furnished or to be furnished to the Investors pursuant to the Transaction Documents contains any untrue statement of a material fact, or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances in which they are made, not misleading.

 

Section 3.21.                No Changes. Since the Statement Date, except as set forth in Section 3.21 of the Disclosure Schedule, no Group Company has conducted:

 

(a)         any purchase, acquisition, sale, lease, disposal of or other transfer of any assets that are individually or in the aggregate material to its business, whether tangible or intangible, other than the purchase or sale of inventory in the ordinary course of business consistent with its past practice;

 

(b)         any waiver, termination, cancellation, settlement or compromise of a material and valuable right, debt or claim;

 

(c)          any incurrence, creation, assumption, repayment, satisfaction, or discharge of (a) any material Lien (other than Permitted Liens) or (b) any Indebtedness or guarantee, or the making of any loan or advance (other than that are incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with its past practice);

 

(d)         any amendment to or waiver under any Charter Document;

 

(e)          any declaration, setting aside or payment or other distribution in respect of any share of any Group Company;

 

(f)           any material change in accounting methods or practices or any revaluation of any of its assets;

 

15


 

(g)          any agreement or commitment to do any of the things described in this Section 3.21.

 

ARTICLE 4

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE INVESTORS

 

Each Investor hereby represents and warrants to the Company, severally and not jointly and with respect to itself only, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing, that:

 

Section 4.01.                Organization and Good Standing. Such Investor is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the place of its incorporation or establishment.

 

Section 4.02.                Authorization. Such Investor has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and to carry out and perform its obligations thereunder. All actions on the part of such Investor (and, as applicable, its officers, directors and shareholders) necessary for the authorization, execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party, and the performance of all obligations of such Investor thereunder, have been taken or will be taken prior to the Closing. Each Transaction Document has been duly executed and delivered by such Investor (to the extent such Investor is a party), constitutes valid and legally binding obligations of such Investor, enforceable against such Investor in accordance with its terms, except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other Laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and (ii) as limited by Laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies.

 

Section 4.03.                Consents; No Conflicts. All Consents from or with any Governmental Authority or any other Person required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, in each case on the part of such Investor, have been duly obtained or completed (as applicable) and are in full force and effect. The execution, delivery and performance of each Transaction Document by such Investor do not, and the consummation by such Investors of the transactions contemplated thereby will not, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, (i) result in any violation of, be in conflict with, or constitute a default under any provision of any Charter Document of such Investor, (ii) result in any violation of, be in conflict with, or constitute a default under, in any material respect, any Governmental Order or any applicable Laws, (iii) result in any violation of, be in conflict with, or constitute a default in any material respect under, or give rise to any material right of termination, amendment, modification, acceleration or cancellation under, or give rise to any augmentation or acceleration of any material Liability of such Investor, or (iv) result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the material properties or assets of such Investor.

 

Section 4.04.                Financing. Each Investor has, or will have prior to the Closing, sufficient cash, available lines of credit or other sources of immediately available funds to enable it to make payment of the Purchase Price and any other amounts to be paid by it hereunder.

 

Section 4.05.                Purchase for Own Account. The Shares will be acquired for such Investor’s own account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to or in connection with the sale or distribution of any part thereof.

 

16


 

Section 4.06.                Restricted Securities. Such Investor understands that (i) the Shares are restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act and (ii) the Shares are not registered or listed publicly and must be held indefinitely unless they are subsequently registered or listed publicly or an exemption from such registration or listing is available.

 

Section 4.07.                No Brokers. Neither such Investor nor any of its Affiliates has any Contract with any broker, finder or similar agent with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or by any other Transaction Documents, and none of them has incurred any Liability for any brokerage fees, agents’ fees, commissions or finders’ fees in connection with any of the Transaction Documents or the consummation of the transactions contemplated therein.

 

ARTICLE 5

CONDITIONS OF THE INVESTORS’ OBLIGATIONS TO CONSUMMATE THE CLOSING

 

The obligations of each Investor to consummate the Closing under Article 2 of this Agreement are subject to the fulfillment, on or prior to the Closing, or waiver by such Investor, of the following conditions:

 

Section 5.01.                Representations and Warranties. Each of the representations and warranties of the Warrantors contained in Article 3 that are qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect shall be true and correct in all respects, and each of the representations and warranties of the Warrantors contained in Article 3 that are not qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect shall be true and correct in all material respects, in each case, when made and on and as of the Closing with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on and as of the date of such Closing, except in either case for those representations and warranties that address matters only as of a particular date, which representations shall have been true and correct as of such particular date.

 

Section 5.02.                Performance. Each Warrantor shall have performed and complied with, in all material respects, all of its obligations and conditions contained in the Transaction Documents that are required to be performed or complied with by them on or before the Closing.

 

Section 5.03.                Authorizations. No provision of any applicable Laws shall prohibit the consummation of the Closing. The Warrantors shall have obtained all authorizations, approvals, waivers or permits of any Governmental Authority necessary for the consummation of all of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and other Transaction Documents.

 

Section 5.04.                Proceedings and Documents. All corporate and other proceedings in connection with the transactions to be completed at the Closing and all documents incident thereto shall have been completed, and each Investor shall have received all such counterpart original or other copies of such documents as it may reasonably request.

 

Section 5.05.                Register of Members. The Company shall have delivered to the Investors a true copy of the Company’s updated register of members reflecting the Investor’s ownership of the shares as of the Closing.

 

Section 5.06.                Memorandum and Articles. The Memorandum and Articles shall have been duly adopted, and reasonable evidence thereof shall have been delivered to the Investors.

 

17


 

Section 5.07.                Transaction Documents. Each of the parties to the Transaction Documents, other than the Investors, shall have executed and delivered such Transaction Documents to the Investors.

 

Section 5.08.                Restructuring. The Restructuring shall have been completed.

 

Section 5.09.                Employment Agreement, Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation, IP Assignment and Confidentiality Agreement. Each Key Employee shall have entered into an employment agreement and a non-competition, non-solicitation, IP assignment and confidentiality agreement or an agreement containing non-competition, non-solicitation, IP assignment and confidentiality provisions with the applicable Group Company, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Investors.

 

Section 5.10.                No Material Adverse Effect. Since the date hereof and up until and including the Closing, there shall have been no Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 5.11.                Closing Certificate. Each Investor shall have received a certificate executed and delivered by the chief financial officer of the Company to certify that the conditions specified in Section 5.01 and Section 5.02 of this Agreement have been fulfilled as of the Closing Date, substantially in the form and substance as attached hereto in Exhibit C.

 

ARTICLE 6

CONDITIONS OF THE COMPANY’S OBLIGATIONS TO CONSUMMATE THE CLOSING

 

The obligations of the Company to consummate the Closing under Article 2 of this Agreement, unless otherwise waived in writing by the Company, are subject to the fulfillment on or before the Closing of each of the following conditions:

 

Section 6.01.                Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of each Investor contained in Article 4 that are qualified by materiality shall be true and correct in all respects, and the representations and warranties of the Investors contained in Article 4 that are not qualified by materiality shall be true and correct in all material respects, in each case when made and on and as of the Closing with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on and as of the date of the Closing, except in either case for those representations and warranties that address matters only as of a particular date, which representations shall have been true and correct as of such particular date.

 

Section 6.02.                Performance. Each Investor shall have performed and complied with, in all material respects, all obligations and conditions contained in this Agreement that are required to be performed or complied with by each Investor on or before the Closing.

 

Section 6.03.                Transaction Documents. Each of the Investors shall have executed and delivered to the Company each Transaction Document to which such Investor is a party.

 

ARTICLE 7

CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON-DISCLOSURE

 

Section 7.01.                Confidentiality. The terms and conditions of the Transaction Documents (collectively, the “Financing Terms”), including their existence, shall be considered confidential information and shall not be disclosed by any of the Parties to any other Person, except that (i) each Party, as appropriate, may disclose any of the Financing Terms to its current or bona fide prospective investors, employees, investment bankers, lenders, accountants and attorneys, in each case only where such Persons are under appropriate nondisclosure obligations; (ii) each Investor may disclose any of the Financing Terms to its fund manager, as applicable, and the employees thereof so long as such Persons are under appropriate nondisclosure obligations; and (iii) if any Party is requested or becomes legally compelled (including without limitation, pursuant to securities Laws) to disclose the existence or content of any of the Financing Terms in contravention of the provisions of this Section, such Party shall promptly provide the other Parties with written notice of that fact so that such other Parties may seek a protective order, confidential treatment or other appropriate remedy and in any event shall furnish only that portion of the information that is legally required and shall exercise reasonable efforts to obtain reliable assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded such information.

 

18


 

ARTICLE 8

EXECUTORY PERIOD COVENANTS

 

Section 8.01.                Restructuring. The Company shall cause each of the Group Companies to use its commercially reasonable efforts to complete the Restructuring in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in Schedule IV on or prior to the Closing.

 

Section 8.02.                Conduct of the Company. Between the date hereof and the Closing, except as in connection with the Restructuring or as the Majority Investors otherwise agree in writing, the Warrantors shall cause each of the Group Companies to conduct its businesses in the ordinary course consistent with past practice and to use its reasonable best efforts to preserve intact its business organizations and relationships with third parties. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, from the date hereof until the Closing, except as in connection with the Restructuring or as the Majority Investors otherwise agree in writing, the Warrantors shall not permit any of the Group Companies to (i) take any action that would make any representation and warranty of the Company inaccurate at the Closing, (ii) merge or consolidate with any other Person or acquire a material amount of assets from any other Person, (iii) sell, purchase, assign, lease, transfer, pledge, encumber or otherwise dispose of any material asset except pursuant to existing Contracts or commitments or otherwise in the ordinary course consistent with past practice, or (iv) authorize, approve or agree to any of the foregoing.

 

Section 8.03.                Notice of Certain Events. If at any time before the Closing, any Warrantor comes to know of any material fact or event which is in any material way inconsistent with any of the representations and warranties made by the Warrantors in this Agreement, then the Warrantors shall promptly notify each of the Investors of such fact or event.

 

Section 8.04.                Access. Between the date hereof and the Closing, the Warrantors shall permit the Investors, or any representative thereof, to (a) visit and inspect the properties of the Group Companies, (b) inspect the contracts, books of account, records, ledgers, and other documents and data of the Group Companies, (c) discuss the business, affairs and finances of the Group Companies with officers and employees of the Group Companies, during regular working hours with reasonable prior notice to the Group Companies and in such a manner so as not to unreasonably interfere with their normal operations.

 

Section 8.05.                Most Favorable Rights. Each of the Warrantors warrants, acknowledges and undertakes to Lotus that, it has not agreed, and it will not agree, without the prior written consent of Lotus, to grant any terms in respect of the subscription of the Series D Preferred Shares or rights in the Company to any shareholders (other than the Lotus) representing less than 3% of the total share capital of the Company following the Closing that are more favorable to such shareholder than the terms applicable to Lotus.

 

19


 

Section 8.06.                Compliance with Laws. As soon as reasonably practicable after the Closing, the Warrantors shall use their reasonable best efforts to cause the Group Companies to obtain, and maintain in good standing all licenses, permits, consents and authorizations required to be obtained by such Group Company under all applicable Laws necessary for the operation of their respective businesses, including without limitation, Network Cultural Business Permit (文化经营许), the Permit for Internet News and Information Services (网新信息服务许), Online Publishing Service License (出版服务许), and Permit for Internet Audio-Video Program Service (信息网络传).

 

Section 8.07.                Filing of Memorandum and Articles. Within fifteen (15) Business Days following the Closing, the Memorandum and Articles shall have been duly filed with the Registrar of Companies of the Cayman Islands.

 

Section 8.08.                Transfer of Trademarks. As soon as reasonably practicable after the Closing, the trademarks listed in Schedule VIII shall be transferred to the applicable Group Company.

 

ARTICLE 9

TERMINATION

 

Section 9.01.                Termination. This Agreement may be terminated prior to the Closing (i) by mutual written consent of the Parties, (ii) by either the Company, on the one hand, or any Investor, on the other hand, by written notice to the other, if the Closing has not been consummated by October 23, 2019, or (iii) by either the Company, on the one hand, or any Investor, on the other hand, by written notice to the other, if there has been a material misrepresentation or material breach of a covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement on the part of such Investor or the Warrantors, respectively, and such breach, if curable, has not been cured within thirty days of such notice, or (iv) by either the Company, on the one hand, or any Investor, on the other hand, by written notice to the other, if, due to change of applicable Laws, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder would become prohibited under applicable Laws; provided that upon any Investor’s exercise of its termination rights in accordance with this Section 9.01, this Agreement shall stay valid and be binding upon on the Parties other than such Investor unless and until all the Investors or all the Parties (as applicable) exercise their termination rights under this Section 9.01. If this Agreement is so terminated as provided, this Agreement will be of no further force or effect except that the termination will not relieve any Party from any liability for any breach of this Agreement arising prior to the date of termination.

 

ARTICLE 10

INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 10.01. Survival. The representations and warranties of the Warrantors and the Investors and their respective Affiliates contained in the Transaction Documents shall survive the Closing until the first anniversary of the Closing Date. The covenants and agreements of the Warrantors and the Investors and their respective Affiliates contained in the Transaction Documents shall survive the Closing until fully performed or discharged.

 

20


 

Section 10.02. Indemnification by Warrantors. From and after the Closing, each of the Warrantors, jointly and severally, shall indemnify and hold harmless each Investor and its Affiliates and its and its Affiliates’ respective Representatives, together with their successors and permitted assigns, from and against any and all Indemnifiable Loss actually suffered by such Persons resulting from, arising out of or relating to: (i) any breach of any representation, or warranty of the Warrantors contained in this Agreement, (ii) the nonperformance, partial or total, of any agreement or covenant of the Warrantors contained in this Agreement; and (iii) the lack of requisite permits and licenses as set forth in Section 8.06.

 

Section 10.03. Notice of Claims. Any party seeking indemnification under this Article 10 (an “Indemnified Party”) shall, notify the party from whom indemnification is being sought (an “Indemnifying Party”) in writing within ten (10) days after the receipt of notice of the commencement of any Action against such Indemnified Party in respect of which indemnity may be sought from the Indemnifying Party under this Article 10. The omission of any Indemnified Party to so notify the Indemnifying Party of any such Action shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party from any liability which it may have to such Indemnified Party under this Article 10 or otherwise. In case any such Action shall be brought against any Indemnified Party, the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof at its own expense, with counsel satisfactory to such Indemnified Party in its reasonable judgment; provided, however, that any Indemnified Party may, at its own expense, retain separate counsel to participate in such defense. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in any Action in which both the Indemnifying Party, on the one hand, and an Indemnified Party, on the other hand, are, or are reasonably likely to become, a party, such Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel at the Indemnifying Party’s expense and to control its own defense of such Action if, in the reasonable opinion of counsel to such Indemnified Party, a conflict or potential conflict exists between the Indemnifying Party, on the one hand, and such Indemnified Party, on the other hand, that would make such separate representation advisable; provided, however, that the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one counsel to all Indemnified Parties.

 

Section 10.04. Limitation of Liability.

 

(a)                   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the maximum aggregate liability of the Warrantors to each Investor, as the case may be, in respect of all Indemnifiable Losses under this Agreement shall not exceed an amount equal to 100% of such Investor’s Purchase Price. None of the Parties shall have any liability for speculative, punitive, unforeseeable or consequential damages or lost profits resulting from any legal action or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement.

 

(b)                   An Indemnifying Party shall not have liability under this Agreement for any Indemnifiable Losses unless the aggregate amount of Indemnifiable Losses incurred by the Indemnified Parties and indemnifiable thereunder exceeds US$100,000 and Indemnifying Parties shall be liable for all such amount of Indemnifiable Losses and not only the excess.

 

(c)                    The amount of any Indemnifiable Losses payable by the Indemnifying Party under this Agreement shall be net of any amounts actually recovered or recoverable by the Indemnified Party under applicable insurance policies or from any other Person alleged to be responsible therefor. If the Indemnifying Party has paid an amount in discharge of any claim under this Agreement and the Indemnified Party has been compensated in full for all Indemnifiable Losses it has suffered with respect to the subject matter of such claim, then to the extent the Indemnified Party subsequently recovers (whether by payment, discount, credit, relief, insurance or otherwise) from a third party a sum which further indemnifies or compensates the Indemnified Party (in whole or in part) in respect of the same loss or liability which is the subject matter of the claim such that the Indemnified Party’s recovery and retention of such amount would constitute double recovery, it shall as soon as reasonably practicable pay over such amount to the Indemnifying Party less all costs of recovery and Taxes with respect thereto.

 

21


 

(d)      To the extent required by applicable Law, each Indemnified Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to mitigate any Indemnifiable Losses for which the Indemnified Party makes claims under this Agreement. If such Indemnified Party mitigates its loss after the Indemnifying Party has paid the Indemnified Party under this Agreement in respect of that loss, the Indemnified Party must notify the Indemnifying Party and pay to the Indemnifying Party the extent of the value of the benefit to the Indemnified Party of that mitigation (less the Indemnified Party’s reasonable costs of mitigation) promptly after the benefit is received.

 

(e)       The Indemnified Party shall not be entitled to recover from the Indemnifying Party under this Agreement more than once in respect of the same Indemnifiable Losses suffered.

 

Section 10.05. Exclusive Remedy. Notwithstanding any other provisions contained herein, this Article 10 shall be the sole and exclusive monetary remedy of the Parties for any claim arising out of or resulting from this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, except that no limitation or exceptions with respect to the obligations or liabilities on the Parties provided in the forgoing sections under this Article 10 shall apply to an Indemnifiable Loss incurred by any Indemnified Party arising due to the fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, intentional breach, willful misconduct or gross negligence of an Indemnifying Party. Nothing in this Article 10 or elsewhere in this Agreement shall affect the Parties’ rights to specific performance or other equitable or non-monetary remedies with respect to the covenants and agreements in this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents or that are to be performed at or after the Closing.

 

ARTICLE 11

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 11.01. Further Assurances. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions herein, each of the Parties agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to take or cause to be taken all action, to do or cause to be done, to execute such further instruments, and to assist and cooperate with the other Parties hereto in doing, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Laws or otherwise to consummate and make effective, in the most expeditious manner practicable, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents (it being understood that no Party shall be obligated to grant any waiver of any condition or other waiver hereunder).

 

Section 11.02. Successors and Assigns. Except as otherwise provided herein, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective successors and permitted assigns of the Parties hereto. This Agreement and the rights and obligations therein may not be assigned by any Party without the prior written consent of the other Parties.

 

22


 

Section 11.03. Third-Party Beneficiaries. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the Parties hereto or their respective successors and assigns any rights, remedies, obligations, or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided in this Agreement.

 

Section 11.04. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed under the Laws of Hong Kong, without regard to principles of conflict of Laws thereunder.

 

Section 11.05. Dispute Resolution.

 

(a)      Any dispute, controversy or claim (each, a “Dispute”) arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the interpretation, breach, termination, validity or invalidity thereof, shall be referred to arbitration upon the demand of either party to the dispute with notice (the “Arbitration Notice”) to the other.

 

(b)      The Dispute shall be settled by arbitration in Hong Kong by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (the “HKIAC”) in accordance with the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre Administered Arbitration Rules (the “HKIAC Rules”) in force when the Arbitration Notice is submitted in accordance with the HKIAC Rules.

 

(c)       There shall be three arbitrators, of whom one arbitrator shall be appointed by the claiming party(ies), one arbitrator appointed by the responding party(ies), and the third arbitrator shall be appointed by the two arbitrators designated by the parties. If a party(ies) fails to designate an arbitrator within thirty days after designation of an arbitrator by the other party(ies), the second arbitrator shall be appointed by the HKIAC Council. If the two arbitrators designated by the parties are unable to agree upon a third arbitrator within thirty days after the first two arbitrators are appointed, the third arbitrator shall be appointed by the HKIAC Council.

 

(d)      The arbitral proceedings shall be conducted in English. To the extent that the HKIAC Rules are in conflict with the provisions of this Section, including the provisions concerning the appointment of the arbitrators, the provisions of this Section shall prevail.

 

(e)       Each party to the arbitration shall cooperate with each other party to the arbitration in making full disclosure of and providing complete access to all information and documents requested by such other party in connection with such arbitral proceedings, subject only to any confidentiality obligations binding on such party.

 

(f)       The award of the arbitral tribunal shall be final and binding upon the parties thereto, and the prevailing party may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for enforcement of such award.

 

(g)       The arbitral tribunal shall decide any Dispute submitted by the parties to the arbitration strictly in accordance with the substantive Laws of Hong Kong (without regard to principles of conflict of Laws thereunder) and shall not apply any other substantive Law.

 

23


 

(h)      Any party to the Dispute shall be entitled to seek preliminary injunctive relief, if possible, from any court of competent jurisdiction pending the constitution of the arbitral tribunal.

 

(i)        During the course of the arbitral tribunal’s adjudication of the Dispute, this Agreement shall continue to be performed except with respect to the part in dispute and under adjudication.

 

(j)       Notwithstanding the foregoing in this Section 11.05, the Parties agree that each Party shall have the right, without posting any bond, to seek preliminary injunction, temporary restraining order or other temporary relief from any court of competent jurisdiction.

 

Section 11.06. Notices. Any notice required or permitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be given in writing and shall be given either personally or by sending it by next-day or second-day courier service, fax, electronic mail or similar means to the address of the relevant Party as shown on Schedule III (or at such other address as such Party may designate by fifteen days’ advance written notice to the other Parties to this Agreement given in accordance with this Section). Where a notice is sent by next-day or second-day courier service, service of the notice shall be deemed to be effected by properly addressing, pre-paying and sending by next-day or second-day service through an internationally-recognized courier a letter containing the notice, with a written confirmation of delivery, and to have been effected at the earlier of (i) delivery (or when delivery is refused) and (ii) expiration of two Business Days after the letter containing the same is sent as aforesaid. Where a notice is sent by fax or electronic mail, service of the notice shall be deemed to be effected by properly addressing, and sending such notice through a transmitting organization, with a written confirmation of delivery, and to have been effected on the day the same is sent as aforesaid, if such day is a Business Day and if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, otherwise the next Business Day. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent a “with a copy to” address is designated, notice must also be given to such address in the manner above for such notice, request, consent or other communication hereunder to be effective.

 

Section 11.07. Specific Performance. The Parties hereto acknowledge and agree that irreparable harm may occur for which money damages would not be an adequate remedy in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the Parties shall be entitled to injunctive relief to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to specifically enforce the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

 

Section 11.08. Fees and Expenses. Each Party hereto shall pay all of its own costs and expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation, execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and other Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby; provided that, subject to the consummation of the Closing and in accordance with the term sheets entered into with certain Investors, the Company shall reimburse such Investors for their documented and reasonable fees and expenses incurred by them in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including all business, legal and finance due diligence related expenses) for an amount up to a maximum of RMB200,000 in aggregate (unless otherwise provided in the term sheets).

 

Section 11.09. Finder’s Fee. Each Investor agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and to hold harmless the Company and each other Investor from any liability for any commission or compensation in the nature of a finders’ fee (and the costs and expenses of defending against such liability or asserted liability) for which such Investor or any of its officers, partners, employees or representatives is responsible. Each Warrantor agrees, jointly and severally, to indemnify and hold harmless each Investor from any liability for any commission or compensation in the nature of a finders’ fee (and the costs and expenses of defending against such liability or asserted liability) for which the Company or any of its officers, employees or representatives is responsible.

 

24


 

Section 11.10. Severability. In case any provision of the Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. If, however, any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable under any applicable Law in any jurisdiction, it shall, as to such jurisdiction, be deemed modified to conform to the minimum requirements of such Law, or, if for any reason it is not deemed so modified, it shall be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable only to the extent of such invalidity, illegality, or limitation on enforceability without affecting the remaining provisions of this Agreement, or the validity, legality, or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

Section 11.11. Amendments and Waivers. Any term of this Agreement may be amended, only with the written consent of all Parties hereto. Any amendment effected in accordance with this paragraph shall be binding upon each of the Parties hereto. The observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) only with the written consent of the Party against whom such waiver is sought.

 

Section 11.12. No Waiver. Failure to insist upon compliance with any of the terms, covenants, or conditions hereof will not be deemed a waiver of such term, covenant, or condition, nor will any waiver or relinquishment of, or failure to insist upon compliance with, any right, power or remedy hereunder at any one or more times be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of such right, power or remedy at any other time or times.

 

Section 11.13. Delays or Omissions. No delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to any Party under this Agreement, upon any breach or default of any other Party under this Agreement, shall impair any such right, power or remedy of such non-breaching or non-defaulting Party nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of any such breach or default, or an acquiescence therein, or of or in any similar breach or default thereafter occurring; nor shall any waiver of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default theretofore or thereafter occurring. Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind or character on the part of any Party of any breach or default under this Agreement, or any waiver on the part of any Party of any provisions or conditions of this Agreement, must be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing.

 

Section 11.14. No Presumption. The Parties acknowledge that any applicable Law that would require interpretation of any claimed ambiguities in this Agreement against the Party that drafted it has no application and is expressly waived. If any claim is made by a Party relating to any conflict, omission or ambiguity in the provisions of this Agreement, no presumption or burden of proof or persuasion will be implied because this Agreement was prepared by or at the request of any Party or its counsel.

 

25


 

Section 11.15. Headings and Subtitles; Interpretation. The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement. Unless a provision hereof expressly provides otherwise: (i) the term “or” is not exclusive; (ii) words in the singular include the plural, and words in the plural include the singular; (iii) the terms “herein”, “hereof”, and other similar words refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section, subsection, paragraph, clause, or other subdivision; (iv) the term “including” will be deemed to be followed by, “but not limited to”, (v) the masculine, feminine, and neuter genders will each be deemed to include the others; (vi) the terms “shall”, “will”, and “agrees” are mandatory, and the term “may” is permissive; (vii) the term “day” means “calendar day”, and “month” means calendar month, (viii) all references in this Agreement to designated “Sections” and other subdivisions are to the designated Sections and other subdivisions of the body of this Agreement, (ix) all references in this Agreement to designated Schedules and Exhibits are to the Schedules and Exhibits attached to this Agreement, (x) the phrase “directly or indirectly” means directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediate Persons or through contractual or other arrangements, and “direct or indirect” has the correlative meaning, (xi) references to laws include any such law modifying, re-enacting, extending or made pursuant to the same or which is modified, re-enacted, or extended by the same or pursuant to which the same is made, (xii) each representation, warranty, agreement, and covenant contained herein will have independent significance, regardless of whether also addressed by a different or more specific representation, warranty, agreement, or covenant, (xiii) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned under the Accounting Standards, (xiv) pronouns of either gender or neuter shall include, as appropriate, the other pronoun forms, (xv) references to this Agreement, any other Transaction Documents and any other document shall be construed as references to such document as the same may be amended, supplemented or novated from time to time, and (xvi) all references to dollars or to “US$” are to currency of the United States of America and all references to RMB are to currency of the PRC (and each shall be deemed to include reference to the equivalent amount in other currencies).

 

Section 11.16. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Facsimile and e-mailed copies of signatures shall be deemed to be originals for purposes of the effectiveness of this Agreement.

 

Section 11.17. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, together with all schedules and exhibits hereto and thereto, constitute the full and entire understanding and agreement among the Parties with regard to the subjects hereof and thereof, and supersede all other agreements between or among any of the Parties with respect to the subject matters hereof and thereof.

 

Section 11.18. Independent Nature of Investors’ Obligations and Rights. The obligations of each Investor under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents are several and not joint, and no Investor is responsible in any way for the performance or conduct of any other Investor in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby. Nothing contained herein or in any other Transaction Document, and no action taken by any Investor pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be or shall be deemed to constitute a partnership, association, joint venture, or joint group with respect to the Investors. Each Investor agrees that no other Investor has acted as an agent for such Investor in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

26


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed, or have caused their respective duly authorized representatives to execute, this Agreement on the date and year first above written.

 

 

 

36KR HOLDINGS INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Liu Chengcheng

 

 

Name:

LIU CHENGCHENG

 

 

Title:

Director

 

 

 

 

 

36KR HOLDING LIMITED

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Liu Chengcheng

 

 

Name:

LIU CHENGCHENG

 

 

Title:

Director

 

 

 

 

 

36KR HOLDINGS (HK) LIMITED

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Liu Chengcheng

 

 

Name:

LIU CHENGCHENG

 

 

Title:

Director

 

[Signature Page to Share Subscription Agreement]

 


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed, or have caused their respective duly authorized representatives to execute, this Agreement on the date and year first above written.

 

 

 

BEIJING DIAN QIER CREATIVE

 

INTERACTIVE MEDIA CULTURE

 

CO., LTD. (

 

)

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Feng Dagang

 

 

Name:

FENG DAGANG

 

 

Title:

Director

 

 

 

 

 

TIANJIN THIRTY-SIX HEARTS

 

TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. (

 

)

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Feng Dagang

 

 

Name:

FENG DAGANG

 

 

Title:

Director

 

 

 

 

 

Beijing Duoke Information Technology

 

Co., Ltd. ()

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Feng Dagang

 

 

Name:

FENG DAGANG

 

 

Title:

Director

 

[Signature Page to Share Subscription Agreement]

 


 

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

 

 

36Kr Global Holding (HK) Limited

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Feng Dagang

 

 

Name:

FENG DAGANG

 

 

Title:

Director

 

 

 

Beijing Dake Information Technology

 

Co., Ltd. ()

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Feng Dagang

 

 

Name:

FENG DAGANG

 

 

Title:

Director

 

 

 

Tianjin Duoke Investment Co., Ltd. (

 

)

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Feng Dagang

 

 

Name:

FENG DAGANG

 

 

Title:

Director

 

 

 

Tianjin Dake Information Technology

 

Co., Ltd. ()

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Feng Dagang

 

 

Name:

FENG DAGANG

 

 

Title:

Director

 

[Signature Page to Share Subscription Agreement]

 


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed, or have caused their respective duly authorized representatives to execute, this Agreement on the date and year first above written.

 

 

ZHEJIANG PINXIN TECHNOLOGY

 

CO., LTD. ()

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lan Hao

 

 

Name:

LAN HAO

 

 

Title:

Director

 

 

 

 

 

HANGZHOU PINXIN

 

ACCELERATION TECHNOLOGY

 

CO., LTD. ()

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lan Hao

 

 

Name:

LAN HAO

 

 

Title:

Director

 

 

 

 

 

SICHUAN THIRTY-SIX KE

 

TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. (

 

)

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lan Hao

 

 

Name:

LAN HAO

 

 

Title:

Director

 

 

 

 

 

JIANGSU KUAIKE TECHNOLOGY

 

CO., LTD. ()

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lan Hao

 

 

Name:

LAN HAO

 

 

Title:

Director

 

 

 

 

 

CHONGQING DUOKE

 

ACCELERATION TECHNOLOGY

 

CO., LTD. (

 

)

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lan Hao

 

 

Name:

LAN HAO

 

 

Title:

Director

 

[Signature Page to Share Subscription Agreement]

 


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed, or have caused their respective duly authorized representatives to execute, this Agreement on the date and year first above written.

 

 

 

() 36KR JAPAN

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Feng Dagang

 

 

Name:

FENG DAGANG

 

 

Title:

Director

 

[Signature Page to Share Subscription Agreement]

 


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed, or have caused their respective duly authorized representatives to execute, this Agreement on the date and year first above written.

 

 

 

KRASIA PLUS PTE. LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Feng Dagang

 

 

Name:

FENG DAGANG

 

 

Title:

Director

 

[Signature Page to Share Subscription Agreement]

 


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed, or have caused their respective duly authorized representatives to execute, this Agreement on the date and year first above written.

 

 

 

/s/ Dagang Feng

 

DAGANG FENG

 

 

 

 

 

PALOPO HOLDING LIMITED

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Feng Dagang

 

 

Name:

FENG DAGANG

 

 

Title:

Director

 

[Signature Page to Share Subscription Agreement]

 


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed, or have caused their respective duly authorized representatives to execute, this Agreement on the date and year first above written.

 

 

 

LOTUS WALK INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lin Chen

 

 

Name:

Lin Chen

 

 

Title:

Director

 

[Signature Page to Share Subscription Agreement]

 


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed, or have caused their respective duly authorized representatives to execute, this Agreement on the date and year first above written.

 

 

 

Nikkei Inc. ()

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Naotoshi Okada

 

 

Name:

Naotoshi Okada

 

 

Title:

President & CEO

 

[Signature Page to Share Subscription Agreement]

 


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed, or have caused their respective duly authorized representatives to execute, this Agreement on the date and year first above written.

 

 

Krystal Imagine Investments Limited

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Cheng wei

 

 

Name:

CHENG WEI

 

 

Title:

 Director

 

[Signature Page to Share Subscription Agreement]

 


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed, or have caused their respective duly authorized representatives to execute, this Agreement on the date and year first above written.

 

 

Red Better Limited

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

[Signature Page to Share Subscription Agreement]

 


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed, or have caused their respective duly authorized representatives to execute, this Agreement on the date and year first above written.

 

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Share Subscription Agreement]

 


 

SCHEDULE I

 

LIST OF THE INVESTORS

 

 

 

 

 

Number of Series

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

D Preferred

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares to be

 

Total Purchase

 

Name

 

Jurisdiction

 

Purchased

 

Price Payable

 

Lotus Walk Inc.

 

The British Virgin Islands

 

20,000,000

 

US$

12,000,000

 

Nikkei Inc. (株式会社日本) 経済新聞社)

 

Japan

 

8,333,333

 

US$

5,000,000

 

Krystal Imagine Investments Limited

 

The British Virgin Islands

 

5,000,000

 

US$

3,000,000

 

Red Better Limited

 

The British Virgin Islands

 

3,333,333

 

US$

2,000,000

 

Homshin Innovations Ltd.

 

The British Virgin Islands

 

3,333,333

 

US$

2,000,000

 

Total

 

 

39,999,999

 

US$

24,000,000

 

 

I-1


 

SCHEDULE II

 

LIST OF CERTAIN GROUP COMPANIES

 

(1)              36Kr Holdings Inc.;

 

(2)              36Kr Holding Limited;

 

(3)              36Kr Holdings (HK) Limited;

 

(4)              36Kr Global Holding (HK) Limited;

 

(5)              Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. (北京多信息科技有限公司);

 

(6)              Beijing Dian Qier Creative Interactive Media Culture Co., Ltd. (北京点七二意互动传媒文化有限公司);

 

(7)              Tianjin Thirty-six Hearts Technology Co., Ltd. (天津三十六心科技有限公司);

 

(8)              Zhejiang Pinxin Technology Co., Ltd. (浙江品新科技有限公司);

 

(9)              Hangzhou Pinxin Acceleration Technology Co., Ltd. (杭州品新加速科技有限公司);

 

(10)       Sichuan Thirty-six Ke Technology Co., Ltd. (四川三十六科技有限公司);

 

(11)       Jiangsu Kuaike Technology Co., Ltd. (科技有限公司);

 

(12)       Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. (北京大信息科技有限公司);

 

(13)       Tianjin Duoke Investment Co., Ltd. (天津多有限公司);

 

(14)       Tianjin Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. (天津大信息科技有限公司);

 

(15)       Chongqing Duoke Acceleration Technology Co., Ltd. (加速信息科技有限公司);

 

(16)       株式会社 36Kr Japan; and

 

(17)       KRASIA PLUS PTE. LTD.

 

II-1


 

SCHEDULE III

 

ADDRESS FOR NOTICES

 

If to the Group Companies and the Co-Founder and the Co-Founder Holdco:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

 

5/F, Tower A1, Junhao Central Park Plaza, No.

 

 

 

 

10 South Chaoyang Park Avenue, Chaoyang

 

 

 

 

District, Beijing, 100020, China

 

 

Tel:

 

010-59974030

 

 

Email:

 

wangjingyu@36kr.com

 

 

Attention:

 

Wang Jingyu

 

 

 

 

 

If to Lotus:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

 

Building A1, 43 North Third Ring Road West,

 

 

 

 

Haidian District, Beijing

 

 

Tel:

 

+86 13439494729

 

 

Attention:

 

JI Yin

 

 

 

 

 

If to Nikkei Inc. (株式会社日本経済新聞社):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

 

1-3-7 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8066

 

 

 

 

Japan

 

 

Tel:

 

+81-80-8128-5155

 

 

Email:

 

tetsuji.santazono@nex.nikkei.com

 

 

Attention:

 

Tetsuji Santazono

 

 

 

 

 

If to Krystal Imagine Investments Limited:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

 

No. 1 Block B, Shangdong Digital Valley, No.

 

 

 

 

8 Dongbeiwang West Road, Haidian District,

 

 

 

 

Beijing, China

 

 

Email:

 

Gaoji@didiglobal.com

 

 

Attention:

 

Jimmy Gao

 

 

 

 

 

If to Red Better Limited

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

 

Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co., Ltd,

 

 

 

 

Block E/F, Shunshijiaye Pioneer Park, No. 66

 

 

 

 

Zhufang Road, Haidian District, Beijing

 

 

 

 

100085 China

 

 

Tel:

 

8618811352944

 

 

Email:

 

liyiwen@xiaomi.com

 

 

Attention:

 

Yiwen Li

 

 

 

 

 

If to Homshin Innovations Ltd.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

 

03 Soon Lee St., #04-07 Pioneer Junction,

 

 

 

 

Singapore 627606

 

 

Tel:

 

+86 18611391555

 

 

Email:

 

dcsuyi@sina.cn

 

 

Attention:

 

Su Yi

 

III-1


 

SCHEDULE IV

 

RESTRUCTURING

 

1.              Establishment of Offshore Structure: to incorporate the Company, 36Kr Holding Limited, 36Kr Holdings (HK) Limited.

 

2.              Onshore Shareholders Reorganization: the onshore shareholders (including LIU Chengcheng, the Co-Founder, the direct and indirect investors of Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. (北京多信息科技有限公司) (“Beijing Duoke”)) to invest in the potential listing company offshore (and complete the registration under the Circular on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Control on Domestic Residents’ Offshore Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment Through Special Purpose Vehicles ( or SAFE Circular 37) and the overseas direct investment filing, in each case as applicable.

 

3.              Incorporation of the WFOE: in consideration of reorganization and taxes, the existing foreign investment company, Tianjin Duoke Investment Co., Ltd. (天津多氪投资有限公司) to incorporate the WFOE.

 

4.              Shareholding Structure Change of Beijing Duoke: Hanghzou Jincun Investment Management Partnership (L.P.) (杭州金存投资管理合伙企业(有限合伙)) and Jiaxing Xiaodu Content Equity Investment Partnership (L.P.) (小度内容股合伙企(有限合伙) ) as the existing shareholders of Beijing Duoke shall transfer all of its equity interests in Beijing Duoke respectively to Wuhan Feixiang Automobile Electronics Industry Investment Partnership (L.P.) (斐翔汽车电产业合伙企(有限合伙)) and complete the relevant registration with the Administration for Industry & Commerce, such registration has been completed.

 

5.              Frame Agreement: Beijing Duoke, the Company, Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Finance Information Services Co., Ltd. (北京协力筑成金融信息股份有限公司) (“Xieli”) and other relevant parties to execute the Frame Agreement of the Shareholders’ Rights in 36Kr Holdings Inc. (《关于 36Kr Holdings Inc. 之股东权利框架协议》) in respect of the shareholders’ rights in the Company entitled to the shareholders of Beijing Duoke and Xieli.

 

6.              Issuance of Shares Offshore: the Company to issue the shares to the parties as mentioned in the section 2 of this Schedule, the WFOE, Beijing Duoke and the shareholders thereof to execute the control documents.

 

IV-1


 

7.             The Group Chart after the Completion of Reorganization:

 

 

IV-2


 

(接上图)

 

 

IV-3


 

(接上图)

 

 

IV-4


 

SCHEDULE V

 

LIST OF COMPANY’S RELATED PARTIES

 

(1)         Beijing Chuangye Guangrong Information Technology Co., Ltd. (北京创业光荣信息科技有限责任公司);

 

(2)         Kr Space (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd. (氪空间(北京)信息技术有限责任公司);

 

(3)         Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Finance Information Services Co., Ltd. (北京协力筑成金融信息服务股份有限公司);

 

(4)         Jiaxing Chuangke Business Information Consulting Co., Ltd.( 嘉兴创氪商务信息咨询有限公司);

 

(5)         FMM Network Technology Co., Ltd.( 美美网科技(北京)有限公司);

 

(6)         Beijing Zhongdu Technology Co., Ltd.( 北京中渡科技有限公司)

 

V-1


 

SCHEDULE VI

 

DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE

 

September 23, 2019

 

This Disclosure Schedule is made and given pursuant to the SERIES D PREFERRED SHARE SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT, dated as of September 23, 2019 (the “Agreement”), by and among 36Kr Holdings Inc., an exempt company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Company”); each company listed on Schedule I of the Agreement; Mr. Dagang Feng (a PRC citizen, with ID number of 132801197810243614); Palopo Holding Limited, a business company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands; and each Person listed on Schedule II of the Agreement. All capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings as defined in the Agreement, unless otherwise provided. The section numbers below correspond to the section numbers of the representations and warranties in the Agreement; provided, however, that a disclosure set forth in any section or subsection of this Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed disclosure with respect to any other section or subsection of this Disclosure Schedule to the extent that it is reasonably apparent that such information is relevant to such other section or subsection, notwithstanding the inclusion or omission of any cross-reference to such other section or subsection.

 

Where the terms of an agreement, document, commitment or other disclosure item have been referenced, summarized or described in this Disclosure Schedule, such reference, summary or description does not purport to be a complete statement of the terms of such agreement, document, commitment or other disclosure item, and such disclosures are qualified in their entirety by the specific terms of such agreements or documents to the extent such agreements or documents have been made available to the Investors by electronic method or otherwise.

 

Headings have been inserted for convenience of reference only and shall to no extent have the effect of amending or changing the express descriptions of this Disclosure Schedule or the Agreement or the language of the provisions thereof.

 

The information set forth in this Disclosure Schedule is subject to the following qualifications:

 

(a) No disclosure in this Disclosure Schedule relating to any possible (but not actual) breach or violation of any contract, law or regulation shall be construed as an admission or indication that any such breach or violation exists or has actually occurred, and nothing in this Disclosure Schedule shall constitute an admission of any liability or obligation of any of the Warrantors to any third party or shall confer or give to any third party any remedy, claim, liability, reimbursement, cause of action or other right.

 

(b) This Disclosure Schedule and the information and disclosures contained herein are intended to qualify the representations and warranties relating to the Warrantors contained in the Agreement, shall not be deemed to expand in any way the scope or effect of any such representations and warranties, other than as specified or provided in the Agreement. Matters reflected in this Disclosure Schedule are not necessarily limited to matters required by the Agreement to be reflected herein.

 

VI-1


 

Section 3.02(b) — No Other Securities

 

(1) Equity Securities of the Group Companies:

 

Equity Securities

 

Name of Group
Company

 

Jurisdiction

 

Share Capital

36Kr Holdings Inc.

 

Cayman Islands

 

1.         Immediately after the Closing, the authorized share capital of the company shall be US$500,000 divided into (A) a total of 4,274,029,001 authorized Ordinary Shares, 176,843,000 of which shall be issued and outstanding, (B) a total of 65,307,000 authorized Series A-1 Preferred Shares, all of which shall be issued and outstanding, (C) a total of 101,261,000 authorized Series A-2 Preferred Shares, all of which shall be issued and outstanding, (D) a total of 250,302,000 authorized Series B-1 Preferred Shares, all of which shall be issued and outstanding, (E) a total of 14,593,000 authorized Series B-2 Preferred Shares, all of which shall be issued and outstanding, (F) a total of 56,105,000 authorized Series B-3 Preferred Shares, all of which shall be issued and outstanding, (G) a total of 20,982,000 authorized Series B-4 Preferred Shares, all of which shall be issued and outstanding, (H) a total of 164,876,000 authorized Series C-1 Preferred Shares, all of which shall be issued and outstanding, (I) a total of 12,545,000 authorized Series C-2 Preferred Shares, all of which shall be issued and outstanding, and (J) a total of 39,999,999 authorized Series D Preferred Shares, all of which shall be issued and outstanding.

2.         137,186,000 Ordinary Shares are reserved under the ESOP.

36Kr Holdings Limited

 

British Virgin Islands

 

As of the date hereof, the authorized capital of the company is USD 50,000 divided into 50,000 ordinary shares of par value USD1.00, 1 of which are issued and outstanding.

36Kr Holdings (HK) Limited

 

Hong Kong

 

As of the date hereof, 1 ordinary shares of par value USD1.00 of the company is issued and outstanding.

Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. (北 京多氪信息科技有限公 司) (“Beijing Duoke”)

 

PRC

 

As of the date hereof, the registered capital is RMB12,099,994, and the paid-in capital is RMB12,099,994.

Beijing Dian Qier Creative Interactive Media Culture Co., Ltd. (北京点七二创 意互动传媒文化有限公 司)

 

PRC

 

As of the date hereof, the registered capital is RMB5,000,000, and the paid-in capital is RMB600,000.

Tianjin Thirty-six Hearts Technology Co., Ltd. (天 津三十六颗心科技有限 公司)

 

PRC

 

As of the date hereof, the registered capital is RMB5,000,000, and the paid-in capital is RMB100,000.

 

VI-2


 

Zhejiang Pinxin Technology Co., Ltd. (浙 江品新科技有限公司)

 

PRC

 

As of the date hereof, the registered capital is RMB20,000,000, and the paid-in capital is RMB2,980,000.

Hangzhou Pinxin Acceleration Technology Co., Ltd. (杭州品新加速 科技有限公司

 

PRC

 

As of the date hereof, the registered capital is RMB5,000,000, and the paid-in capital is RMB1,500,000.

Sichuan Thirty-six Ke Technology Co., Ltd. (四 川三十六氪科技有限公 司)

 

PRC

 

As of the date hereof, the registered capital is RMB5,000,000, and the paid-in capital is RMB1,400,000.

Jiangsu Kuaike Technology Co., Ltd. (江 苏快氪科技有限公司)

 

PRC

 

As of the date hereof, the registered capital is RMB30,000,000, and the paid-in capital is RMB4,900,000.

Chongqing Duoke Acceleration Technology Co., Ltd. (重庆多氪加速 信息科技有限公司

 

PRC

 

As of the date hereof, the registered capital is RMB5,000,000, and the paid-in capital is RMB1,490,000.

Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. (北 京大氪信息科技有限公 司) (“WFOE”)

 

PRC

 

As of the date hereof, the registered capital is RMB350,000,000, and the paid-in capital is RMB 0.

Tianjin Duoke Investment Co., Ltd. (天津多氪投资 有限公司)

 

PRC

 

As of the date hereof, the registered capital is US$30,000,000, and the paid-in capital is RMB 0.

Tianjin Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. (天 津大氪信息科技有限公 司)

 

PRC

 

As of the date hereof, the registered capital is US$50,000,000, and the paid-in capital is RMB 0.

36Kr Global Holding (HK) Limited

 

Hong Kong

 

As of the date hereof, 1 ordinary shares of par value USD1.00 of the company is issued and outstanding.

株式会社 36Kr Japan

 

Japan

 

As of the date hereof, 200 株. of the company is issued and outstanding.

KRASIA PLUS PTE. LTD.

 

Singapore

 

As of the date hereof, 43,333 ordinary shares of the company and 23,332 preference shares are issued and outstanding. US$3,001 of the registered capital has not been paid.

 

(2)         WFOE, Beijing Duoke and its shareholders have entered into the following Control Documents: (i) the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement (独家业务合作协议) dated as of August 2, 2019, entered into by and between the WFOE and Beijing Duoke, (ii) the Exclusive Call Option Agreement (独家购买权协议) dated as of August 2, 2019 entered into by and among the WFOE, Beijing Duoke, and the shareholders of Beijing Duoke, (iii) the Proxy Agreements (委托) dated as of August 2, 2019 entered into by and among the WFOE, Beijing Duoke, and the shareholders of Beijing Duoke, and (iv) the Equity Pledge Agreement (权质协议) dated as of August 2, 2019 entered into by and among the WFOE, Beijing Duoke, and the shareholders of Beijing Duoke, each as may be amended from time to time.

 

(3)         A joint venture transaction regarding 36Kr Global Holding (HK) Limited is under discussion with Lotus Walk Inc. and following consummation of this joint venture transaction (the “Joint Venture Transaction”), 36Kr Holdings (HK) Limited will hold 49% shares and Lotus Walk Inc. will hold 51% shares of 36Kr Global Holding (HK) Limited.

 

VI-3


 

Section 3.02(c) — Issuance and Status

 

(1)         Beijing Duoke adopted a share incentive plan in December 2016, and as of the date hereof, 16.53% of the share capital of Beijing Duoke are held by the platform company for granting to the plan participants. Currently 36Kr Holdings Inc. intends to adopt a share incentive plan to replace the original onshore plan, and approximately 13.7186% of the ordinary shares of 36Kr Holdings Inc. (on an as converted basis) are anticipated to be held for award grants under the plan.

 

(2)         For the share capital of the Group Companies, please refer to Section 3.02(b) — No Other Securities.

 

Section 3.03 — Corporate Structure; Subsidiaries

 

(1)         Please refer to Appendix 3.03 attached hereto for a structure chart of the Group upon the completion of the Restructuring. For the jurisdiction of the Group Companies, please refer to the Section 3.02(b) — No Other Securities.

 

Section 3.09 — Compliance with Laws; Consents.

 

(1)         Beijing Duoke may be required to obtain a Permit for Internet News and Information Services (网新信息服务许), Online Publishing Service License (出版服务许), Permit for Spreading Audio-Visual Programs via Information Network (信息网络传) and Network Cultural Business Permit (文化经营许) for its operations of business in the PRC pursuant to applicable PRC Laws. Currently the Company is working with its PRC counsel in assessing the necessity for applying for these licenses.

 

(2)         Beijing Duoke’s actual business operating place is inconsistent with its registered domicile. Beijing Duoke has a branch in Chaoyang district with the address at Internal 1, Room (05)501, Floor 5, Building 1, Yard 10, South Chaoyang Park Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing (北京市朝阳区朝阳公园南路10号院1号楼5(05)5011)

 

(3)         Beijing Duoke has not filed the alternation in the investment to KRASIA PLUS PTE. LTD. with competent PRC governmental authorities.

 

Section 3.10 — Taxes

 

None.

 

Section 3.13 — Actions

 

None.

 

Section 3.14 — Material Contracts

 

Please refer to Appendix 3.14 hereto for the material contracts.

 

Section 3.15 — Title; Properties

 

Certain Group Companies have not filed housing tenancy registration.

 

Please refer to Section 3.16 — Intellectual Property Rights.

 

VI-4


 

Section 3.16 — Intellectual Property Rights

 

None.

 

Section 3.17 — Labor and Employment Matters

 

KRASIA PLUS PTE. LTD. has not paid social insurance for several employees.

 

Section 3.18 — No Brokers

 

The commissions will be paid to Plus China 株式会社 by the Company for introducing the investor.

 

Section 3.19 — Founder Noncompetition

 

None.

 

Section 3.21 — No Changes

 

Please refer to Section 3.02(b)(3) hereto.

 

VI-5


 

Appendix 3.03

 

Group Structure Chart

 

 

VI-6


 

 

VI-7


 

 

VI-8


 

Appendix 3.14

 

MATERIAL CONTRACTS

 

No.

 

Parties

 

Contract Name

 

Date

1

 

Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. vs Beijing Chuangye Guangrong Information Technology Co., Ltd.

 

Data Sharing Agreement

 

28th June 2019

2

 

Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. vs Beijing Chuangye Guangrong Information Technology Co., Ltd.

 

Data Services Agreement

 

28th June 2019

3

 

Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. vs Jiaxing Chuangke Business Information Consulting Co., Ltd.

 

Online Advertising Services Agreement

 

2018

4

 

Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. vs FMM Network Technology Co., Ltd.

 

Online Advertising Services Agreement

 

2018

5

 

Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. vs Beijing Zhongdu Technology Co., Ltd.

 

Advertisement Displaying Services Agreement

 

2018

6

 

Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. vs Shanghai jingyin Public Relations Co., Ltd.

 

Network Service framework Contract

 

2018

7

 

36Kr Holdings Inc.

 

(register address) (provide by the register agent)

 

/

8

 

36Kr Holding Limited

 

(register address) (provide by the register agent)

 

/

9

 

36Kr Holdings (HK) Limited

 

(register address) (provide by the register agent)

 

/

10

 

36Kr Global Holding (HK)

 

(register address) (provide by the register agent)

 

/

11

 

北京喜盟资产管理有限公司 vs Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd.

 

Office Lease Contract (Room 01-04, F6, Building 1 )(Junhao)

 

12th Dec. 2017

12

 

北京喜盟资产管理有限公司 vs Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd.

 

Office Lease Contract (Room 01-04, F6, Building 1 )(Junhao)

 

2017

 

VI-9


 

No.

 

Parties

 

Contract Name

 

Date

13

 

北京喜盟资产管理有限公司 vs Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd.

 

Supplemental Agreement(Junhao)

 

/

14

 

Kr Space (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd.vs Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd.

 

Housing Free Lease Contract (register address)

 

/

15

 

北京喜盟资产管理有限公司 Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd.

 

Office Lease Contract (Room 01-04, F5, Building 1 )(Junhao)

 

1st Dec. 2018

16

 

北京世纪恒丰房地产开发有限公司 vs Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd.

 

Lease Contract of Wentelai Center (F2)(for the auto media sector)

 

10th May 2019

17

 

北京恒瑞永嘉资产管理有限公司 vs Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd.

 

Lease Contract (Borui Room A17) (for the innovation sector)

 

2019

18

 

上海桂程信息技术有限公司 Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd.

 

Service Agreement (People’s Square, Shanghai)

 

July 2019

19

 

上海哈咖信息技术有限公司 Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd.

 

Service Agreement (Wending Road, Shanghai)

 

2017

20

 

Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd.vs Beijing Dian Qier Creative Interactive Media Culture Co., Ltd.

 

(register address) (free)

 

/

21

 

天津信星国际产业园管理有限公司 vs Tianjin Thirty-six Hearts Technology Co., Ltd.

 

(register address) (free)

 

/

22

 

杭州云栖小镇管理委员会 Zhejiang Pinxin Technology Co., Ltd.

 

Corporation Agreement (register address)

 

2019

23

 

浙江中大人地实业有限公司 Hangzhou Pinxin Acceleration Technology Co., Ltd.

 

Lease Contact (register address)(free)

 

25th March 2019

24

 

杭州西投鑫睿产业运营管理有限公 司 vs Hangzhou Pinxin Acceleration Technology Co., Ltd.

 

Lease Contract (Room 803, F8, Building 1, Xitouchuangzhi Center)

 

2019

25

 

Individual (董强华) vs Siuchan Thirty-six Ke Technology Co., Ltd.

 

(register address)

 

Apr. 2019

26

 

南京市建邺区高新科技投资集团有 限公司 vs Jiangsu Kuaike Technology Co., Ltd.

 

Residence Agreement (register address)

 

2019

 

VI-10


 

No.

 

Parties

 

Contract Name

 

Date

27

 

重庆高科集团有限公司、廖理 vs Chongqing Duoke Acceleration Technology Co., Ltd.

 

Three Parties Agreement (register address)

 

2019

28

 

Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. vs Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd.

 

(register address)(free)

 

2019

29

 

Tianjin Duoke Investment Co., Ltd.

 

(register address)(free)

 

/

30

 

Tianjin Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd.

 

(register address)(free)

 

/

31

 

株式会社 36Kr Japan vs 積和不动 产株式会社

 

Bizsmart 契约书(Lease Contract)

 

19th July 2019

32

 

KRASIA PLUS PTE. LTD. vs Compass Group Holdings Singapore Pte. Ltd.

 

Business Centre Services Agreement

 

1st April 2019

33

 

KRASIA PLUS PTE. LTD.

 

(register address) (provide by the company secretary)

 

/

34

 

Bytedance (HK) Limited vs 36Kr Holdings (HK) Limited

 

Term Sheet (regarding 36Kr Global Holding (HK) Limited)

 

 

35

 

Nikkei Inc. 株式会社日本経済新聞 社 vs Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd.

 

Business Cooperation Agreement and its Supplemental Agreement

 

2019

36

 

ZHEJIANG PINXIN TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. vs 杭州 氪意信息科技有限公司

 

JV agreement (regarding Hangzhou Pinxin Acceleration Technology Co., Ltd.)

 

1st Mar. 2019

37

 

ZHEJIANG PINXIN TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.vs 江苏 现代快报传媒有限公司

 

JV agreement (regarding Jiangsu Kuaike Technology Co., Ltd.)

 

5th May 2019

38

 

ZHEJIANG PINXIN TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.vs 四川 华文阳光科技有限公司

 

JV agreement (regarding Sichuan Thirty-six Ke Technology Co., Ltd.)

 

5th May 2019

39

 

ZHEJIANG PINXIN TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.vs 重庆 叁拾六氪信息科技有限公司

 

JV agreement (regarding Chongqing Duoke Acceleration Technology Co., Ltd.)

 

24th July 2019

40

 

36Kr Holdings Inc. vs Kr Space (HK) Limited

 

Loan Contract

 

July 2019

 

VI-11


 

No.

 

Parties

 

Contract Name

 

Date

41

 

KRASIA PLUS PTE. LTD. Vs Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd.

 

Media promotion cooperation agreement

 

/

42

 

KRASIA PLUS PTE. LTD. Vs Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd.

 

Annual framework cooperation agreement

 

/

43

 

株式会社 36Kr Japan vs Japan Finance Corporation

 

借用証書 (loan certificate)

 

/

44

 

KRASIA PLUS PTE. LTD. vs 株式 会社 36Kr Japan

 

Loan Agreements

 

14th Dec. 2018 & 30th April 2019

45

 

株式会社36Kr Japan vs Plus China 株式会社 vs Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd.

 

Business cooperation agreement

 

2019

46

 

36Kr Global Holding (HK) Limited with relevant parties (regarding 株式 会社 36Kr Japan’s investment)

 

書面株主総会同意書_定款変更 /株式譲渡承認書類一式/株式譲 渡契約書/株式申込書 etc.

 

2019

47

 

36Kr Global Holding (HK) Limited with relevant parties (regarding KRASIA PLUS PTE. LTD.’s investment)

 

SSA/SHA/SPA (Ma Cheng and Beijing 36KR)/SPA (01VC)/Deed of Adherence (schedule 1 of the SPAs)/KRASIA Plus Pte. Ltd. — DRIW/Addendum to the Shareholders Agreement/Letter of Consent and Waiver from Shareholders/Share Transfer Form (01VC to Purchaser)/Share Transfer Form (Beijing 36KR to Purchaser)/Share Transfer Form (Ma Cheng to Purchaser)/etc.

 

2018 &2019

 

VI-12


 

SCHEDULE VII

 

CAPITALIZATION TABLE

 

THE CAPITALIZATION TABLE IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE CLOSING

 

Name

 

Type of Shares

 

Number of Shares

 

Percentage

 

Founder Parties (as defined in the Shareholders Agreement)

 

36Kr Heros Holding Limited

 

Ordinary Shares

 

58,749,000

 

5.8749

%

Palopo Holding Limited

 

Ordinary Shares

 

78,512,000

 

7.8512

%

ESOP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ESOP (reserved)

 

Ordinary Shares

 

137,186,000

 

13.7186

%

Ordinary Investors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BLACK ANT GROUP INVESTMENT CO., LIMITED

 

Ordinary Shares

 

11,440,000

 

1.1440

%

Firefly Spring Ltd.

 

Ordinary Shares

 

5,463,000

 

0.5463

%

Head& Shoulders Global Investment Limited

 

Ordinary Shares

 

3,129,000

 

0.3129

%

HappyCAI Limited

 

Ordinary Shares

 

19,550,000

 

1.9550

%

Series A-1 Investor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beijing Jiuhe Yunqi Investment Center L.P. ( 京九合云起投资中心(( 限合伙))

 

Series A-1 Preferred Shares

 

65,307,000

 

6.5307

%

Series A-2 Investor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tembusu Limited

 

Series A-2 Preferred Shares

 

101,261,000

 

10.1261

%

Series B-1 Investors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Neo TH Holdings Limited

 

Series B-1 Preferred Shares

 

28,674,000

 

2.8674

%

Themisclio Limited

 

Series B-1 Preferred Shares

 

7,168,000

 

0.7168

%

M36 Investment Limited

 

Series B-1 Preferred Shares

 

62,688,000

 

6.2688

%

API (Hong Kong) Investment Limited

 

Series B-1 Preferred Shares

 

151,772,000

 

15.1772

%

Series B-2 Investors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Themisclio Limited

 

Series B-2 Preferred Shares

 

14,593,000

 

1.4593

%

Series B-3 Investors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beijing Zhanjin Management Consulting Center L.P. (北京展金管理) 咨询中心(有限合伙))

 

Series B-3 Preferred Shares

 

29,417,000

 

2.9417

%

Beijing Yunli Hefeng Management Consulting Center L.P. (北京云力和风 管理咨询中心(有限合

 

Series B-3 Preferred Shares

 

26,688,000

 

2.6688

%

Series B-4 Investors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SPRIGHT KR CO. LIMITED

 

Series B-4 Preferred Shares

 

14,606,000

 

1.4606

%

Hongtu Capital Investment Limited

 

Series B-4 Preferred Shares

 

6,376,000

 

0.6376

%

Series C-1 Investors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Runzhi HK Limited

 

Series C-1 Preferred Shares

 

18,320,000

 

1.8320

%

Oasis Angel (HK) Limited

 

Series C-1 Preferred Shares

 

2,617,000

 

0.2617

%

Falcon Investment Holdings Limited

 

Series C-1 Preferred Shares

 

19,628,000

 

1.9628

%

China Prosperity Capital Alpha Limited

 

Series C-1 Preferred Shares

 

58,884,000

 

5.8884

%

Nova Compass Investment Limited

 

Series C-1 Preferred Shares

 

19,628,000

 

1.9628

%

Greentech Tianhong Investment Holding Limited

 

Series C-1 Preferred Shares

 

36,639,000

 

3.6639

%

Sparkle Roll Culture & Entertainment Development Ltd (耀莱文娱发展有限公 )

 

Series C-1 Preferred Shares

 

9,160,000

 

0.9160

%

Series C-2 Investors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

China Prosperity Capital Alpha Limited

 

Series C-2 Preferred Shares

 

12,545,000

 

1.2545

%

Total

 

 

 

1,000,000,000

 

100.0000

%

 

VII-1


 

THE CAPITALIZATION TABLE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CLOSING

 

Name

 

Type of Shares

 

Number of Shares

 

Percentage

 

Founder Parties (as defined in the Shareholders Agreement)

 

36Kr Heros Holding Limited

 

Ordinary Shares

 

58,749,000

 

5.6489

%

Palopo Holding Limited

 

Ordinary Shares

 

78,512,000

 

7.5492

%

ESOP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ESOP (reserved)

 

Ordinary Shares

 

137,186,000

 

13.1909

%

Ordinary Investors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BLACK ANT GROUP INVESTMENT CO., LIMITED

 

Ordinary Shares

 

11,440,000

 

1.1000

%

Firefly Spring Ltd.

 

Ordinary Shares

 

5,463,000

 

0.5253

%

Head & Shoulders Global Investment Limited

 

Ordinary Shares

 

3,129,000

 

0.3009

%

HappyCAI Limited

 

Ordinary Shares

 

19,550,000

 

1.8798

%

Series A-1 Investor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beijing Jiuhe Yunqi Investment Center L.P. ( 北京九合云起投资中心(有限合 伙))

 

Series A-1 Preferred Shares

 

65,307,000

 

6.2795

%

Series A-2 Investor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tembusu Limited

 

Series A-2 Preferred Shares

 

101,261,000

 

9.7366

%

Series B-1 Investors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Neo TH Holdings Limited

 

Series B-1 Preferred Shares

 

28,674,000

 

2.7571

%

Themisclio Limited

 

Series B-1 Preferred Shares

 

7,168,000

 

0.6892

%

M36 Investment Limited

 

Series B-1 Preferred Shares

 

62,688,000

 

6.0277

%

API (Hong Kong) Investment Limited

 

Series B-1 Preferred Shares

 

151,772,000

 

14.5935

%

Series B-2 Investors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Themisclio Limited

 

Series B-2 Preferred Shares

 

14,593,000

 

1.4032

%

Series B-3 Investors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beijing Zhanjin Management Consulting Center L.P. (北京展金管理 咨询中心(有限合伙))

 

Series B-3 Preferred Shares

 

29,417,000

 

2.8286

%

Beijing Yunli Hefeng Management Consulting Center L.P. (北京云力和风 管理咨询中心(有限合 伙))

 

Series B-3 Preferred Shares

 

26,688,000

 

2.5662

%

Series B-4 Investors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SPRIGHT KR CO. LIMITED

 

Series B-4 Preferred Shares

 

14,606,000

 

1.4044

%

Hongtu Capital Investment Limited

 

Series B-4 Preferred Shares

 

6,376,000

 

0.6131

%

Series C-1 Investors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Runzhi HK Limited

 

Series C-1 Preferred Shares

 

18,320,000

 

1.7615

%

Oasis Angel (HK) Limited

 

Series C-1 Preferred Shares

 

2,617,000

 

0.2516

%

Falcon Investment Holdings Limited

 

Series C-1 Preferred Shares

 

19,628,000

 

1.8873

%

China Prosperity Capital Alpha Limited

 

Series C-1 Preferred Shares

 

58,884,000

 

5.6619

%

Nova Compass Investment Limited

 

Series C-1 Preferred Shares

 

19,628,000

 

1.8873

%

Greentech Tianhong Investment Holding Limited

 

Series C-1 Preferred Shares

 

36,639,000

 

3.5230

%

Sparkle Roll Culture & Entertainment Development Ltd (耀莱文娱发展有限公 )

 

Series C-1 Preferred Shares

 

9,160,000

 

0.8808

%

Series C-2 Investors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

China Prosperity Capital Alpha Limited

 

Series C-2 Preferred Shares

 

12,545,000

 

1.2063

%

Series D Investors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lotus Walk Inc.

 

Series D Preferred Shares

 

20,000,000

 

1.9231

%

Nikkei Inc. (株式会社日本 経済新聞社)

 

Series D Preferred Shares

 

8,333,333

 

0.8013

%

Krystal Imagine Investments Limited

 

Series D Preferred Shares

 

5,000,000

 

0.4808

%

Red Better Limited

 

Series D Preferred Shares

 

3,333,333

 

0.3205

%

Homshin Innovations Ltd.

 

Series D Preferred Shares

 

3,333,333

 

0.3205

%

Total

 

 

 

1,039,999,999

 

100.0000

%

 

VII-2


 

SCHEDULE VIII

 

LIST OF TRADEMARKS TO BE TRANSFERRED

 

No.

 

Class

 

Registration
No.

 

Trademark

 

Name of
Applicant

1

 

16

 

15360033

 

36Kr

 

Xieli Zhucheng

2

 

41

 

13894004

 

36Kr

 

Xieli Zhucheng

3

 

42

 

12901617

 

36Kr

 

Xieli Zhucheng

4

 

44

 

16216729

 

36Kr

 

Xieli Zhucheng

5

 

45

 

15323988

 

36Kr

 

Xieli Zhucheng

6

 

16

 

15113596

 

36

 

Xieli Zhucheng

7

 

41

 

13894014

 

36

 

Xieli Zhucheng

8

 

42

 

25290607

 

36

 

Xieli Zhucheng

9

 

42

 

18301357

 

36

 

Xieli Zhucheng

10

 

44

 

15589592

 

36

 

Xieli Zhucheng

11

 

45

 

15323970

 

36

 

Xieli Zhucheng

12

 

16

 

22439429

 

WISE

 

Xieli Zhucheng

 


 

EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

 

A-1


 

EXHIBIT B

 

FORM OF AMENDED AND RESTATED SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT

 

B-1


 

EXHIBIT C

 

FORM OF CLOSING CERTIFICATE

 

SEPTEMBER  , 2019

 

Pursuant to Section 5.11 of Series D Preferred Share Subscription Agreement dated September  , 2019, by and among 36Kr Holdings Inc. (the “Company”), the Investors listed on Schedule I thereto and certain other parties thereto (the “Agreement”), the chief financial officer of the Company, hereby certifies on behalf of the Company that the conditions specified in sections 5.1 and 5.2 of the Agreement have been fulfilled as of the date first written above.

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

CFO

 

 

C-2




Exhibit 10.10

 

CONFIDENTIAL

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT

 

dated as of

 

September 25, 2019

 

among

 

36KR HOLDINGS INC.

 

FOUNDER PARTIES

 

PARTIES LISTED ON SCHEDULE I

 

and

 

PARTIES LISTED ON SCHEDULE II

 


 

Table of Contents

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

ARTICLE 1

 

DEFINITIONS

2

 

 

 

Section 1.01.

Definitions

2

Section 1.02.

Other Definitional and Interpretative Provisions

15

 

 

 

ARTICLE 2

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

16

 

 

 

Section 2.01.

Composition of the Board

16

Section 2.02.

Meetings

16

Section 2.03.

Action by the Board

17

Section 2.04.

Board Committees

17

Section 2.05.

Memorandum and Articles

17

Section 2.06.

Matters Requiring Director Approval

17

Section 2.07.

Acts Requiring Approval of Certain Shareholders

20

 

 

 

ARTICLE 3

 

INFORMATION RIGHTS

21

 

 

 

Section 3.01.

Information Rights

21

Section 3.02.

Failure to Deliver

22

 

 

 

ARTICLE 4

 

RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER

23

 

 

 

Section 4.01.

Specific Restrictions on Transfer

23

Section 4.02.

New Issuances and Transfers to Competitors

23

 

 

 

ARTICLE 5

 

RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL; CO-SALE RIGHTS; DRAG-ALONG RIGHTS; PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS

23

 

 

 

Section 5.01.

Right of First Refusal

23

Section 5.02.

Co-Sale Rights

25

Section 5.03.

Non-Exercise of Rights

26

Section 5.04.

Drag-along Rights

26

Section 5.05.

Preemptive Rights

27

 

 

 

ARTICLE 6

 

REDEMPTION RIGHTS

28

 

 

 

Section 6.01.

Redemption

28

Section 6.02.

Redemption Waterfall

29

Section 6.03.

Insufficient Funds

30

Section 6.04.

Limited Liability

30

 

i


 

ARTICLE 7

 

DIVIDEND RIGHTS

31

Section 7.01.

Dividend Rights

31

Section 7.02.

Preference

31

 

 

 

ARTICLE 8

 

LIQUIDATION

32

 

 

 

Section 8.01.

Liquidation Preferences

32

Section 8.02.

Procedure

35

 

 

 

ARTICLE 9

 

CERTAIN COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS

35

 

 

 

Section 9.01.

Confidentiality

35

Section 9.02.

Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation

36

Section 9.03.

Books and Records

37

 

 

 

ARTICLE 10

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS

37

 

 

 

Section 10.01.

Demand Registration

37

Section 10.02.

Piggyback Registration

40

Section 10.03.

Registration Procedures

41

Section 10.04.

Participation in Public Offering

44

Section 10.05.

Cooperation by the Company

44

Section 10.06.

No Registration Rights to Third Parties

45

Section 10.07.

Assignment

45

Section 10.08.

Applicability of Rights

45

 

 

 

ARTICLE 11

 

MISCELLANEOUS

45

 

 

 

Section 11.01.

Binding Effect; Assignability; Benefit

45

Section 11.02.

Notices

46

Section 11.03.

Waiver; Amendment; Termination

46

Section 11.04.

Governing Law

46

Section 11.05.

Dispute Resolution

46

Section 11.06.

Counterparts; Effectiveness

47

Section 11.07.

Entire Agreement

47

Section 11.08.

Severability

48

Section 11.09.

Several Liability

48

Section 11.10.

Specific Enforcement

48

Section 11.11.

Existing Onshore Transaction Documents

48

Section 11.12.

Most Favored Nations

49

Section 11.13.

Anti-Corruption

49

Section 11.14.

Use of Xiaomi’s Name or Logo

49

Section 11.15.

Use of Name and Logo of Lotus

50

Section 11.16.

Use of Didi’s Name and Logo

50

Section 11.17.

 

51

 

ii


 

SCHEDULE I LIST OF GROUP COMPANIES

I-1

SCHEDULE II

II-1

SCHEDULE III LIST OF KEY EMPLOYEE(S)

III-1

SCHEDULE IV ADDRESS FOR NOTICE

IV-1

SCHEDULE V COMPANY COMPETITOR

V-1

EXHIBIT A JOINDER TO THE AMENDED AND RESTETD SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT

A-1

 

iii


 

AMENDED AND RESTATED SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT

 

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) dated as of September 25, 2019 by and among:

 

(a)              36Kr Holdings Inc., an exempted company incorporated under the Laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Company”);

 

(b)              each of the companies listed on Schedule I;

 

(c)               Chengcheng Liu (刘成城), a PRC citizen with the PRC ID number of 320911198811194339 (the “Founder”);

 

(d)              36Kr Heros Holding Limited, an exempted company incorporated under the Laws of the British Virgin Islands (the “Founder Holdco”);

 

(e)               Dagang Feng (冯大刚), a PRC citizen with the PRC ID number of 132801197810243614 (the “Co-Founder”, together with the Founder, the “Founders”);

 

(f)                Palopo Holding Limited, an exempted company incorporated under the Laws of the British Virgin Islands (the “Co-Founder Holdco”, together with the Founders and the Founder Holdco, the “Founder Parties”);

 

(g)               Each Person listed on Part I of Schedule II attached hereto (each, an “Ordinary Investor”, and collectively, the “Ordinary Investors”);

 

(h)              the Person listed on Part II of Schedule II attached hereto (the “Series A-1 Investor”);

 

(i)                  the Person listed on Part III of Schedule II attached hereto (the “Series A-2 Investor”);

 

(j)                 each Person listed on Part IV of Schedule II attached hereto (each a “Series B-1 Investor” and collectively, the “Series B-1 Investors”);

 

(k)              the Person listed on Part V of Schedule II attached hereto (the “Series B-2 Investor”);

 

(l)                  each Person listed on Part VI of Schedule II attached hereto (each a “Series B-3 Investor” and collectively, the “Series B-3 Investors”);

 

(m)          each Person listed on Part VII of Schedule II attached hereto (each a “Series B-4 Investor” and collectively, the “Series B-4 Investors”);

 

(n)              each Person listed on Part VIII of Schedule II attached hereto (each a “Series C-1 Investor” and collectively, the “Series C-1 Investors”);

 

(o)              the Person listed on Part IX of Schedule II attached hereto (the “Series C-2 Investor”);

 

1


 

(p)              each Person listed on Part X of Schedule II attached hereto (each a “Series D Investor” and collectively, the “Series D Investors”); and

 

(q)              each Person who has joined or will join this Agreement by way of executing and delivering a joinder agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (each such Person, and together with the Ordinary Investors, the Series A-1 Investor, the Series A-2 Investor, the Series B-1 Investors, the Series B-2 Investor, the Series B-3 Investors, the Series B-4 Investors, the Series C-1 Investors, the Series C-2 Investor and the Series D Investors, the “Investors”).

 

Each of the parties to this Agreement is referred to herein individually as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties”.

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, the Company, the Founder Parties, the Investors (other than the Series D Investors) and certain parties thereto entered into a shareholders agreement dated August 2, 2019 (the “Existing Shareholders Agreement”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company, the Co-Founder, the Co-Founder Holdco, the Series D Investors and certain parties thereto have entered into a series D preferred share subscription agreement dated September 23, 2019 (the “Series D Preferred Share Subscription Agreement”).

 

WHEREAS, the Series D Preferred Share Subscription Agreement provides that the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Parties and the substitution of the Existing Shareholders Agreement by this Agreement in its entirety shall be a condition precedent to the consummation of the transactions contemplated under the Series D Preferred Share Subscription Agreement.

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Series D Preferred Share Subscription Agreement, the Parties hereto desire to enter into this Agreement for the purposes of regulating the rights and obligations among them as well as the business and management of the Group Companies (as defined below) from the date hereof.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1

 

DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.01.                Definitions. (a) As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings:

 

Affiliate(s)” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly Controlling, Controlled by, or under common Control with such Person. With respect to any natural Person, each of the following Persons is such Person’s Affiliate(s) for purposes of this Agreement: (i) spouse; (ii) parents; (iii) children; (iv) siblings; (v) any other Person who is a lineal ascendant or descendant of such Person; and (vi) any other Person who is a relative of such Person and lives in the same house with such Person. Solely for the purposes of this Agreement, with respect to Ant Financial, “Affiliate(s)” shall also include Alibaba Group Holding Limited and its Affiliate(s).

 

2


 

Applicable Law” means, with respect to any Person, any transnational, domestic or foreign federal, state or local law (statutory, common or otherwise), constitution, treaty, convention, ordinance, code, rule, regulation, order, injunction, judgment, decree, ruling or other similar requirement enacted, adopted, promulgated or applied by a Governmental Authority that is binding upon or applicable to such Person, as amended unless expressly specified otherwise.

 

Ant Financial” means API (Hong Kong) Investment Limited and its permitted successors and assigns from time to time.

 

Alternate Director” means a person appointed pursuant to Section 2.01(c) and designated as an alternate Director by the appointing Director.

 

Beijing Jiuhe” means Beijing Jiuhe Yunqi Investment Center L.P. and its permitted successors and assigns from time to time.

 

Board” means the board of directors of the Company.

 

Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday or other day on which commercial banks are required or authorized by law to be closed in the PRC, Hong Kong or the Cayman Islands.

 

Lotus” means Lotus Walk Inc. and its permitted successors and assigns from time to time.

 

Charter Documents” means, with respect to a particular legal entity, the articles of incorporation, certificate of incorporation, formation or registration (including, if applicable, certificates of change of name), memorandum of association, articles of association, bylaws, articles of organization, limited liability company agreement, trust deed, trust instrument, operating agreement, joint venture agreement, business license, or similar or other constitutive, governing, or charter documents, or equivalent documents, of such entity.

 

China Prosperity” means China Prosperity Capital Alpha Limited and its permitted successors and assigns from time to time.

 

Chuangji” means M36 Investment Limited and its permitted successors and assigns from time to time.

 

Company Competitor” means each Person listed in Schedule V attached hereto. The Company is entitled to update the list of Company Competitor once every twelve (12) months and the updated list shall be approved by the Board (including approval from each of the Investor Directors).

 

Company Securities” means the Equity Securities of the Company.

 

3


 

Competitor(s)” means (i) Tencent Holdings Ltd. and its Subsidiaries, and any other Person in which Tencent Holdings Ltd. and its Subsidiaries beneficially own more than twenty percent (20%) of the equity interest, whether by contract, credit arrangement or otherwise, (ii) Baidu, Inc. and its Subsidiaries, and any other Person in which Baidu, Inc. and its Subsidiaries beneficially own more than twenty percent (20%) of the equity interest, whether by contract, credit arrangement or otherwise, (iii) JD.com, Inc. and its Subsidiaries, (iv) PING AN INSURANCE (GROUP) COMPANY OF CHINA, LTD. and its Subsidiaries. Ant Financial is entitled to update the list of Competitors once every twelve (12) months, provided that (i) the total number of Competitors shall not exceed four (4), and (ii) the updated list shall be approved by the Board.

 

Control” of a given Person means the power or authority, whether exercised or not, to direct the business, management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, as trustee, personal representative or executive, by contract, credit arrangement or otherwise. The terms “Controlled” and “Controlling” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

Control Documents” means the following contracts collectively: (i) the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement (独家业务合作协议) dated as of August 2, 2019, entered into by and between the WFOE and the Domestic Company, (ii) the Exclusive Call Option Agreement (独家购买权协议) dated as of August 2, 2019 entered into by and among the WFOE, the Domestic Company, and the shareholders of the Domestic Company, (iii) the Proxy Agreements (权委托书) dated as of August 2, 2019 entered into by and among the WFOE, the Domestic Company, and the shareholders of the Domestic Company, and (iv) the Equity Pledge Agreement (权质押协议) dated as of August 2, 2019 entered into by and among the WFOE, the Domestic Company, and the shareholders of the Domestic Company, or other similar Contracts, each as may be amended from time to time.

 

Deemed Liquidation Event” means any of the following events: (i) any consolidation, amalgamation, scheme of arrangement or merger of the Company with or into any other Person or other reorganization in which the Shareholders immediately prior to such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, scheme of arrangement or reorganization own less than fifty percent (50%) of the surviving entity’s voting power in the aggregate immediately after such consolidation, merger, amalgamation, scheme of arrangement or reorganization; (ii) a sale, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Group Companies; (iii) any exclusive and irrevocable licensing or sale of all or substantially all of the Group Companies’ intellectual property to a third party (except for the licensing or sale of the Group Companies’ intellectual property in the ordinary course of business); (iv) cessation of the current primary business lines of the Group Companies; (v) requisition or expropriation of any or all material assets of the Group Companies by any Governmental Authority, which causes a Material Adverse Effect; (vi) occurrence of material losses of any Group Company which makes it unable to continue the business; and (vii) occurrence of material losses of any Group Company due to force majeure which makes it unable to continue the business in the foreseeable future. For the avoidance of doubt, the reorganization of the Company for the purpose of an IPO shall not be considered a Deemed Liquidation Event.

 

Didi” means Krystal Imagine Investments Limited and its permitted successors and assigns from time to time.

 

4


 

Director” means any director of the Company.

 

Dividend Per Share” means, in the event that any dividend is declared in accordance with this Agreement, an amount obtained by dividing the total dividend declared by the number of then issued and outstanding Shares (on an as-converted basis) of the Company.

 

Domestic Company” means Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. (北京多信息科技有限公司), a company incorporated under the Laws of the PRC.

 

Equity Securities” means, with respect to any Person, any shares, any and all shares of capital stock, membership interests, units, profits interests, ownership interests, equity interests, registered capital, and other equity securities of such Person, and any right, warrant, option, call, commitment, conversion privilege, preemptive right or other right to acquire any of the foregoing, or security convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for any of the foregoing, or any shares, awards, options, warrants, interests, rights under any equity appreciation, phantom equity, equity plans or similar plans or schemes with respect to such Person, and, with respect to the Company, shall include any Ordinary Shares, awards, options, warrants, interests, rights under the ESOP.

 

ESOP” means any equity incentive, purchase or participation plan, employee stock option plan or similar plan of the Company approved and adopted in accordance with this Agreement.

 

Falcon” means Falcon Investment Holdings Limited and its permitted successors and assigns from time to time.

 

FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

 

Form F-3” means Form F-3 promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act or any substantially similar form then in effect.

 

Group Company” means each of the Company, its Subsidiaries and the companies whose financial statements are consolidated with those of the Company from time to time (including, without limitation, the companies listed on Schedule I attached hereto, except that each Joint Venture Company (as defined in the Series D Preferred Share Subscription Agreement) shall cease to be a Group Company upon conclusion of definitive agreement in relation to the Joint Venture Transaction (as defined in the Series D Preferred Share Subscription Agreement)), and “Group” refers to all of the Group Companies collectively.

 

Gobi” means, Runzhi HK Limited and Oasis Angel (HK) Limited, collectively, and their respective permitted successors and assigns from time to time.

 

Governmental Authority” means any government of any nation, federation, province, state or locality or any other political subdivision thereof, any entity, authority or body exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, including any government authority, agency, department, board, commission or instrumentality of the PRC or any other country, or any political subdivision thereof, any court, tribunal or arbitrator, and any self-regulatory organization.

 

5


 

Governmental Order” means any applicable order, ruling, decision, verdict, decree, writ, subpoena, mandate, command, directive, consent, approval, award, judgment, injunction or other similar determination or finding by, before or under the supervision of any Governmental Authority.

 

Hong Kong” means the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the PRC.

 

IFRS” means the International Financial Reporting Standards prepared by the International Accounting Standards Board, as amended from time to time.

 

IPO” means a firm commitment underwritten public offering of the Ordinary Shares of the Company on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, Shenzhen Stock Exchange, Hong Kong Stock Exchange, New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ Stock Market or other internationally recognized stock exchange pursuant to an effective registration statement under the securities laws of the relevant jurisdiction, as approved by the Board and the meeting of the Shareholders in accordance with this Agreement and the Memorandum and Articles. “Key Employee(s)” means the members of Company’s senior management holding, directly or indirectly, any Company Securities, and the employees holding a position of director (including the equal and similar ranks) or above in the Company or a position of general manager (including the equal and similar ranks) or above in any Subsidiary of the Company, including without limitation, each Person listed on Schedule III attached hereto and each such employee of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company who becomes a key employee from time to time, each such Person, a Key Employee.

 

Law” or “Laws” means any and all provisions of any applicable constitution, treaty, statute, law, regulation, ordinance, code, rule, or rule of common law, any governmental approval, concession, grant, franchise, license, agreement, directive, requirement, or other governmental restriction or any similar form of decision of, or determination by, or any interpretation or administration of any of the foregoing by, any Governmental Authority, in each case as amended, and any and all applicable Governmental Orders.

 

Memorandum and Articles” means the Second Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company, as the same may be amended from time to time.

 

Majority Shareholders” means the holders of more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of the outstanding Ordinary Shares, Series A-1 Preferred Shares, Series A-2 Preferred Shares, Series B-1 Preferred Shares, Series B-2 Preferred Shares, Series B-3 Preferred Shares, Series B-4 Preferred Shares, Series C-1 Preferred Shares, Series C-2 Preferred Shares and Series D Preferred Shares (voting together as a single class and on an as converted basis).

 

Material Adverse Effect” means any event, occurrence, fact, condition, change or development that, individually or together, has had, has or could reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse effect on (a) the business, properties, assets, operations, results of operations, financial condition, or liabilities (including, without limitation, contingent liabilities) of the Group taken as a whole, (b) the ability or qualification to carry on the business as now conducted or as proposed to be conducted of any Group Company, or (c) the performance of this Agreement, the Control Documents, the Memorandum and Articles and the transactions contemplated hereunder and thereunder.

 

6


 

Matrix” means Tembusu Limited and its permitted successors and assigns from time to time.

 

Neo TH” means Neo TH Holdings Limited and its permitted successors and assigns from time to time.

 

Nikkei” means Nikkei Inc. (株式会社日本経済新聞社) and its permitted successors and assigns from time to time.

 

Nova Compass” means Nova Compass Investment Limited and its permitted successors and assigns from time to time.

 

Ordinary Shares” means the Company’s ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share.

 

Permitted Transfers” means (i) any Transfer of Company Securities by any Shareholder to a trust for the benefit of such Shareholder or its Affiliate(s), (ii) any Transfer of Company Securities by any Shareholder pursuant to or in furtherance of the ESOP, or (iii) any Transfer of the Series B-2 Preferred Shares by Themisclio Limited to Yongbai (Shanghai) Investment Holding Co., Ltd. (永柏(上海)投资控股有限公司), a company incorporated under the laws of the PRC, or its designated Person.

 

Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, trust or other entity or organization, including a Governmental Authority.

 

PRC” means the People’s Republic of China, but solely for the purposes of this Agreement, excluding Hong Kong, the Macau Special Administrative Region and Taiwan.

 

PRC GAAP” means the generally accepted accounting principles of the PRC, applied on a consistent basis.

 

Preemptive Portion” means, with respect to a Preemptive Rightholder, a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the aggregate number of all Preferred Shares held by such Shareholder on an as-converted basis and the denominator of which shall be the total number of all Preferred Shares then outstanding held by all Preemptive Rightholders on an as-converted basis immediately prior to the issuance of the Company Securities specified in the Issuance Notice.

 

Preemptive Rightholder” means each Preferred Investor.

 

Preferred Majority” means the holders of more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of the outstanding Preferred Shares, voting as a single separate class on an as-converted basis.

 

Preferred Investors” means, collectively, the Series A-1 Investor, the Series A-2 Investor, the Series B-1 Investors, the Series B-2 Investor, the Series B-3 Shares, the Series B-4 Investors, the Series C-1 Investors, the Series C-2 Investor and the Series D Investors.

 

7


 

Preferred Shares” means, collectively, the Series A-1 Preferred Shares, the Series A-2 Preferred Shares, the Series B-1 Preferred Shares, the Series B-2 Preferred Shares, the Series B-3 Preferred Shares, the Series B-4 Preferred Shares, the Series C-1 Preferred Shares, the Series C-2 Preferred Shares and the Series D Preferred Shares.

 

Public Offering” means a firm underwritten public offering of Registrable Securities or derivatives thereof and the listing of such securities for trading on a stock or investment exchange or other public market.

 

Recapitalization” means any reorganization, restructuring, reclassification or other similar event by the Company of its capital structure.

 

Redemption Event” means any of the following events: (i) the Company has not completed an IPO or a Trade Sale approved in accordance with this Agreement and the Memorandum and Articles on or prior to December 31, 2022, (ii) the Control Documents are held to be invalid or unenforceable under Applicable Laws and the economic or legal substance of the Control Documents cannot be preserved by modification of the Control Documents, (iii) any Group Company, any holder of the Ordinary Shares (other than the Ordinary Investors) or the Co-Founder is in material breach of its obligations, covenants or undertakings under this Agreement, the Control Documents, or the Memorandum and Articles, which is not waived in writing by the concerned Preferred Investors, (iv) the representations and warranties of any Group Company, any holder of the Ordinary Shares (other than the Ordinary Investors) or the Co-Founder contain any material false or fraudulent statement, which causes a Material Adverse Effect, (v) any holder of the Ordinary Shares (other than the Ordinary Investors) or the Co-Founder is in material violation of any Applicable Law or is subject to any criminal investigation, which causes a Material Adverse Effect, and (vi) the Group Companies fail to obtain or maintain any consents, approvals, permits, licenses, authorizations, certificates required under all Applicable Laws necessary for the operation of the principal businesses of the Group Companies, including without limitation, the Network Cultural Business Permit (络文化经营许可证), the Permit for Internet News and Information Services (联网新闻信息服务许可证), the Online Publishing Service License (络出版服务许可证) or the Permit for Internet Audio-Video Programs via Information Network (信息网络传播视听节目许可证), which causes the cessation of the principal businesses of the Group Companies.

 

Registrable Securities” means, at any time, any Ordinary Shares (including Ordinary Shares issued or issuable upon the conversion of any Preferred Shares) and any securities issued or issuable in respect of such Ordinary Shares by way of conversion, exchange, stock dividend, split or combination, Recapitalization, merger, consolidation, other reorganization or otherwise until (i) a registration statement covering such shares has been declared effective by the SEC and such Ordinary Shares have been disposed of pursuant to such effective registration statement, (ii) such Ordinary Shares are sold under circumstances in which all of the applicable conditions of Rule 144 (or any similar provisions then in force) under the Securities Act are met or (iii) such Ordinary Shares are otherwise Transferred, the Company has delivered a new certificate or other evidence of ownership for such Ordinary Shares not bearing the legend required pursuant to this Agreement and such Ordinary Shares may be resold without subsequent registration under the Securities Act.

 

8


 

Registration Expenses” means all expenses, other than all underwriting discounts and selling commissions applicable to the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Agreement, incurred in connection with Registrations, filings or qualifications pursuant to this Agreement, including all registration, filing and qualification fees, printers’ and accounting fees, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and underwriters, and reasonable fees and disbursements for counsel for the selling Shareholders (but excluding underwriters’ discounts and commissions relating to shares sold by the Shareholders).

 

Rule 144” means Rule 144 (or any successor provisions) under the Securities Act.

 

RMB” means Renminbi, the lawful currency of the PRC.

 

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

 

Securities Act” means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Series A-1 Issue Date” means the date of the Series A-1 Investor or its Affiliate(s) or its designee’s completion of its investment into the Company’s PRC predecessor.

 

Series A-1 Issue Price” means US$0.0015 (which is converted from RMB0.0104 at a rate of RMB6.8716 to US$1.00, the mid-point exchange rate released by the People’s Bank of China on July 1, 2019), as adjusted pursuant to the Memorandum and Articles for share splits, share dividends, combinations, Recapitalizations and similar events with respect to the Series A-1 Preferred Shares.

 

Series A-1 Preference Dividend” means, in the event that any dividend is declared by the Board, with respect to the Series A-1 Investor, a non-cumulative dividend equal to the higher of (i) the Series A-1 Issue Price X (1 + 8%)N, excluding the Series A-1 Issue Price, multiplied by the number of Series A-1 Preferred Share held by the Series A-1 Investor (where N is a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar days between the Series A-1 Issue Date or the last date when a dividend was paid in full to the Series A-1 Investor (whichever is later) and the date on which the contemplated dividend is declared and the denominator of which is 365), and (ii) the Dividend Per Share, multiplied by the number of Series A-1 Preferred Share held by the Series A-1 Investor.

 

Series A-1 Preferred Shares” means the Series A-1 Preferred Shares of US$0.0001 par value per share in the capital of the Company.

 

Series A-2 Issue Date” means the date of the Series A-2 Investor or its Affiliate(s) or its designee’s completion of its investment into the Company’s PRC predecessor.

 

Series A-2 Issue Price” means US$0.0065 (which is converted from RMB0.0444 at a rate of RMB6.8716 to US$1.00, the mid-point exchange rate released by the People’s Bank of China on July 1, 2019), as adjusted pursuant to the Memorandum and Articles for share splits, share dividends, combinations, Recapitalizations and similar events with respect to the Series A-2 Preferred Shares.

 

“Series A-2 Preference Dividend” means, in the event that any dividend is declared by the Board, with respect to the Series A-2 Investor, a non-cumulative dividend equal to the higher of (i) the Series A-2 Issue Price X (1 + 8%)N, excluding the Series A-2 Issue Price, multiplied by the number of Series A-2 Preferred Share held by the Series A-2 Investor (where N is a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar days between the Series A-2 Issue Date or the last date when a dividend was paid in full to the Series A-2 Investor (whichever is later) and the date on which the contemplated dividend is declared and the denominator of which is 365), and (ii) the Dividend Per Share, multiplied by the number of Series A-2 Preferred Share held by the Series A-2 Investor.

 

9


 

Series A-2 Preferred Shares” means the Series A-2 Preferred Shares of US$0.0001 par value per share in the capital of the Company.

 

Series B-1 Issue Date” means the date of the Series B-1 Investor or its Affiliate(s) or its designee’s completion of its investment into the Company’s PRC predecessor.

 

Series B-1 Issue Price” means US$0.1438 (which is converted from RMB0.9883 at a rate of RMB6.8716 to US$1.00, the mid-point exchange rate released by the People’s Bank of China on July 1, 2019), as adjusted pursuant to the Memorandum and Articles for share splits, share dividends, combinations, Recapitalizations and similar events with respect to the Series B-1 Preferred Shares.

 

“Series B-1 Preference Dividend” means, in the event that any dividend is declared by the Board, with respect to each Series B-1 Investor, a non-cumulative dividend equal to the higher of (i) the Series B-1 Issue Price X (1 + 8%)N, excluding the Series B-1 Issue Price, multiplied by the number of Series B-1 Preferred Share held by such Series B-1 Investor (where N is a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar days between the Series B-1 Issue Date or the last date when a dividend was paid in full to such Series B-1 Investor (whichever is later) and the date on which the contemplated dividend is declared and the denominator of which is 365), and (ii) the Dividend Per Share, multiplied by the number of Series B-1 Preferred Share held by such Series B-1 Investor.

 

Series B-1 Preferred Shares” means the Series B-1 Preferred Shares of US$0.0001 par value per share in the capital of the Company.

 

Series B-2 Issue Date” means the date of the Series B-2 Investor or its Affiliate(s) or its designee’s completion of its investment into the Company’s PRC predecessor.

 

Series B-2 Issue Price” means US$0.3740 (which is converted from RMB2.5697 at a rate of RMB6.8716 to US$1.00, the mid-point exchange rate released by the People’s Bank of China on July 1, 2019), as adjusted pursuant to the Memorandum and Articles for share splits, share dividends, combinations, Recapitalizations and similar events with respect to the Series B-2 Preferred Shares.

 

“Series B-2 Preference Dividend” means, in the event that any dividend is declared by the Board, with respect to the Series B-2 Investor, a non-cumulative dividend equal to the higher of (i) the Series B-2 Issue Price X (1 + 8%)N, excluding the Series B-2 Issue Price, multiplied by the number of Series B-2 Preferred Share held by the Series B-2 Investor (where N is a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar days between the Series B-2 Issue Date or the last date when a dividend was paid in full to the Series B-2 Investor (whichever is later) and the date on which the contemplated dividend is declared and the denominator of which is 365), and (ii) the Dividend Per Share, multiplied by the number of Series B-2 Preferred Share held by the Series B-2 Investor.

 

10


 

Series B-2 Preferred Shares” means the Series B-2 Preferred Shares of US$0.0001 par value per share in the capital of the Company.

 

Series B-3 Issue Date” means the date of the Series B-3 Investor or its Affiliate(s) or its designee’s completion of its investment into the Company’s PRC predecessor.

 

Series B-3 Issue Price” means US$0.2454 (which is converted from RMB1.6862 at a rate of RMB6.8716 to US$1.00, the mid-point exchange rate released by the People’s Bank of China on July 1, 2019), as adjusted pursuant to the Memorandum and Articles for share splits, share dividends, combinations, Recapitalizations and similar events with respect to the Series B-3 Preferred Shares.

 

“Series B-3 Preference Dividend” means, in the event that any dividend is declared by the Board, with respect to each Series B-3 Investor, a non-cumulative dividend equal to the higher of (i) the Series B-3 Issue Price X (1 + 8%)N, excluding the Series B-3 Issue Price, multiplied by the number of Series B-3 Preferred Share held by such Series B-3 Investor (where N is a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar days between the Series B-3 Issue Date or the last date when a dividend was paid in full to such Series B-3 Investor (whichever is later) and the date on which the contemplated dividend is declared and the denominator of which is 365), and (ii) the Dividend Per Share, multiplied by the number of Series B-3 Preferred Share held by such Series B-3 Investor.

 

Series B-3 Preferred Shares” means the Series B-3 Preferred Shares of US$0.0001 par value per share in the capital of the Company.

 

Series B-4 Issue Date” means the date of the Series B-4 Investor or its Affiliate(s) or its designee’s completion of its investment into the Company’s PRC predecessor.

 

Series B-4 Issue Price” means US$0.4066 (which is converted from RMB2.7942 at a rate of RMB6.8716 to US$1.00, the mid-point exchange rate released by the People’s Bank of China on July 1, 2019), as adjusted pursuant to the Memorandum and Articles for share splits, share dividends, combinations, Recapitalizations and similar events with respect to the Series B-4 Preferred Shares.

 

“Series B-4 Preference Dividend” means, in the event that any dividend is declared by the Board, with respect to each Series B-4 Investor, a non-cumulative dividend equal to the higher of (i) the Series B-4 Issue Price X (1 + 8%)N, excluding the Series B-4 Issue Price, multiplied by the number of Series B-4 Preferred Share held by such Series B-4 Investor (where N is a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar days between the Series B-4 Issue Date or the last date when a dividend was paid in full to such Series B-4 Investor (whichever is later) and the date on which the contemplated dividend is declared and the denominator of which is 365), and (ii) the Dividend Per Share, multiplied by the number of Series B-4 Preferred Share held by such Series B-4 Investor.

 

Series B-4 Preferred Shares” means the Series B-4 Preferred Shares of US$0.0001 par value per share in the capital of the Company.

 

11


 

Series C-1 Issue Date” means the date of the Series C-1 Investor or its Affiliate(s) or its designee’s completion of its investment into the Company’s PRC predecessor.

 

Series C-1 Issue Price” means US$0.2224 (which is converted from RMB1.5284 at a rate of RMB6.8716 to US$1.00, the mid-point exchange rate released by the People’s Bank of China on July 1, 2019), as adjusted pursuant to the Memorandum and Articles for share splits, share dividends, combinations, Recapitalizations and similar events with respect to the Series C-1 Preferred Shares.

 

Series C-1 Preference Dividend” means, in the event that any dividend is declared by the Board, with respect to each Series C-1 Investor, a non-cumulative dividend equal to the higher of (i) the Series C-1 Issue Price X (1 + 8%)N, excluding the Series C-1 Issue Price, multiplied by the number of Series C-1 Preferred Share held by such Series C-1 Investor (where N is a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar days between the Series C-1 Issue Date or the last date when a dividend was paid in full to such Series C-1 Investor (whichever is later) and the date on which the contemplated dividend is declared and the denominator of which is 365), and (ii) the Dividend Per Share, multiplied by the number of Series C-1 Preferred Share held by such Series C-1 Investor.

 

Series C-1 Preferred Shares” means the Series C-1 Preferred Shares of US$0.0001 par value per share in the capital of the Company.

 

Series C-2 Issue Date” means the date of the Series C-2 Investor or its Affiliate(s) or its designee’s completion of its investment into the Company’s PRC predecessor.

 

Series C-2 Issue Price” means US$0, as adjusted pursuant to the Memorandum and Articles for share splits, share dividends, combinations, Recapitalizations and similar events with respect to the Series C-2 Preferred Shares.

 

Series C-2 Preference Dividend” means, in the event that any dividend is declared by the Board, with respect to the Series C-2 Investor, a non-cumulative dividend equal to (i) the Dividend Per Share, multiplied by (ii) the number of Series C-2 Preferred Share held by the Series C-2 Investor.

 

Series C-2 Preferred Shares” means the Series C-2 Preferred Shares of US$0.0001 par value per share in the capital of the Company.

 

Series D Issue Date” means the date of the first issuance of the Series D Preferred Shares.

 

Series D Issue Price” means US$0.6000, as adjusted pursuant to the Memorandum and Articles for share splits, share dividends, combinations, Recapitalizations and similar events with respect to the Series D Preferred Shares.

 

Series D Preference Dividend” means, in the event that any dividend is declared by the Board, with respect to each Series D Investor, a non-cumulative dividend equal to the higher of (i) the Series D Issue Price X (1 + 8%)N, excluding the Series D Issue Price, multiplied by the number of Series D Preferred Share held by such Series D Investor (where N is a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar days between the Series D Issue Date or the last date when a dividend was paid in full to such Series D Investor (whichever is later) and the date on which the contemplated dividend is declared and the denominator of which is 365), and (ii) the Dividend Per Share, multiplied by the number of Series D Preferred Share held by such Series D Investor.

 

12


 

Series D Preferred Shares” means the Series D Preferred Shares of US$0.0001 par value per share in the capital of the Company.

 

Shares” means the Ordinary Shares and the Preferred Shares.

 

Shareholder” means each shareholder of the Company.

 

Statute” means the Companies Law of the Cayman Islands as amended and every statutory modification or re-enactment thereof for the time being in effect.

 

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that is Controlled directly or indirectly by such Person.

 

Themisclio” means Themisclio Limited and its permitted successors and assigns from time to time.

 

Tianhong” means Greentech Tianhong Investment Holding Limited and its permitted successors and assigns from time to time.

 

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

 

Trade Sale” means any of the following transactions: (i) any consolidation, amalgamation, scheme of arrangement or merger of the Group Companies with or into any other Person or other reorganization in which the Shareholders immediately prior to such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, scheme of arrangement or reorganization own less than fifty percent (50%) of the surviving entity’s voting power or equity interest (on an as-converted basis) in the aggregate immediately after such consolidation, merger, amalgamation, scheme of arrangement or reorganization, or any transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the Company’s voting power or equity interest (on an as-converted basis) is transferred to a third party, (ii) a sale, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Group Companies (or any series of related transactions resulting in such sale, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Group Companies), or (iii) the exclusive licensing of all or substantially all of the Group Companies’ intellectual property to a third party.

 

US GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, applied on a consistent basis.

 

13


 

US$” means the lawful currency of the United States of America.

 

WFOE” means Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd., a company incorporated under the Laws of the PRC.

 

Xiaomi” means Red Better Limited and its permitted successors and assigns from time to time.

 

(b)                   Each of the following terms is defined in the Section set forth opposite such term:

 

Term

 

Section

30-Day Option Period

 

Section 5.01(e)

Agreement

 

Preamble

Ant Financial Director

 

Section 2.01(a)

Company

 

Preamble

Confidential Information

 

Section 9.01(b)

Co-Founder

 

Preamble

Co-Founder Holdco

 

Preamble

Co-Sale Option Period

 

Section 5.02(a)

Co-Sale Rightholder

 

Section 5.02(a)

Demand Registration

 

Section 10.01(a)

Dispute

 

Section 11.05(a)

Drag-Along Sale

 

Section 5.04

Drag-Along Sellers

 

Section 5.04

Exercise Notice

 

Section 5.05(b)

Exercising Rightholder

 

Section 5.05(c)

Exercising Shareholder

 

Section 5.01(c)

Founder

 

Preamble

Founder Holdco

 

Preamble

Group Company Competitor

 

Section 9.02

HKIAC

 

Section 11.05(a)

HKIAC Rules

 

Section 11.05(a)

Inspectors

 

Section 10.03(g)

Investor Directors

 

Section 2.01(b)

Issuance Notice

 

Section 5.05(a)

Investor

 

Preamble

Liquidation Event

 

Section 8.01

Matrix and Chuangji Director

 

Section 2.01(a)

Maximum Offering Size

 

Section 10.01(e)

Ordinary Investors

 

Preamble

Offered Securities

 

Section 5.01(a)

Option Period

 

Section 5.01(b)

Piggyback Registration

 

Section 10.02(a)

Preemptive Option Period

 

Section 5.05(b)

Pro Rata Share

 

Section 5.01(b)

Proposed Transfer

 

Section 5.01(e)

Records

 

Section 10.03(g)

Redemption Holder

 

Section 6.01

Redemption Price

 

Section 6.01

Redemption Shares

 

Section 6.01

Registering Shareholders

 

Section 10.01(a)(ii)

Representatives

 

Section 9.01(b)

Requesting Shareholder

 

Section 10.01(a)

Rightholder

 

Section 5.01(a)

Second Notice

 

Section 5.01(c)

Second Option Period

 

Section 5.01(c)

Series A-1 Investor

 

Preamble

Series A-1 Preference Amount

 

Section 8.01

Series A-2 Investor

 

Preamble

Series A-2 Preference Amount

 

Section 8.01

Series B-1 Investors

 

Preamble

Series B-1 Preference Amount

 

Section 8.01

Series B-2 Investor

 

Preamble

Series B-2 Preference Amount

 

Section 8.01

Series B-3 Investors

 

Preamble

Series B-3 Preference Amount

 

Section 8.01

Series B-4 Investors

 

Preamble

Series B-4 Preference Amount

 

Section 8.01

Series C-1 Investors

 

Preamble

Series C-1 Preference Amount

 

Section 8.01

Series C-2 Investor

 

Preamble

Series D Investors

 

Preamble

Series D Preference Amount

 

Section 8.01

Transferor

 

Section 5.01(a)

Transfer Notice

 

Section 5.01(a)

Transferring Securities

 

Section 5.01(e)

 

14


 

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

 

15


 

ARTICLE 2

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

Section 2.01.                Composition of the Board. (a) Subject to Section 11.11, the Company shall have, and each Party shall take all necessary actions to cause the Company to have, a Board consisting of up to five (5) Directors with the composition as follows: (i) the Co-Founder shall be entitled to designate, appoint, remove, replace and reappoint two (2) Directors; (ii) the Founder shall be entitled to designate, appoint, remove, replace and reappoint one (1) Director; (iii) Ant Financial shall be entitled to designate, appoint, remove, replace and reappoint one (1) Director (the “Ant Financial Director”); and (iv) Matrix and Chuangji, collectively, shall be entitled to designate, appoint, remove, replace and reappoint one (1) Director (the “Matrix and Chuangji Director”, together with the Ant Financial Director, the “Investor Directors”). The Founder and the Co-Founder shall be the co-chairmen of the Board so long as each of the Founder and Co-Founder serves as a Director.

 

(b)                   Each Shareholder agrees that, if at any time it is then entitled to vote for the election of the Directors, it shall vote all of its Company Securities or execute proxies or written consents, as the case may be, and take all other necessary actions (including causing the Company to call a special meeting of members/shareholders) in order to ensure that the composition of the Board is as set forth in this Section 2.01.

 

(c)                    Each of the Directors may appoint an Alternate Director from time to time to act during his absence and such Alternate Director shall be entitled, while holding such office at such, to receive notices of meetings of the Board or any committee thereof (if the Director who has appointed the Alternate Director is a member of such committee), and attend and vote as a Director at any such meeting at which the appointing Director is not present and generally to exercise all the powers, rights, duties and authorities and to perform all functions of the appointing Director.

 

(d)                   Each of Lotus, Falcon, Gobi, Didi, Nikkei, Nova Compass, Tianhong and Xiaomi shall be entitled to appoint one (1) observer (each an “Observer”) to attend all meetings of the Board and any Board committees that are formed from time to time so long as such entity owns any Company Securities, in each case in a non-voting observer capacity, and the Company shall provide such Observer, concurrently in the same manner as distributed to the Directors, other voting members of the Board or the members of committees of the Board, copies of all meetings notices, agendas, board materials, information, draft resolutions, minutes, proposed actions by written consent and other communications so distributed, provided, that such Observer shall agree to hold in confidence and trust and to act in a fiduciary manner with respect to all information provided.

 

Section 2.02.                Meetings. (a) The Board shall hold a regularly scheduled meeting at least once every calendar quarter. The Directors may participate in any meetings of the Board or any committee thereof through remote communication device where the participants can hear one another, and the Company shall at all times facilitate the participation of the Directors by teleconference or other remote communication device if such Persons are not physically present.

 

16


 

(b)                                 The Company shall pay all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by each Director in connection with attending regular and special meetings of the Board and any committee thereof, and any such meetings of the board of directors of any other Group Company and any committee thereof.

 

(c)                                  The Company agrees to give each Director (by mail or otherwise) notice and the agenda for each meeting of the Board or any committee thereof at least five (5) days prior to such meeting, or such shorter period as may be agreed to by such Director.

 

Section 2.03.                Action by the Board. All meetings of the Board shall require a quorum of at least three (3) Directors, which shall at least include each of the Investor Directors. Each Director shall be entitled to one (1) vote.

 

Section 2.04.                          Board Committees. (a) The Board may create and terminate such committees as it may determine from time to time, including without limitation, (i) an audit committee, (ii) a compensation committee and (iii) a nominating and corporate governance committee.

 

(b)                                 The Board may delegate to its committees such powers as it may determine appropriate from time to time, subject always to revocation of such powers by the Board. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board shall not delegate any of its power with respect to any matters set forth in Section 2.06 of this Agreement.

 

Section 2.05.                Memorandum and Articles. Each Shareholder agrees to vote all of its Company Securities or execute proxies or written consents, as the case may be, and to take all other actions necessary, to ensure that the Memorandum and Articles (i) facilitate, and do not at any time conflict with, any provision of this Agreement, (ii) permit each Shareholder to receive the benefits to which each such Shareholder is entitled under this Agreement, and (iii) are filed and registered with the applicable Governmental Authority in accordance with all Applicable Laws.

 

Section 2.06.                Matters Requiring Director Approval. Subject to the limitations provided by Applicable Law and in the Memorandum and Articles, the Company and other Group Companies shall not directly or indirectly take, permit to occur, approve, authorize, or agree or commit to do any of the following without the written approval of a majority of the Directors then in office, which must include approval from each of the Investor Directors:

 

(i)                                     adopt or amend any operational plan, investment plan, and annual business plan, including any change to the existing business scope, entry into any new lines of business or cessation of any existing lines of business, of any Group Company;

 

(ii)                                    adopt any annual business plan, budget or final accounts of any Group Company or approve any expenditure exceeding the annual budget of any Group Company;

 

17


 

(iii)                                     adopt, approve or amend any profit distribution or loss compensation policy of any Group Company;

 

(iv)                                    adopt any substantive change to the accounting principles, standards, methods or policies of any Group Company in any material respect, or change the financial year of any Group Company;

 

(v)                                   except for operations in the ordinary course of business of the Company in connection with joint product development and joint sale and marketing efforts, make any investment to another entity (other than a Group Company), acquire any assets, operations or businesses of another entity (other than a Group Company), enter into any partnership, profit sharing arrangement or joint venture with another entity (except for strategic alliances not involving any equity or equity-related investment), or establish any new branches or Subsidiaries of the Company, in each case in an amount exceeding RMB5,000,000 in one transaction or in an amount exceeding RMB20,000,000 in the aggregate in any financial year;

 

(vi)                                    adopt plans to increase, reduce (by redemption, repurchase or otherwise) or cancel the authorized or issued share capital of any Group Company or otherwise change the authorized or issued share capital of any Group Company;

 

(vii)                                   adopt any amendment to or restate the Charter Documents of any Group Company (including the amendment thereof);

 

(viii)                                      any termination, or material modification or waiver of, or material amendment to any Control Documents, including a feasible alternative legal structure if any of the Control Documents becomes illegal, void or unenforceable;

 

(ix)                                    issue any securities of any Group Company other than Equity Securities, including the issuance of any debt securities;

 

(x)                                   approve any initial public offering of any Equity Securities of any Group Company, including determine the material terms and conditions of the initial public offering (including, without limitation, the type and number of Equity Securities to be listed, listing venue, stock exchange, timing, valuation, issue price, engagement of any underwriter or sponsor and offering conditions);

 

(xi)                                    adopt or approve any plans of merger, amalgamation, consolidation, spin-off, reorganization, restructuring, suspension or cease of operation, dissolution, liquidation, bankruptcy, change of organizational formation, change of control transaction or the sale, transfer, pledge, mortgage, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets, business or interests, of any Group Company;

 

(xii)                                   approve or amend any ESOP;

 

(xiii)                                   approve, extend or amend any transaction or agreement between any Group Company and a Shareholder, Director, officer, Key Employee(s) or related party of any Group Company, except for transactions or agreements pursuant to the ESOP or employment agreements or with a Preferred Investor holding Preferred Shares representing less than 5% of the Company’s voting power in the aggregate (on a fully diluted and as-converted basis);

 

18


 

(xiv)                                  approve, extend or amend any grant of exclusivity rights to a third party by any Group Company;

 

(xv)                                 determine the scope of the senior management, appoint, replace, remove or determine the compensation of the chief executive officer, chief operating officer, general manager, financial manager and any other senior officer or member of the senior management of the Company, including any individual who receives a total compensation (including in-kind compensation and allowances) from any Group Company in excess of RMB1,000,000 (or its equivalent in another currency) per year;

 

(xvi)                               elect, replace, or remove any of the co-chairman of the Board;

 

(xvii)                                 commence, terminate or settle any legal proceedings or arbitrations in which the amount under dispute exceeds RMB5,000,000 or any legal proceedings, arbitrations or administrative proceedings that will materially and adversely affect the business of the Company;

 

(xviii)                                 sell, pledge, mortgage, lease, license to any third party to operate or otherwise dispose of any asset outside the ordinary course of business, if the book value of such asset exceeds one percent (1%) of the total asset value of any Group Company, five percent (5%) of the net asset value of such Group Company, or such asset is critical to the ordinary course of business of such Group Company without which would cause a Material Adverse Effect on such Group Company;

 

(xix)                                 except for any debt or guarantee incurred or made in the ordinary course of business or in accordance with a duly approved annual budget, business plan or investment plan of any Group Company, incur any indebtedness or provide any guarantee by any Group Company over any indebtedness (including, without limitation, any indebtedness of any Shareholder, the Founder or the Co-Founder) in an amount exceeding RMB5,000,000 in one transaction or in an amount exceeding RMB20,000,000 in the aggregate in any financial year (including any issuance of debt securities);

 

(xx)                               except for any loan or advance made to a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company or the Domestic Company, or in the ordinary course of business, make any loan or advance in an amount exceeding RMB5,000,000 in one transaction or in an amount exceeding RMB20,000,000 in the aggregate in any financial year;

 

(xxi)                                 purchase any real property;

 

(xxii)                                sell, transfer, license, pledge, encumber or otherwise dispose of any material intellectual property of any Group Company;

 

(xxiii)                                  except for any capital expenditure made in accordance with a duly approved annual budget, business plan or investment plan of the Company, incur any capital expenditure in excess of RMB1,000,000 in any single transaction or a series of related transactions;

 

19


 

(xxiv)                              designate or change the authorized signatories or seals of any bank account of the Company;

 

(xxv)                                appoint, replace or remove of the external auditor of the Company; and

 

(xxvi)                                 enter into any material transaction between any Group Company and any related party of any Group Company, including the grant of any loans to officers, Directors or employees of any Group Company. For the avoidance of doubt, any transaction with an amount of no more than RMB20,000,000 between any Group Company and any Preferred Investor holding Preferred Shares representing less than 5% of the Company’s voting power in the aggregate (on a fully diluted and as-converted basis) shall not be deemed to be a material transaction between any Group Company and any related party of any Group Company as set forth in the preceding sentence.

 

Section 2.07.                Acts Requiring Approval of Certain Shareholders. Subject to Applicable Law and the Memorandum and Articles, the Company and other Group Companies shall not directly or indirectly take, permit to occur, approve, authorize, or agree or commit to do any of the following without the prior written approval of the holders of the Preferred Shares representing at least two-thirds (2/3) of the voting power of the then outstanding Preferred Shares (voting together as a single class and on an as converted basis):

 

(i)                                     increase, reduce or cancel any authorized or issued share capital of any Group Company, or otherwise change the authorized or issued share capital of any Group Company;

 

(ii)                                    amend, adopt or repeal any provision of the Charter Documents (including the amendment) of any Group Company;

 

(iii)                                     approve any initial public offering of any Equity Securities of any Group Company (including the IPO), including determine the material terms and conditions of the initial public offering (including, without limitation, the type and number of Equity Securities to be listed, listing venue, timing, valuation, issue price, engagement of any underwriter and offering conditions);

 

(iv)                                   (A) create, authorize or issue (including by reclassification or otherwise) any Equity Securities, including such Equity Securities having rights, preferences or privileges senior to or on parity with any series or class of Preferred Shares; or (B) increase the authorized number of Preferred Shares; or (C) do any other act which has the effect of diluting or reducing the effective shareholding of any holder of the Preferred Shares, except for any Ordinary Shares and/or options or warrants therefor issued to employees, officers, directors, contractors, advisors or consultants of the Group Companies pursuant to the ESOP subject to a maximum of 137,186,000 Ordinary Shares (as adjusted in connection with share splits or share consolidation, reclassification or other similar event) issuable thereunder;

 

20


 

(v)                                 redeem or repurchase any Equity Securities of the Company or pay any dividend on such Equity Securities, except for the redemption or repurchase of any Equity Securities of the Company from employees, officers, directors, contractors, advisors or consultants of the Group Companies upon the termination of their employment or contractor relationship with the applicable Group Company (the price of such redemption or repurchase shall be the lower of (i) the fair market value or (ii) the original purchase or subscription price, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law). For the avoidance of doubt, redemption under Article 6 of this Agreement shall not require the approval of the Shareholders under this Section 2.07;

 

(vi)                                adopt or approve any plans of merger, amalgamation, consolidation, spin-off, reorganization, restructuring, suspension or cease of operation, dissolution, liquidation, bankruptcy, change of organizational form, change of control transaction or the sale, transfer, pledge, mortgage or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets, business or interests (including the exclusive licensing of all or substantially all of the intellectual property) of any Group Company;

 

(vii)                                approve any amendment to the rights, preferences, privileges or powers of, or the restrictions provided for the benefit of, any Preferred Share, or approve any action that will result in the dilution of the Preferred Shares;

 

(viii)                                adopt, approve or amend any profit distribution or loss compensation policy of any Group Company;

 

(ix)                                any termination, or material modification or waiver of, or material amendment to any Control Documents, including a feasible alternative legal structure if any of the Control Documents becomes illegal, void or unenforceable; and

 

(x)                                 any other item as provided in this Agreement and the Memorandum and Articles which requires the prior written approval of the holders of the Preferred Shares representing at least two-thirds (2/3) of the voting power of the then outstanding Preferred Shares (voting together as a single class and on an as converted basis).

 

Notwithstanding the forgoing, the Company and other Group Companies shall not directly or indirectly take, permit to occur, approve, authorize, or agree or commit to do any of the items as set forth in Section 2.07(i), (iv), (vi) and (vii) (for Section 2.07(vii), only with respect to the Series D Preferred Shares), without the prior written approval of the holders of the Series D Preferred Shares representing at least two-thirds (2/3) of the voting power of the then outstanding Series D Preferred Shares (voting together as a single class and on an as converted basis).

 

ARTICLE 3

 

INFORMATION RIGHTS

 

Section 3.01. Information Rights. Besides the information that shall be furnished under Applicable Laws, the Company shall furnish to each Preferred Investor:

 

21


 

(a)                                 within thirty (30) days prior to the end of each fiscal year, an annual consolidated budget (including the budget financial statements) and an annual business plan of the Group duly approved in accordance with Section 2.06 for the next fiscal year;

 

(b)                                 within ten (10) Business Days after the end of each month, an operational report of the Group for such month in the form required by the Board, which shall set forth the operating performance for such month and for the portion of the fiscal year then ended, including the cumulative difference from the applicable capital and operational budget;

 

(c)                                  within fifteen (15) days after the end of each month, unaudited monthly financial statements prepared in accordance with PRC GAAP (including consolidated and separate financial statements), which shall include a balance sheet, an income statement and a cash flow statement for such month and for the portion of the fiscal year then ended;

 

(d)                                 within thirty (30) days after the end of each quarter, unaudited quarterly financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP (including consolidated and separate financial statements), which shall include a balance sheet, an income statement and a cash flow statement (including the cash balance) for such quarter and for the portion of the fiscal year then ended;

 

(e)                                  within sixty (60) days after the end of each fiscal year, (i) annual financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP or PRC GAAP or any other internationally accepted accounting principles as applicable (including consolidated and separate financial statements) for the Group audited by any of PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, KPMG or Deloitte & Touche, which shall include a balance sheet, an income statement and a cash flow statement (including the cash balance) and related notes thereto and (ii) in the event the annual financial statements are prepared in accordance with US GAAP, reconciliation statements to IFRS; and

 

(f)                                   other materials or information as reasonably requested by any Preferred Investor, within five (5) days upon receipt of such request.

 

All information furnished by the Company to the Preferred Investors shall be certified by the chief executive officer of the Company (and for the information referred to in above subsections (c), (d) and (e), also by the chief financial officer of the Company) as true, correct and not misleading.

 

Section 3.02.                Failure to Deliver. In the event that the Company fails to deliver to any Preferred Investor the information specified in Section 3.01 within the prescribed period, and such Preferred Investor fails to receive such information within ten (10) Business Days after it submits a written request to the Company for such information, then such Preferred Investor shall be entitled to request the Company’s auditor, or an accounting firm designated by such Preferred Investor if the Company’s auditor fails to consent to such request within seven (7) Business Days, to prepare and deliver such information at the expense of the Company. The Co-Founder and other holders of Ordinary Shares (other than the Ordinary Investors) shall cause the Company to promptly provide any information as may be requested by the Company’s auditor or the designated accounting firm to prepare such information.

 

22


 

ARTICLE 4

 

RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER

 

Section 4.01. Specific Restrictions on Transfer. (a) Without the prior written consent of each Preferred Investor (for so long as such Preferred Investor owns any Company Securities), the holders of the Ordinary Shares (except for the Ordinary Investors) shall not Transfer, directly or indirectly, any Equity Securities of any Group Company, except for any Permitted Transfer, provided that (i) such Permitted Transfer is effected in compliance with all Applicable Laws, (ii) such Permitted Transfer will not result in a change of Control of the Company, and (iii) each transferee of such Permitted Transfer, prior to the completion of such Permitted Transfer, shall execute a joinder agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A assuming the obligations of such holder of the Ordinary Shares under this Agreement; provided further, in the event of a Transfer of Equity Securities of a Group Company by such holder of the Ordinary Shares to a trust for the benefit of such holder of the Ordinary Shares or its Affiliate(s), such holder of the Ordinary Shares shall remain liable for any breach by the transferee of such Permitted Transfer of any provision under the Series D Preferred Share Subscription Agreement, this Agreement and the Memorandum and Articles.

 

(b)                                 Without the prior written consent of the Board, and notwithstanding any other provision herein, no Shareholder shall Transfer any Company Securities to any Company Competitor.

 

Section 4.02.                New Issuances and Transfers to Competitors. (a) No Group Company shall, directly or indirectly, issue or sell any Equity Securities of any Group Company to any Competitor without the prior written consent of Ant Financial, and (b) subject to Section 5.01(e), no Shareholder (other than Ant Financial) shall Transfer any or all of its Company Securities to any Competitor, without the prior written consent of Ant Financial. Notwithstanding prong (b) of the previous sentence, if Ant Financial does not consent to such Transfer and not exercise the right of first refusal in accordance with Section 5.01(e), each of the Series A-1 Investor, the Series A-2 Investor, Chuangji, Neo TH, Themisclio, the Series C-1 Investors, the Series C-2 Investor and the Series D Investors may, individually or collectively, Transfer its Company Securities to any Competitor only if the following conditions are satisfied: (i) the aggregate Company Securities thus Transferred to such Competitor shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the total outstanding Shares of the Company (calculated on a fully diluted and an as-converted basis), and (ii) following such Transfer, no Competitor shall be entitled to any veto right over any of the material matters of any Group Company, or to appoint any director of any Group Company.

 

ARTICLE 5

 

RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL; CO-SALE RIGHTS; DRAG-ALONG RIGHTS; PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS

 

Section 5.01.                Right of First Refusal. (a) Subject to Section 4.01, Section 4.02, Section 5.01(e) and Section 5.04, except for any Permitted Transfer, if any holder of Ordinary Shares (other than the Ordinary Investors) (a “Transferor”) proposes to Transfer any or all of its Company Securities to one or more Persons other than the Shareholders, the Transferor shall give the Company and all the Preferred Investors (each such Preferred Investor, a “Rightholder”) a written notice of the Transferor’s intention to make the Transfer (the “Transfer Notice”), which shall include (i) a description of the Company Securities to be transferred (the “Offered Securities”), (ii) the identity and address of the prospective transferee and (iii) the consideration and other material terms and conditions upon which the proposed Transfer is to be made. The Transfer Notice shall certify that the Transferor has received a definitive offer from the prospective transferee and in good faith believes a binding agreement for the Transfer is obtainable on the terms set forth in the Transfer Notice. The Transfer Notice shall also include a copy of any written proposal, term sheet or letter of intent or other agreements relating to the proposed Transfer.

 

23


 

(b)                                 Each Rightholder shall have an option for a period of ten (10) Business Days following receipt of the Transfer Notice (the “Option Period”) to elect to purchase all or any portion of its respective Pro Rata Share of the Offered Securities at the same price and subject to the same terms and conditions as described in the Transfer Notice, by notifying the Transferor and the Company in writing before expiration of the Option Period as to the number of such Offered Securities that it wishes to purchase. For purpose of this Section 5.01, the Rightholder’s “Pro Rata Share” of such Offered Securities shall be equal to the product of (i) the total number of such Offered Securities, multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the aggregate number of Ordinary Shares held by such Rightholder on the date of the Transfer Notice (including all Preferred Shares held by such Rightholder on an as-converted basis) and the denominator of which shall be the total number of Ordinary Shares held by all Rightholders on such date (including all Preferred Shares held by such Rightholders on an as-converted basis).

 

(c)                                  If any Rightholder fails to exercise its right to purchase its full Pro Rata Share of such Offered Securities, the Company shall deliver a written notice thereof (the “Second Notice”), within two (2) Business Days after the expiration of the Option Period, to the Transferor and to each Rightholder that elected to purchase its entire Pro Rata Share of the Offered Securities (an “Exercising Shareholder”). The Exercising Shareholders shall have a right of re-allotment, and may exercise an additional right to purchase such unpurchased Offered Securities by notifying the Transferor and the Company in writing within ten (10) Business Days after receipt of the Second Notice (the “Second Option Period”); provided that if the Exercising Shareholders desire to purchase in aggregate more than the number of such unpurchased Offered Securities, then such unpurchased Offered Securities will be allocated to the extent necessary among the Exercising Shareholders in accordance with their relative Pro Rata Shares.

 

(d)                                 Subject to Applicable Laws, each Rightholder shall be entitled to apportion Offered Securities to be purchased among its Affiliates, provided that such Rightholder shall notify the Transferor in writing and such Affiliates shall execute and deliver such documents and take such other actions as may be necessary for such Affiliates to join in and be bound by the terms of this Agreement as a “Shareholder” (if not already a Party hereto) upon and after such Transfer. If any Rightholder gives the Transferor and the Company notice that it desires to purchase Offered Securities, payment for the Offered Securities to be purchased shall be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds of the appropriate currency, against delivery of such Offered Securities to be purchased, remotely via the exchange of documents and signatures on or prior to the 30th day after expiration of the Option Period, or at another time as agreed by the Transferor, the Company and all Exercising Shareholders. The Company will update its register of members upon the consummation of any such Transfer.

 

24


 

(e)                                  Right of First Refusal of Ant Financial. Subject to Section 4.01, Section 4.02, if any Shareholder (other than Ant Financial) proposes to Transfer (the “Proposed Transfer”) any or all of its Company Securities to any Competitor, then before any Rightholder may invoke its applicable right of first refusal pursuant to Sections 5.01(a) to (d) or co-sale right pursuant to Section 5.02, such proposed transferor shall give Ant Financial a written transfer notice, which shall include (i) its intention to make the Proposed Transfer, (ii) a description of the Company Securities to be transferred (the “Transferring Securities”), including the number of such Company Securities, the proposed consideration and other key terms and conditions upon which the Proposed Transfer is to be made. Ant Financial shall, within thirty (30) days (the “30-Day Option Period”) following receipt of such transfer notice, deliver a written notice to such transferor of its election: (x) Ant Financial does not consent to the Proposed Transfer, (y) Ant Financial elects to exercise its right of first refusal to purchase all of the Transferring Securities at the same price and subject to the same terms and conditions as described in the transfer notice, or (z) Ant Financial consents to the Proposed Transfer without exercising its right of first refusal under this Section 5.01(e). If Ant Financial fails to give a written notice within the 30-Day Option Period in accordance with the foregoing, then the foregoing sub-clause (x) shall be deemed to be elected by Ant Financial. In the case of the foregoing sub-clause (x), Ant Financial shall not be obliged to purchase the Transferring Securities. In the case of the foregoing sub-clause (y), the written notice of Ant Financial shall constitute a binding agreement to purchase, at the price and on the terms specified in the transfer notice, all of the Transferring Securities specified in the transfer notice and such Transfer shall be consummated within thirty (30) days upon the expiration of the 30- Day Option Period. For the avoidance of doubt, in the case of the foregoing sub-clause(z) Ant Financial consents to the Proposed Transfer without exercising its right of first refusal under this Section 5.01(e), then other Shareholders are entitled to the right of first refusal under this Section 5.01.

 

Section 5.02.                Co-Sale Rights. (a) To the extent that the Rightholders do not exercise their right of first refusals in full as to the Offered Securities proposed to be Transferred by the Transferor to the prospective transferee identified in the Transfer Notice pursuant to Section 5.01, the Rightholders (each, a “Co-Sale Rightholder”) shall have the right to participate in such sale to the prospective transferee identified in the Transfer Notice on the same terms and conditions as specified in the Transfer Notice by notifying the Transferor in writing within ten (10) Business Days after expiration the Option Period, or the Second Option Period, as the case may be (the “Co-Sale Option Period”).

 

(b)                                 The maximum number of Company Securities that each Co-Sale Rightholder may elect to sell shall be equal to the product of (i) the aggregate number of Offered Securities after any Transfer made pursuant to Section 5.01, multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of Ordinary Shares owned by such Co-Sale Rightholder (including all Preferred Shares held by such Co-Sale Rightholder on an as-converted basis) and the denominator of which shall be the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Transferor and all participating Co-Sale Rightholders immediately prior to the proposed Transfer (including all Preferred Shares held by such Shareholders on an as-converted basis).

 

(c)                                  Each Co-Sale Rightholder shall effect its participation in the sale by promptly delivering to the Transferor for Transfer to the prospective transferee, before the applicable closing, one or more certificates, which represent the type and number of Company Securities which the Co-Sale Rightholder elects to sell.

 

25


 

(d)                                 The share certificate or certificates that each Co-Sale Rightholder delivers to the Transferor pursuant to Section 5.02(c) shall be submitted to the Company for cancellation and the Company shall, upon the consummation of the sale of the Company Securities, issue a new certificate to each Co-Sale Rightholder for the remaining balance. The Transferor shall concurrently therewith remit to each Co-Sale Rightholder that portion of the sale proceeds to which the Co-Sale Rightholder is entitled by reason of its participation in such Transfer. The Company shall update its register of members upon consummation of such Transfer.

 

(e)                                  To the extent that (x) any prospective purchaser prohibits the participation by any Co-Sale Rightholder exercising its co-sale rights hereunder in a proposed Transfer or otherwise refuses to purchase Company Securities from such Co-Sale Rightholder, or (y) such prospective purchaser fails to consummate the purchase of the Company Securities from such Co-Sale Rightholder prior to, or simultaneously with, the consummation of the Transfer of the Offered Securities, then the Transferor shall not sell to such prospective purchaser any Company Securities unless and until, prior to, or simultaneously with, such sale, the Transferor shall purchase from the Co-Sale Rightholder such Company Securities that the Co-Sale Rightholder would otherwise be entitled to sell to the prospective purchaser pursuant to its co-sale rights for the same consideration and subject to the terms and conditions as the proposed Transfer specified in the Transfer Notice.

 

Section 5.03.                Non-Exercise of Rights. Subject to the provisions of Section 5.02, to the extent that the Rightholders do not elect to purchase all of the Offered Securities in accordance with Section 5.01, the Transferor shall have two (2) months after the latest of the expiration of the Option Period, the Second Option Period and the Co-Sale Option Period to consummate the Transfer of the Offered Securities not purchased by the Rightholders pursuant to Section 5.01 to the prospective transferee identified in the Transfer Notice on the same terms and conditions specified in the Transfer Notice. In the event that such Transfer has not consummated within such two-month period, the Transferor shall not thereafter Transfer any Company Securities without first applying the procedures provided in Section 5.01 and Section 5.02.

 

Section 5.04.                          Drag-along Rights. If the Majority Shareholders (including a Preferred Majority and each of Ant Financial, Chuangji, the Founder and the Co-Founder) (the “Drag-Along Sellers”) approve a bona fide offer from any third party (other than the Preferred Investors or their respective Affiliate(s)) to enter into a Deemed Liquidation Event of the Company (a “Drag-Along Sale”), then each other Shareholder shall, if so requested by the Drag-Along Sellers, (i) vote all of its Company Securities, or execute a written consent, in favor of the Drag-Along Sale, (ii) Transfer all or any portion of its Company Securities at the same price and on the same terms as the Drag-Along Sellers to consummate the Drag-Along Sale, provided, however, that such terms and conditions, including with respect to price paid or received per Company Security, may differ as between different classes of Company Securities in accordance with their relative liquidation preferences as set forth in this Agreement and the Memorandum and Articles, and (iii) otherwise take all other actions necessary or desirable to consummate the Drag-Along Sale; provided that, any Transfer of the Company Securities pursuant to this Section 5.04 shall not be subject to the restrictions provided under Section 4.01, Section 5.01, Section 5.02, and Section 5.03.

 

26


 

Section 5.05.                Preemptive Rights. (a) The Company shall give each Preemptive Rightholder notice (an “Issuance Notice”) of any proposed issuance by the Company of any Company Securities at least 10 days prior to the proposed issuance date. The Issuance Notice shall specify (i) the price at which such Company Securities are to be issued, (ii) the identity of the prospective subscriber and (iii) the other material terms of the issuance. Subject to Section 5.05(g) below, each Preemptive Rightholder shall be entitled to purchase up to its Preemptive Portion of the Company Securities proposed to be issued, at the price and on the terms specified in the Issuance Notice.

 

(b)                                 Each Preemptive Rightholder who desires to purchase any or all of its Preemptive Portion of the Company Securities specified in the Issuance Notice shall deliver notice to the Company (each, an “Exercise Notice”) of its election to purchase such Company Securities within ten (10) Business Days of receipt of the Issuance Notice (the “Preemptive Option Period”). The Exercise Notice shall specify the number (or amount) of Company Securities to be purchased by such Preemptive Rightholder and shall constitute exercise by such Preemptive Rightholder of its rights under this Section 5.05 and a binding agreement of it to purchase, at the price and on the terms specified in the Issuance Notice, the number (or amount) of Company Securities specified in the Exercise Notice. If, at the termination of the Preemptive Option Period, any Preemptive Rightholder shall not have delivered an Exercise Notice to the Company, such Preemptive Rightholder shall be deemed to have waived all of its rights under this Section 5.05 with respect to the purchase of such Company Securities.

 

(c)                                  If any Preemptive Rightholder declines or fails to exercise its right to subscribe for its Preemptive Portion of the Company Securities proposed to be issued in full in accordance with Section 5.05(b) and there is at least one Preemptive Rightholder who has fully exercised its right of participation (the “Exercising Rightholder”), the Company shall promptly give notice thereof to each Exercising Rightholder. The Exercising Rightholders shall have a right of over-allotment, and may exercise an additional right to subscribe such unsubscribed Company Securities by notifying the Company in writing within ten (10) Business Days after receipt of notice; provided that if the Exercising Rightholders desire to subscribe in aggregate more than the number of such unsubscribed Company Securities, then such unsubscribed Company Securities will be allocated to the extent necessary among the Exercising Rightholders in accordance with their relative pro rata ownership of Shares on an as-converted basis.

 

(d)                                 The Company shall have one hundred and twenty (120) days from the date of the Issuance Notice to consummate the proposed issuance of any or all of such Company Securities that the Preemptive Rightholders have not elected to purchase pursuant to this Section 5.05 at the price and upon terms that are not materially less favorable to the Company than those specified in the Issuance Notice. If the Company proposes to issue any such Company Securities after such 120-day period, it shall again comply with the procedures set forth in this Section 5.05.

 

(e)                                  At the consummation of the issuance of such Company Securities, the Company shall deliver a copy of its register of members updated to reflect such issuance and issue certificates representing the Company Securities purchased by each Preemptive Rightholder exercising preemptive rights pursuant to this Section 5.05, against payment by such Shareholder of the purchase price for such Company Securities in accordance with the terms and conditions as specified in the Issuance Notice.

 

27


 

(f)                                   Each Preemptive Rightholder may apportion, at is sole discretion, its Preemptive Portion of the Company Securities proposed to be issued among its Affiliates in any proportion, provided that each of such Affiliate(s) shall meet the prerequisites and qualifications to become a Shareholder of the Company, and execute and deliver a joinder agreement to be bound by this Agreement in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto.

 

(g)                                  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Preemptive Rightholder shall be entitled to purchase Company Securities as contemplated by this Section 5.05 in connection with issuances of (i) Company Securities (as appropriately adjusted for share subdivision, share dividends, combination, Recapitalizations and similar events) issued (or issuable pursuant to such Company Securities) to the Group Companies’ employees, officers, directors, consultants or any other Persons qualified pursuant to the ESOP of the Company as duly adopted, (ii) Company Securities issued or issuable pursuant to a pro rata share subdivision, share dividend, combination, Recapitalization or other similar transaction of the Company, in each case, as duly approved, (iii) Ordinary Shares issued upon the conversion of Preferred Shares, (iv) Company Securities issued in connection with the exercise of the right under any convertible securities, provided that the issuance of such convertible securities has been duly approved, (iv) Company Securities issued pursuant to an IPO and (v) Company Securities issued in connection with any bona fide, arm’s-length direct or indirect merger, consolidation, asset acquisition or similar transaction where the Company proposes to acquire substantially all of the assets of, or more than fifty percent (50%) of equity interest or voting power in, the target entity, as duly approved.

 

ARTICLE 6

 

REDEMPTION RIGHTS

 

Section 6.01.                Redemption. Upon and after the occurrence of any Redemption Event, any Preferred Investor (other than the Series A-1 Investor) (each, a “Redemption Holder”) may serve a written notice (the “Redemption Notice”) to the Company, the Co-Founder and the Co-Founder Holdco to request the redemption of all or part of their Preferred Shares (the “Redemption Shares”). Upon receipt of an Redemption Notice, the Company, the Co-Founder and the Co-Founder Holdco shall redeem the Redemption Shares and make payment to each Redemption Holder within ninety (90) days following the receipt of the Redemption Notice an amount on a per share basis calculated as follows (each, the “Redemption Price”):

 

(i)                                     with respect to each Series D Preferred Share, the sum of (a) the Series D Issue Price X (1 + 10%)N, plus (b) any declared but unpaid dividends on a Series D Preferred Share (where N is a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar days between the Series D Issue Date and the date on which such Series D Preferred Shares are redeemed and the denominator of which is 365);

 

(ii)                                    with respect to each Series C-1 Preferred Share, the sum of (a) the Series C-1 Issue Price X (1 + 10%)N, plus (b) any declared but unpaid dividends on a Series C-1 Preferred Share (where N is a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar days between the Series C-1 Issue Date and the date on which such Series C-1 Preferred Shares are redeemed and the denominator of which is 365);

 

28


 

(iii)                                    with respect to each Series B-4 Preferred Share, the sum of (a) 120% of the Series B-4 Issue Price or the fair market value of such Share (whichever is higher), plus (b) any declared but unpaid dividends on a Series B-4 Preferred Share;

 

(iv)                                   with respect to each Series B-3 Preferred Share, the sum of (a) 120% of the Series B-3 Issue Price or the fair market value of such Share (whichever is higher), plus (b) any declared but unpaid dividends on a Series B-3 Preferred Share;

 

(v)                                     with respect to each Series B-2 Preferred Share, the sum of (a) 120% of the Series B-2 Issue Price or the fair market value of such Share (whichever is higher), plus (b) any declared but unpaid dividends on a Series B-2 Preferred Share;

 

(vi)                                   with respect to each Series B-1 Preferred Share, the sum of (a) 120% of the Series B-1 Issue Price or the fair market value of such Share (whichever is higher), plus (b) any declared but unpaid dividends on a Series B-1 Preferred Share;

 

(vii)                                  with respect to each Series A-2 Preferred Share, the sum of 300% of the Series A-2 Issue Price of such Share, plus (b) any declared but unpaid dividends on a Series A-2 Preferred Share.

 

Section 6.02.                Redemption Waterfall. Subject to Applicable Laws, the Company, the Co-Founder and the Co-Founder Holdco shall, jointly and severally, effect the redemption and make payment of the Redemption Price to each Redemption Holder in the following sequence and priority:

 

(i)                                     before any redemption of any Series A-2 Preferred Shares, any Series B-1 Preferred Shares, any Series B-2 Preferred Shares, any Series B-3 Preferred Shares, any Series B-4 Preferred Shares and any Series C-1 Preferred Shares, redeem each Series D Preferred Share requested to be redeemed on a pari passu basis (in the event that there are insufficient funds to permit the payment of all Redemption Price to each Redemption Holder of the Series D Preferred Shares, the available funds shall be allocated ratably among each Redemption Holder of the Series D Preferred Shares in proportion to the Redemption Price entitled by each such Redemption Holder);

 

(ii)                                    after redemption in full of the Series D Preferred Shares and before any redemption of any Series A-2 Preferred Shares, any Series B-1 Preferred Shares, any Series B-2 Preferred Shares, any Series B-3 Preferred Shares and any Series B-4 Preferred Shares, redeem each Series C-1 Preferred Share requested to be redeemed on a pari passu basis (in the event that there are insufficient funds to permit the payment of all Redemption Price to each Redemption Holder of the Series C-1 Preferred Shares, the available funds shall be allocated ratably among each Redemption Holder of the Series C-1 Preferred Shares in proportion to the Redemption Price entitled by each such Redemption Holder);

 

29


 

(iii)                                 after redemption in full of the Series D Preferred Shares and the Series C-1 Preferred Shares and before any redemption of any Series A-2 Preferred Shares, any Series B-2 Preferred Shares, any Series B-3 Preferred Shares and any Series B-4 Preferred Shares, redeem each Series B-1 Preferred Share requested to be redeemed on a pari passu basis (in the event that there are insufficient funds to permit the payment of all Redemption Price to each Redemption Holder of the Series B-1 Preferred Shares, the available funds shall be allocated ratably among each Redemption Holder of the Series B-1 Preferred Shares in proportion to the Redemption Price entitled by each such Redemption Holder);

 

(iv)                                after redemption in full of the Series D Preferred Shares, the Series C-1 Preferred Shares and the Series B-1 Preferred Shares and before any redemption of any Series A-2 Preferred Shares, redeem each Series B-2 Preferred Share, each Series B-3 Preferred Share and each Series B-4 Preferred Share requested to be redeemed on a pari passu basis (in the event that there are insufficient funds to permit the payment of all Redemption Price to each Redemption Holder of Series B-4 Preferred Shares, Series B-3 Preferred Shares and Series B-2 Preferred Shares, the available funds shall be allocated ratably among each Redemption Holder of the Series B-4 Preferred Shares, the Series B-3 Preferred Shares and the Series B-2 Preferred Shares in proportion to the Redemption Price entitled by each such Redemption Holder);

 

(v)                                   after redemption in full of the Series D Preferred Shares, the Series C-1 Preferred Shares, the Series B-1 Preferred Shares, the Series B-2 Preferred Shares, the Series B-3 Preferred Shares and the Series B-4 Preferred Shares, redeem each Series A-2 Preferred Share requested to be redeemed.

 

Section 6.03.                Insufficient Funds. If the Company, the Co-Founder and the Co-Founder Holdco fail to make full payment of the Redemption Price within ninety (90) days following the receipt of the Redemption Notice, the amount of any shortfall shall be subject to a daily interest accumulated at a rate of 0.05%. In the event that the Company, the Co-Founder and the Co-Founder Holdco fail to make full payment of the Redemption Price within one hundred and twenty (120) days following the receipt of the Redemption Notice, any Redemption Holder shall be entitled to require the dissolution and liquidation of the Company in accordance with Article 8 of this Agreement and the procedures as set forth in the Memorandum and Articles.

 

Section 6.04.                Limited Liability.Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Co-Founder’s obligations under this Article 6 shall be limited to the fair market value of the Company Securities directly or indirectly held by the Co-Founder and the Co-Founder Holdco. The Co-Founder shall not be obligated to make any payment under this Article 6 in an amount exceeding the fair market value of the Company Securities directly or indirectly held by the Co-Founder the Co-Founder Holdco.

 

30


 

ARTICLE 7

 

DIVIDEND RIGHTS

 

Section 7.01.                Dividend Rights. The Parties acknowledge and agree that, subject to the requisite approvals set forth under Section 2.06 and Section 2.07, the Shareholders shall be entitled to receive, when and if declared by the Board, non-cumulative dividends.

 

Section 7.02.                Preference. In the event any dividend is declared, such dividend shall be distributed to the Shareholders in the following sequence and priority:

 

(a)                                 Each Series D Investor shall be entitled to receive the Series D Preference Dividend prior and in preference to, and satisfied before, any dividend on the Series C-2 Preferred Shares, the Series C-1 Preferred Shares, the Series B-4 Preferred Shares, the Series B-3 Preferred Shares, the Series B-2 Preferred Shares, the Series B-1 Preferred Shares, the Series A-2 Preferred Shares, the Series A-1 Preferred Shares and the Ordinary Shares. If the dividend declared is insufficient to permit the payment in full of the Series D Preference Dividend, then the dividend declared shall be distributed ratably among the Series D Investors in proportion to the Series D Preference Dividend each such Investor is entitled to receive.

 

(b)                                 Each Series C-1 Investor and the Series C-2 Investor shall be entitled to receive the Series C-1 Preference Dividend and the Series C-2 Preference Dividend (as applicable) prior and in preference to, and satisfied before, any dividend on the Series B-4 Preferred Shares, the Series B-3 Preferred Shares, the Series B-2 Preferred Shares, the Series B-1 Preferred Shares, the Series A-2 Preferred Shares, the Series A-1 Preferred Shares and the Ordinary Shares. If the dividend remaining after the payment in full of the Series D Preference Dividend is insufficient to permit the payment in full of the Series C-1 Preference Dividend and the Series C-2 Preference Dividend, then the dividend declared shall be distributed ratably among the Series C-1 Investors and the Series C-2 Investor in proportion to the Series C-1 Preference Dividend and the Series C-2 Preference Dividend (as applicable) each such Investor is entitled to receive.

 

(c)                                  Each Series B-1 Investor shall be entitled to receive the Series B-1 Preference Dividend prior and in preference to, and satisfied before, any dividend on the Series B-4 Preferred Shares, the Series B-3 Preferred Shares, the Series B-2 Preferred Shares, the Series A-2 Preferred Shares, the Series A-1 Preferred Shares and the Ordinary Shares. If the dividend remaining after the payment in full of the Series D Preference Dividend, the Series C-2 Preference Dividend and the Series C-1 Preference Dividend is insufficient to permit the payment in full of the Series B-1 Preference Dividend, then the remaining dividend shall be distributed ratably among the Series B-1 Investors in proportion to the Series B-1 Preference Dividend each such Investor is entitled to receive.

 

(d)                                         Each Series B-4 Preferred Investor, each Series B-3 Preferred Investor and the Series B-2 Preferred Investor shall be entitled to receive the Series B-4 Preference Dividend, the Series B-3 Preference Dividend and the Series B-2 Preference Dividend (as applicable) prior and in preference to, and satisfied before, any dividend on the Series A-2 Preferred Shares, the Series A-1 Preferred Shares and the Ordinary Shares. If the dividend remaining after the payment in full of the Series D Preference Dividend, the Series C-2 Preference Dividend, the Series C-1 Preference Dividend and the Series B-1 Preference Dividend is insufficient to permit the payment in full of the Series B-4 Preference Dividend, the Series B-3 Preference Dividend and the Series B-2 Preference Dividend, then the remaining dividend shall be distributed ratably among the Series B-4 Investors, the Series B-3 Investors and the Series B-2 Investor in proportion to the Series B-4 Preference Dividend, the Series B-3 Preference Dividend and the Series B-2 Preference Dividend (as applicable) each such Investor is entitled to receive.

 

31


 

(e)                                  The Series A-2 Preferred Investor and the Series A-1 Preferred Investor shall be entitled to receive the Series A-2 Preference Dividend and the Series A-1 Preference Dividend (as applicable) prior and in preference to, and satisfied before, any dividend on the Ordinary Shares. If the dividend remaining after the payment in full of the Series D Preference Dividend, the Series C-2 Preference Dividend, the Series C-1 Preference Dividend, the Series B-1 Preference Dividend, the Series B-4 Preference Dividend, the Series B-3 Preference Dividend and the Series B-2 Preference Dividend is insufficient to permit the payment of in full of the Series A-2 Preference Dividend and the Series A-1 Preference Dividend, then the remaining dividend shall be distributed ratably among the Series A-2 Investor and the Series A-1 Investor in proportion to the Series A-2 Preference Dividend and the Series A-1 Preference Dividend (as applicable) each such Investor is entitled to receive.

 

(f)                                   No dividend shall be paid on the Ordinary Shares at any time unless and until all dividends on the Preferred Shares have been paid in full pursuant to the foregoing clauses of this Section 7.02. If there is any dividend declared remains after the dividends on the Preferred Shares have been distributed or paid in full pursuant to the foregoing clauses of this Section 7.02, the remaining dividend available for distribution to the Shareholders shall be distributed ratably among all Shareholders according to the relative number of Shares held by such Shareholder on an as-converted basis. For the avoidance of doubt, no dividend shall be distributed to any Shareholder unless and until they are approved in accordance with Section 2.06 and Section 2.07.

 

ARTICLE 8

 

LIQUIDATION

 

Section 8.01.                Liquidation Preferences. Subject to any Applicable Law, in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary (the “Liquidation Event”), or upon the occurrence of any Deemed Liquidation Event, all assets and funds of the Company legally available for distribution to the Shareholders shall be distributed to the Shareholders in the following sequence and priority:

 

(a)                                 The Series D Preferred Investors shall be entitled to receive for each Series D Preferred Share held by such Investors, on parity with each other and prior and in preference to the distribution of any assets or funds of the Company to the other Shareholders, the amount equal to the higher of (x) such portion of the assets and funds of the Company as each Share (on an as-converted basis) is entitled to on a pro-rata basis, and (y) the Series D Issue Price X (1 + 12%)N, plus all declared but unpaid dividends on such Series D Preferred Share (where N is a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar days between the Series D Issue Date and the date on which such distribution is made and the denominator of which is 365) (collectively, the “Series D Preference Amount”).

 

32


 

If the assets and funds of the Company thus distributed shall be insufficient to permit the payment in full of the Series D Preference Amount, then the entire assets and funds of the Company legally available for distribution shall be distributed ratably among the Series D Preferred Investors in proportion to the aggregate Series D Preference Amount each such Investor is otherwise entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 8.01(a).

 

(b)                                 After the payment in full of the Series D Preference Amount pursuant to Section 8.01(a) above, the Series C-1 Preferred Investors shall be entitled to receive for each Series C-1 Preferred Share held by such Investors, on parity with each other and prior and in preference to the distribution of any assets or funds of the Company to the other Shareholders, the amount equal to the higher of (x) such portion of the assets and funds of the Company as each Share (on an as-converted basis) is entitled to on a pro-rata basis, and (y) the Series C-1 Issue Price X (1 + 12%)N, plus all declared but unpaid dividends on such Series C-1 Preferred Share (where N is a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar days between the Series C-1 Issue Date and the date on which such distribution is made and the denominator of which is 365) (collectively, the “Series C-1 Preference Amount”).

 

If the assets and funds of the Company thus distributed shall be insufficient to permit the payment in full of the Series C-1 Preference Amount, then the entire assets and funds of the Company legally available for distribution shall be distributed ratably among the Series C-1 Preferred Investors in proportion to the aggregate Series C-1 Preference Amount each such Investor is otherwise entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 8.01(b).

 

(c)                                  After the payment in full of the Series C-1 Preference Amount pursuant to Section 8.01(b) above, the Series B-1 Preferred Investors shall be entitled to receive for each Series B-1 Preferred Share held by such Investors, on parity with each other and prior and in preference to the distribution of any assets or funds of the Company to the Series B-4 Preferred Investors, the Series B-3 Preferred Investors, the Series B-2 Preferred Investor, the Series A-2 Preferred Investor, the Series A-1 Preferred Investor and the holders of the Ordinary Shares, the amount equal to 100% of the Series B-1 Issue Price, plus all declared but unpaid dividends on such Series B-1 Preferred Share (collectively, the “Series B-1 Preference Amount”).

 

If the assets and funds of the Company thus distributed shall be insufficient to permit the payment in full of the Series B-1 Preference Amount, then the entire assets and funds of the Company legally available for distribution to the Series B-1 Preferred Investors shall be distributed ratably among the Series B-1 Preferred Investors in proportion to the aggregate Series B-1 Preference Amount each such Investor is otherwise entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 8.01(c).

 

(d)                                 After the payment in full of the Series B-1 Preference Amount pursuant to Section 8.01(c) above, the Series B-4 Preferred Investors, the Series B-3 Preferred Investors and the Series B-2 Preferred Investor shall be entitled to receive for each Series B-4 Preferred Share, each Series B-3 Preferred Share and each Series B-2 Preferred Share (as applicable) held by such Investors, on parity with each other and prior and in preference to the distribution of any assets or funds of the Company to the Series A-2 Preferred Investor, the Series A-1 Preferred Investor and the holders of the Ordinary Shares, the amount equal to:

 

33


 

(i)                                     with respect to each Series B-4 Preferred Share, 100% of the Series B-4 Issue Price, plus all declared but unpaid dividends on such Series B-4 Preferred Share (collectively, the “Series B-4 Preference Amount”),

 

(ii)                                    with respect to each Series B-3 Preferred Share, 100% of the Series B-3 Issue Price, plus all declared but unpaid dividends on such Series B-3 Preferred Share (collectively, the “Series B-3 Preference Amount”), and

 

(iii)                                     with respect to each Series B-2 Preferred Share, 100% of the Series B-2 Issue Price, plus all declared but unpaid dividends on such Series B-2 Preferred Share (collectively, the “Series B-2 Preference Amount”).

 

If the assets and funds thus distributed shall be insufficient to permit the payment in full of the Series B-4 Preference Amount, the Series B-3 Preference Amount and the Series B-2 Preference Amount, then the entire assets and funds of the Company legally available for distribution to the Series B-4 Preferred Investors, the Series B-3 Preferred Investors and the Series B-2 Preferred Investor shall be distributed ratably among such Investors in proportion to the aggregate Series B-4 Preference Amount, the aggregate Series B-3 Preference Amount and the aggregate Series B-2 Preference Amount (as applicable) each such Investor is otherwise entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 8.01(d).

 

(e)                                  After the payment in full of the Series B-4 Preference Amount, the Series B-3 Preference Amount and the Series B-2 Preference Amount pursuant to Section 8.01(d) above, the Series A-2 Preferred Investor shall be entitled to receive for each Series A-2 Preferred Share held by such Investor, prior and in preference to any distribution of any assets or funds of the Company to the Series A-1 Preferred Investor and the holders of the Ordinary Shares, the amount equal to 100% of the Series A-2 Issue Price, plus all declared but unpaid dividends on such Series A-2 Preferred Share (collectively, the “Series A-2 Preference Amount”).

 

(f)                                   After the payment in full of the Series A-2 Preference Amount pursuant to Section 8.01(e) above, the Series A-1 Preferred Investor shall be entitled to receive for each Series A-1 Preferred Share held by such Investor, prior and in preference to any distribution of any assets or funds of the Company to the holders of the Ordinary Shares, the amount equal to 100% of the Series A-1 Issue Price, plus all declared but unpaid dividends on such Series A-1 Preferred Share (collectively, the “Series A-1 Preference Amount”).

 

(g)                                  If there are any assets or funds remaining after the Series D Preference Amount, the Series C-1 Preference Amount, the Series B-1 Preference Amount, the Series B-4 Preference Amount, the Series B-3 Preference Amount, the Series B-2 Preference Amount, the Series A-2 Preference Amount and the Series A-1 Preference Amount have been distributed or paid in full to the applicable Preferred Investors pursuant to Section 8.01(a), 8.01(b), 8.01(c), 8.01(d), 8.01(e) and 8.01(f) above, then the remaining assets and funds of the Company available for distribution to the Shareholders shall be distributed ratably among all Shareholders according to the relative number of Shares held by such Shareholder on an as-converted basis.

 

34


 

Section 8.02.                Procedure. Unless otherwise approved in writing by the holders of Preferred Shares representing more than two thirds (2/3) of the voting power of the outstanding Preferred Shares (voting together as a single class and on an as converted basis), each Shareholder shall, and shall cause each Director designated by such Shareholder (if any) to, take all actions and execute all documents necessary to effect the dissolution and liquidation of the Company within three (3) months upon the occurrence of any Liquidation Event or Deemed Liquidation Event, and distribute the assets and funds of the Company legally available for distribution to the Shareholders in accordance with Section 8.01.

 

ARTICLE 9

 

CERTAIN COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS

 

Section 9.01.                Confidentiality. (a) Each Shareholder agrees that Confidential Information furnished and to be furnished to it has been and may in the future be made available in connection with such Shareholder’s investment in the Company. Each Shareholder agrees that it shall use, and that it shall cause any Person to whom Confidential Information is disclosed pursuant to clause (i) below to use, the Confidential Information only in connection with its investment in the Company and not for any other purpose (including to disadvantage competitively the Company, any of its Affiliate(s) or any other Shareholder). Each Shareholder further acknowledges and agrees that it shall not disclose any Confidential Information to any Person, except that Confidential Information may be disclosed:

 

(i)                                     to such Shareholder’s Representatives in the normal course of the performance of their duties or to any financial institution providing credit to such Shareholder, provided that such Shareholder’s Representatives or such financial institution are advised of the confidential nature of such information and agrees to be bound by a confidentiality agreement consistent with the provisions hereof;

 

(ii)                                    to the extent required by any Applicable Law (including complying with any oral or written questions, interrogatories, requests for information or documents, subpoena, civil investigative demand or similar process to which a Shareholder is subject; provided that such Shareholder agrees to give the Company prompt notice of such request(s), to the extent practicable, so that the Company may seek an appropriate protective order or similar relief (and the Shareholder shall cooperate with such efforts by the Company, and shall in any event make only the minimum disclosure required by such Applicable Law));

 

(iii)                                     to any Person to whom such Shareholder is contemplating a Transfer of its Company Securities, provided that such Transfer would not be in violation of the provisions of this Agreement and such potential transferee is advised of the confidential nature of such information and agrees to be bound by a confidentiality agreement consistent with the provisions hereof;

 

(iv)                                    to any regulatory authority to which the Shareholder or any of its Affiliate(s) is subject, provided that such authority is advised of the confidential nature of such information;

 

35


 

(v)                                   to the extent related to the tax treatment and tax structure of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including all materials of any kind, such as opinions or other tax analyses that the Company, its Affiliate(s) or its Representatives have provided to such Shareholder relating to such tax treatment and tax structure), provided that the foregoing does not constitute an authorization to disclose the identity of any existing or future party to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or their Affiliate(s) or Representatives, or, except to the extent relating to such tax structure or tax treatment, any specific pricing terms or commercial or financial information; or

 

(vi)                                    if the prior written consent of the Board shall have been obtained.

 

(b)                                 Confidential Information” means any information concerning the Group Companies or the financial condition, business, operations or prospects of the Group Companies in the possession of or furnished to any Shareholder (including by virtue of its present or former right to designate a director of the Company); provided that the term “Confidential Information” does not include information that (i) is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by a Shareholder or its directors, officers, employees, stockholders, members, partners, agents, counsel, investment advisers or other representatives (all such persons being collectively referred to as “Representatives”) in violation of this Agreement, (ii) was available to such Shareholder on a non-confidential basis prior to its disclosure to such Shareholder or its Representatives by the Company, (iii) becomes available to such Shareholder on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Company after the disclosure of such information to such Shareholder or its Representatives by the Company, which source is (at the time of receipt of the relevant information) not, to the best of such Shareholder’s knowledge, bound by a confidentiality agreement with (or other confidentiality obligation to) the Company or another Person or (iv) is independently developed by such Shareholder without violating any confidentiality agreement with, or other obligation of secrecy to, the Company.

 

Section 9.02.                Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation. (a) Each of the Founder and the Co-Founder undertakes and covenants to the Preferred Investors that, commencing from the date of this Agreement until two (2) years after the latest date on which he ceases to be an employee, a Shareholder (direct or indirect) or a Director of any Group Company, he shall not, either on his own account or through any of his Affiliate(s) or in conjunction with or on behalf of any other Person, directly or indirectly, (i) be engaged with or employed by, invest in any manner in, or carry out any business that is the same or otherwise in direct competition with the business then operated by any Group Company, whether as a shareholder, beneficial owner, director, employee, creditor, director, officer, employee, agent, distributor, supplier or otherwise (provided, however, that the foregoing restrictions shall not prohibit the Founder or the Co-Founder from acquiring less than one percent (1%) of the outstanding share capital of any entity whose Equity Securities are listed for trading on a securities exchange), (ii) provide advice or consultancy services in any manner to any Person whose business or operations compete, directly or indirectly, with any of the Group Companies (the “Group Company Competitor”) or any Competitor, (iii) enter into any arrangement, agreement, or make any undertaking that may limit or prejudice the principal business of any Group Company, (iv) employ, solicit or entice away or attempt to employ, solicit or entice away any employee from any Group Company, or otherwise cause such employee to be hired by any Group Company Competitor or by any Competitor, (v) solicit or entice away or attempt to solicit or entice away from any Group Company, any Person that is a customer, client, representative, agent, distributor or supplier of any Group Company, or (vi) use the name of any Group Company or any substantially similar name of any Group Company in such a way that may be confused with the name of such Group Company.

 

36


 

(b)                                 Each of the Founder and the Co-Founder undertakes and covenants to the Preferred Investors that he will use all reasonable efforts to procure that all of the Key Employee(s) of the Company will comply with the provisions of this Section 9.02.

 

(c)                                  Each of the Founder and the Co-Founder undertakes and covenants to the Preferred Investors that, during his employment by any Group Company and until one (1) year after the latest date on which he ceases to be an employee, a Shareholder (direct or indirect) or a Director of any Group Company, all the intellectual property developed by him in relation to the relevant Group Company shall be exclusively owned by the relevant Group Company.

 

Section 9.03.                Books and Records. (a) Each Group Company shall, and the Co-Founder shall use his reasonable best efforts to cause each Group Company to, keep proper books of records, in which full and correct entries shall be made of all financial transactions and the assets and business of such Group Company.

 

(b)                                 Each Group Company shall give each of the Shareholders, their respective counsel, auditors and other authorized representatives full access to its offices, internal whistleblowers, properties, books and records, compliance training logs and investigation records and instruct its employees, counsel, auditor and other advisors to cooperate with the Shareholders in their investigation of the Group Companies to the extent that such investigation does not materially interfere with the normal business operations of any of such Group Company.

 

ARTICLE 10

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS

 

Section 10.01.         Demand Registration. (a) If at any time following the earlier of (x) one hundred and eighty (180) days after the effective date of the registration statement for a Public Offering and (y) the expiration of the period during which the managing underwriters for such Public Offering shall prohibit the Company from effecting any other public sale or distribution of Registrable Securities, the Company shall receive a request from any Investor (the “Requesting Shareholder”) that the Company effect the registration under the Securities Act of all or any portion of such Requesting Shareholder’s Registrable Securities, and specifying the intended method of disposition thereof, then the Company shall promptly give notice of such requested registration (each such request, a “Demand Registration”) at least twenty five (25) Business Days prior to the anticipated filing date of the registration statement relating to such Demand Registration to the other Shareholders and thereupon shall use its reasonable best efforts to effect, as expeditiously as possible, the registration under the Securities Act of:

 

(i)                                     all Registrable Securities for which the Requesting Shareholder has requested registration under this Section 10.01; and

 

37


 

(ii)                                    subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 10.01(e) and Section 10.02, all other Registrable Securities of the same class as those requested to be registered by the Requesting Shareholder that any Shareholders with rights to request registration under Section 10.01 (all such Shareholders, together with the Requesting Shareholders, and any Shareholders participating in a Piggyback Registration pursuant to Section 10.02, the “Registering Shareholders”) have requested the Company to register by request received by the Company within twenty (20) Business Days after such Shareholders receive the Company’s notice of the Demand Registration;

 

all to the extent necessary to permit the disposition (in accordance with the intended methods thereof as aforesaid) of the Registrable Securities so to be registered; provided that, subject to Section 10.01(d), the Company shall not be obligated to effect more than three (3) Demand Registrations for each Investor, other than Demand Registration to be effected pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form F-3, for which an unlimited number of Demand Registrations shall be permitted. In no event shall the Company be required to effect more than one Demand Registration hereunder within any six-month period.

 

(b)                                 Promptly after the expiration of the 20-Business Day-period referred to in Section 10.01(a)(ii), the Company will notify all Registering Shareholders of the identities of the other Registering Shareholders and the number of shares of Registrable Securities requested to be included therein. At any time prior to the effective date of the registration statement relating to such registration, the Requesting Shareholders may revoke such request, without liability to any of the other Registering Shareholders, by providing a notice to the Company revoking such request.

 

(c)                                  The Company shall be liable for and pay all Registration Expenses in connection with any Demand Registration, regardless of whether such Registration is effected.

 

(d)                                 A Demand Registration shall not be deemed to have occurred:

 

(i)                                     unless the registration statement relating thereto (1) has become effective under the Securities Act and (2) has remained effective for a period of at least one hundred and eighty (180) days (or such shorter period in which all Registrable Securities of the Registering Shareholders included in such registration have actually been sold thereunder); provided that such registration statement shall not be considered a Demand Registration if, after such registration statement becomes effective, (1) such registration statement is interfered with by any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of the SEC or other governmental agency or court and (2) less than fifty percent (50%) of the Registrable Securities included in such registration statement have been sold thereunder; or

 

(ii)                                    if the Maximum Offering Size is reduced in accordance with Section 10.01(e) such that less than fifty percent (50%) of the Registrable Securities of the Requesting Shareholders sought to be included in such registration are included.

 

(e)                                  If a Demand Registration involves an underwritten Public Offering and the managing underwriter advises the Company and the Requesting Shareholders that, in its view, the number of shares of Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration (including any securities that the Company proposes to be included that are not Registrable Securities) exceeds the largest number of shares that can be sold without having an adverse effect on such offering, including the price at which such shares can be sold (the “Maximum Offering Size”), the Company shall include in such registration, in the priority listed below, up to the Maximum Offering Size:

 

38


 

(i)                                     first, all Registrable Securities requested to be registered by the Requesting Shareholders;

 

(ii)                                    second, all Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration by any other Registering Shareholder (allocated, if necessary for the offering not to exceed the Maximum Offering Size, pro rata among such other Shareholders on the basis of the relative number of Registrable Securities so requested to be included in such registration by each such Shareholder); and

 

(iii)   third, any securities proposed to be registered by any other Persons (including the Company), with such priorities among them as the Company shall reasonably determine.

 

(f)                                   Upon notice to each Requesting Shareholder, the Company may postpone effecting a registration pursuant to this Section 10.01 on one occasion during any period of twelve (12) consecutive months for a reasonable time specified in the notice but not exceeding ninety (90) days (which period may not be extended or renewed) (“Deferral Period”), if (i) an investment banking firm of recognized national standing shall advise the Company and the Requesting Shareholders in writing (which writing shall be provided to each Requesting Shareholder) that effecting the registration would materially and adversely affect an offering of securities of such Company the preparation of which had then been commenced, provided that the Company is actively employing in good faith all reasonable efforts to complete such offering of securities, or (ii) the Company is in possession of material non-public information the disclosure of which during the period specified in such notice the Company reasonably believes would not be in the best interests of the Company, with respect to this subsection (ii), provided that the Company shall furnish to each of the Requesting Shareholders a certificate signed by an authorized senior officer of the Company stating on behalf of the Company that in the good faith judgment of the Company, the Company is in possession of material non-public information and the disclosure of which would not be in the best interests of the Company at the specified time. The Company shall not register any securities for the account of itself or for any other Shareholder during such ninety (90) day Deferral Period. For clarification only, a demand right shall not be deemed to have been exercised until such deferred registration shall have been effected.

 

(g)                                  At any time following the consummation of the initial Public Offering and when the Company is eligible to use a Form F-3 registration statement, each Investor may request the Company in writing to file an unlimited number of Registration Statements on Form F-3 (or any successor form to Form F-3, or any comparable form for Registration in a jurisdiction other than the United States) for a public offering of Registrable Securities for which the Company is entitled to use Form F-3 or a comparable form to register the requested Registrable Securities. Upon receipt of such a request the Company shall (i) promptly give written notice of the proposed registration to all other Shareholders and (ii) as soon as practicable, and in any event within ninety (90) days of the receipt of such request, cause the Registrable Securities specified in the request to be registered and qualified for sale and distribution in such jurisdictions as such Investor may reasonably request. Each Investor may at any time, and from time to time, require the Company to effect the registration of Registrable Securities under this (g).

 

39


 

Section 10.02.         Piggyback Registration. (a) If at any time following an initial Public Offering the Company proposes to register any Company Securities under the Securities Act (other than a registration relating to Company Securities issuable upon exercise of employee stock options or in connection with any employee benefit or similar plan of the Company or in connection with a direct or indirect acquisition by the Company of another Person), whether or not for sale for its own account, the Company shall each such time give prompt notice at least twenty five (25) Business Days prior to the anticipated filing date of the registration statement relating to such registration to each Shareholder, which notice shall set forth such Shareholder’s rights under this Section 10.02 and shall offer such Shareholder the opportunity to include in such registration statement the number of Registrable Securities of the same class or series as those proposed to be registered as each such Shareholder may request (a “Piggyback Registration”), subject to the provisions of Section 10.02(b). Upon the request of any such Shareholder made within twenty (20) Business Days after the receipt of notice from the Company (which request shall specify the number of Registrable Securities intended to be registered by such Shareholder), the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration under the Securities Act of all Registrable Securities that the Company has been so requested to register by all such Shareholders, to the extent requisite to permit the disposition of the Registrable Securities so to be registered; provided that (i) if such registration involves an underwritten Public Offering, all such Shareholders requesting to be included in the Company’s registration must sell their Registrable Securities to the underwriters selected as provided in Section 10.03(f) on the same terms and conditions as apply to the Company or the Requesting Shareholders, as applicable, and (ii) if, at any time after giving notice of its intention to register any Company Securities pursuant to this Section 10.02(a) and prior to the effective date of the registration statement filed in connection with such registration, the Company shall determine for any reason not to register such securities, the Company shall give notice to all such Shareholders and, thereupon, shall be relieved of its obligation to register any Registrable Securities in connection with such registration, provided that the Shareholders shall nevertheless continue to have the right to include any Registrable Securities in any subsequent registration statement(s) as may be filed by the Company with respect to offerings of its securities, all upon the terms and conditions set forth herein. No registration effected under this Section 10.02 shall relieve the Company of its obligations to effect a Demand Registration to the extent required by Section 10.01. The Company shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with each Piggyback Registration.

 

(b)                                 If a Piggyback Registration involves an underwritten Public Offering (other than any Demand Registration, in which case the provisions with respect to priority of inclusion in such offering set forth in Section 10.01(e) shall apply) and the managing underwriter advises the Company that, in its view, the number of Registrable Securities that the Company and such Shareholders intend to include in such registration exceeds the Maximum Offering Size, the Company shall include in such registration, in the following priority, up to the Maximum Offering Size:

 

40


 

(i)                                     first, so much of the Registrable Securities proposed to be registered for the account of the Company as would not cause the offering to exceed the Maximum Offering Size;

 

(ii)                                    second, all Registrable Securities requested by the Requesting Shareholder to be included in such registration by any Requesting Shareholders pursuant to Section 10.02 (allocated, if necessary for the offering not to exceed the Maximum Offering Size, pro rata among such Requesting Shareholders on the basis of the relative number of shares of Registrable Securities so requested to be included in such registration by each); and

 

(iii)                                     third, any securities proposed to be registered for the account of any other Persons with such priorities among them as the Company shall determine.

 

Section 10.03.                   Registration Procedures. Whenever Shareholders request that any Registrable Securities be registered pursuant to Section 10.01 or 10.02 subject to the provisions of such Sections, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration and the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof as quickly as practicable, and, in connection with any such request:

 

(a)                                 The Company shall as expeditiously as possible prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement on any form for which the Company then qualifies or that counsel for the Company shall deem appropriate and which form shall be available for the sale of the Registrable Securities to be registered thereunder in accordance with the intended method of distribution thereof, and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such filed registration statement to become and remain effective for a period of not less than one hundred and eighty (180) days, or in the case of a shelf registration statement, one (1) year (or such shorter period in which all of the Registrable Securities of the Shareholders included in such registration statement shall have actually been sold thereunder).

 

(b)                                 Prior to filing a registration statement or prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, the Company shall, if requested, furnish to each participating Shareholder and each underwriter, if any, of the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement copies of such registration statement as proposed to be filed, and thereafter the Company shall furnish to such Shareholder and underwriter, if any, such number of copies of such registration statement, each amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein), the prospectus included in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus and any summary prospectus) and such other documents as such Shareholder or underwriter may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Shareholder. Each Shareholder shall have the right to request that the Company modify any information contained in such registration statement, amendment and supplement thereto pertaining to such Shareholder and the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to comply with such request; provided, however, that the Company shall not have any obligation so to modify any information if the Company reasonably expects that so doing would cause the prospectus to contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

 

41


 

(c)                                  After the filing of the registration statement, the Company shall (i) cause the related prospectus to be supplemented by any required prospectus supplement, and, as so supplemented, to be filed pursuant to the Securities Act, (ii) comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all Securities covered by such registration statement during the applicable period in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the Shareholders thereof set forth in such registration statement or supplement to such prospectus and (iii) promptly notify each Shareholder holding Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement of any stop order issued or threatened by the SEC or any state securities commission and take all reasonable actions required to prevent the entry of such stop order or to remove it if entered.

 

(d)                                 The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to (i) register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement under such other securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as any Registering Shareholder holding such Registrable Securities reasonably (in light of such Shareholder’s intended plan of distribution) requests and (ii) cause such Registrable Securities to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company and do any and all other acts and things that may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such Shareholder to consummate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Shareholder; provided that the Company shall not be required to (A) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 10.03(d), (B) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction or (C) consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction.

 

(e)                                  The Company shall immediately notify each Registering Shareholder holding such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement, at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the occurrence of an event requiring the preparation of a supplement or amendment to such prospectus so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and promptly prepare and make available to each such Shareholder and file with the SEC any such supplement or amendment.

 

(f)                                   In connection with any Public Offering, the Company shall enter into customary agreements (including an underwriting agreement in customary form) and take such all other actions as are required in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in any such Public Offering, including the engagement of a “qualified independent underwriter” in connection with the qualification of the underwriting arrangements with FINRA.

 

42


 

(g)                                  Upon execution of confidentiality agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, the Company shall make available for inspection by any Shareholder and any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to a registration statement being filed by the Company pursuant to this Section 10.03 and any attorney, accountant or other professional retained by any such Shareholder or underwriter (collectively, the “Inspectors”), all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company (collectively, the “Records”) as shall be reasonably necessary or desirable to enable them to exercise their due diligence responsibility, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any Inspectors in connection with such registration statement. Records that the Company determines, in good faith, to be confidential and that it notifies the Inspectors are confidential shall not be disclosed by the Inspectors unless (i) the disclosure of such Records is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in such registration statement or (ii) the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order from a court of competent jurisdiction. Each Shareholder agrees that information obtained by it as a result of such inspections shall be deemed confidential and shall not be used by it or its Affiliate(s) as the basis for any market transactions in the Registrable Securities unless and until such information is made generally available to the public. Each Shareholder further agrees that, upon learning that disclosure of such Records is sought in a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall give notice to the Company and allow the Company, at its expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of the Records deemed confidential.

 

(h)                                 The Company shall furnish to each Registering Shareholder and to each such underwriter, if any, a signed counterpart, addressed to such Registering Shareholder or underwriter, of (i) an opinion or opinions of counsel to the Company and (ii) a comfort letter or comfort letters from the Company’s independent public accountants, each in customary form and covering such matters of the kind customarily covered by opinions or comfort letters, as the case may be, as a majority of such Shareholders or the managing underwriter therefor requests.

 

(i)                                     The Company shall otherwise use its reasonable best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, applicable stock exchange(s) and/or government/industry/other regulatory authorities.

 

(j)                                    The Company may require each Shareholder promptly to furnish in writing to the Company such information regarding the distribution of the Registrable Securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably request and such other information as may be required to timely effect such registration.

 

(k)                                 Each Shareholder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 10.03(e), such Shareholder shall forthwith suspend disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement covering such Registrable Securities until such Shareholder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 10.03(e), and, if so directed by the Company, such Shareholder shall deliver to the Company all copies, other than any permanent file copies then in such Shareholder’s possession, of the most recent prospectus covering such Registrable Securities at the time of receipt of such notice. If the Company shall give such notice, the Company shall extend the period during which such registration statement shall be maintained effective (including the period referred to in Section 10.03(a)) by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of notice pursuant to Section 10.03(e) to the date when the Company shall make available to such Shareholder a prospectus supplemented or amended to conform with the requirements of Section 10.03(e).

 

43


 

(l)                                     The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to list all Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement on any securities exchange or quotation system on which any of the Registrable Securities or similar securities issued by the Company are then listed or traded.

 

(m)                                   The Company shall have appropriate officers of the Company (i) prepare and make presentations at any “road shows” and before analysts and rating agencies, as the case may be, (ii) take other actions to obtain ratings for any Registrable Securities and (iii) otherwise use their best efforts to cooperate as reasonably requested by the underwriters in the offering, marketing or selling of the Registrable Securities.

 

(n)                                 The Company shall provide a transfer agent and registrar for all Registrable Securities registered pursuant to this Agreement and provide a CUSIP number for all such Registrable Securities, in each case not later than the effective date of such registration.

 

Section 10.04. Participation in Public Offering. No Shareholder may participate in any Public Offering hereunder unless such Shareholder (a) agrees to sell such Shareholder’s Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any customary underwriting arrangements approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements and the provisions of this Agreement in respect of registration rights.

 

Section 10.05. Cooperation by the Company. If any Shareholder shall transfer any Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 144, the Company shall cooperate with such Shareholder and shall provide to such Shareholder such information as such Shareholder shall reasonably request, including but not limited to (i) a written statement by the Company as to its compliance with the reporting requirements of Rule 144 (at any time after ninety (90) days after the effective date of the Company’s initial public offering), the Securities Act and the Exchange Act (at any time after it has become subject to such reporting requirements), or its qualification as a registrant whose securities may be resold pursuant to Form F-3 (at any time after it so qualifies), (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company, and (iii) such other reports and documents of the Company as a Holder may reasonably request in availing itself of any rule or regulation of the SEC that permits the selling of any such securities without registration or pursuant to Form F-3.

 

With a view to making available to the Shareholders the benefits of certain rules and regulations of the SEC which may at any time permit the sale of the Registrable Securities to the public without registration or pursuant to a registration on Form F-3, after such time as a public market exists for the Ordinary Shares, the Company agrees to:

 

(a)                                 make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act, at all times after the effective date of the first registration under the Securities Act filed by the Company for an offering of its securities to the general public; and

 

(b)                                 file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act (at any time after it has become subject to such reporting requirements).

 

44


 

Section 10.06. No Registration Rights to Third Parties. Prior to the consummation of an IPO, without the prior written consents of the holders of the Preferred Shares representing at least two-thirds (2/3) of the voting power of the then outstanding Preferred Shares (voting together as a single class and on an as converted basis), the Company covenants and agrees that it shall not grant, or cause or permit to be created, for the benefit of any Person any registration rights of any kind (whether similar to the demand, “piggyback” or Form F-3 registration rights described in this Article III, or otherwise) relating to any securities of the Company which are senior to, or on a parity with, those granted to the Shareholders of Registrable Securities (except for those registration rights granted to Shareholders under this Article). In any event, if the Company grants to any holder of the Company’s security any registration right of any nature that are superior to the rights of the holders of the Preferred Shares, as determined in good faith by the Board (including the consent of all the Investor Directors), the Company shall grant such superior registration right to the holders of each of the Preferred Shares as well.

 

Section 10.07. Assignment. The registration rights under this Article may be transferred or assigned by a holder of Preferred Shares to a transferee who acquires any of the Preferred Shares.

 

Section 10.08. Applicability of Rights. If the Public Offering will not be conducted in the United States of America, each Investor shall be entitled to reasonably analogous or equivalent rights with respect to any other offering of the Company Securities in any other jurisdiction in which the Company undertakes a Public Offering.

 

ARTICLE 11

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 11.01. Binding Effect; Assignability; Benefit. (a) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns. Any Shareholder that ceases to own beneficially any Company Securities shall cease to be bound by the terms hereof (other than (i) the provisions of Article 10 applicable to such Shareholder with respect to any offering of Registrable Securities completed before the date such Shareholder ceased to own any Company Securities and (ii) Section 9.01 and Article 11).

 

(b)                                 Neither this Agreement nor any right, remedy, obligation or liability arising hereunder or by reason hereof shall be assignable by any party hereto pursuant to any Transfer of Company Securities or otherwise, except that any Person acquiring Company Securities that is required or permitted by the terms of this Agreement or any employment agreement or share purchase, option, share option or other compensation plan of the Company or any other Group Company to become a party hereto shall (unless already bound hereby) execute and deliver to the Company an agreement to be bound by this Agreement in the form of Exhibit A hereto and shall thenceforth be a “Shareholder”.

 

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

 

45


 

Section 11.02. Notices. (a) All notices, requests, waivers and other communications made pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given personally or by sending it by courier service, email, fax or similar means to the address of the relevant Party as shown on Schedule IV attached hereto (or to such other address as such Party may designate by 15 days’ advance written notice to the other Parties given in accordance with this Section). A notice shall be conclusively deemed to have been duly served (i) when hand delivered to another Party, upon delivery at the address of such Party; (ii) when sent by email to the email address of another Party, upon transmission without any failure or error message; (iii) when sent by facsimile at the number of another Party, upon receipt of confirmation of error-free transmission; (iv) five (5) Business Days after deposit in the mail as air mail or certified mail, receipt requested, postage prepaid and addressed to another Party; or (v) three (3) Business Days after deposit with an next-day courier service, postage prepaid, addressed to another Party with next-day delivery guaranteed, provided that the sending Party receives a confirmation of delivery from the courier service provider.

 

(b)                                 Each Party making a communication hereunder shall promptly confirm by telephone, e-mail, short message or WeChat to the Party to whom such communication was addressed but the absence of such confirmation shall not affect the validity of any such communication.

 

Section 11.03. Waiver; Amendment; Termination. (a) No provision of this Agreement may be amended, waived or otherwise modified except by an instrument in writing executed by each party hereto. In addition, any party may waive any provision of this Agreement with respect to itself by an instrument in writing executed by the party against whom the waiver is to be effective.

 

(b)                                 Other than Section 9.01 and Article 11, this Agreement shall terminate upon the earlier to occur of (i) the mutual consent of the Parties hereto and (ii) with respect to any Shareholder, the date upon which such Shareholder and its Affiliate(s) cease to hold any Company Securities. The provisions of Article 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and Section 10.06 shall terminate upon the consummation of an IPO of the Company. If this Agreement terminates, the Parties shall be released from their obligations under this Agreement, except in respect of any obligation stated, explicitly or otherwise, to continue to exist after the termination of this Agreement.

 

Section 11.04. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed under the laws of Hong Kong, without regard to principles of conflict of laws thereunder.

 

Section 11.05. Dispute Resolution. (a) Any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the interpretation, breach, termination or validity hereof (each, a “Dispute”) shall be referred to and be finally settled by arbitration in Hong Kong by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (the “HKIAC”) in accordance with the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre Administered Arbitration Rules (the “HKIAC Rules”) then in force upon the demand of either Party to the Dispute with notice to the other.

 

(b)                                 There shall be three (3) arbitrators, of whom one (1) arbitrator shall be appointed by the claiming party(ies), one (1) arbitrator appointed by the responding party(ies), and the third arbitrator shall be appointed by the two (2) arbitrators designated by the parties. If a party(ies) fails to designate an arbitrator within thirty (30) days after designation of an arbitrator by the other party(ies), the second arbitrator shall be appointed by the HKIAC Council. If the two (2) arbitrators designated by the parties are unable to agree upon a third arbitrator within thirty (30) days after the first two (2) arbitrators are appointed, the third arbitrator shall be appointed by the HKIAC Council.

 

46


 

(c)                                  The arbitral proceedings shall be conducted in English. To the extent that the HKIAC Rules are in conflict with the provisions of this Section, including the provisions concerning the appointment of the arbitrators, the provisions of this Section shall prevail.

 

(d)                                 Each party to the arbitration shall cooperate with each other party to the arbitration in making full disclosure of and providing complete access to all information and documents requested by such other party in connection with such arbitral proceedings, subject only to any confidentiality obligations binding on such party.

 

(e)                                  The award of the arbitral tribunal shall be final and binding upon the parties thereto, and the prevailing party may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for enforcement of such award.

 

(f)                                   The arbitral tribunal shall decide any Dispute submitted by the parties to the arbitration strictly in accordance with the substantive Applicable Laws of Hong Kong (without regard to principles of conflict of laws thereunder) and shall not apply any other substantive Applicable Laws.

 

(g)                                  Any party to the Dispute shall be entitled to seek preliminary injunctive relief, if possible, from any court of competent jurisdiction pending the constitution of the arbitral tribunal.

 

(h)                                 During the course of the arbitral tribunal’s adjudication of the Dispute, this Agreement shall continue to be performed except with respect to the part in dispute and under adjudication.

 

(i)                                     Notwithstanding the foregoing in this Section 11.05, the Parties agree that each Party shall have the right, without posting any bond, to seek preliminary injunction, temporary restraining order or other temporary relief from any court of competent jurisdiction.

 

Section 11.06. Counterparts; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. This Agreement shall become effective when each party hereto shall have received a counterpart hereof signed by all of the other parties hereto.

 

Section 11.07. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with all schedules and exhibits hereto and thereto, constitute the full and entire understanding and agreement among the parties with regard to the subjects hereof and thereof, and supersede all other agreements between or among any of the parties with respect to the subject matters hereof and thereof. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this Agreement supersedes, in its entirety, the Existing Shareholders Agreement, which shall be null and void and have no further force or effect whatsoever from the date hereof.

 

47


 

Section 11.08. Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by the HKIAC, a court of competent jurisdiction or other Governmental Authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such a determination, the parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.

 

Section 11.09. Several Liability. The parties hereto acknowledge that any obligation or liability of each Investor hereunder shall be several and not joint and several.

 

Section 11.10. Specific Enforcement. The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur if any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement or to enforce specifically the performance of the terms and provisions hereof, in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.

 

Section 11.11. Existing Onshore Transaction Documents. The parties hereto agree that upon the entering into of this Agreement, the existing onshore transaction documents (including all the documents setting forth the direct or indirect shareholders rights in the Domestic Company) shall automatically terminate if not already previously terminated. The parties hereto further agree that upon or prior to the occurrence of the following material events: (i) the Company proposes to terminate any proposed IPO; (ii) the Company has not completed an IPO, or a Trade Sale approved in writing by the Investors, on or prior to September 30, 2020; (iii) any substantial changes are proposed to the onshore and offshore structure of the Group (including without limitation unwinding the variable interest entities structure); and (iv) the scope or nature of the Group’s business, or the financial conditions of the Group are expected to change materially, the Company shall take all actions necessary to increase the number of the Directors in order that each of Beijing Jiuhe, China Prosperity and Tianhong shall be entitled to appoint one (1) Director, respectively. The Directors thus appointed by each of China Prosperity and Tianhong shall have the same rights as the Investor Directors provided in Sections 2.01-2.06. In the event of unwinding of the variable interest entities structure of the Group, the direct or indirect shareholders rights (including the right to appoint directors) in the Domestic Company as set forth in the existing onshore transaction documents of all parties thereto shall be restored, and the Series D Investors shall be entitled to the rights as set forth in this Agreement. The aforementioned material events, to the extent within the discretion of the Board, shall be duly approved by the Board comprising the Directors appointed by each of China Prosperity and Tianhong pursuant to this Section. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parties hereby agree that, despite any provision as set forth in the existing onshore transaction documents, any obligation and liability of the Founder to any Party hereto under the existing onshore transaction documents for the Domestic Company shall not exceed the scope of his obligations and liabilities as provided in this Agreement (the “Effective Liabilities”). The Parties hereby agree to waive any obligation or liability of such Founder exceeding the Effective Liabilities.

 

48


 

Section 11.12. Most Favored Nations. (a) The Series C-1 Investors shall be automatically granted any rights, preferences, privileges and other conditions with respect to the dividend rights and redemption rights that are granted by the Company to other investors in any future financing after the date hereof by or through whatever means including without limitation subscribing for the new Shares and that are superior or more favorable to the dividend rights and the redemption rights granted to the Series C-1 Investors in this Agreement.

 

(b)                                 Lotus shall be entitled to no less favorable terms with respect to the matters contemplated by this Agreement or by the Memorandum and Articles than any existing or future holders of Company Securities representing less than 3% of the total share capital of the Company regardless of other terms provided herein. In the event that the Company has granted or grants any existing or future holders of Company Securities representing less than 3% of the total share capital of the Company any rights and privileges with respect to the matters contemplated by this Agreement or by the Memorandum and Articles more favorable than those offered to Lotus contemplated herein, Lotus shall be entitled to such rights and privileges automatically.

 

Section 11.13. Anti-Corruption. The Company represents that it shall not and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any of its or their respective directors, officers, managers, employees, independent contractors, representatives or agents to promise, authorize or make any payment to, or otherwise contribute any item of value, directly or indirectly, to any third party, including any Non-U.S. Official (as defined in the FCPA), in each case, in violation of the FCPA, the UKBA, the PCA or any other applicable anti-bribery or anticorruption law. The Company further covenants, undertakes and represents that it shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries and Affiliates to cease all of its or their respective activities, as well as remediate any actions taken by the Company, its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, or any of their respective directors, officers, managers, employees, independent contractors, representatives or agents to the extent within the Company’s control, in violation of the FCPA, UKBA, the PCA or any other applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption law. The Company further covenants, undertakes and represents that it shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries and Affiliates to maintain systems of internal controls (including, but not limited to, accounting systems, purchasing systems and billing systems) to ensure compliance with the FCPA, the UKBA, the PCA or any other applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption law.

 

Section 11.14. Use of Xiaomi’s Name or Logo. Without the prior written consent of Red Better Limited (“Xiaomi”), the Company may not itself or direct any third party to use, prepare to use, apply registration, publish, reproduce, revise, change the name, mark, package, decoration, the shape of goods (including overall image and specific elements), trademark, trade name, or logo of Xiaomi, its director and senior management staff or its affiliates, or similar to the above, including but not limited to “”, “小米”, “小米商”, “小米网”, “红米”, “米兔”, “”, “米家”, “米柚”, “小米生态”, “MI”, “mi”, “Xiaomi”, “MIUI”, “MIJIA”,) in any of their marketing, advertising or promotion materials or otherwise for any marketing, advertising, promotional or promotional purposes.

 

49


 

Section 11.15. Use of Name and Logo of Lotus. Without the written consent of Lotus, the Group Companies, their shareholders (excluding Lotus), and the Founder Parties, shall not use the name, logo or brand of Lotus or its Affiliate, claim itself as a partner of Lotus or its Affiliate or make any similar representations. Without the written approval of Lotus, the Group Companies, their shareholders (excluding Lotus), and the Founder Parties, shall not make or cause to be made, any press release, public announcement or other disclosure to any third party in respect of this Agreement or Lotus’s subscription of share interest of the Company.

 

Section 11.16. Use of Didi’s Name or Logo. Without the prior written consent of Didi, the Company may not itself or direct any third party to use, prepare to use, apply registration, publish, reproduce, revise, change the name, mark, package, decoration, the shape of goods (including overall image and specific elements), trademark, trade name, or logo of Didi, its director and senior management staff or its affiliates, or similar to the above, in any of their marketing, advertising or promotion materials or otherwise for any marketing, advertising, or promotional purposes.

 

50


 

Section 11.17. Without the prior written consent of Ant Financial or its Affiliates, each of the Group Companies, each of the holders of Ordinary Shares, and each Investor (other than Ant Financial) shall not, and each foregoing Person shall cause any of its Affiliates to not, (i) use in advertising, publicity, announcements, or otherwise, the name of Ant Financial or any of its Affiliates, either alone or in combination of, including but without limitation, “阿里巴巴” (Chinese equivalent for “Alibaba”), “淘宝” (Chinese equivalent for “Taobao”), “天猫” (Chinese equivalent for “Tmall”), “1688”, “聚划算” (Chinese equivalent for “Juhuasuan”), “全球速卖通” (Chinese brand for “AliExpress”), “飞猪” (Chinese equivalent for “Fliggy”), “阿里妈妈” (Chinese equivalent for “Alimama”), “阿里云” (Chinese equivalent for “Alibaba Cloud”), “阿里通信” (Chinese equivalent for “AliTelecom”), “一达通” (Chinese brand for “OneTouch”), “友盟” (Chinese equivalent for “Umeng”), “” (Chinese equivalent for “Freshippo”), “闲鱼” (Chinese equivalent for “XianYu”), “优酷” (Chinese equivalent for “YOUKU”), “土豆” (Chinese equivalent for “TUDOO”), “优视” (Chinese equivalent for “UC/UCWeb”), “阿里游” (Chinese equivalent for “Alibaba Games”), “九游”(Chinese equivalent for “9Game”), “阿里文学” (Chinese equivalent for “Alibaba Literature”), “书旗小说” (Chinese equivalent for “Shuqi”), “大麦” (Chinese equivalent for “Damai”), “虾米” (Chinese equivalent for “Xiami”), “高德地” (Chinese brand for “AMAP”), “阿里” (Chinese equivalent for “Ali”), “” (Chinese equivalent for “Tao”), “钉钉” (Chinese brand for “DingTalk”), “口碑” (Chinese equivalent for “Koubei”), “饿了么” (Chinese equivalent for “Elerne”), “蚂蚁金服” (Chinese brand for “Ant Financial”), “蚂蚁” (Chinese equivalent for “Ant”), “支付宝” (Chinese brand for “Alipay”), “额宝” (Chinese equivalent for “Yu’e Bao”), “芝麻信用” (Chinese equivalent for “Zhima Credit”), “网商银行” (Chinese brand for “MYbank”), “ ” (Chinese equivalent for “HUABEI”), “Alibaba”, “Taobao”, “Tmall”, “Juhuasuan”, “AliExpress”, “Fliggy”, “Alimama”, “Alibaba Cloud”, “AliOS”, “AliTelecom”, “OneTouch”, “Umeng”, “Freshippo”, “YOUKU”, “TUDOO”, “UC”, “UCWeb”, “Alibaba Games”, “9Game”, “Alibaba Literature”, “Shuqi”, “Damai”, “Xiami”, “AMAP”, “Ali”, “Tao”, “DingTalk”, “Koubei”, “Eleme”, “Ant Financial”, “Ant”, “Alipay”, “Yu’e Bao”, “Zhima Credit”, “MYbank”, “HUABEI”, the associated devices and logos of the above brands (including but not limited to the smiling face device of Alibaba Group, the cow device of Alibaba.com, the Tao doll device of Taobao, the cat device of Tmall, the Ju doll device of Juhuasuan, the pig device of Fliggy, the bracket device of Alibaba Cloud, the hippo device of Freshippo, the fish device of XianYu, the doughnut device of YOUKU, the smiling face device of TUDOO, the 9 Games device, the Shuqi device of Shuqi, the hand device of Damai, the shrimp device of Xiami, the Gaoxiaode device and the paper aeroplane device of AutoNavi, the wing device of Dingtalk, the ant device of Ant Financial, the Zhi device of Alipay, the Zhima Credit device, etc.) or any company name, trade name, trademark, service mark, domain name, device, design, symbol or any abbreviation, contraction or simulation thereof owned or used by Ant Financial or any of its Affiliates, or (ii) represent, directly or indirectly, that any products or services provided by any Group Company have been approved or endorsed by Ant Financial or any of its Affiliates. Each Group Company hereby grants Ant Financial or its Affiliates license to use any Group Company’s company name, trade name, trademark, service mark, domain name, device, design and/or symbol in its respective marketing materials. If Ant Financial or its Affiliates have to use each Group Company’s company name, trade name, trademark, service mark, domain name, device, design and/or symbol, they must identify the rights held by each Group Company in relation to the company name, trade name, trademark, service mark, domain name, device, design and/or symbol. The rights and obligations of each aforementioned party under this Section 11.17 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

51


 

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

 

 

 

36Kr Holdings Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Liu Chengcheng

 

 

Name: LIU CHENGCHENG

 

 

Title: Director

 

 

 

 

 

36Kr Holding Limited

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Liu Chengcheng

 

 

Name: LIU CHENGCHENG

 

 

Title: Director

 

 

 

 

 

36Kr Holdings (HK) Limited

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Liu Chengcheng

 

 

Name: LIU CHENGCHENG

 

 

Title: Director

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement]

 


 

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

 

 

 

36Kr Global Holding (HK) Limited

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Feng Dagang

 

 

Name: FENG DAGANG

 

 

Title: Director

 

 

 

 

 

Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd.

 

()

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Feng Dagang

 

 

Name: FENG DAGANG

 

 

Title: Director

 

 

 

 

 

Beijing Dian Qier Creative Interactive Media Culture Co., Ltd.

 

(

 

)

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Feng Dagang

 

 

Name: FENG DAGANG

 

 

Title: Director

 

 

 

 

 

Tianjin Thirty-six Hearts Technology Co., Ltd.

 

()

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Feng Dagang

 

 

Name: FENG DAGANG

 

 

Title: Director

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement]

 


 

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

 

 

Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd.

 

()

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Feng Dagang

 

 

Name: FENG DAGANG

 

 

Title: Director

 

 

 

 

 

Tianjin Duoke Investment Co., Ltd. (

 

)

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Feng Dagang

 

 

Name: FENG DAGANG

 

 

Title: Director

 

 

 

 

 

Tianjin Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd.

 

()

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Feng Dagang

 

 

Name: FENG DAGANG

 

 

Title: Director

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement]

 


 

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

 

 

Zhejiang Pinxin Technology Co., Ltd. (

 

)

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lan Hao

 

 

Name: LAN HAO

 

 

Title: Director

 

 

 

 

 

Hangzhou Pinxin Acceleration Technology Co., Ltd.

 

()

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lan Hao

 

 

Name: LAN HAO

 

 

Title: Director

 

 

 

 

 

Sichuan Thirty-six Ke Technology Co., Ltd.

 

()

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lan Hao

 

 

Name: LAN HAO

 

 

Title: Director

 

 

 

 

 

Jiangsu Kuaike Technology Co., Ltd. (

 

)

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lan Hao

 

 

Name: LAN HAO

 

 

Title: Director

 

 

 

 

 

Chongqing Duoke Acceleration Technology Co., Ltd.

 

(

 

)

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lan Hao

 

 

Name: LAN HAO

 

 

Title: Director

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement]

 


 

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

 

 

 

/s/ Chengcheng Liu

 

Chengcheng Liu

 

 

 

 

 

36KR HEROS HOLDING LIMITED

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Liu Chengcheng

 

 

Name: Liu Chengcheng

 

 

Title: Director

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement]

 


 

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

 

 

 

/s/ Dagang Feng

 

Dagang Feng

 

 

 

 

 

PALOPO HOLDING LIMITED

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Feng Dagang

 

 

Name: FENG DAGANG

 

 

Title: Director

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement]

 


 

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

 

 

 

 36Kr Japan

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Feng Dagang

 

 

Name: FENG DAGANG

 

 

Title: Director

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement]

 


 

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

 

 

 

KRASIA PLUS PTE. LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Feng Dagang

 

 

Name: FENG DAGANG

 

 

Title: Director

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement]

 


 

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

 

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement]

 


 

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

 

 

 

Firefly Spring Ltd.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Zhao Bin

 

 

Name: Zhao Bin

 

 

Title: Director

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement]

 


 

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

 

 

 

Head & Shoulders Global Investment Limited

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Choi Chiu Fai Stanley

 

 

Name: Choi Chiu Fai Stanley

 

 

Title: Director

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement]

 


 

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

 

 

 

HappyCAI Limited

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Cai Lingmei

 

 

Name: Cai Lingmei

 

 

Title: Director

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement]

 


 

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

 

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement]

 


 

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

 

 

 

Beijing Jiuhe Yunqi Investment Center L.P.

 

()

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Wang Xiao

 

 

Name: Wang Xiao ()

 

 

Title: Authorized Signatory

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement]

 


 

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

 

 

 

API (Hong Kong) Investment Limited

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard LIN

 

 

Name: Richard LIN

 

 

Title: Authorized Signatory

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement]

 


 

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

 

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement]

 


 

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

 

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement]

 


 

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

 

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement]

 


 

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

 

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement]

 


 

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

 

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement]

 


 

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

 

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement]

 


 

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

 

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement]

 


 

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

 

 

 

Runzhi HK Limited

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ ZHU Lin

 

 

Name: ZHU Lin

 

 

Title: Director

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement]

 


 

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

 

 

 

Oasis Angel (HK) Limited

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ HU Tangjun

 

 

Name: HU Tangjun

 

 

Title: Director

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement]

 


 

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

 

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement]

 


 

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

 

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement]

 


 

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

 

 

 

Nova Compass Investment Limited

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Low Kit Leong

 

 

Name:

Low Kit Leong

 

 

Title:

Director

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement]

 


 

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

 

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement]

 


 

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

 

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement]

 


 

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

 

 

 

Lotus Walk Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lin Chen

 

 

Name:

Lin Chen

 

 

Title:

Director

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement]

 


 

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

 

 

 

Nikkei Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Naotoshi Okada

 

 

Name:

Naotoshi Okada

 

 

Title:

President & CEO

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement]

 


 

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

 

 

 

Krystal Imagine Investments Limited

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Cheng Wei

 

 

Name:

CHENG WEI

 

 

Title:

Director

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement]

 


 

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

 

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement]

 


 

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

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement]

 


 

SCHEDULE I

LIST OF GROUP COMPANIES

 

(1)              36Kr Holdings Inc.

 

(2)              36Kr Holding Limited

 

(3)              36Kr Holdings (HK) Limited

 

(4)              36Kr Global Holding (HK) Limited

 

(5)              Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. (北京多氪信息科技有限公司)

 

(6)              Beijing Dian Qier Creative Interactive Media Culture Co., Ltd. (北京点七二创意互动传媒文化有限公司)

 

(7)              Tianjin Thirty-six Hearts Technology Co., Ltd. (天津三十六颗心科技有限公司)

 

(8)              Zhejiang Pinxin Technology Co., Ltd. (浙江品新科技有限公司)

 

(9)              Hangzhou Pinxin Acceleration Technology Co., Ltd. (杭州品新加速科技有限公司)

 

(10)       Sichuan Thirty-six Ke Technology Co., Ltd. (四川三十六氪科技有限公司)

 

(11)       Jiangsu Kuaike Technology Co., Ltd. (苏快氪科技有限公司)

 

(12)       Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. (北京大氪信息科技有限公司)

 

(13)       Tianjin Duoke Investment Co., Ltd. (天津多氪投资有限公司)

 

(14)       Tianjin Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. (天津大氪信息科技有限公司)

 

(15)       Chongqing Duoke Acceleration Technology Co., Ltd. (庆多氪加速信息科技有限公司)

 

(16)       株式会社 36Kr Japan

 

(17)       KRASIA PLUS PTE. LTD.

 

Schedule I-1


 

SCHEDULE II

 

Name

 

Jurisdiction

 

Type of Shares

 

Number of Shares

 

Founder Parties

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

36Kr Heros Holding Limited

 

The British Virgin Islands

 

Ordinary Shares

 

58,749,000

 

Palopo Holding Limited

 

The British Virgin Islands

 

Ordinary Shares

 

78,512,000

 

ESOP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ESOP (reserved)

 

/

 

Ordinary Shares

 

137,186,000

 

Part I - Ordinary Investors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BLACK ANT GROUP INVESTMENT CO., LIMITED

 

The British Virgin Islands

 

Ordinary Shares

 

11,440,000

 

Firefly Spring Ltd.

 

The British Virgin Islands

 

Ordinary Shares

 

5,463,000

 

Head & Shoulders Global Investment Limited

 

The British Virgin Islands

 

Ordinary Shares

 

3,129,000

 

HappyCAI Limited

 

The British Virgin Islands

 

Ordinary Shares

 

19,550,000

 

Part II - Series A-1 Investor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beijing Jiuhe Yunqi Investment Center L.P. (北京九合云起投资中心(有限合伙))

 

PRC

 

Series A-1 Preferred Shares

 

65,307,000

 

Part III - Series A-2 Investor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tembusu Limited

 

The British Virgin Islands

 

Series A-2 Preferred Shares

 

101,261,000

 

Part IV - Series B-1 Investors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Neo TH Holdings Limited

 

The British Virgin Islands

 

Series B-1 Preferred Shares

 

28,674,000

 

Themisclio Limited

 

The British Virgin Islands

 

Series B-1 Preferred Shares

 

7,168,000

 

M36 Investment Limited

 

The British Virgin Islands

 

Series B-1 Preferred Shares

 

62,688,000

 

API (Hong Kong) Investment Limited

 

Hong Kong

 

Series B-1 Preferred Shares

 

151,772,000

 

 

Schedule II-1


 

Part V - Series B-2 Investors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Themisclio Limited

 

The British Virgin Islands

 

Series B-2 Preferred Shares

 

14,593,000

 

Part VI - Series B-3 Investors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beijing Zhanjin Management Consulting Center L.P. (北京展金管理咨询中心(有限合伙) )

 

PRC

 

Series B-3 Preferred Shares

 

29,417,000

 

Beijing Yunli Hefeng Management Consulting Center L.P. (北京云力和风管理咨询中心(有限合伙) )

 

PRC

 

Series B-3 Preferred Shares

 

26,688,000

 

Part VII - Series B-4 Investors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SPRIGHT KR CO. LIMITED

 

The British Virgin Islands

 

Series B-4 Preferred Shares

 

14,606,000

 

Hongtu Capital Investment Limited

 

The British Virgin Islands

 

Series B-4 Preferred Shares

 

6,376,000

 

Part VIII — Series C-1 Investors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Runzhi HK Limited

 

Hong Kong

 

Series C-1 Preferred Shares

 

18,320,000

 

Oasis Angel (HK) Limited

 

Hong Kong

 

Series C-1 Preferred Shares

 

2,617,000

 

Falcon Investment Holdings Limited

 

The British Virgin Islands

 

Series C-1 Preferred Shares

 

19,628,000

 

China Prosperity Capital Alpha Limited

 

Samoa

 

Series C-1 Preferred Shares

 

58,884,000

 

Nova Compass Investment Limited

 

The British Virgin Islands

 

Series C-1 Preferred Shares

 

19,628,000

 

Greentech Tianhong Investment Holding Limited

 

The British Virgin Islands

 

Series C-1 Preferred Shares

 

36,639,000

 

Sparkle Roll Culture & Entertainment Development Limited (耀莱文娱发展有限公司)

 

Hong Kong

 

Series C-1 Preferred Shares

 

9,160,000

 

 

Schedule II-2


 

Part IX—Series C-2 Investors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

China Prosperity Capital Alpha Limited

 

Samoa

 

Series C-2 Preferred Shares

 

12,545,000

 

Part X—Series D Investors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lotus Walk Inc.

 

The British Virgin Islands

 

Series D Preferred Shares

 

20,000,000

 

Nikkei Inc. (株式会社日本経済新聞社)

 

Japan

 

Series D Preferred Shares

 

8,333,333

 

Krystal Imagine Investments Limited

 

The British Virgin Islands

 

Series D Preferred Shares

 

5,000,000

 

Red Better Limited

 

The British Virgin Islands

 

Series D Preferred Shares

 

3,333,333

 

Homshin Innovations Ltd.

 

The British Virgin Islands

 

Series D Preferred Shares

 

3,333,333

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

1,039,999,999

 

 

The above cap table is on a fully-diluted basis.

 

Schedule II-3


 

SCHEDULE III

 

LIST OF KEY EMPLOYEE(s)

 

Name

 

Position

 

PRC ID Number

Feng Dagang (冯大刚)

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

132801197810243614

Liang Jihong (梁继红)

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

110107197302030369

Li Yang (李洋)

 

Chief Content Officer

 

210402197611192941

 

Schedule III-1


 

SCHEDULE IV

 

ADDRESS FOR NOTICE

 

If to the Group Companies and the Founder Parties:

 

Address:

5/F, Tower A1, Junhao Central Park Plaza, No. 10 South Chaoyang Park Avenue, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100020, China

Tel:

010-59974030

Email:

wangjingyu@36kr.com

Attention:

Wang Jingyu

 

If to the Ordinary Investors:

 

BLACK ANT GROUP INVESTMENT CO., LIMITED

Address:

Area C, 1/F, Innovation Tax-Free Park, Bing Lang Road, Futian Tax-Free Area, Futian District, Shenzhen, China

Tel:

13088041693

Email:

LiQL@ghzy.com.hk

Attention:

Chen Feng (陈峰)

 

 

Firefly Spring Ltd.

Address:

6/F, 333 Songhu Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, China

Tel:

+86-13600487192

Email:

zhaobin@agora.io

Attention:

Zhao Bing (赵斌)

 

 

Head & Shoulders Global Investment Limited

Address:

18/F, Three Exchange Square, 8 Connaught Place, Central, Hong Kong

Tel:

(852) 92881488 / 86-13296105129

Email:

stanley@headandshoulders.com.hk

Attention:

Cai Zhaohui (蔡朝)

 

 

HappyCAI Limited

Address:

No. 101, Unit 1, Building 14, No. 8 Shuian South Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing

Tel:

+86-18618185999

Email:

ciciservice@126.com

Attention:

Cai Lingmei (蔡灵梅)

 

If to the Preferred Investors:

 

Runzhi HK Limited

Address:

1508, Gefei Center, 757 Mengzi Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, District, Beijing China

Tel:

+86-18618185999

Email:

ciciservice@126.com

Attention:

Cai Lingmei (蔡灵梅)

Tel:

021-5629 5805

Email:

wing@gobivc.com

Attention:

Wing

 

Schedule IV-1


 

Oasis Angel (HK) Limited

Address:

906, Tower H, No. 5 Phoenix Landmark Plaza, Shuguang Xili, Beijing, China

Tel:

86-10-8455-4115

Email:

wing@gobivc.com

Attention:

Wing

 

 

Falcon Investment Holdings Limited

Address:

Room 3016, 580 Nanjing West Road, Shanghai, China

Tel:

18918000960

Email:

yaoshun@falcon-e.com

Attention:

Hu Yaoshun (胡耀舜)

 

 

China Prosperity Capital Alpha Limited

Address:

10/F, Building 4, One Shangmeilin Zhuoyuecheng, Futian District, Shenzhen, China

Tel:

155 0757 9439

Email:

hendrick@cpcfund.cn

Attention:

Handi Xian (冼汉迪)

 

 

Nova Compass Investment Limited

Address:

28/F, No. 369 Jiangsu Road, Changning District, Shanghai, China

Tel:

18621585219

Email:

linnan@focusmedia.cn

Attention:

Lin Nan (林南)

 

 

Greentech Tianhong Investment Holding Limited

Address:

1202, Tower B, Global Trade Center, No. 36 North Third Ring Road, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China

Tel:

+86 18510249488

Email:

wangxi_alpha@163.com

Attention:

Wang Xi (王曦)

 

 

Sparkle Roll Culture & Entertainment Development Limited (耀莱文娱发展有限公司)

Address:

Bldg.13, Zizhu ShuYuan, 35 Zhongguancun SouthStreet, Haidian District, Beijing 100107

Tel:

18911067311

Email:

sunweibo@600715sh.com

Attention:

Sun Weibo (孙伟波)

 

Schedule IV-2


 

API (Hong Kong) Investment Limited

Address:

Ant Z Zone, 556 Xixi Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China

Tel:

0571-81177977

Email:

jiasheng.zc@antfin.com

Attention:

Zhu Chao (朱超)

 

 

M36 Investment Limited

Address:

2601, Tower 1, Taikang Financial Building, 38 East 3rd Ring North Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China

Tel:

13488795407

Email:

michael.zuo@matrixpartners.com.cn;

 

zhuyan.li@matrixpartners.com.cn; notice@matrixpartners.com.cn

Attention:

Zuo Lingye (左凌烨) / Li Zhuyan (黎竹岩)

 

 

Neo TH Holdings Limited

Address:

IVP, 107 Dongsi North Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China

Tel:

18588884980

Email:

teresaworkmail@gmail.com

Attention:

Huang Liming (黄鹂鸣)

 

 

Themisclio Limited

Address:

IVP, 107 Dongsi North Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China

Tel:

18588884980

Email:

teresaworkmail@gmail.com

Attention:

Qian Keming (钱科铭)

 

 

Beijing Zhanjin Management Consulting Center L.P. (北京展金管理咨询中心 (有限合伙) )

Address:

Building 5, Zinlin Hotel, No. 110 Yanan Middle Road, Yunyan District, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China

Tel:

18212079539

Email:

879646856@qq.com

Attention:

Zeng Fanqin (曾凡芹)

 

 

Beijing Yunli Hefeng Management Consulting Center L.P. (北京云力和风管理咨询中心(有限合伙))

Address:

609B, 6th Floor, Jin Bao Plaza, 89 Jun Bao Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China

Tel:

18513996079

Email:

fangcz@cvfund.cn

Attention:

Ricky Fang (方淳正)

 

 

SPRIGHT KR CO. LIMITED

Address:

1501, Tower E2, Oriental Plaza, 1 East Chang An Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China

Tel:

13910336166

Email:

zhangliyuan@sprightgroup.com

Attention:

Zhang Liyuan (张立园)

 

Schedule IV-3


 

Hongtu Capital Investment Limited

Address:

13/F, No. 8 Yin Cheng Middle Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China

Tel:

13816845606

Email:

zhaojunhao@hisengroup.com.cn

Attention:

Zhao Junhao (赵俊豪)

 

 

Tembusu Limited

Address:

Room 110, No. 20 You Dian Xin Cun, Xihu District, Hangzhou, China

Tel:

13488795407

Email:

michael.zuo@matrixpartners.com.cn;

 

zhuyan.li@matrixpartners.com.cn; notice@matrixpartners.com.cn

Attention:

Zuo Lingye (左凌烨) / Li Zhuyan (黎竹岩)

 

 

Beijing Jiuhe Yunqi Investment Center L.P. (北京九合云起投资中心(有限合伙)

Address:

Room 530, 5/F, Danling Soho, No. 6 Danlin Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China

Tel:

 

Email:

zhangshaoyu@unityvc.com

Attention:

Zhang Shaoyu (张少宇)

 

 

Lotus Walk Inc.

Address:

Building A1, 43 North Third Ring Road West, Haidian District, Beijing

Tel:

+86 13439494729

Attention:

JI Yin

 

 

Nikkei Inc. (株式会社日本経済新聞社)

Address:

1-3-7 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8066 Japan

Tel:

+81-80-8128-5155

Email:

tetsuji.santazono@nex.nikkei.com

Attention:

Tetsuji Santazono

 

 

Krystal Imagine Investments Limited

Address:

No. 1 Block B, Shangdong Digital Valley, No. 8 Dongbeiwang West Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China

Email:

Gaoji@didiglobal.com

Attention:

Jimmy Gao

 

Schedule IV-4


 

Red Better Limited

Address:

Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co., Ltd, Block E/F, Shunshijiaye Pioneer Park, No. 66 Zhufang Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100085 China

Tel:

8618811352944

Email:

liyiwen@xiaomi.com

Attention:

Yiwen Li

 

 

Homshin Innovations Ltd.

Address:

03 Soon Lee St., #04-07 Pioneer Junction, Singapore 627606

Tel:

+86 18611391555

Email:

dcsuyi@sina.cn

Attention:

Su Yi

 

Schedule IV-5


 

SCHEDULE V

 

COMPANY COMPETITOR

 

Name

 

Examples of Related
subsidiaries, media,
services etc.

The Asahi Shimbun Company

 

Cnet, ZDnet

The Yomiuri Shimbun

 

 

The Mainichi Newspapers Co., Ltd.

 

Weekly Economist

Sankei Shimbun Co., Ltd.

 

 

K.K. Kyodo News

 

Kyodo News Digital Co., Ltd.

Jiji Press Ltd.

 

/

Toyo Keizai Inc.

 

/

Teikoku Databank Ltd.

 

/

Tokyo Shoko Research Ltd.

 

/

Uzabase, Inc.

 

Speeda, entrepedia, NewsPicks, Quartz

 

Schedule V-1


 

EXHIBIT A

 

JOINDER TO AMENDED AND RESTATED SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT

 

This Joinder Agreement (this “Joinder Agreement”) is made as of the date written below by the undersigned (the “Joining Party”) in accordance with the Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement dated as of September 25, 2019 (as amended, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Shareholders Agreement”) among 36Kr Holdings Inc., an exempted company organized under the Laws of the Cayman Islands, and the other parties thereto, as the same may be amended from time to time. Capitalized terms used, but not defined, herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Shareholders Agreement.

 

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

 

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

 

Date:                                 ,            

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NAME OF JOINING PARTY]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

Address for Notices:

 

Exhibit A-1




Exhibit 10.11

 

Data Sharing Agreement

 

This Data Sharing Agreement (“this Agreement”) is entered into by the following parties on June 25, 2019 in Beijing:

 

Party A: Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd.

Registered address: No. 3003, 3rd Floor, No. 39 West Street, Haidian District, Beijing

Contact person: Wang Jingyu

Phone: 15101150221

 

Party B: Beijing Venture Glory Information Technology Co., Ltd.

Registered address: Room 101, 1st Floor, Building 14, Shuangqiao (Shuangqiao Dairy Factory), Chaoyang District, Beijing

Contact person: Li Hongwei

Phone: 13132150935

 

Whereas

 

1.                  Party A operates the 36kr website, APP and other platforms, and provides a variety of products and services, which will generate a large amount of data on corporate information.

 

2.                  Party B operates the Jingdata website, APP and other platforms, and provides a variety of products and services, which will generate a large amount of data on corporate information.

 

3.                  The parties intend to establish a data sharing platform. Subject to the compliance of applicable laws and regulations and this Agreement, the parties will upload the data generated in their respective process of providing products and services to the data sharing platform for use by both parties to promote their respective business development, engage in market research and develop new products and businesses;

 

Now, therefore, both parties reach the following agreements through friendly negotiation on the principle of equality and mutual benefit:

 

Article 1 Subject, Content and Ownership of Data Sharing

 

1.1 Subject of Data Sharing

 

1)                The subject of the provision and use of shared data as agreed in this Agreement shall include both Party A and Party B and their respectively designated related parties (collectively referred to as “Participating Parties”), and the scope of specific participating parties shall be determined by both parties through negotiation separately. Participating parties other than Party A and Party B shall become parties to this Agreement by signing the “Confirmation Letter of Participation in Data Sharing” as shown in Annex I or other similar documents, accept the representations and warranties made by all participating parties under this Agreement, and perform obligations of a participating party under this Agreement.

 


 

2)                The related parties described in this Agreement shall include but not limited to any other legal person, non-corporate entity or natural person directly or indirectly controlled by, subject to control of, controlling or under common control with one of the parties. “Control” shall mean holding equities/interests with more than 50% of the voting rights of an entity or having the power to appoint more than half of the directors or members of other similar management organizations of the entity, or having the actual right to decide on or control the operations of the entity through agreements or other means. The subordinate related parties of any entity refer to all entities controlled by it (including entities controlled by way of VIE, if any).

 

1.2 Content of Data Sharing

 

1)                Based on the principle of reciprocal exchange, under the premise of not violating the law and not infringing the lawful rights and interests of others, each participating party shall share the relevant data generated in its process of providing products and services to other participating parties.

 

2)                All participating parties shall share data by jointly establishing a data sharing platform. The specific content of data sharing, and the manner and time of data provision by the participating parties shall be determined by the parties through negotiation separately.

 

1.3 Ownership of Shared Data

 

1)                Except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, any participating party (“Provider”) shall have all and any ownership, rights and interests (including intellectual property rights) to the data (including derived data1) it provides to other participating parties (“Recipient”) pursuant to this Agreement, and shall have the right to modify, combine the data, and shall be able to decide at its discretion whether to expand or reduce the scope of data collected or generated in the course of business. The recipients may only use the data provided by the providers under this Agreement in accordance with this Agreement.

 

2)                The ownership and interests (including intellectual property rights) of products developed or services conducted by any participating party using data from the data sharing platform (including derived data) shall be solely owned by such party.

 

3)                The attribution of the ownership and interests (including intellectual property rights) of products developed or services conducted jointly by different participating parties shall be separately determined by such participating parties through negotiation, with agreements separately signed.

 


1  The data a party generates by independently developing, calculating using the data provided it.

 


 

Article 2 Authorization, Use and Restriction of Data

 

2.1 Authorization

 

In accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each participating party authorizes and agrees that all other participating parties may access and use the data it provides to the data sharing platform on a global basis in accordance with this Agreement, applicable laws and regulations, and rules of the data sharing platform. Such authorizations shall be non-transferable, non-exclusive and non-sublicensable.

 

2.2 Scope of Access and Use

 

Subject to the fulfilment of the following conditions: 1) compliance with the rules of the data sharing platform; 2) compliance with all applicable laws and regulations; 3) compliance with other restrictions as provided in this Agreement, each participating party shall have the right to freely access and use the data of the data sharing platform, and generate and use data derived from the data of the data sharing platform.

 

2.3 Restrictions

 

1)                No participating party shall sell, authorize, transfer or disclose the relevant shared data provided by other participating parties in accordance with this Agreement to any third party other than the participating parties, or allow third parties to access the data sharing platform, or send to third parties or allow third parties to use any data (including derived data) of the data sharing platform, unless: a) a written authorization of the relevant party has been obtained; or b) if the disclosure is made as required according to applicable laws and regulations, the party shall give a written notice in an appropriate manner and take necessary measures to obtain necessary consent before the disclosure, and make the disclosure pursuant to the data minimization principle. To avoid ambiguity, this Article does not restrict a party from selling, authorizing, transferring, or disclosing data (including derived data) that it uploads to the data sharing platform.

 

2)                Any participating party shall have the right to sell, authorize, transfer or disclose the relevant shared data provided by each of them in accordance with this Agreement to third parties other than the participating parties, but the foregoing third parties shall not include the counterparties’ competitors in the same industry (including branches, subsidiaries and other divisions) as listed by other participating parties in the competition lists of Annex II, which shall be updated once in every twelve months from the date of this Agreement. Meanwhile, once in every year, each of Party A and Party B shall have the right to request the counterparty to terminate its partnership with a third party not included in the competition lists (which shall be limited to partnership in selling, authorizing, transferring, disclosing the relevant shared data provided by it to such third party), and a party shall terminate the partnership with such third party upon receiving the written notice of the counterparty.

 

3)                No participating party may use any data of the data sharing platform to participate in, engage in, produce, or operate any business that competes with the business of other participating parties without the written approval of the relevant participating parties.

 


 

4)                Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, any participating party may not use or copy the company names, trademarks, trade names, domain names, website names, program marks and program names of other participating parties, or any other content that other parties have intellectual property rights without the prior consent of the relevant participating parties.

 

5)                Any participating party that wishes to use the name of any other participating party in its promotional materials, business cards, websites and any other aspects shall obtain authorization in writing by such participating party. No participating party may engage in advertising and commercial activities in the name of any other participating parties without the authorization of relevant participating parties.

 

Article 3 Management, Operation and Maintenance of the Data Sharing Platform

 

3.1 Management

 

1)                After the execution of this Agreement, both parties shall establish a data sharing platform. The parties agree that after the execution of this Agreement, they shall each appoint a representative as the person-in-charge of the data sharing platform. The information of the persons appointed by the parties is shown in Annex III. Meanwhile, both parties may change their appointed persons from time to time, but they shall notify the other party in writing in a timely manner. For the avoidance of doubt, the relevant subject of management, operation and maintenance as provided in Article 3 of this Agreement shall only be Party A and Party B, excluding other participating parties hereto.

 

2)                Any decision on the data sharing platform is subject to unanimous agreement of the representatives appointed by both parties, who shall jointly exercise authorities including but not limited to the following:

 

a)                review, discuss, handle, modify, and interpret policies, rules, regulations, procedures, and other terms and conditions related to the operation, management and use of the data sharing platform, including:

 

i)                data classification: including classification based on security risks, confidentiality, relevant regulations, and personal information protection;

 

ii)             access, encryption, modification and deletion of shared data;

 

iii)          privacy protection (including assessment of the consistency in the personal information protection policies of both parties);

 

iv)         service levels, technical support, backup, maintenance, upgrades, and application programming interfaces; and

 

v)            interoperability of computer systems of the parties over the data sharing platforms (collectively referred to as “Data Sharing Platform Rules”);

 

b)                monitor and inspect all participating parties for compliance with the Data Sharing Platform Rules, the terms of this Agreement and applicable laws and regulations, and take appropriate actions against the non-compliant party to cause it to comply with the Data Sharing Platform Rules, the terms of this agreement and applicable laws and regulations;

 


 

c)                 establish:

 

i)                    a reasonable written notification procedure for notice of violations of the Data Sharing Platform Rules, this Agreement, and applicable laws and regulations;

 

ii)                 reasonable remediation periods (that shall vary by different types of violation);

 

d)                decide whether any related parties of Party A and Party B have the right to join the data sharing platform and become participating parties;

 

e)                 suspend the rights of participating parties who violate the Data Sharing Platform Rules, this Agreement or applicable laws and regulations to access the data sharing platform, and terminate the right of participating parties who fail to remedy within the reasonable remediation period to access the data sharing platform;

 

f)                  resolve disputes between the parties and establish reasonable and necessary rules and procedures for dispute resolution;

 

g)                exempt any participating party from its obligations and responsibilities under this Agreement.

 

3)                   Within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, the representatives appointed by the parties shall jointly submit to the parties:

 

a)                consideration of changes and/or changes to any rule of the data sharing platform;

 

b)                any actual or alleged violation of any rule of the data sharing platform, this Agreement or applicable laws and regulations, or other actual or suspected misappropriation or unauthorized use of any shared data;

 

c)                 other contents requested reasonably by the parties for reporting.

 

3.2 Operation and Maintenance

 

Party A shall be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the data sharing platform, and shall have the right to obtain authorizations, purchase software and hardware from third parties necessary for the operation and maintenance of the data sharing platform. For the avoidance of doubt, the operation of the data sharing platform shall refer only to the operation of the data sharing platform itself, excluding the platforms respectively operated by the participating parties to provide their services and products.

 


 

Article 4 Term of Data Sharing and Fee Arrangement

 

4.1 Term

 

The initial term of cooperation of this Agreement shall be 10 years, starting from the effective date of this Agreement. If Party A becomes a publicly listed company within the initial term of cooperation, Party A’s board of directors shall have the right to extend the term of this Agreement to a maximum of 20 years (starting from the effective date of this Agreement) within [180] days after Party A becomes a listed company. Both parties may prematurely terminate this Agreement or extend the term of partnership of this Agreement upon negotiation and consensus.

 

4.2 Fee Arrangement

 

1)                Data usage fee: Either party is not required to pay data usage fee to the other party.

 

2)                Platform operation and maintenance cost: The cost of operating and maintaining the data sharing platform shall be borne by Party A.

 

3)                Taxes: Taxes and other expenses incurred as a result of the execution and performance of this Agreement shall be respectively borne by each participating party in accordance with the law.

 

Article 5 Confidentiality

 

5.1          Any participating party shall keep confidential undisclosed materials and information (“Confidential Information”) concerning the business, technical, financial and other aspects of other participating parties that it becomes aware of or accesses to because of the execution or performance of this Agreement. No participating party may disclose such confidential information to any third party without the written consent of the relevant participating parties. Any participating party shall protect the confidential information of other participating parties in the same manner as the protection of their own proprietary and confidential information and materials, but in any event not less than a reasonable degree of care. Participating parties who accept confidential information shall be responsible for any violation of the confidentiality provisions of the Agreement by their employees or agents.

 

5.2          At the request of the relevant participating party, any other participating party shall return any documents, materials or software containing the confidential information of the relevant participating party to it as required, or destroy or otherwise dispose of them, and shall not continue to use such confidential information.

 

5.3          After the termination of this Agreement, the parties’ confidentiality obligations under this Agreement shall survive and the parties shall still comply with the confidentiality provisions of this Agreement and perform their confidentiality obligations until the other parties agree to relieve them of the obligations, or the violation of the confidentiality provisions of this Agreement will not cause de facto damage in any form to other parties.

 


 

5.4          No participating party shall, without the written approval of the relevant participating party, disclose to third parties (except where laws, regulations, government departments, stock exchanges or other regulatory authorities require, and except for the legal, accounting, business and other consultants and authorized employees of both parties) any content of the terms of this Agreement, as well as circumstances of the execution and performance of this Agreement, and any information of any participating party known through the execution and performance of this Agreement.

 

5.5          Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, if either party hereto requires assistance from a third party for the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, and it is inevitable for such third party to know or access the confidential information under this Agreement when providing assistance, any party hereto may provide the confidential information to such third party subject to the written consent of the other party and the agreement of the third party in writing to assume all of the confidentiality obligations set forth in this Agreement.

 

Article 6 Representations and Warranties

 

6.1          Each participating party states, represents and warrants to all other participating parties as follows:

 

1)                The party has all necessary powers and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and perform its obligations under this Agreement.

 

2)                The party has obtained all necessary official authorizations from its company to execute and deliver this Agreement and perform its obligations under this Agreement.

 

3)                The party’s execution of this Agreement or performance of its obligations under this Agreement is not in violation of or in conflict with any other agreements it has entered into.

 

6.2          Each participating party warrants that it has the legal rights to the data provided by it under this Agreement and will not infringe on the legal rights of any third party. Each participating party warrants that it will not engage in any conduct that would harm the interests of other participating parties during the partnership, including but not limited to infringement of the copyrights, right to reputation and/or other legal rights of other participating parties.

 

6.3          Each participating party warrants that in this partnership, the collection and provision of relevant data, the upload of such data to the data sharing platform, and the authorization of other participating parties to use such data in accordance with this Agreement do not violate relevant laws and regulations, and infringe on the lawful rights and interests of third parties, and it has obtained the necessary consent, permit or approval for the above actions, including but not limited to:

 

The data provider has obtained explicit authorization from the users for the collection, processing and provision of user-related data, or has obtained explicit authorization from the information subject for the collection, use and provision of such original personal information to domestic or overseas partners, as well as for the purpose and scope of using such original personal information, in which such authorized scope includes the sharing of user-related data.

 


 

6.4          Each participating party warrants that if a participating party is an entity outside China, the participating party providing data to such foreign entity shall conduct security assessment on cross-border data transfer in accordance with relevant laws and regulations prior to the cross-border data transfer and other participating parties shall provide necessary assistance.

 

6.5          Each participating party warrants that it will observe the principles below in accessing or using the data interface of the data sharing platform:

 

1)       It shall comply with relevant laws and regulations concerning Internet administration of the People’s Republic of China and other relevant countries or regions.

 

2)       It shall comply with all network protocols, regulations and procedures related to network services and information security.

 

3)       It shall not use the data interface to engage in any conduct that may adversely affect the normal Internet operation.

 

4)       It shall not use the data interface for any illegal purposes.

 

5)       If there is any unlawful use of data privilege by internal employee, data leak or security breach, such unlawful use shall be terminated immediately and the representatives appointed by both parties shall be informed.

 

Article 7 Liability for Default Compensation

 

7.1          If any participating party (“the Defaulting Party”) constitutes a default due to direct or indirect violation of any terms of this Agreement or failure to promptly and fully assume its obligations under this Agreement, after the occurrence of the default, the observant party shall be entitled to request in writing the defaulting party to rectify the default and take sufficient, effective and timely measures to eliminate the consequences of the default, and compensate the observant party for the losses incurred as a result, including but not limited to economic loss and reputation damage; if the defaulting party fails to rectify its default within fifteen (15) business days of receipt of the above notice of default by the observant party, the observant party shall be entitled to terminate this Agreement by notifying the counterparties in writing and require the defaulting party to compensate for the losses.

 

7.2          In the event of default by a party, the counterparties shall take appropriate measures within a reasonable scope to prevent further losses; if no appropriate measures are taken to prevent further losses, no compensation shall be claimed for such further losses. The reasonable expenses incurred by a party for preventing further losses shall be borne by the defaulting party. If the observant party does not take measures to reduce losses, the defaulting party shall be entitled to request deduction from the damages for the amount of losses that would have otherwise been reduced.

 


 

7.3          The losses that the defaulting party shall compensate the observant party due to its default includes but not limited to the direct economic loss and any foreseeable indirect loss and other reasonable expenses incurred on the observant party due to the default by the defaulting party, such expenses include but not limited to legal fees, litigation and arbitration fees, financial expenses and travel expenses.

 

7.4          No Double Compensation

 

Any participating party, for the same loss, shall not be entitled to receive compensation or other form of reparation or restitution more than once.

 

7.5          To avoid ambiguity, except as otherwise agreed in this Agreement, all participating parties hereto shall independently assume the various rights and obligations under this Agreement. Party A and Party B, respectively, shall not be jointly and severally liable for the default by any of its related parties.

 

Article 8 Force Majeure

 

8.1          “Force Majeure” shall mean an event that cannot be reasonably controlled or foreseen, or unavoidable even if foreseen by the parties hereto, which renders either party impossible to perform all or part of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement. Such event includes but is not limited to government action, earthquake, typhoon, flooding, fire or other natural disaster, war or any other similar event. In view of the special nature of Internet, force Majeure also includes the following circumstances affecting the normal operation of the Internet: 1) hacker attacks; 2) material impact caused by technical adjustments by the telecommunications operator, excluding losses due to poor management by such party; 3) temporary shutdown due to government control, except for controls resulting from such party’s fault 4) virus invasion; 5) general failure of the public networks.

 

8.2          If either party fails to perform this Agreement in whole or in part, or delays the performance of this Agreement due to force majeure, within three (3) calendar days from the date of the event of force majeure, it shall notify the other party in writing of the circumstances of the event of force majeure; and within thirty (30) calendar days from the date of the event of force majeure, it shall provide to the other party a proof issued by a notary office of the place where the event of force majeure takes place and causes the failure or delay of its performance of this Agreement in whole or in part.

 

8.3          The party subject to force majeure shall take all necessary measures to reduce the losses and resume the performance of this Agreement immediately after the event ends.

 


 

Article 9 Effectiveness, Modifications and Termination of the Agreement

 

9.1          This Agreement shall be effective upon the execution by the legal representatives or authorized representatives of both parties and the stamping of the official seals or special seals for contracts. Other participating parties shall become parties to this Agreement by signing the “Confirmation Letter of Participation in Data Sharing” as shown in Annex I or other similar documents, accept the representations and warranties made by all participating parties under this Agreement and perform obligations of a participating party under this Agreement. The participating parties shall negotiate whether to renew at least 30 days prior to the expiration of this Agreement or at least 30 days prior to the expiration of each renewal (as the case may be). Unless otherwise agreed, all terms and conditions of this Agreement shall remain unchanged during the renewed period.

 

9.2          This Agreement may be supplemented, modified or changed upon negotiation and consensus of the participating parties. Supplements, modifications or changes shall be made in writing and become effective upon signing by all participating parties.

 

9.3          Notwithstanding the provisions of other terms of this Agreement, any participating party shall be entitled to prematurely terminate this Agreement by notifying the counterparty in writing and shall not be liable for default as a result of such premature termination, if:

 

1)                         The counterparty is insolvent, or becomes the subject of a liquidation or dissolution procedure, or has been transferred for the benefit of creditors, or has a receiver designated for its business (excluding voluntary liquidation for reorganization or merger purposes).

 

2)                         A force majeure event lasts for one hundred and eighty (180) calendar days and renders either party hereto unable to continue to perform its primary obligations under this Agreement.

 

9.4          Upon termination of this Agreement, any participating party shall have the right to request other participating parties to return data or information (including all copies) belonging to it, and to request removal of data or information related to this Agreement, except where data or information is required to be saved for archiving purposes in accordance with the law.

 

9.5          If this Agreement is terminated, Article 5 (Confidentiality), Article 6 (Representations and Warranties), Article 7 (Liability for Default Compensation), Article 10 (Dispute Resolution and Governing Laws), Article 11 (Notice), Article 12 (Miscellaneous Provisions) shall survive with full legal effect.

 

Article 10 Dispute Resolution and Governing Laws

 

10.1           The participating parties shall resolve disputes arising from the execution of this Agreement or all disputes related to this Agreement through friendly negotiations. If the parties fail to reach an agreement within sixty (60) calendar days, either party may submit the dispute to the Beijing Arbitration Commission for arbitration in Beijing in accordance with the then effective arbitration rules of the Beijing Arbitration Commission.

 


 

10.2           The conclusion, execution, construction of this Agreement and resolution of disputes shall be governed by the laws of the People’s Republic of China.

 

Article 11 Notice

 

11.1           Any notice or other correspondence (“Notice”) sent by a party to the other party in connection with this Agreement shall be in writing and served to the person being notified at the following mailing addresses or phone numbers or e-mail addresses, which shall only constitute a valid notice by indicating the names of the following contact persons; for clarification, notices served by e-mail shall be deemed notices in writing:

 

Party A:

Contact person: Wang Jingyu

Mailing address: 5th Floor, Block A1, Junhao Central Park Square, No. 10 Chaoyang Park South Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing

E-mail: wangjingyu@36kr.com

Phone: 15101150221

 

Party B:

Contact person: Li Hongwei

Mailing address: 5th Floor, Music Power Plaza China, No. 35 Xiaoyun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing

E-mail: lihongwei@jingdata.com

Phone: 13132150935

 

11.2           Notices, requests or other correspondences sent pursuant to the preceding paragraph shall be deemed served in the following circumstances: If the notice is deliver personally, it shall be deemed served when the notice is signed for receipt by the person being notified; notices that may be sent by post shall be sent by registered express mail or express mail service. The registered express mail shall be deemed served to the person being notified on the seventh (7) calendar day after posting, and a notice delivered by express mail service shall be deemed served upon signing for receipt by the person being notified; a notice sent by e-mail shall be deemed served when the mail system shows that the person being notified actually receives the notice.

 

11.3           If the above mailing address or notification method of either party changes, the changing party shall notify the other party within seven (7) calendar days after the date of such change. If the changing party fails to notify in time as agreed, it shall bear the losses caused thereby.

 


 

Article 12 Miscellaneous Provisions

 

12.1           Matters not covered in this Agreement shall be supplemented in writing by the participating parties after friendly negotiation, and the supplementary agreements shall have the same legal effect as this Agreement. In the event of any discrepancy between this Agreement and the supplementary agreements, the provisions of the supplementary agreement shall prevail.

 

12.2          If any provision of this Agreement is deemed invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part due to any reason, or is in violation of any applicable laws, it shall be regarded as deleted, but the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in force and binding. For provisions that are deemed invalid, unenforceable or illegal, the parties shall negotiate in a friendly manner based on the principle of achieving the original business intentions.

 

12.3          Failure by either party hereto to exercise its rights in time under this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver of the rights, nor shall it affect the exercise of such rights by the party in the future.

 

12.4          The Annexes to this Agreement (if any) shall be an integral part of this Agreement and have the same legal effect as this Agreement.

 

12.5          Any headings in this Agreement are for reference only and do not affect the meaning of this Agreement and its interpretation.

 

12.6           This Agreement is signed in four (4) copies, with Party A and Party B each holding two (2) copies, which shall have the same legal effect.

 

(There is no text below)

 

[This page is the signature page of the “Data Sharing Agreement” and is intentionally left blank]

 


 

[This page is the signature page of the “Data Sharing Agreement” and is intentionally left blank]

 

Party A: Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)

 

[Seal: Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd.

Special seal for contracts 1101081481924]

 

Authorized representative:

 

Party B: Beijing Chuangye Guangrong Information Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)

[Seal: Beijing Chuangye Guangrong Information Technology Co., Ltd.

Special seal for contracts 1101081053060]

 

Authorized representative:

 


 

Confirmation Letter of Participation in Data Sharing

 

This Confirmation Letter of Participation in Data Sharing (hereinafter referred to as “this Letter”) is signed by the following parties on _(Month) _(Date), 2019 in _ (City):

 

              , a               company registered pursuant to the laws of China (Uniform Social Credit Code:               , with its registered address of              ;

 

Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Duoke”), a limited liability company registered under the laws of China (Uniform Social Credit Code: 91110108MA00AH286Q), with its registered address at No. 3003, 3rd Floor, No. 39 West Street, Haidian District, Beijing;

 

Beijing Chuangye Guangrong Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Chuangye Guangrong”), a limited liability company registered under the laws of China (Uniform Social Credit Code: 91110108MA006R6NX0), with its registered address at Room 101, 1st Floor, Building 14, Shuangqiao (Shuangqiao Dairy Factory), Chaoyang District, Beijing.

 

Whereas:

 

(A)           Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. and Beijing Chuangye Guangrong Information Technology Co., Ltd. signed the Data Sharing Agreement on June 25, 2019 on the matters of data sharing.

 

(B)           According to the provisions of Article 1.1 of the Data Sharing Agreement,                shall become a party to this Agreement by signing the “Confirmation Letter of Participation in Data Sharing” or other similar documents, accept the representations and warranties made by all participating parties under this Agreement and perform obligations of a participating party under this Agreement.

 


 

(C)                is               .

 

Based on the principle of equality and mutual benefit, the parties reach the following agreement through friendly consultations:

 

1.                          The parties agree that                shall perform the relevant obligations as a participating party under the Data Sharing Agreement and be entitled to the relevant rights as a participating party under the Data Sharing Agreement.

 

2.                          The parties agree, the signing of this letter by                shall be irrevocably regarded as: its recognition of the various provisions of the Data Sharing Agreement, which are valid and binding on it; its obligations to comply with the various requirements of the Data Sharing Agreement on the participating parties (whether such requirements are stated in representations, warranties or other forms); its entitlement to all rights of the participating parties in accordance with the provisions of the Data Sharing Agreement and its assumption of all obligations of the participating parties under the Data Sharing Agreement.

 

3.                          According to Article 11.1 of the Data Sharing Agreement, the contact information of                is as follows:

 

Contact person:

Mailing address:

E-mail:

Phone:

 

4.                  This Letter shall become effective from the date of signature and seal by the parties.

 

5.                  This Letter is signed in six (6) copies, with each party holding two (2) copies, which shall have the same legal effect.

 

(There is no text below)

 


 

[This page is the signature page of the Confirmation Letter of Participation in Data Sharing and is intentionally left blank]

 

Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)

Authorized representative:

 

Beijing Chuangye Guangrong Information Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)

Authorized representative:

 

 

(Seal)

 

Authorized representative:

 

 


 

Annex II: Competition Lists

 

List of Party A’s Competitors

 

No.

 

Company Name

1

 

News Corp (Dow Jones)

2

 

Bloomberg

3

 

Thomson Reuters

4

 

Bureau van Dijk

5

 

Dun and Bradstreet

6

 

The Asahi Shimbun Company

7

 

The Yomiuri Shimbun

8

 

The Mainichi Newspapers Co., Ltd.

9

 

Sankei Shimbun Co., Ltd.

10

 

K.K. Kyodo News

11

 

Jiji Press Ltd.

12

 

Toyo Keizai Inc.

13

 

Teikoku Databank Ltd.

14

 

Tokyo Shoko Research Ltd.

15

 

Uzabase, Inc.

16

 

Caixin Media Co., Ltd.

17

 

Caixin Media Group Co., Ltd.

18

 

Shanghai Yicai Media Co., Ltd.

19

 

Guangdong 21st Century Media Co., Ltd.

20

 

Bytedance (HK) Limited

21

 

Shanghai Aniu Information Technology Co., Ltd. (wallstreetcn)

 

List of Party B’s Competitors

 


 

No.

 

Company Name

1

 

 

2

 

 

3

 

 

4

 

 

5

 

 

 


 

Annex III: Appointed Persons-in-Charge

 

Person-in-charge appointed by Party A: Shao Wei

Person-in-charge appointed by Party B: Liu Yifan

 




Exhibit 10.12

 

Equity Pledge Agreement

 

This Equity Pledge Agreement (hereinafter referred to as this “Agreement”) was signed by the following parties on 2 August 2019 in Beijing, the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as “PRC” or “China”).

 

Party A:

 

[Beijing Dake Information Technology Co. Ltd.] (北京大氪信息科技有限公司), a limited liability company established and existing under the laws of China, with its address at the 6th floor (06) 601-1, Building 1, No. 10, Chaoyang Park South Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing; (“Pledgee”)

 

Party B:

 

1.                                [Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Services Co. Ltd.] (北京协力筑成金融信息服务股份有限公司) (hereinafter referred to as “Xieli Zhucheng”), a limited liability company established and existing under the laws of China, with its address at No. 3002, 3rd Floor, No. 39 West Street, Haidian District, Beijing;

 

2.                                [Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership)] (天津张公子科技合伙企业(有限合伙)), a limited partnership established and existing under the laws of China, with its address at 1102-072, 11th Floor, Block G1, TEDA MSD, Second Avenue, Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area;

 

3.                                [Shenzhen Guohong No.2 Enterprise Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)] (深圳国宏贰号企业管理合伙企业(有限合伙)), a limited partnership established and existing under the laws of China, with its address at 18D, Tairan Jinsong Building, Tairan Avenue East, Shatou Street, Futian District, Shenzhen;

 

4.                                [Ningbo Meishan Bonded Port Area Tianhong Luheng Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)] (宁波梅山保税港区天弘绿珩投资管理合伙企业(有限合伙)), a limited partnership established and existing under the laws of China, with its address at Room 1284, Office Building 18, Business Center, Meishan Avenue, Beilun District, Ningbo, Zhejiang;

 

5.                                [Gongqingcheng Fenzhong Chuangxiang Information Technology Co. Ltd.] (共青城分众创享信息技术有限公司), a limited liability company established and existing under the laws of China, with its address at Private Equity Fund Park, Gongqingcheng, Jiujiang, Jiangxi;

 

1


 

6.                                [Suzhou Industrial Park Gebi Yinghe Venture Capital Partnership (Limited Partnership)] (苏州工业园区戈壁赢合创业投资合伙企业(有限合伙)), a limited partnership established and existing under the laws of China, with its address at Room 240, Building 19, No. 183 Suhong East Road, Suzhou Industrial Park;

 

7.                                [Beijing Wentou Huyu Investment Co. Ltd.] (北京文投互娱投资有限责任公司), a limited liability company established and existing under the laws of China, with its address at Room 303, 3rd Floor, Building 56, No. 2 Jingyuan North Street, Beijing Economic and Technological Development Zone, Beijing;

 

8.                                [Beijing Gebi Lvzhou Angel Investment Center (Limited Partnership)] (北京戈壁绿洲天使投资中心(有限合伙)), a limited partnership established and existing under the laws of China, with its address at Room 5430, Shenchang Building, No. 51 Zhichun Road, Haidian District, Beijing;

 

9.                                [Wuhan Feixiang Automotive Electronics Industry Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)] (武汉斐翔汽车电子产业投资合伙企业(有限合伙)), a limited partnership established and existing under the laws of China, with its address at No. 235, 2nd Floor, Building No. 1 (D1), Phase 1, [Optoelectronics Supporting Industrial Park], No. 117 Zuoling Road, Zuoling Town, [Donghu New Technology Development Zone], Wuhan (the Wuhan area of the Free Trade Zone).

 

(The above are collectively referred to as “Party B” or the “Pledgors”)

 

Party C:

 

[Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co. Ltd.] (北京多氪信息科技有限公司), a limited liability company established and existing under the laws of China, with its address at No. 3003, 3rd Floor, No. 39 West Street, Haidian District, Beijing.

 

In this Agreement, the Pledgee, the Pledgor and Party C are hereinafter individually referred to as a “Party” and are collectively referred to as the “Parties”.

 

Whereas:

 

1.                                On the signing date of this Agreement, Xieli Zhucheng holds 66.116% of the equity interest of Party C, which represent RMB8.000032 million of the registered capital of Party C; Party B holds 33.884% of the equity interest of Party C in addition to those of Xieli Zhucheng, which represent RMB4.099962 million of the registered capital of Party C. Party C is a limited liability company incorporated in Beijing, China, that focuses on new businesses, new economies and providing related services. Party C intends to hereby confirm the rights and obligations of the Pledgors and the Pledgee under this Agreement and provide the necessary assistance in registering the Pledge;

 

2


 

2.                                The Pledgee is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise registered in China. The Pledgee signed an Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement (as defined below) with Party C, owned by the Pledgors, in Beijing; the Pledgee has signed an Exclusive Option Agreement with the Pledgors and Party C (as defined below); the Pledgors have signed a Power of Attorney that give the authority to the Pledgee (as defined below);

 

3.                                In order to ensure that Party C and the Pledgors perform their obligations under the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement, the Exclusive Option Agreement and the Power of Attorney, the Pledgors hereby pledge all of the equity interest it holds in Party C as security for the performance of the obligations under the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement, the Exclusive Option Agreement and the Power of Attorney by Party C and the Pledgors.

 

In order to fulfill the terms of the Transaction Documents, the Parties agree to enter into this Agreement in accordance with the following terms.

 

1.                                Definitions

 

Unless otherwise provided herein, the terms below shall have the following meanings:

 

1.1                         Pledge: shall refer to the security interest granted by the Pledgors to the Pledgee pursuant to Section 2 of this Agreement, i.e., the right of the Pledgee to be compensated on a preferential basis with the conversion, auction or sales price of the pledged Equity Interest.

 

1.2                         Equity Interest: shall refer to all of the equity interest in Party C now lawfully held and hereafter acquired by the Pledgors.

 

1.3                         Term of Pledge: shall refer to the term set forth in Section 3 of this Agreement.

 

1.4                         Transaction Documents: shall refer to the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement (the “Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement”) signed, amended and restated by Party C and the Pledgee on 2 August, 2019; the Exclusive Option Agreement (the “Exclusive Option Agreement”) signed by the Pledgors, the Pledgee and Party C on 2 August, 2019; and the Power of Attorney (the “Power of Attorney”) signed by the Pledgors on 2 August, 2019, and any modification, amendment, and/or restatement of the aforementioned documents.

 

3


 

1.5                         Contractual Obligations: shall refer to all the obligations of Pledgors under the Exclusive Option Agreement, the Power of Attorney, and this Agreement; and all the obligations of Party C under the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement, the Exclusive Option Agreement, and this Agreement.

 

1.6                         Secured Indebtedness: shall refer to all the direct, indirect, and derivative losses and losses of anticipatable benefits suffered by the Pledgee, incurred as a result of any Event of Default on the part of the Pledgors and/or Party C, or invalidity, revocation and termination of any Transaction Document. The amount of such loss shall be calculated in accordance with but not limited to the reasonable business plans and profit forecasts of the Pledgee, service fees payable by Party C under the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement, damages and relevant fees, and all expenses incurred by the Pledgee in connection with enforcement for the Pledgors’ and/or Party C’s performance of their Contractual Obligations, etc.

 

1.7                         Event of Default: shall refer to any of the circumstances set forth in Section 7 of this Agreement.

 

1.8                         Notice of Default: shall refer to the notice issued by the Pledgee in accordance with this Agreement declaring an Event of Default.

 

2.                                Pledge

 

2.1                         The Pledgors hereby agrees to pledge the Equity Interest as security for the performance of the Contractual Obligations and repayment of the Secured Indebtedness pursuant to this Agreement. Party C hereby agrees that the Pledgors pledges the Equity Interest to the Pledgee pursuant to this Agreement.

 

2.2                         The effect of the security under this Agreement shall not be affected in any way due to any modification or change of the Transaction Documents. The security under this Agreement shall remain effective upon the obligations of the Pledgors and Party C under the revised Transaction Documents. If any Transaction Document becomes invalid, revoked or terminated for any reason, the Pledgee shall be entitled to immediately exercise the Pledge in accordance with Article 8 of this Agreement.

 

2.3                         During the term of the Pledge, the Pledgee is entitled to receive bonus or dividends distributed on the Equity Interest. The Pledgors may receive dividends or bonus distributed on the Equity Interest only with prior written consent of the Pledgee. Dividends or bonuses received by Pledgors on Equity Interest after deduction of individual income tax paid by the Pledgors shall be, as required by the Pledgee, (1) deposited into an account designated and supervised by the Pledgee and used to secure the Contractual Obligations and repay the Secured Indebtedness prior and in preference to making any other payment; or (2) unconditionally donated to the Pledgee or any other person designated by the Pledgee to the extent permitted under applicable PRC laws.

 

4


 

2.4                         The Pledgors may subscribe for capital increase in Party C only with prior written consent of the Pledgee. The amount of capital contributed by the Pledgors in the company’s registered capital as a result of the Pledgors’ subscription of the increased registered capital of the company shall also be Equity Interest. After completion of the capital increase, the Pledgors shall cooperate with the Pledgee in a timely manner on the Equity Interest registration for the increased capital contribution.

 

2.5                         In the event that Party C is required by the mandatory provisions in the PRC law to be liquidated or dissolved, any interest distributed to the Pledgors upon Party C’s dissolution or liquidation shall, upon the request of the Pledgee, be (1) deposited into an account designated and supervised by the Pledgee and used to secure the Contractual Obligations and repay the Secured Indebtedness prior and in preference to making any other payment; or (2) unconditionally donated to the Pledgee or any other person designated by the Pledgee to the extent permitted under applicable PRC laws.

 

3.                                Term of Pledge

 

3.1                         The Pledge shall become effective on such date when the pledge of the Equity Interest contemplated herein is registered with the corresponding industrial and commercial administration. The Pledge shall remain effective until all Contractual Obligations have been fully performed and all Secured Indebtedness has been fully paid. The Pledgors and Party C shall (1) register the Pledge of this Agreement in the shareholders’ register of Party C within 3 business days following the execution of this Agreement, and (2) submit an application to the corresponding industrial and commercial administration for the registration of the Pledge under this Agreement within 15 business days following the execution of this Agreement. The Parties covenant that for the purpose of registration of the Pledge, the Parties hereto and all other shareholders of Party C shall submit to the industrial and commercial administration this Agreement or a signed equity interest pledge contract in the form required by the industrial and commercial administration at the location of Party C which shall truly reflect the information of the Pledge hereunder (the “Industrial And Commercial Administration Pledge Contract”). For matters not specified in the Industrial And Commercial Administration Pledge Contract, the Parties shall be bound by the provisions of this Agreement. The Pledgors and Party C shall submit all necessary documents and complete all necessary procedures, as required by the PRC laws and regulations and the relevant industrial and commercial administration, to ensure that the registration of the Pledge would be accepted as soon as possible after submission for filing.

 

5


 

3.2                         During the Term of Pledge, in the event the Pledgors and/or Party C fail to perform the Contractual Obligations or repay Secured Indebtedness, the Pledgee shall be entitled, but not obligated, to exercise the Pledge in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

 

4.                                Custody of Records for Equity Interest subject to Pledge

 

4.1                         During the Term of Pledge set forth in this Agreement, the Pledgors shall deliver to the Pledgee’s custody the certificate of capital contribution for the Party C’s equity and the shareholders’ register containing the Pledge within one week from the execution of this Agreement. The Pledgee shall have custody of such documents during the entire Term of Pledge set forth in this Agreement.

 

5.                                Representations and Warranties of the Pledgors and Party C

 

As of the execution date of this Agreement, the Pledgors and Party C hereby jointly and severally represent and warrant to Party A that:

 

5.1                         Party C is a limited liability company legally established and validly existing under the laws of the PRC;

 

5.2                         The Pledgors are the only legitimate beneficial owners of the Equity Interest;

 

5.3                         The Pledgee shall have the right to dispose of and transfer the Equity Interest in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Agreement;

 

5.4                         Except for the Pledge, the Pledgors have not placed any security interest or other encumbrance on the Equity Interest;

 

5.5                         They have the power, capacity, and authority to sign and deliver this Agreement and to perform their obligations hereunder. This Agreement, when signed, will constitute their legal, valid and binding obligations and shall be enforceable against them in accordance with the provisions thereof;

 

6


 

5.6                         The Pledgors and Party C have obtained approvals and consents from government authorities and third parties (if required) for execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement; and

 

5.7                         The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement will not: (i) violate any relevant PRC laws; (ii) conflict with Party C’s articles of association or other constitutional documents; (iii) result in any breach of or constitute any default under any contract or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is otherwise bound; (iv) result in the violation of any condition of the grant and/or maintenance of any permit or approval granted to any Party; or (v) cause any permit or approval granted to any Party to be suspended, revoked or attached with additional conditions.

 

6.                                Covenants of the Pledgors and Party C

 

6.1                         During the term of this Agreement, the Pledgors and Party C hereby severally and not jointly covenant to the Pledgee that:

 

6.1.1                           The Pledgors shall neither transfer the Equity Interest or any portion thereof, nor place or permit the existence of any security interest or other encumbrance on the Equity Interest, without the prior written consent of the Pledgee, except for the performance of the Transaction Documents; Party C shall not assent to or assist in the aforesaid behaviours;

 

6.1.2                           The Pledgors and Party C shall comply with and execute the provisions of all laws and regulations applicable to the pledge of rights, and within ten (10) days of receipt of any notice, order or recommendation issued or prepared by relevant competent authorities regarding the Pledge, shall present the aforementioned notice, order or recommendation to the Pledgee and comply with the aforementioned notice, order or recommendation, or submit objections and representations with respect to the aforementioned matters upon the Pledgee’s reasonable request or upon consent of the Pledgee;

 

6.1.3                           The Pledgors shall not conduct or allow any activities or actions that would adversely affect the Pledgee’s benefits related to the Contractual Obligations or the Equity Interest. The Pledgors and Party C shall promptly notify the Pledgee of any event or notice received that may have an impact on the rights of the Equity Interest or any portion thereof, as well as any event or notice received that may change any guarantees and other obligations of the Pledgors arising out of this Agreement or have an impact on the Pledgors’ performance of their obligations in this Agreement;

 

7


 

6.1.4                           Party C shall complete the registration procedures to extend its term of operation within three (3) months prior to the expiration of such term to maintain the validity of this Agreement.

 

6.2                         The Pledgors agree that the rights acquired by the Pledgee in accordance with this Agreement with respect to the Pledge shall not be interrupted or compromised by the Pledgors or any heirs or representatives of the Pledgors or any other persons through any legal proceedings.

 

6.3                         In order to protect or improve the security interest granted by this Agreement for the Contractual Obligations and Secured Indebtedness, the Pledgors hereby severally and not jointly undertake to the Pledgee to sign in good faith and to procure other parties who have an interest in the Pledge to sign all certificates of rights and deeds, and/or to perform and to procure other parties who have an interest in the Pledge to perform actions required by the Pledgee, to facilitate the exercise by the Pledgee of its rights and authority granted thereto by this Agreement, and to enter into all relevant documents regarding the ownership of the Equity Interest with the Pledgee or designee(s) of the Pledgee (natural persons/legal persons), and provide the Pledgee within a reasonable time with all notices, orders and decisions regarding the Pledge that are deemed necessary by the Pledgee.

 

6.4                         The Pledgors and Party C shall strictly abide by the provisions of this Agreement and other contracts separately or jointly signed by the Parties hereto or any of them, including the Transaction Documents, perform the obligations hereunder and thereunder, and refrain from any action/omission that may affect the effectiveness and enforceability thereof. Any remaining rights of the Pledgors with respect to the Equity Interest pledged hereunder shall not be exercised by the Pledgors except in accordance with the written instructions of the Pledgee.

 

6.5                         The Pledgors severally and not jointly undertake to comply with and perform all guarantees, promises, agreements, representations, and conditions under this Agreement. In the event of failure of or partial performance of its guarantees, promises, agreements, representations, and conditions, the Pledgors are deemed in breach of this Agreement and shall indemnify the Pledgee for all losses resulting therefrom.

 

8


 

7.                                Event of Breach

 

7.1                         The following circumstances shall be deemed Event of Default:

 

7.1.1                           The Pledgor’s any breach of any obligations under the Transaction Documents and/or this Agreement.

 

7.1.2                           Party C’s any breach of any obligations under the Transaction Documents and/or this Agreement.

 

7.2                         Upon acknowledgement or discovery of the occurrence of any circumstances or event that may lead to the aforementioned circumstances described in Section 7.1, the Pledgors and Party C shall immediately notify the Pledgee in writing accordingly.

 

7.3                         Unless an Event of Default set forth in Section 7.1 has been successfully resolved in accordance with the Pledgee’s requirements within twenty (20) days after the Pledgee delivers a notice to the Pledgors and/or Party C requesting rectification of such Event of Default, the Pledgee may issue a Notice of Default to the Pledgors in writing at any time thereafter, demanding to exercise the Pledge in accordance with Section 8 of this Agreement.

 

8.                                Exercise of Pledge

 

8.1                         The Pledgee shall issue a written Notice of Default to the Pledgors as it exercises the Pledge.

 

8.2                         Subject to the provisions of Section 7.3, the Pledgee may exercise the right to dispose of the Pledge at any time after the issuance of the Notice of Default in accordance with Section 8.1.

 

8.3                         After the Pledgee issues a Notice of Default to the Pledgors in accordance with Section 8.1, the Pledgee may exercise any remedial measure under applicable PRC laws, the Transaction Documents and this Agreement, including but not limited to being compensated on a preferential basis with the conversion, auction or sales price of the Equity Interest. The Pledgee shall not be liable for any loss incurred by its due exercise of such rights and powers.

 

8.4                         The proceeds from exercising the Pledge by the Pledgee shall be used to pay for tax and expenses incurred as a result of disposing the Equity Interest and to perform Contractual Obligations and repay the Secured Indebtedness to the Pledgee prior and in preference to any other payment. After the payment of the aforementioned amounts, the balance shall be returned to the Pledgors or any other person who has the rights to such balance under applicable laws or be deposited to the local notary public office where the Pledgors resides, with all expenses incurred being borne by the Pledgors. To the extent permitted under applicable PRC laws, the Pledgors shall unconditionally donate the aforementioned proceeds to the Pledgee or any other person designated by the Pledgee.

 

9


 

8.5                         The Pledgee may enforce any remedies for breach of contract available simultaneously or in any order. The Pledgee may exercise the right to be compensated on a preferential basis with the conversion of, or the amount received from the auction or sales of the Equity Interest under this Agreement without exercising any other remedies for breach of contract first.

 

8.6                         The Pledgee is entitled to designate an attorney or other representatives to exercise the Pledge on its behalf, and the Pledgors or Party C shall not raise any objection to such exercise.

 

8.7                         When the Pledgee disposes of the Pledge in accordance with this Agreement, the Pledgors and Party C shall provide necessary assistance to enable the Pledgee to realize the Pledge.

 

9.                                Breach of Agreement

 

9.1                         If the Pledgors or Party C conducts any material breach of any term of this Agreement, the Pledgee shall have the right to terminate this Agreement and/or require the Pledgors or Party C to indemnify all damages; this Section 9 shall not prejudice any other rights of the Pledgee herein;

 

9.2                         The Pledgors or Party C shall not have any right to terminate this Agreement unilaterally in any event unless otherwise provided by applicable laws.

 

10.                         Assignment

 

10.1                  Without the Pledgee’s prior written consent, the Pledgors and Party C shall not have the right to assign or delegate their rights and obligations under this Agreement.

 

10.2                  This Agreement shall be binding on the Pledgors and its successors and permitted assignees, and shall be valid for the Pledgee and each of its successors and assignees.

 

10.3                  At any time, the Pledgee may assign any and all of its rights and obligations under the Transaction Documents and this Agreement to its designee(s). In such case, the assignee(s) shall enjoy and assume the rights and obligations of the Pledgee under the Transaction Documents and this Agreement, as if it were the original party to the Transaction Documents and this Agreement.

 

10


 

10.4                  In the event of change of Pledgee due to assignment, the Pledgors and/or Party C shall, at the request of the Pledgee, enter into a new pledge agreement with the new pledgee on the same terms and conditions as this Agreement, and register with the relevant industrial and commercial administration.

 

11.                         Termination

 

11.1                  Upon the fulfillment of all Contractual Obligations and the full and complete payment of all Secured Indebtedness by the Pledgors and Party C, the Pledgee shall release the Pledge under this Agreement upon the Pledgors’ request as soon as reasonably practicable and shall assist the Pledgors in de-registering the Pledge from the shareholders’ register of Party C and with relevant industrial and commercial administration.

 

11.2                  The provisions under Sections 9, 13, 14 and 11.2 herein of this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

12.                         Handling Fees and Other Expenses

 

All fees and out-of-pocket expenses related to this Agreement, including but not limited to legal costs, costs of production, stamp tax and any other taxes and fees, shall be borne by Party C.

 

13.                         Confidentiality

 

The Parties acknowledge that the existence and the terms of this Agreement and any oral or written information exchanged between the Parties in connection with the preparation and performance of this Agreement are regarded as confidential information. Each Party shall maintain confidentiality of all such confidential information, and it shall not disclose any confidential information to any third parties without obtaining the written consent of the other Party, except for the information that: (a) is or will be known to the members of public (other than through the receiving Party’s unauthorised disclosure); (b) is under the obligation to be disclosed pursuant to the applicable laws or regulations, stock exchange rules, or orders of government authorities or courts; or (c) is required to be disclosed by any Party to its shareholders, directors, employees, legal counsels or financial advisors regarding the transaction contemplated hereunder, provided that such shareholders, directors, employees, legal counsels or financial advisors shall be bound by the confidentiality obligations similar to those set forth in this Section. Disclosure of any confidential information by the shareholders, director, employees of or agencies engaged by any Party shall be deemed disclosure of such confidential information by such Party, and such Party shall be held liable for breach of this Agreement.

 

11


 

14.                         Governing Law and Resolution of Disputes

 

14.1                  The execution, effectiveness, interpretation, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the PRC.

 

14.2                  In the event of any dispute with respect to the interpretation and performance of this Agreement, the Parties shall first resolve the dispute through friendly negotiations. In the event the dispute cannot be resolved through negotiations, either Party may submit the relevant dispute to the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with its arbitration rules and procedures in effect at that time. The arbitration shall be conducted in Beijing. The arbitral awards shall be final and binding on all Parties.

 

14.3                  Upon the occurrence of any disputes arising from the interpretation and performance of this Agreement or during the pending arbitration of any dispute, except for the matters under dispute, the Parties to this Agreement shall continue to exercise their respective rights under this Agreement and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement.

 

15.                         Notices

 

15.1                  All notices and other communications required or given pursuant to this Agreement shall be delivered by hand or sent by registered mail, postage prepaid, by a commercial courier service or by facsimile transmission to the address of such party set forth below. Each notice shall also be served by E-mail. The dates on which notices are deemed effectively served shall be determined as follows:

 

15.2                  Notices served by hand, by courier service or by registered mail, postage prepaid, shall be deemed effectively served on the date of delivery or refusal at the address specified for notices.

 

15.3                  Notices given by facsimile transmission shall be deemed effectively served on the date of successful transmission (as evidenced by an automatically generated confirmation of transmission).

 

15.4                  For the purpose of notice, the addresses of the Parties are as set forth as follows:

 

Party A:

 

[Beijing Dake Information Technology Co. Ltd.] (北京大氪信息科技有限公司)

 

Address:                                                                                                       [5th Floor, Block A1, Junhao Central Park Plaza, No. 10 Chaoyang Park South Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing] (北京市朝阳区朝阳公园南路10号骏豪中央公园广场A15)

 

Contact person:                                                               Wang Jingyu

 

Telephone number:                                            15101150221

 

12


 

Party B:

 

1.                                [Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Services Co. Ltd.] (北京协力筑成金融信息服务股份有限公司)

 

Address:                                                                                                       [5th Floor, Block A1, Junhao Central Park Plaza, No. 10 Chaoyang Park South Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing] (北京市朝阳区朝阳公园南路10号骏豪中央公园广场A15)

 

Contact person:                                                               Wang Jingyu

 

Telephone number:                                            15101150221

 

2.                                [Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership)] (天津张公子科技合伙企业(有限合伙))

 

Address:                                                                                                       [5th Floor, Block A1, Junhao Central Park Plaza, No. 10 Chaoyang Park South Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing] (北京市朝阳区朝阳公园南路10号骏豪中央公园广场A15)

 

Contact person:                                                               Wang Jingyu

 

Telephone number:                                            15101150221

 

3.                                [Shenzhen Guohong No.2 Enterprise Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)](深圳国宏贰号企业管理合伙企业(有限合伙))

 

Address:                                                                                                       [10th Floor, Building 4, Phase I, Shangmeilin Excellence City, Futian District, Shenzhen] (深圳市福田区上林卓越城1410)

 

Contact person                                                      Xian Handi

 

Telephone number:                                            15507579439

 

13


 

4.                                [Ningbo Meishan Bonded Port Area Tianhong Luheng Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)] (宁波梅山保税港区天弘绿珩投资管理合伙企业(有限合伙))

 

Address:                                                                                                       Room 1202, Block B, Global Trade Center, No. 36 East 3rd Ring Road, Dongcheng District, Beijing

 

Contact person:                                                               Zhang Yusong

 

Telephone number:                                            13681539013

 

5.                                [Gongqingcheng Fenzhong Chuangxiang Information Technology Co. Ltd.] (共青城分众创享信息技术有限公司)

 

Address:                                                                                                       28th Floor, No. 369 Jiangsu Road, Changning District, Shanghai

 

Contact person:                                                               Lin Nan

 

Telephone number:                                            18621585219

 

6.                                [Suzhou Industrial Park Gebi Yinghe Venture Capital Partnership (Limited Partnership)] (苏州工业园区戈壁赢合创业投资合伙企业(有限合伙))

 

Address:                                                                                                             Room 1508, Gopher Center, No. 757 Mengzi Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai

 

Contact person:                                                                     wing

 

Telephone number:                                                  021-5629 5805

 

7.                                [Beijing Wentou Huyu Investment Co. Ltd.] (北京文投互娱投资有限责任公司)

 

Address:                                                                                                       Room 303, 3rd Floor, Building 56, No. 2 Jingyuan North Street, Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, Beijing

 

Contact person:                                                               Sun Weibo

 

Telephone number:                                            18911067311

 

8.                                [Beijing Gebi Lvzhou Angel Investment Center (Limited Partnership)](北京戈壁绿洲天使投资中心(有限合伙))

 

Address:                                                                                                       Room 906, Tower H, Phoenix Place, Jia No. 5 Shuguang Xili, Beijing

 

Contact person:                                                               wing

 

Telephone number:                                            86-10-8455 4115

 

14


 

9.                                [Wuhan Feixiang Automotive Electronics Industry Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)] (武汉斐翔汽车电子产业投资合伙企业(有限合伙))

 

Address:                                                                                                             Room 3016, Block A, No. 580 Nanjing West Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai

 

Contact person:                                                                     Hu Yaoshun

 

Telephone number:                                                  18918000960

 

Party C:

 

[Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co. Ltd.](北京多氪信息科技有限公司)

 

Address:                                                                                                             [5th Floor, Block A1, Junhao Central Park Plaza, 10 South Chaoyang Park Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing] (北京市朝陽區朝陽公園南路10號駿豪中央公園廣場A15)

 

Contact person:                                                                     Wang Jingyu

 

Telephone number:                                                  15101150221

 

15.5                  Any Party may at any time change its address for receiving notices by a notice delivered to the other Parties in accordance with the terms in this Section.

 

16.                         Severability

 

In the event that one or several of the provisions of this Agreement are found to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any aspect in accordance with any laws or regulations, the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected or compromised in any respect. Through negotiations in good faith, the Parties shall strive to replace such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with effective provisions that are to the greatest extent permitted by law and the intentions of the Parties, and the economic effect of such effective provisions shall be as close as possible to the economic effect of those invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

17.                         Entire Agreement

 

Except for the amendments, supplements or changes in writing executed after the execution of this Agreement, this Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement reached by and among the Parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, and shall supersede all prior oral or written consultations, representations and contracts reached with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement. The pledge-format agreement that the Parties are required to sign additionally for industrial and commercial registration is only used for industrial and commercial registration, and shall not affect the validity of this Agreement.

 

15


 

18.                         Attachments

 

The attachments set forth herein shall form an integral part of this Agreement.

 

19.                         Effectiveness

 

18.1                  This Agreement shall become effective on the date of formal signing by the Parties.

 

18.2                  Any amendments, supplements or changes to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall become effective after the affixation of the signatures or seals of the Parties.

 

20.                         Counterparts

 

This Agreement is written in Chinese and is in twelve copies, each Party shall hold one copy thereof and the remaining one shall be used for registration.

 

16


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have authorised their representatives to sign this Equity Interest Pledge Agreement, which shall take immediate effect, as of the date first above written.

 

Party A:

 

[Beijing Dake Information Technology Co. Ltd.] (北京大氪信息科技有限公司) (stamp) [chopped: Beijing Dake Information Technology Co. Ltd. 1101052095304]

 

Signature:

 

Position:

 

17


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have authorised their representatives to sign this Equity Interest Pledge Agreement, which shall take immediate effect, as of the date first above written.

 

Party B:

 

[Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Services Co. Ltd.] (北京协力筑成金融信息服务股份有限公司) (stamp) [chopped: Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Services Co. Ltd. 1101080814347]

 

Signature:

 

Position:

 

18


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have authorised their representatives to sign this Equity Interest Pledge Agreement, which shall take immediate effect, as of the date first above written.

 

Party B:

 

[Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership)] (天津张公子科技合伙企业(有限合伙)) (stamp) [chopped: Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership)]

 

Signature:

 

Position:

 

19


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have authorised their representatives to sign this Equity Interest Pledge Agreement, which shall take immediate effect, as of the date first above written.

 

Party B:

 

[Shenzhen Guohong No.2 Enterprise Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)] (深圳国宏贰号企业管理合伙企业(有限合伙)(stamp) [chopped: Shenzhen Guohong No.2 Enterprise Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)  4403041157861]

 

Signature: [signed]

 

Position:

 

20


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have authorised their representatives to sign this Equity Interest Pledge Agreement, which shall take immediate effect, as of the date first above written.

 

Party B:

 

[Ningbo Meishan Bonded Port Area Tianhong Luheng Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)] (宁波梅山保税港区天弘绿珩投资管理合伙企业(有限合伙)) (stamp) [chopped: Ningbo Meishan Bonded Port Area Tianhong Luheng Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership) 3302060231082)

 

Signature: [chopped: Sun Ningyu]

 

Position:

 

21


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have authorised their representatives to sign this Equity Interest Pledge Agreement, which shall take immediate effect, as of the date first above written.

 

Party B:

 

[Gongqingcheng Fenzhong Chuangxiang Information Technology Co. Ltd.] (共青城分众创享信息技术有限公司) (stamp) [chopped: Gongqingcheng Fenzhong Chuangxiang Information Technology Co. Ltd. 3604820009040]

 

Signature: [signed]

 

Position: Legal representative

 

Signing page of Equity Interest Pledge Agreement of [Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co. Ltd.](北京多氪信息科技有限公司)

 

22


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have authorised their representatives to sign this Equity Interest Pledge Agreement, which shall take immediate effect, as of the date first above written.

 

Party B:

 

[Suzhou Industrial Park Gebi Yinghe Venture Capital Partnership (Limited Partnership)] (苏州工业园区戈壁赢合创业投资合伙企业(有限合伙)) (stamp) [chopped: Suzhou Industrial Park Gebi Yinghe Venture Capital Partnership (Limited Partnership) 3205940045568]

 

Signature:

 

Position:

 

23


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have authorised their representatives to sign this Equity Interest Pledge Agreement, which shall take immediate effect, as of the date first above written.

 

Party B:

 

[Beijing Wentou Huyu Investment Co. Ltd.] (北京文投互娱投资有限责任公司) (stamp) [chopped: Beijing Wentou Huyu Investment Co. Ltd. 1001760012816]

 

Signature: [signed]

 

Position:

 

24


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have authorised their representatives to sign this Equity Interest Pledge Agreement, which shall take immediate effect, as of the date first above written.

 

Party B:

 

[Beijing Gebi Lvzhou Angel Investment Center (Limited Partnership)] (北京戈壁绿洲天使投资中心(有限合伙)) (stamp) [chopped: Beijing Gebi Lvzhou Angel Investment Center (Limited Partnership) 1101080319389]

 

Signature:

 

Position:

 

25


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have authorised their representatives to sign this Equity Interest Pledge Agreement, which shall take immediate effect, as of the date first above written.

 

Party B:

 

[Wuhan Feixiang Automotive Electronics Industry Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)] (武汉斐翔汽车电子产业投资合伙企业(有限合伙)) (stamp) [chopped: Wuhan Feixiang Automotive Electronics Industry Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership) 4201190181518]

 

Signature: [signed]

 

Position:

 

26


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have authorised their representatives to sign this Equity Interest Pledge Agreement, which shall take immediate effect, as of the date first above written.

 

Party C:

 

[Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co. Ltd.] (北京多氪信息科技有限公司) (stamp) [chopped: Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co. Ltd. 1101081481921]

 

Signature:

 

Position:

 

27




Exhibit 10.13

 

Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement

 

This Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement (hereinafter referred to as this “Agreement”) was signed by the following parties on 2 August 2019 in Beijing, the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as “PRC” or “China”).

 

Party A:

 

[Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd.] (北京大氪信息科技有限公司), a limited liability company established and existing under the laws of China, with its address at 6th floor (06) 601-1, Building 1, No.10 Chaoyang Park South Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing.

 

Party B:

 

1.                                     [Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Services Co., Ltd.] (北京协力筑成金融信息服务股份有限公司) (hereinafter referred to as “Xieli Zhucheng”), a limited liability company established and existing under the laws of China, with its address at No.3002, 3rd Floor, No.39 West Street, Haidian District, Beijing;

 

2.                                     [Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership)] (天津张公子科技合伙企业(有限合伙)), a limited partnership established and existing under the laws of China, with its address at 1102-072, 11th Floor, Block G1, TEDA Modern Service District, Second Avenue, Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area;

 

3.                                     [Shenzhen Guohong No.2 Enterprise Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)] (深圳国宏贰号企业管理合伙企业(有限合伙)), a limited partnership established and existing under the laws of China, with its address at 18D, Tairan Jinsong Building, Tairan Avenue East, Shatou Street, Futian District, Shenzhen;

 

4.                                     [Ningbo Meishan Bonded Port Area Tianhong Luheng Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)] (宁波梅山保税港区天弘绿珩投资管理合伙企业(有限合伙)), a limited partnership established and existing under the laws of China, with its address at Room 1284, Office Building 18, Business Center, Meishan Avenue, Beilun District, Ningbo, Zhejiang;

 

5.                                     [Gongqingcheng Fenzhong Chuangxiang Information Technology Co. Ltd.] (共青城分众创享信息技术有限公司), a limited liability company established and existing under the laws of China, with its address at Private Equity Fund Park, Gongqingcheng, Jiujiang, Jiangxi;

 


 

6.                                     [Suzhou Industrial Park Gebi Yinghe Venture Capital Partnership (Limited Partnership)] (苏州工业园区戈壁赢合创业投资合伙企业(有限合伙)), a limited partnership established and existing under the laws of China, with its address at Room 240, Building 19, No.183 Suhong East Road, Suzhou Industrial Park;

 

7.                                     [Beijing Wentou Huyu Investment Co., Ltd.] (北京文投互娱投资有限责任公司), a limited liability company established and existing under the laws of China, with its address at Room 303, 3rd Floor, Building 56, No.2 Jingyuan North Street, Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, Beijing;

 

8.                                     [Beijing Gebi Lvzhou Angel Investment Center (Limited Partnership)] (北京戈壁绿洲天使投资中心(有限合伙)), a limited partnership established and existing under the laws of China, with its address at Room 5430, Shenchang Building, No.51 Zhichun Road, Haidian District, Beijing;

 

9.                                     [Wuhan Feixiang Automotive Electronics Industry Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)] (武汉斐翔汽车电子产业投资合伙企业(有限合伙)), a limited partnership established and existing under the laws of China, with its address at No.235, 2nd Floor, Building No. 1 (D1), Phase 1, [Optoelectronics Supporting Industrial Park], No.117 Zuoling Road, Zuoling Town, [Donghu New Technology Development Zone], Wuhan (the Wuhan area of the Free Trade Zone).

 

(The above are collectively referred to as “Party B”)

 

Party C:

 

[Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co. Ltd.] (北京多氪信息科技有限公司), a limited liability company established and existing under the laws of China, with its address at No.3003, 3rd Floor, No.39 West Street, Haidian District, Beijing.

 

In this Agreement, Party A, Party B, and Party C are hereinafter individually referred to as a “Party” and are collectively referred to as the “Parties”.

 

Whereas:

 

1.                                     Party B are shareholders of Party C and on the signing date of this Agreement, Xieli Zhucheng holds 66.116% of the equity interest of Party C, which represents RMB8.000032 million of the registered capital of Party C; Party B holds 33.884% of the equity interest of Party C in addition to those of Xieli Zhucheng, which represents RMB4.099962 million of the registered capital of Party C.

 

2.                                     Party B agrees to grant Party A an exclusive option through this Agreement, and Party A agrees to accept such exclusive option for the purpose of purchasing all or part of equity interest of Party C held by Party B.

 


 

Now, therefore, the Parties upon negotiation have agreed as follows:

 

1.                                      Sale and Purchase of Equity Interest and Assets

 

1.1                               Granting of Rights

 

Party B hereby exclusively, irrevocably and unconditionally grants Party A an irrevocable and exclusive right to purchase or designate one or more persons (each, a “Designee”) to purchase the equity interests in Party C then held by Party B or assets from Party C, at once or in multiple times and at any time, in part or in whole, at Party A’s sole and absolute discretion to the extent permitted by the laws of China, according to the steps determined by Party A, and at the price described in Section 1.3 herein (such right being the “Equity Interest/Assets Purchase Option”). Except for Party A and the Designee(s), no other person shall be entitled to the Equity Interest Purchase Option or other rights with respect to the equity interests held by Party B or assets of Party C. Party C hereby agrees to the grant by Party B of the Equity Interest Purchase Option to Party A. The term “person” as used herein shall refer to an individual person, corporation, joint venture, partnership, enterprise, trust or a non-corporate organization.

 

1.2                               Exercise Steps

 

Subject to the provisions of the laws and regulations of China, Party A may exercise the Equity Interest/Assets Purchase Option by issuing a written notice to Party B (the “Equity Interest/Assets Purchase Option Notice”), specifying: (a) Party A’s or the Designee’s decision to exercise the Equity Interest/Assets Purchase Option, and the name of the Designee(s) if any; (b) the portion of equity interest to be purchased by Party A or the Designee(s) from Party B (the “Optioned Interest”) and/or the assets to be purchased by Party A or the Designee(s) from Party C (the “Optioned Assets”); and (c) the date of purchase or date of transfer of the Optioned Interest/Assets.

 

1.3                               Equity Interest/Assets Purchase Price

 

Upon exercise of the Equity Interest/Assets Purchase Option by Party A, the purchase price for the purchase by Party A of all Optioned Interest held by Party B and/or the purchase of all or part of the assets of Party C shall be the lowest price as permitted by the laws; if Party A exercises the Equity Interest Purchase Option to purchase part of the Optioned Interest held by Party B in Party C, then the purchase price shall be calculated on a pro-rata basis. If appraisal is required by the laws or relevant competent authorities of China at the time when Party A exercises the option to purchase part of the Optioned Interest in Party C from Party B, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith and based on the appraisal result make necessary adjustment to the Equity Interest Purchase Price so that it complies with any then applicable laws of China (collectively, the “Equity Interest Purchase Price”). Party B shall donate the balance of the Equity Interest Purchase Price received from Party A, after deducting/withholding the relevant taxes (if any) pursuant to the applicable laws of China, to Party A or the Designee(s) of Party A for free within ten (10) days after Party B receives the payment of Equity Interest Purchase Price and pays/withholds the relevant taxes (if any).

 


 

1.4                               Transfer of Optioned Interests/Assets

 

For each exercise of the Equity Interest/Assets Purchase Option by Party A:

 

1.4.1                     Party B shall instruct Party C to convene a shareholders’ meeting in a timely manner, at which a resolution shall be adopted approving Party B’s transfer of the Optioned Interest to Party A and/or the Designee(s) and/or Party C’s transfer of the Optioned Assets to Party A and/or the Designee(s);

 

1.4.2                     Party B shall obtain written statements from the other shareholders of Party C giving consent to the transfer of the Optioned Interest to Party A and/or the Designee(s) and waiving any right of first refusal related thereto;

 

1.4.3                     Within thirty (30) days after receipt of the Equity Interest/Assets Purchase Option Notice by Party B/C from Party A and/or any Designee(s) (whichever is applicable), Party B and Party A and/or such Designee(s) (whichever is applicable) shall complete all procedures for the acquisition of such Optioned Interest by Party A and/or such Designee(s) (whichever is applicable) and for Party A and/or such Designee(s) (whichever is applicable) becoming shareholder(s) of Party C, including without limitation signing of an equity interest transfer contract and any other necessary documents or agreements, adoption of any necessary resolutions, issuance of all necessary documents by Party C and performance of all relevant procedures;

 

1.4.4                     The relevant Parties shall sign all other necessary contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all necessary government approvals and consents and take all necessary actions to transfer valid ownership of the Optioned Interest to Party A and/or the Designee(s), unencumbered by any security interests, and cause Party A and/or the Designee(s) to become the registered owner(s) of the Optioned Interest. For the purpose of this Section and this Agreement, “security interests” shall include securities, mortgages, third party’s rights or interests, any stock options, acquisition right, right of first refusal, right to offset, ownership retention or other security arrangements, but for the sake of clarity, shall be deemed to exclude any security interest created by this Agreement, Party B’s Equity Interest Pledge Agreement and Party B’s Power of Attorney. “Party B’s Equity Interest Pledge Agreement” as used in this Agreement shall refer to the Equity Interest Pledge Agreement executed by and among Party A, Party B and Party C on the date hereof and any modification, amendment and restatement thereto; “Party B’s Power of Attorney” as used in this Agreement shall refer to the Power of Attorney signed by Party B on the date hereof granting Party A with power of attorney and any modification, amendment and restatement thereto.

 


 

2.                                      Covenants

 

2.1                               Covenants Relating to Party C

 

Party B (as shareholders of Party C) and Party C hereby covenant:

 

2.1.1                     Without the prior written consent of Party A, Party C shall not in any manner supplement, change or amend the articles of association of Party C, increase or decrease its registered capital, or change its structure of registered capital in other manners:

 

2.1.2                     Party C shall maintain its corporate existence in accordance with good financial and business standards and practices, obtain and maintain all necessary government licenses and permits for business operation, and operate its business and handle its affairs prudently and effectively;

 

2.1.3                     Without the prior written consent of Party A, Party C shall not at any time following the date hereof, sell, transfer, mortgage or dispose of in any manner the legal or beneficial interest in any material assets, business or revenues of Party C of more than RMB 500,000, or allow the encumbrance thereon of any security interest;

 

2.1.4                     Without the prior written consent of Party A, Party C shall not incur, inherit, guarantee or permit the existence of any debt, except for payables incurred in the ordinary course of business other than through loans;

 


 

2.1.5                     Party C shall always operate all of its businesses in the ordinary course of business to maintain the asset value of Party C and refrain from any action/omission that may adversely affect Party C’s operating status and asset value;

 

2.1.6                     Without the prior written consent of Party A, Party C shall not be allowed to sign any material contract, except the contracts in the ordinary course of business (for the purpose of this section, a contract with an aggregate value exceeding RMB 500,000 shall be deemed a material contract);

 

2.1.7                     Without the prior written consent of Party A, Party C shall not provide any person with any loan or credit, or provide securities or guarantee for the indebtedness of any third party;

 

2.1.8                     Party C shall provide Party A with all information on Party C’s operations and financial conditions at Party A’s request;

 

2.1.9                     Without the prior written consent of Party A, Party C shall not merge, consolidate with, acquire or invest in any person;

 

2.1.10              Party C shall immediately notify Party A of the occurrence or possible occurrence of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings relating to Party C’s assets, businesses or revenues;

 

2.1.11             To execute all necessary or appropriate documents, to take all necessary or appropriate actions, to file all necessary or appropriate complaints, and to make necessary or appropriate defenses against all claims to maintain the ownership by Party C over all its assets;

 

2.1.12             Without the prior written consent of Party A, Party C shall not in any manner distribute dividends to its shareholders, but upon Party A’s written request, Party C shall immediately distribute all distributable profits to its shareholders;

 

2.1.13             At the request of Party A, Party C shall appoint any persons designated by Party A as the directors, supervisors and senior management of Party C, and/or remove any incumbent director, supervisor and senior management of Party C, and perform all relevant resolutions and filing procedures; Party A has the right to demand replacement of the aforementioned personnel by Party B and Party C.

 


 

2.1.14             Without Party A’s prior written consent, Party C shall not engage in any business in competition with Party A or its affiliates;

 

2.1.15             Unless otherwise compulsorily required by the PRC law, Party C shall not be dissolved or liquated without prior written consent by Party A;

 

2.1.16             In the event that any shareholder of Party C or Party C fails to perform its tax obligations under the applicable laws, resulting in hindrance to the exercise of the Equity Interest Purchase Option by Party A, Party A is entitled to demand Party C or its shareholders to perform such tax obligations, or demand Party C or its shareholders to pay the amount thereof to Party A, and the latter shall make tax payment on the former’s behalf; and

 

2.1.17             Party B and Party C shall procure the subsidiaries of Party C to comply with the covenants applicable to Party C as prescribed in this Section 2.1 where applicable, as if such subsidiaries are subject to the relevant provisions as Party C.

 

2.2                               Covenants of Party B

 

Party B hereby covenants:

 

2.2.1                     Without the prior written consent of Party A, Party B shall not sell, transfer, mortgage or dispose of in other manner any legal or beneficial interest in the equity interest in Party C held by Party B, or permit the encumbrance thereon, except for the interest placed in accordance with this Agreement, Party B’s Equity Interest Pledge Agreement, and Party B’s Power of Attorney;

 

2.2.2                     Without the prior written consent of Party A, Party B shall procure the shareholders’ meeting and/or the director(s) (or the executive director(s)) of Party C not to approve any sale, transfer, mortgage or disposition in other manner of any legal or beneficial interest in the equity interest in Party C held by Party B, or allow the encumbrance thereon of any security interest, except for the interest placed in accordance with this Agreement, Party B’s Equity Interest Pledge Agreement, and Party B’s Power of Attorney;

 

2.2.3                     Without the prior written consent of Party A, Party B shall cause the shareholders’ meeting or the director(s) (or the executive director(s)) of Party C not to approve the merger or consolidation with any person, or the acquisition of or investment in any person;

 


 

2.2.4                     Party B shall immediately notify Party A of the occurrence or possible occurrence of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings relating to the equity interest held by Party B;

 

2.2.5                     Party B shall cause the shareholders’ meeting or the director(s) (or the executive director(s)) of Party C to vote in favor of the transfer of the Optioned Interests as set forth in this Agreement and to take any and all other actions at the requested of Party A;

 

2.2.6                     Party B shall execute all necessary or appropriate documents, take all necessary or appropriate actions, file all necessary or appropriate complaints, and make necessary or appropriate defenses against all claims to maintain Party B’s ownership of its equity interest;

 

2.2.7                     Party B shall appoint any person(s) designated by Party A as the director(s) and senior management of Party C at the request of Party A;

 

2.2.8                     Party B gives consent to the signing by other shareholders of Party C with Party A and Party C of exclusive option agreement, equity interest pledge agreement and power of attorney similar to this Agreement, Party B’s Equity Interest Pledge Agreement, and Party B’s Power of Attorney, and undertakes not to take any action in conflict with such documents signed by other shareholders; with respect to the transfer of the equity interest of Party C by any of the other shareholders of Party C to Party A and/or the Designee(s) pursuant to the exclusive option agreement signed by such parties, Party B hereby waives all of its right of first refusal (if any).

 

2.2.9                     Party B shall promptly donate any profit, dividend, bonuses or proceeds of liquidation to Party A or any person(s) designated by Party A to the extent permitted under applicable PRC laws; and

 

2.2.10               Party B shall strictly abide by the provisions of this Agreement and other contracts jointly or separately signed by and among Party B, Party C and Party A, earnestly perform the obligations hereunder and thereunder, and refrain from any action/omission that may affect the effectiveness and enforceability thereof. To the extent that Party B has any remaining rights with respect to the equity interest subject to this Agreement hereunder, the Party B’s Equity Interest Pledge Agreement or the Party B’s Power of Attorney, Party B shall not exercise such rights except in accordance with the written instructions of Party A.

 


 

3.                                      Representations and Warranties

 

Party B and Party C hereby represent and warrant to Party A severally and not jointly, as of the date of this Agreement and each date of transfer, that:

 

3.1                               They have the power, capacity and authority to sign and deliver this Agreement and any equity interest transfer contracts to which they are parties concerning the Optioned Interests to be transferred thereunder (each, a “Transfer Contract”), and to perform their obligations under this Agreement and any Transfer Contracts. Party B and Party C agree to enter into Transfer Contracts substantially consistent with the terms of this Agreement upon Party A’s exercise of the Equity Interest Purchase Option. This Agreement and the Transfer Contracts to which they are parties, upon execution, constitute or will constitute their legal, valid and binding obligations and shall be enforceable against them in accordance with the provisions thereof;

 

3.2                               Party B and Party C have obtained approvals and consents from government authorities and third parties (if required) for signing, delivery and performance of this Agreement.

 

3.3                               The signing and delivery of and the performance of obligations under this Agreement or any Transfer Contracts shall not: (i) violate any relevant PRC laws; (ii) conflict with Party C’s articles of association or other constitutional documents; (iii) result in any breach of or constitute any default under any contract or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is otherwise bound; (iv) result in the violation of any conditions for the grant and/or maintenance of any permit or approval granted to any Party; or (v) cause any permit or approval granted to any Party to be suspended, revoked or attached with additional conditions;

 

3.4                               Party B has a good and merchantable title to the equity interest held by Party B in Party C, except for that subject to Party B’s Equity Interest Pledge Agreement and Party B’s Power of Attorney, Party B has not placed any security interest on such equity interests;

 

3.5                               Party C is a limited liability company duly established and validly existing under the laws of the PRC. Party C has a good and merchantable title to all of its assets, and has not placed any security interest on the aforementioned assets;

 

3.6                               Party C does not have any outstanding debts, except for (i) debt incurred in the ordinary course of business; and (ii) debts disclosed to Party A for which Party A’s written consent has been obtained.

 

3.7                               Party C has complied with the provisions of all PRC laws and regulations in material respects; and

 


 

3.8                               There are no significant pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings relating to the equity interest of Party C, the assets of Party C or Party C;

 

4.                                      Effective Date and Term

 

4.1                               This Agreement shall become effective on the date of signing by the Parties, and be terminated when all equity interest held by Party B in Party C has been assigned to Party A and/or any other person(s) designated by Party A in accordance with this Agreement.

 

4.2                               Within the term of this Agreement, Party A may at its sole discretion decide to unconditionally terminate or cancel this Agreement by issuing a written notice to Party B in advance without assuming any liability. Unless otherwise provided for by any mandatory provision of the PRC laws, neither Party B nor Party C is entitled to terminate this Agreement unilaterally.

 

5.                                      Governing Law and Resolution of Disputes

 

5.1                               Governing Law

 

The execution, effectiveness, interpretation, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the PRC.

 

5.2                               Methods of Resolution of Disputes

 

In the event of any dispute with respect to the interpretation and performance of this Agreement, the Parties shall first resolve the dispute through friendly negotiations. In the event the dispute cannot be resolved through negotiations, either Party may submit the relevant dispute to the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with its arbitration rules and procedures in effect at that time. The arbitration shall be conducted in Beijing. The arbitral awards shall be final and binding on all Parties.

 

5.3                               Upon the occurrence of any disputes arising from the interpretation and performance of this Agreement or during the pending arbitration of any dispute, except for the matters under dispute, the Parties shall continue to respectively exercise their other rights under this Agreement and perform their other obligations under this Agreement.

 

6.                                      Taxes and Fees

 

Unless otherwise stipulated in this Agreement, Party A and Party C shall pay any and all transfer and registration tax, expenses and fees incurred thereby or levied thereon in accordance with the laws of China in connection with the preparation and signing of this Agreement and all Transfer Contracts, as well as the consummation of the transactions contemplated under this Agreement and all Transfer Contracts.

 


 

7.                                      Notices

 

7.1                               All notices and other communications required or given pursuant to this Agreement shall be delivered by hand or sent by registered mail, postage prepaid, by a commercial courier service or by facsimile transmission to the address of such party set forth below. Each notice shall also be served by E-mail. The dates on which notices are deemed effectively served shall be determined as follows;

 

7.1.1                     Notices delivered by hand, by courier service or by registered mail, postage prepaid, shall be deemed effectively served on the date of delivery or refusal at the address specified for notices.

 

7.1.2                     Notices sent by facsimile transmission shall be deemed effectively served on the date of successful transmission (as evidenced by an automatically generated confirmation of transmission).

 

7.2                               For the purpose of notice, the addresses of the Parties are as set forth as follows:

 

Party A:

 

[Beijing Dake Information Technology Co. Ltd.] (北京大氪信息科技有限公司)

 

Address:

[5th Floor, Block A1, Junhao Central Park Plaza, No.10 Chaoyang Park South Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing] (北京市朝阳区朝阳公园南路10号骏豪中央公园广场A15)

 

 

Contact person:

Wang Jingyu

 

 

Telephone number:

15101150221

 

Party B:

 

1.                          [Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Services Co. Ltd.] (北京协力筑成金融信息服务股份有限公司)

 

Address:

[5th Floor, Block A1, Junhao Central Park Plaza, No.10 Chaoyang Park South Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing] (北京市朝阳区朝阳公园南路10号骏豪中央公园广场A15)

 

 

Contact person:

Wang Jingyu

 

 

Telephone number:

15101150221

 

 


 

2.                          [Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership)] (天津张公子科技合伙企业(有限合伙))

 

Address:

[5th Floor, Block A1, Junhao Central Park Plaza, No.10 Chaoyang Park South Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing] (北京市朝阳区朝阳公园南路10号骏豪中央公园广场A15)

 

 

Contact person:

Wang Jingyu

 

 

Telephone number:

15101150221

 

3.                          [Shenzhen Guohong No.2 Enterprise Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)](深圳国宏贰号企业管理合伙企业(有限合伙))

 

Address:

[10th Floor, Building 4, Phase I, Shangmeilin Excellence City, Futian District, Shenzhen] (深圳市福田区上梅林卓越1410)

 

 

Contact person:

Xian Handi

 

 

Telephone number:

15507579439

 

4.                          [Ningbo Meishan Bonded Port Area Tianhong Luheng Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)] (宁波梅山保税港区天弘绿珩投资管理合伙企业(有限合伙))

 

Address:

Room 1202, Block B, Global Trade Center, No.36 East 3rd Ring Road, Dongcheng District, Beijing

 

 

Contact person:

Zhang Yusong

 

 

Telephone number:

13681539013

 

5.                          [Gongqingcheng Fenzhong Chuangxiang Information Technology Co. Ltd.] (共青城分众创享信息技术有限公司)

 

Address:

28th Floor, No.369 Jiangsu Road, Changning District, Shanghai

 

 

Contact person:

Lin Nan

 

 

Telephone number:

18621585219

 

 


 

6.                          [Suzhou Industrial Park Gebi Yinghe Venture Capital Partnership (Limited Partnership)] (苏州工业园区戈壁赢合创业投资合伙企业(有限合伙))

 

Address:

Room 1508, Gopher Center, No.757 Mengzi Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai

 

 

Contact person:

wing

 

 

Telephone number:

021-5629 5805

 

7.                          [Beijing Wentou Huyu Investment Co. Ltd.] (北京文投互娱投资有限责任公司)

 

Address:

Room 303, 3rd Floor, Building 56, No.2 Jingyuan North Street, Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, Beijing

 

 

Contact person:

Sun Weibo

 

 

Telephone number:

18911067311

 

8.                          [Beijing Gebi Lvzhou Angel Investment Center (Limited Partnership)] (北京戈壁绿洲天使投资中心(有限合伙))

 

Address:

Room 906, Tower H, Phoenix Place, Jia No.5 Shuguang Xili, Beijing

 

 

Contact person:

wing

 

 

Telephone number:

86-10-8455 4115

 

9.                          [Wuhan Feixiang Automotive Electronics Industry Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)](武汉斐翔汽车电子产业投资合伙企业(有限合伙))

 

Address:

Room 3016, Block A, No.580 Nanjing West Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai

 

 

Contact person:

Hu Yaoshun

 

 

Telephone number:

18918000960

 


 

Party C:

 

[Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co. Ltd.] (北京多氪信息科技有限公司)

 

Address:

[5th Floor, Block A1, Junhao Central Park Plaza, No.10 Chaoyang Park South Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing] (北京市朝阳区朝阳公园南路10号骏豪中央公园广场A15)

 

 

Contact person:

Wang Jingyu

 

 

Telephone number:

15101150221

 

7.3                               Any Party may at any time change its address for receiving notices by a notice delivered to the other Parties in accordance with the terms in this Section.

 

8.                                      Confidentiality

 

The Parties acknowledge that the existence and the terms of this Agreement and any oral or written information exchanged between the Parties in connection with the preparation and performance of this Agreement are regarded as confidential information. Each Party shall maintain confidentiality of all such confidential information, and it shall not disclose any confidential information to any third parties without obtaining the written consent of other Parties, except for the information that: (a) is or will be known by members of public (other than through the receiving Party’s unauthorized disclosure); (b) is subject to the obligation to be disclosed pursuant to the applicable laws or regulations, stock exchange rules, or orders of government authorities or courts; or (c) is required to be disclosed by any Party to its shareholders, directors, employees, legal counsels or financial advisors regarding the transaction contemplated hereunder, provided that such shareholders, directors, employees, legal counsels or financial advisors shall be bound by the confidentiality obligations similar to those set forth in this Section. Disclosure of any confidential information by the shareholders, director, employees of or agencies engaged by any Party shall be deemed disclosure of such confidential information by such Party, and such Party shall be held liable for breach of this Agreement.

 

9.                                      Further Assurance

 

The Parties agree to promptly sign documents that are reasonably required for or are conducive to the implementation of the provisions and purposes of this Agreement and take further actions that are reasonably required for or are conducive to the implementation of the provisions and purposes of this Agreement.

 


 

10.                               Breach of Agreement

 

If Party B or Party C conducts any material breach of any term of this Agreement, Party A shall have right to terminate this Agreement and/or require Party B or Party C to indemnify all damages; this Section 10 shall not prejudice any other rights of Party A herein.

 

11.                               Miscellaneous

 

11.1                        Amendment, Change and Supplement

 

Any amendment, changes and supplement to this Agreement shall require the signing of a written agreement by all of the Parties.

 

11.2                        Entire Agreement

 

Except for the amendments, supplements or changes in writing executed after the execution of this Agreement, this Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement reached by and among the Parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, and shall supersede all prior oral or written consultations, representations, and contracts reached with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

11.3                        Headings

 

The headings of this Agreement are for ease of reading only, and shall not be used to interpret, explain or otherwise affect the meanings of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

11.4                        Counterparts

 

This Agreement is written in Chinese in eleven copies, each Party shall hold one copy.

 

11.5                        Severability

 

In the event that one or several of the provisions of this Agreement are found to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any aspect in accordance with any laws or regulations, the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected or compromised in any respect. Through negotiations in good faith, the Parties shall strive to replace such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with effective provisions that are to the greatest extent permitted by law and the intentions of the Parties, and the economic effect of such effective provisions shall be as close as possible to the economic effect of those invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 


 

11.6                        Assignment of Agreement

 

Without Party A’s prior written consent, Party B and Party C shall not assign their respective rights and obligations under this Agreement to any third party. Party B and Party C hereby agree that Party A may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any third party and in case of such assignment, Party A shall only be required to give written notice to Party B and Party C without the need of obtaining the consent of Party B for such assignment. Party B hereby agrees and confirms that, in the event that Party B is dead or becomes person with limited capacity or no capacity, all the equity interest in Party C held by Party B shall automatically and unconditionally be transferred to Party A or the Designee(s) of Party A at the Equity Interest Purchase Price as agreed in Section 1.3. The Equity Interest Purchase Price payable to Party B shall be dealt with in accordance with the agreed provision of Section 1.3.

 

11.7                        Successors

 

This Agreement shall be binding on and inure to the interest of the respective successors and the permitted assignees of the Parties.

 

11.8                        Survival

 

11.8.1              Any obligations arising from or becoming due as a result of this Agreement before the expiration or premature termination of this Agreement shall survive such expiration or premature termination thereof.

 

11.8.2              The provisions of Sections 5, 8 and 10 and this Section 11.8 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

11.9                        Waivers

 

Any Party may waive the terms and conditions of this Agreement, provided that such a waiver must be made in writing and signed by the Parties. Any waiver by a Party to a breach by the other Parties in a specific situation shall not be construed as a waiver to any similar breach by the other Parties in other situations.

 


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have authorized their representatives to sign this Exclusive Option Agreement, which shall take immediate effect, as of the date first above written.

 

Party A:

 

[Beijing Dake Information Technology Co. Ltd.] (北京大氪信息科技有限公司) (stamp) [chopped: Beijing Dake Information Technology Co. Ltd. 1101052095304]

 

Signature:

 

Position:

 


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have authorized their representatives to sign this Exclusive Option Agreement, which shall take immediate effect, as of the date first above written.

 

Party B:

 

[Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Services Co. Ltd.] (北京协力筑成金融信息服务股份有限公司) (stamp) [chopped: Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Services Co. Ltd. 1101080814347]

 

Signature:

 

Position:

 


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have authorized their representatives to sign this Exclusive Option Agreement, which shall take immediate effect, as of the date first above written.

 

Party B:

 

[Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership)] (天津张公子科技合伙企业(有限合伙)) (stamp) [chopped: Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership)]

 

Signature:

 

Position:

 


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have authorized their representatives to sign this Exclusive Option Agreement, which shall take immediate effect, as of the date first above written.

 

Party B:

 

[Shenzhen Guohong No.2 Enterprise Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)] (深圳国宏贰号企业管理合伙企业(有限合伙)) (stamp) [chopped: Shenzhen Guohong No.2 Enterprise Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)]

 

Signature:

 

Position:

 


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have authorized their representatives to sign this Exclusive Option Agreement, which shall take immediate effect, as of the date first above written.

 

Party B:

 

[Ningbo Meishan Bonded Port Area Tianhong Luheng Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership)] (宁波梅山保税港区天弘绿珩投资管理合伙企业(有限合伙)) (stamp) [chopped: Ningbo Meishan Bonded Port Area Tianhong Luheng Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership) 3302060231082]

 

Signature:

 

Position:

 

[chopped: Sun Ningyu]

 


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have authorized their representatives to sign this Exclusive Option Agreement, which shall take immediate effect, as of the date first above written.

 

Party B:

 

[Gongqingcheng Fenzhong Chuangxiang Information Technology Co. Ltd.] (共青城分众创享信息技术有限公司) (stamp) [chopped: Gongqingcheng Fenzhong Chuangxiang Information Technology Co. Ltd. 3604820009040]

 

Signature:

[signed]

 

 

Position:

legal representative

 

Signing page of Exclusive Option Agreement of [Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co. Ltd.] (北京多氪信息科技有限公司)

 


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have authorized their representatives to sign this Exclusive Option Agreement, which shall take immediate effect, as of the date first above written.

 

Party B:

 

[Suzhou Industrial Park Gebi Yinghe Venture Capital Partnership (Limited Partnership)] (苏州工业园区戈壁赢合创业投资合伙企业(有限合伙)) (stamp) [chopped: Suzhou Industrial Park Gebi Yinghe Venture Capital Partnership (Limited Partnership) 3205940045568]

 

Signature:

 

Position:

 


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have authorized their representatives to sign this Exclusive Option Agreement, which shall take immediate effect, as of the date first above written.

 

Party B:

 

[Beijing Gebi Lvzhou Angel Investment Center (Limited Partnership)] (北京戈壁绿洲天使投资中心(有限合伙)) (stamp) [chopped: Beijing Gebi Lvzhou Angel Investment Center (Limited Partnership) 1101080319389]

 

Signature:

 

Position:

 


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have authorized their representatives to sign this Exclusive Option Agreement, which shall take immediate effect, as of the date first above written.

 

Party B:

 

[Beijing Wentou Huyu Investment Co. Ltd.] (北京文投互娱投资有限责任公司) (stamp) [chopped: Beijing Wentou Huyu Investment Co. Ltd. 1001760012816]

 

Signature: [signed]

 

Position:

 


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have authorized their representatives to sign this Exclusive Option Agreement, which shall take immediate effect, as of the date first above written.

 

Party B:

 

[Wuhan Feixiang Automotive Electronics Industry Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)] (武汉斐翔汽车电子产业投资合伙企业(有限合伙)) (stamp) [chopped: Wuhan Feixiang Automotive Electronics Industry Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership) 4201190181518]

 

Signature: [signed]

 

Position:

 


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have authorized their representatives to sign this Exclusive Option Agreement, which shall take immediate effect, as of the date first above written.

 

Party C:

 

[Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co. Ltd.] (北京多氪信息科技有限公司) (stamp) [chopped: Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co. Ltd. 1101081481921]

 

Signature:

 

Position:

 


 

Attachments:

 

1.                                      Party C’s register of shareholders;

 

2.                                      Party C’s capital contribution certificate.

 




Exhibit 10.14

 

Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement

 

This Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement (hereinafter referred to as this “Agreement”) was signed by the following parties on 2 August 2019 in Beijing, the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as “China”).

 

Party A: Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd.

Address: 601-1, 6th floor (06), Building 1, No.10 Chaoyang Park South Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing

 

Party B: Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd.

Address: No.3003, 3rd Floor, No.39 West Street, Haidian District, Beijing

 

Party A and Party B are individually referred to as a “Party” and are collectively referred to as “Both Parties”.

 

Whereas:

 

1.                          Party A is a foreign-invested company established in China with the necessary resources to provide technical and consulting services;

 

2.                          Party B is a domestic company established in China and approved according to law by relevant government departments in China, focusing on new businesses, new economy and providing related services. All businesses operated and developed by Party B currently and at any time during the term of this Agreement are collectively referred to as “Main Business”;

 

3.                          Party A agrees to use its technology, personnel and information advantages to provide Party B with exclusive technical support, consulting and other services related to the Main Business during the term of this Agreement. Party B agrees to accept the various services provided by Party A or its designated party in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

Now, therefore, Party A and Party B through mutual negotiation have agreed as follows:

 

1.                          Service Provision

 

1.1                   In accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Party B hereby appoints Party A as Party B’s exclusive service provider to provide Party B with comprehensive technical support, consulting services and other services during the term of this Agreement, including but not limited to the following:

 

1


 

(1)                     Licensing of relevant software that Party A has legal rights to for Party B to use;

 

(2)                     Development, maintenance and update of relevant application software required for Party B’s business;

 

(3)                     Design, installation and day-to-day management, maintenance and update of computer network systems, hardware devices and databases;

 

(4)                     Technical support for and professional training of relevant personnel of Party B;

 

(5)                     Assisting Party B in the consultation, collection and research on relevant technical and market information;

 

(6)                     Providing corporate management consultation for Party B;

 

(7)                     Providing marketing and promotion services for Party B;

 

(8)                     Providing customer order management and customer services for Party B

 

(9)                     Leasing, transfer and disposal of equipment, assets; and

 

(10)              Other relevant services provided from time to time that are required by Party B, as permitted by the laws of China.

 

1.2                   Party B accepts the services provided by Party A. Party B further agrees that, regarding the services or other matters agreed in this Agreement, Party B shall not directly or indirectly obtain any service that is the same with or similar to those of this Agreement from any third party during the term of this Agreement, except with Party A’s prior written consent, and shall not establish any similar partnership with any third party regarding the matters described in this Agreement. Both Parties agree that Party A may designate other parties (the designated parties may enter into certain agreements described in Section 1.3 of this Agreement with Party B) to provide Party B with the services agreed in this Agreement.

 

1.3                   Manner of Service Provision

 

1.3.1         Party A and Party B agree that during the term of this Agreement, Party B may enter into further service agreement(s) with Party A or other parties designated by Party A as appropriate, which shall provide the specific contents, methods, personnel, fees, and other matters for various services.

 

1.3.2         Party B hereby grants Party A an irrevocable and exclusive option, pursuant to which, Party A may in its discretion, to the extent permitted by the laws and regulations of China, purchase any part or all of the assets and business from Party B at the lowest price permitted by the laws of China. Both Parties shall then enter into a separate asset or business transfer contract to specify the terms and conditions of such assets transfer. Subject to the laws of China, Party B shall donate the balance of the purchase price after deducting/withholding the relevant taxes (if any) in full according to law to Party A or the person(s) designated by Party A within ten (10) days of receipt and deducting/withholding of the relevant taxes (if any) in full according to law.

 

2


 

1.4                   In order to ensure that Party B meets the cash flow requirements in daily operations and/or offsets any losses arising out of its operation, whether or not Party B actually suffers such operational losses, Party A is obliged to provide Party B with financial support (but only to the extent and in the manner as permitted by the laws of China). Party A may provide financial support to Party B in the form of bank entrusted loans or borrowings, and enter into necessary agreements separately.

 

1.5                   Party A shall have the right to examine Party B’s accounts regularly and at any time. Party B shall maintain its accounts in a timely and accurate manner and provide Party A with its accounts in accordance with Party A’s requirements. During the term of this Agreement and without violating applicable laws, Party B agrees to cooperate with Party A and its shareholder(s) (including direct or indirect) to conduct audits (including but not limited to audit of related party transactions and all other types of audit) and provide Party A, its shareholder(s) and/or its entrusted auditors with relevant information and materials about the operations, business, customers, finance, employees of Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries, and agrees that Party A’s shareholder(s) may disclose such information and materials to meet the regulatory requirements for public listing of Party A’s shareholder(s). Both parties agree that during the term of this Agreement, Party A shall have the right to consolidate Party B’s financial results as those of wholly owned subsidiaries of Party A in accordance with the applicable accounting standards. However, Party A does not assume any legal responsibility for any liabilities or other obligations and risks of Party B.

 

1.6                   Party A shall have the right to conduct service-related business in the name of Party B. Party B shall provide Party A with all necessary support and convenience for Party A to conduct such business activities smoothly, including but not limited to issuing of all necessary power of attorney required for the provision of relevant services to Party A.

 

3


 

1.7                   At the request of Party A, Party B agrees to submit the certificates and official seals related to Party B’s daily operation, including the business license, official seal, contract seal, special financial seal and the seal of legal representative, to Party A’s financial department for custody, and Party B undertakes to only use the relevant certificates and official seals after obtaining the consent of Party A and in accordance with the relevant internal authorization guidelines of Party A.

 

1.8                   Both Parties agree that the services provided by Party A to Party B under this Agreement shall also apply to the subsidiaries controlled by Party B. Party B shall procure the subsidiaries it controls to exercise the rights and perform the obligations in accordance with this Agreement.

 

2.                          Calculation and Payment of Service Fees

 

2.1                   During the term of this Agreement, the fees payable by Party B to Party A shall be calculated as follows: In respect of the service fees payable by Party B to Party A, the service fee for each calendar year shall be calculated and confirmed according to the following variable standards:

 

2.1.1         In respect of the service fee payable by Party B, subject to the laws of China, after the deduction of the costs and expenses necessary for Party B’s business operations (the preliminary final accounts of the necessary costs and expenses shall be submitted by Party B and subject to the final confirmation and decision of Party A) and taxes, to make up for Party B’s losses in previous years (as required by applicable laws), and for the withdrawal of the statutory reserve fund (as required by applicable laws), all the profits of Party B in the aforesaid year shall be paid to Party A as the service fee for the services agreed in this Agreement provided by Party A to Party B, but Party A shall have the right to adjust the amount of the service fee according to the following factors and circumstances of the services provided to Party B, which shall not exceed the limit specified above.

 

2.1.2         If Party A finds the service fee determination mechanism agreed in this Agreement is not applicable and needs to be adjusted for a certain reason, Party B shall actively negotiate in good faith with Party A within ten (10) business days after Party A makes a written request for fee adjustment, in order to determine the new standard or mechanism for the fee. If Party B does not respond within ten (10) business days after receiving the above adjustment notice, such adjustment shall be deemed accepted.

 

4


 

2.1.3         The service fee shall be calculated, confirmed and paid pursuant to the fiscal year or a reasonable period otherwise specified by Party A. If it is calculated, confirmed and paid pursuant to the fiscal year, within three (3) months after the end of each fiscal year, Party B shall prepare and issue a financial report that is in accordance with applicable accounting standards and audited by an accounting firm, and shall pay Party A the service fee under this contract within fifteen (15) days after the preparation and issuance of the audited accounting report. If it is calculated, confirmed and paid pursuant to a reasonable period otherwise specified by Party A, Party B shall calculate and confirm with Party A, and pay Party A the service fee under this contract within fifteen (15) days after Party A specifies the reasonable period otherwise.

 

2.2                   In addition to the service fees, Party B shall bear all reasonable expenses, advance payments and out-of-pocket expenses in any form paid or incurred in or in connection with the performance or provision of services by Party A, and reimburse Party A in this regard.

 

2.3                   Each Party shall respectively bear their taxes payable according to law for the execution and performance of this Agreement. At the request of Party A, Party B shall use its best efforts to assist Party A in obtaining the exemption from value added tax for all or part of its service fee revenue under this Agreement.

 

3.                          Intellectual Property and Confidentiality

 

3.1                   Party A shall have the exclusive and proprietary titles, rights and interests to any and all intellectual properties (including but not limited to copyrights, patents, patent applications, software, technical secrets, trade secrets and others) arising out of or created during the performance of this Agreement, and shall be entitled to use such rights for free.

 

5


 

3.2                   For the business needs of Party B, Party A agrees that Party B shall register some of the intellectual properties designated by Party A under Party B’s name. However, at the request of Party A, Party B shall, without prejudice to the mandatory provisions of the laws of China, transfer the above intellectual properties registered under Party B’s name to Party A for free or at the lowest price permitted by law, and Party B shall sign all appropriate documents, take all appropriate actions, submit all documents and/or applications, render all appropriate assistance, and otherwise conduct whatever is necessary as deemed by Party A at its sole discretion for the purposes of vesting any titles, rights and interests to such intellectual properties in Party A and/or improve the protection for such intellectual property rights of Party A. Party A shall be entitled to use any intellectual property registered in Party B’s name for free.

 

3.3                   Both Parties acknowledge and confirm that the existence and the terms of this Agreement and any oral or written information exchanged in connection with the preparation or performance of this Agreement by each other shall be regarded as confidential information. Both Parties shall maintain confidentiality of all such information and shall not disclose any confidential information to any third party without obtaining the written consent of the other Party, except for the information that: (a)is or will be known to the public (other than through unauthorized disclosure to the public by a Party receiving the confidential information); (b) is required to be disclosed in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, stock trading rules, or orders of government authorities or courts; or (c) is required to be disclosed by either Party to its shareholders, directors, employees, legal counsels or financial advisers regarding the transaction contemplated in this Agreement, and such shareholders, directors, employees, legal counsels or financial advisers shall also comply with the confidentiality obligations similar to those set forth in this Section. Disclosure of confidential information by the shareholders, directors, employees or engaged agencies of either Party shall be deemed disclosure of confidential information by such Party, which shall be held liable for breach of contract in accordance with this Agreement.

 

4.                          Representations, Warranties and Undertakings

 

4.1                   Party A represents, warrants and undertakes as follows:

 

6


 

4.1.1         Party A is a foreign-invested company legally established and validly existing in accordance with the laws of China; Party A or its designated service provider(s) will obtain necessary government permits and licenses before providing any services under this Agreement.

 

4.1.2         Party A has taken the necessary corporate actions, obtained necessary authorization as well as the consent and approval from third parties and government authorities (if necessary) to sign, deliver and perform this Agreement; the signing, delivery and performance of this Agreement do not violate the explicit provisions of laws and regulations.

 

4.1.3         This Agreement constitutes Party A’s lawful, valid, binding obligations, and shall be enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.

 

4.2                   Party B represents, warrants and undertakes as follows:

 

4.2.1         Party B is a company legally established and validly existing in accordance with the laws of China. Party B has obtained and will maintain the government permits and licenses necessary for the Main Business.

 

4.2.2         Party B has taken the necessary corporate actions, obtained necessary authorization as well as the consent and approval from third parties and government authorities (if necessary) to sign, deliver and perform this Agreement; the signing, delivery and performance of this Agreement do not violate the explicit provisions of laws and regulations.

 

4.2.3         This Agreement constitutes Party B’s lawful, valid, binding obligations, and shall be enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.

 

4.2.4         There are no pending litigation, arbitration or other judicial or administrative proceedings that will affect Party B’s performance of its obligations under this Agreement, and to the best of its knowledge, there are no such threatened actions.

 

4.2.5         Party B shall pay Party A the service fees in full and on time in accordance with this Agreement.

 

7


 

5.                          Effectiveness and Term of Agreement

 

5.1                   This Agreement shall become effective on the date of execution by Both Parties; this Agreement shall remain in force unless otherwise expressly specified in this Agreement or Party A decides in writing to terminate this Agreement.

 

5.2                   If, during the term of this Agreement, the term of operation of either Party is due to expire, such Party shall renew its term of operation in a timely manner and do its utmost to obtain approval from the competent authority so as to enable this Agreement to remain effective and enforceable. If the application for renewal of the term of operation by a Party fails to receive approval or consent from any competent authority, this Agreement shall be terminated upon the expiration of such Party’s term of operation.

 

5.3                   The rights and obligations of the Parties under Sections 3, 6, and 7 and this Section 5.3 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

6.                          Governing Laws and Dispute Resolution

 

6.1                   The execution, effectiveness, interpretation, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes shall be governed by the laws of China.

 

6.2                   Any dispute arising out of the interpretation and performance of this Agreement shall be resolved by Both Parties through friendly negotiation. In the event the dispute cannot be resolved through negotiation, either Party may submit the relevant dispute to the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, which will settle it in accordance with its arbitration procedures and rules in effect at that time. The arbitration shall be conducted in Beijing. The arbitral award shall be final and binding on Both Parties.

 

6.3                   In the event of any dispute arising out of the interpretation and performance of this Agreement or during the pending arbitration of any dispute, Both Parties shall continue to exercise their other respective rights and perform their other respective obligations under this Agreement, except for the disputed matters.

 

7.                          Default Liability and Indemnity

 

7.1                   If Party B materially violates any term of this Agreement, Party A shall have the right to terminate this Agreement and/or demand Party B to indemnify the damages; this Section 7.1 shall not prejudice any other rights of Party A under this Agreement.

 

8


 

7.2                   Unless otherwise provided by law, Party B shall not have any right to terminate or cancel this Agreement unilaterally under any circumstances.

 

7.3                   Party B shall indemnify and hold Party A harmless from any losses, damages, liabilities or expenses incurred from lawsuits, claims or other demands against Party A arising out of or caused by the provision of services by Party A to Party B pursuant to this Agreement, unless such losses, damages, liabilities or expenses are caused by Party A’s gross negligence or intentional misconduct.

 

8                             Force Majeure

 

8.1                   If either Party to this Agreement is unable to perform or fully perform this Agreement due to earthquakes, typhoons, floods, fires, epidemics, wars, strikes, and any other force majeure events that are unforeseeable, unpreventable and unavoidable by the affected Party (“Force Majeure”), the Party affected by the above Force Majeure shall not be liable for the non-performance or partial performance. However, the affected Party shall immediately send a written notice to the other Party without delay and shall provide the other Party with details of such event within fifteen days after sending out such written notice, explaining the reasons of such non-performance, partial performance or delayed performance.

 

8.2                   If the Party claiming Force Majeure fails to notify the other Party and provide appropriate evidence in accordance with the above provisions, it shall not be excused from the responsibility for the failure to perform its obligations under this Agreement. The Party affected by Force Majeure shall make reasonable efforts to minimize the consequences of such Force Majeure and shall resume the performance of relevant obligations as soon as possible after the end of such Force Majeure. If the Party affected by Force Majeure fails to resume the performance of relevant obligations after the causes for such excuse from the performance of obligations due to Force Majeure are cured, such Party shall be liable to the other Party in this regard.

 

8.3                   In the event of Force Majeure, Both Parties shall immediately negotiate with each other in order to reach a fair solution and shall take all reasonable efforts to minimize the consequences of such Force Majeure.

 

9


 

9.                          Notice

 

9.1                   All notices and other communications required or issued under this Agreement shall be delivered by hand or sent by registered mail, postage prepaid or by a commercial courier service or facsimile transmission to the following addresses of the Parties. Each notice shall also be sent by email. The dates on which such notices are deemed served shall be determined as follows:

 

9.1.1                     If the notice is delivered by hand, or sent by courier service, registered mail or prepaid post, the date of receipt or refusal at the address specified for notices shall be regarded as the date of effectively served.

 

9.1.2                     If the notice is sent by facsimile transmission, the date of successful transmission shall be regarded as the date of effectively served (as evidenced by an automatically generated confirmation of transmission).

 

9.2                   For the purpose of notices, the addresses of Both Parties are as follows:

 

Party A:

Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd.

Address:

5th Floor, Block A1, Junhao Central Park Square, No.10 Chaoyang Park South Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing

Recipient:

Wang Jingyu

Phone:

15101150221

 

Party B:

Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd.

Address:

5th Floor, Block A1, Junhao Central Park Square, No.10 Chaoyang Park South Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing

Recipient:

Wang Jingyu

Phone:

15101150221

 

 

9.3                   Either Party may, at any time, give notice to the other Party to change the address at which it receives notices in accordance with the terms of this Section.

 

10


 

10.                   Assignment

 

10.1            Party B shall not assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to a third party without Party A’s prior written consent.

 

10.2            Party B hereby agrees that Party A may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to a third party, and Party A is only required to give written notice to Party B at the time of such assignment without the need to obtain the consent from Party B for such assignment.

 

11.                   Severability

 

If any one or several of the provisions of this Agreement are found to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any aspect in accordance with any laws or regulations, the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected or compromised in any aspect. Both Parties shall, through good faith consultations, strive to replace those invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with effective provisions to the fullest extent permitted by law and the intentions of both Parties, and the economic effects of such valid provisions shall be as similar as possible to the economic effects of those invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

12.                   Amendments and Supplements

 

This Agreement may be amended and supplemented in writing by Both Parties. The amendment agreements and supplementary agreements signed by Both Parties relating to this Agreement shall be an integral part of this Agreement and have the same legal effect as this Agreement.

 

13.                   Entire Contract

 

Except for the written revisions, supplements or amendments made after the execution of this Agreement, this Agreement shall constitute the entire contract between the Parties for the subject matter of this Agreement, and supersede all prior oral or written negotiations, representations and agreements on the subject matter of this Agreement. This Agreement shall supersede the original cooperation agreement previously entered into between the Parties and the original cooperation agreement shall terminate immediately upon the effective date of this Agreement.

 

11


 

14.                   Waiver

 

Either Party may waive the terms and conditions of this Agreement, but such waiver must be made in writing and signed by Both Parties. Any waiver by a Party to a breach by the other Party in a specific situation shall not be construed as a waiver to any similar breach by the other Party in other situations.

 

15.                   Counterparts

 

This Agreement is written in Chinese and executed in duplicate, with each Party holding one copy.

 

12


 

In witness whereof, the parties have caused their authorized representatives to execute this Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement, which shall take immediate effect, as of the date first above written.

 

Party A: Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)

[Seal: Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. 1101052095304]

Signature:

Title:

 

Party B: Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)

[Seal: Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. 1101081481921]

Signature:

Title:

 




Exhibit 10.15

 

Power of Attorney

 

The enterprise, Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership), whose Unified Social Credit Code is 91120116MA05W9RU8A, signs this Power of Attorney on 2 August 2019; this Power of Attorney takes effect as of the date of signing. The enterprise owns 16.529% of the equity of Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “the Company”) on the date of signing this Power of Attorney.

 

For the Company equity currently and in the future held by the enterprise (hereinafter referred to as the “Equity Held by the Enterprise”), the enterprise hereby irrevocably authorizes Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “WFOE”) or the person(s) designated at its sole discretion (including its successor, the liquidator replacing WFOE, if involved) (hereinafter referred to as “Trustee”) as the sole exclusive agent of the enterprise during the term of this Power of Attorney to, on behalf of the enterprise, exercise all rights enjoyed with respect to the Equity Held by the Enterprise under relevant laws and regulations and the Company’s Articles of Association, including but not limited to the following rights (collectively referred to as “Shareholder Rights”):

 

(a)            Propose to convene, hold and participate in the Company’s shareholder meetings;

 

(b)            Receive any notice on the convening of the shareholders’ meetings and related proceedings;

 

(c)             In the name of the corporation, sign and deliver any written resolution on behalf of the enterprise in the capacity of a shareholder;

 

(d)            Vote in person or by proxy on any matter discussed at the shareholders’ meetings, including but not limited to the sale, transfer, mortgage, pledge or disposal of any or all of the Company’s assets;

 

(e)             Sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of any or all of the enterprise’s equity in the Company;

 

(f)              Nominate, elect, designate, appoint or discuss the Company’s legal representative, directors, general manager, chief financial officer, supervisors and other senior management personnel;

 

(g)             Supervise the Company’s business performance, approve the Company’s annual budget or announcements of dividends, and review the Company’s financial information at any time;

 

1


 

(h)            Approve the Company to submit any registration documents to the competent government authorities;

 

(i)                Exercise voting rights on behalf of the shareholders on matters relating to the liquidation of the Company;

 

(j)               Bring a shareholder lawsuit or take other legal actions against any of the Company’s director or management personnel whose actions prejudice the interests of the Company or its shareholders;

 

(k)            Approve the amendment of the Company’s Articles of Association; and

 

(l)                Any other rights of the shareholders conferred by the Company’s Articles of Association or relevant laws and regulations.

 

The enterprise hereby further agrees and undertakes that:

 

The Trustee is entitled to sign all documents that are required to be signed by the enterprise as stipulated in the Exclusive Option Agreement signed by the enterprise and WFOE and the Company on 2 August 2019, and the Equity Pledge Agreement signed by the enterprise and WFOE and the Company on 2 August 2019 (including the modification, amendment or restatement of the above documents, collectively referred to as “Transaction Documents”), and perform the Transaction Documents as scheduled. The exercise of such right will not impose any restrictions on this authorization.

 

All acts of the Trustee with respect to the Equity Held by the Enterprise are regarded as the conduct of the enterprise, and all documents signed are deemed signed by the enterprise, and will be recognized by the enterprise.

 

WFOE is entitled to transfer the entrustment, and may further entrust other persons or units at its discretion to handle the above matters without prior notice to the enterprise or obtaining the consent of the enterprise. If required by the laws of China, WFOE shall designate a Chinese citizen or other person or unit permitted by the laws of China to exercise the above rights. Once WFOE has notified the enterprise in writing of the transfer of the rights of this Power of Attorney to a third party, the company will immediately withdraw the entrustment and authorization to WFOE and immediately sign a power of attorney in the same format as this Power of Attorney to entrust and authorize the other person nominated by WFOE with the same contents as this Power of Attorney.

 

2


 

The enterprise undertakes not to engage in any acts in violation of the purpose or intent of the Transaction Documents and this Power of Attorney, and not to engage in any acts or omission that may result in conflicts of interest between WFOE and the Company or its subsidiaries; in case of such a conflict of interest, the enterprise shall support the legitimate rights and interests of WFOE and perform the reasonable actions required by WFOE.

 

During the period when the enterprise is a shareholder of the Company, unless WFOE gives opposite written instructions, this Power of Attorney is irrevocable and continues to be valid, starting from the date of signing the Power of Attorney.

 

Any dispute arising out of the interpretation and performance of this power of attorney may be submitted by either the enterprise and WFOE or the person(s) designated at its sole discretion (including its successor, the liquidator replacing WFOE, if involved) to the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with its arbitral procedures and rules in effect at that time. The arbitration shall be conducted in Beijing. The arbitral award is final and binding on all parties. During the arbitration period, except for parts that are under dispute between the enterprise and WFOE or the person(s) designated at its sole discretion (including its successor, the liquidator replacing WFOE, if involved) and pending arbitration, this Power of Attorney shall remain in force.

 

During the period of this Power of Attorney, the enterprise hereby waives all rights relating to Equity Held by the Enterprise that have been entrusted to WFOE through this Power of Attorney and shall no longer exercise these rights at its discretion.

 

[There is no text hereunder]

 

Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership) (seal)

[chopped: Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (Limited Partnership)]

 

 

Signature:

 

Position:

 

3


 

WFOE hereby agrees to and accepts this Power of Attorney:

 

Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. (seal)

[chopped: Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. 1101052095304]

 

Signature:

Position:

 

The Company hereby agrees to and acknowledges this Power of Attorney:

 

Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. (seal)

[chopped: Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. 1101081481921]

 

Signature:

Position:

 

4




Exhibit 10.16

 

Power of Attorney

 

The corporation, Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Service Co., Ltd., whose Unified Social Credit Code is 91110108579050401N, signs this Power of Attorney on 2 August 2019; this Power of Attorney takes effect as of the date of signing. The corporation owns 66.116% of the equity of Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “the Company”) on the date of signing this Power of Attorney.

 

For the Company equity currently and in the future held by the corporation (hereinafter referred to as the “Equity Held by the Corporation”), the corporation hereby irrevocably authorizes Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “WFOE”) or the person(s) designated at its sole discretion (including its successor, the liquidator replacing WFOE, if involved) (hereinafter referred to as “Trustee”) as the sole exclusive agent of the corporation during the term of this Power of Attorney to, on behalf of the corporation, exercise all rights enjoyed with respect to the Equity Held by the Corporation under relevant laws and regulations and the Company’s Articles of Association, including but not limited to the following rights (collectively referred to as “Shareholder Rights”):

 

(a)            Propose to convene, hold and participate in the Company’s shareholder meetings;

 

(b)            Receive any notice on the convening of the shareholders’ meetings and related proceedings;

 

(c)             In the name of the corporation, sign and deliver any written resolution on behalf of the corporation in the capacity of a shareholder;

 

(d)            Vote in person or by proxy on any matter discussed at the shareholders’ meetings, including but not limited to the sale, transfer, mortgage, pledge or disposal of any or all of the Company’s assets;

 

(e)             Sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of any or all of the Corporation’s equity in the Company;

 

(f)              Nominate, elect, designate, appoint or discuss the Company’s legal representative, directors, general manager, chief financial officer, supervisors and other senior management personnel;

 

(g)             Supervise the Company’s business performance, approve the Company’s annual budget or announcements of dividends, and review the Company’s financial information at any time;

 

1


 

(h)            Approve the Company to submit any registration documents to the competent government authorities;

 

(i)                Exercise voting rights on behalf of the shareholders on matters relating to the liquidation of the Company;

 

(j)               Bring a shareholder lawsuit or take other legal actions against any of the Company’s director or management personnel whose actions prejudice the interests of the Company or its shareholders;

 

(k)            Approve the amendment of the Company’s Articles of Association; and

 

(l)                Any other rights of the shareholders conferred by the Company’s Articles of Association or relevant laws and regulations.

 

The corporation hereby further agrees and undertakes that:

 

The Trustee is entitled to sign all documents that are required to be signed by the corporation as stipulated in the Exclusive Option Agreement signed by the corporation and WFOE and the Company on 2 August 2019, and the Equity Pledge Agreement signed by the corporation and WFOE and the Company on 2 August 2019 (including the modification, amendment or restatement of the above documents, collectively referred to as “Transaction Documents”), and perform the Transaction Documents as scheduled. The exercise of such right will not impose any restrictions on this authorization.

 

All acts of the Trustee with respect to the Equity Held by the Corporation are regarded as the conduct of the corporation, and all documents signed are deemed signed by the corporation, and will be recognized by the corporation.

 

WFOE is entitled to transfer the entrustment, and may further entrust other persons or units at its discretion to handle the above matters without prior notice to the corporation or obtaining the consent of the corporation. If required by the laws of China, WFOE shall designate a Chinese citizen or other person or unit permitted by the laws of China to exercise the above rights. Once WFOE has notified the corporation in writing of the transfer of the rights of this Power of Attorney to a third party, the company will immediately withdraw the entrustment and authorization to WFOE and immediately sign a power of attorney in the same format as this Power of Attorney to entrust and authorize the other person nominated by WFOE with the same contents as this Power of Attorney.

 

2


 

The corporation undertakes not to engage in any acts in violation of the purpose or intent of the Transaction Documents and this Power of Attorney, and not to engage in any acts or omission that may result in conflicts of interest between WFOE and the Company or its subsidiaries; in case of such a conflict of interest, the corporation shall support the legitimate rights and interests of WFOE and perform the reasonable actions required by WFOE.

 

During the period when the corporation is a shareholder of the Company, unless WFOE gives opposite written instructions, this Power of Attorney is irrevocable and continues to be valid, starting from the date of signing the Power of Attorney.

 

Any dispute arising out of the interpretation and performance of this power of attorney may be submitted by either the corporation and WFOE or the person(s) designated at its sole discretion (including its successor, the liquidator replacing WFOE, if involved) to the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with its arbitral procedures and rules in effect at that time. The arbitration shall be conducted in Beijing. The arbitral award is final and binding on all parties. During the arbitration period, except for parts that are under dispute between the corporation and WFOE or the person(s) designated at its sole discretion (including its successor, the liquidator replacing WFOE, if involved) and pending arbitration, this Power of Attorney shall remain in force.

 

During the period of this Power of Attorney, the corporation hereby waives all rights relating to Equity Held by the Corporation that have been entrusted to WFOE through this Power of Attorney and shall no longer exercise these rights at its discretion.

 

[There is no text hereunder]

 

Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Service Co., Ltd. (seal)

[chopped: Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Financial Information Service Co., Ltd.  1101080814347]

 

 

Signature:

 

Position:

 

3


 

WFOE hereby agrees to and accepts this Power of Attorney:

 

Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. (seal)

[chopped: Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. 1101052095304]

 

Signature:

Position:

 

The Company hereby agrees to and acknowledges this Power of Attorney:

 

Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. (seal)

[chopped: Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. 1101081481921]

 

Signature:

Position:

 

4




Exhibit 10.17

 

Power of Attorney

 

The corporation, Gongqingcheng Fenzhong Chuangxiang Information Technology Co., Ltd., whose Unified Social Credit Code is 91360405MA35JMDN1N, signs this Power of Attorney on 2 August 2019; this Power of Attorney takes effect as of the date of signing. The corporation owns 2.066% of the equity of Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “the Company”) on the date of signing this Power of Attorney.

 

For the Company equity currently and in the future held by the corporation (hereinafter referred to as the “Equity Held by the Corporation”), the corporation hereby irrevocably authorizes Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “WFOE”) or the person(s) designated at its sole discretion (including its successor, the liquidator replacing WFOE, if involved) (hereinafter referred to as “Trustee”) as the sole exclusive agent of the corporation during the term of this Power of Attorney to, on behalf of the corporation, exercise all rights enjoyed with respect to the Equity Held by the Corporation under relevant laws and regulations and the Company’s Articles of Association, including but not limited to the following rights (collectively referred to as “Shareholder Rights”):

 

(a)            Propose to convene, hold and participate in the Company’s shareholder meetings;

 

(b)            Receive any notice on the convening of the shareholders’ meetings and related proceedings;

 

(c)             In the name of the corporation, sign and deliver any written resolution on behalf of the corporation in the capacity of a shareholder;

 

(d)            Vote in person or by proxy on any matter discussed at the shareholders’ meetings, including but not limited to the sale, transfer, mortgage, pledge or disposal of any or all of the Company’s assets;

 

(e)             Sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of any or all of the Corporation’s equity in the Company;

 

(f)              Nominate, elect, designate, appoint or discuss the Company’s legal representative, directors, general manager, chief financial officer, supervisors and other senior management personnel;

 

(g)             Supervise the Company’s business performance, approve the Company’s annual budget or announcements of dividends, and review the Company’s financial information at any time;

 

1


 

(h)            Approve the Company to submit any registration documents to the competent government authorities;

 

(i)                Exercise voting rights on behalf of the shareholders on matters relating to the liquidation of the Company;

 

(j)               Bring a shareholder lawsuit or take other legal actions against any of the Company’s director or management personnel whose actions prejudice the interests of the Company or its shareholders;

 

(k)            Approve the amendment of the Company’s Articles of Association; and

 

(l)                Any other rights of the shareholders conferred by the Company’s Articles of Association or relevant laws and regulations.

 

The corporation hereby further agrees and undertakes that:

 

The Trustee is entitled to sign all documents that are required to be signed by the corporation as stipulated in the Exclusive Option Agreement signed by the corporation and WFOE and the Company on 2 August 2019, and the Equity Pledge Agreement signed by the corporation and WFOE and the Company on 2 August 2019 (including the modification, amendment or restatement of the above documents, collectively referred to as “Transaction Documents”), and perform the Transaction Documents as scheduled. The exercise of such right will not impose any restrictions on this authorization.

 

All acts of the Trustee with respect to the Equity Held by the Corporation are regarded as the conduct of the corporation, and all documents signed are deemed signed by the corporation, and will be recognized by the corporation.

 

WFOE is entitled to transfer the entrustment, and may further entrust other persons or units at its discretion to handle the above matters without prior notice to the corporation or obtaining the consent of the corporation. If required by the laws of China, WFOE shall designate a Chinese citizen or other person or unit permitted by the laws of China to exercise the above rights. Once WFOE has notified the corporation in writing of the transfer of the rights of this Power of Attorney to a third party, the company will immediately withdraw the entrustment and authorization to WFOE and immediately sign a power of attorney in the same format as this Power of Attorney to entrust and authorize the other person nominated by WFOE with the same contents as this Power of Attorney.

 

2


 

The corporation undertakes not to engage in any acts in violation of the purpose or intent of the Transaction Documents and this Power of Attorney, and not to engage in any acts or omission that may result in conflicts of interest between WFOE and the Company or its subsidiaries; in case of such a conflict of interest, the corporation shall support the legitimate rights and interests of WFOE and perform the reasonable actions required by WFOE.

 

During the period when the corporation is a shareholder of the Company, unless WFOE gives opposite written instructions, this Power of Attorney is irrevocable and continues to be valid, starting from the date of signing the Power of Attorney.

 

Any dispute arising out of the interpretation and performance of this power of attorney may be submitted by either the corporation and WFOE or the person(s) designated at its sole discretion (including its successor, the liquidator replacing WFOE, if involved) to the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with its arbitral procedures and rules in effect at that time. The arbitration shall be conducted in Beijing. The arbitral award is final and binding on all parties. During the arbitration period, except for parts that are under dispute between the corporation and WFOE or the person(s) designated at its sole discretion (including its successor, the liquidator replacing WFOE, if involved) and pending arbitration, this Power of Attorney shall remain in force.

 

During the period of this Power of Attorney, the corporation hereby waives all rights relating to Equity Held by the Corporation that have been entrusted to WFOE through this Power of Attorney and shall no longer exercise these rights at its discretion.

 

[There is no text hereunder, Power of Attorney signature page for Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd.]

 

Gongqingcheng Fenzhong Chuangxiang Information Technology Co., Ltd. (seal)

[chopped: Gongqingcheng Fenzhong Chuangxiang Information Technology Co., Ltd.  3604620005040]

 

 

Signature: [signed]

 

Position: legal representative

 

Power of Attorney signature page for Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd.

 

3


 

WFOE hereby agrees to and accepts this Power of Attorney:

 

Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. (seal)

[chopped: Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. 1101052095304]

 

Signature:

Position:

 

The Company hereby agrees to and acknowledges this Power of Attorney:

 

Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. (seal)

[chopped: Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. 1101081481921]

 

Signature:

Position:

 

Power of Attorney signature page for Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd.

 

4




Exhibit 10.18

 

Power of Attorney

 

The corporation, Shenzhen Guohong No.2 Enterprise Management Partnership (Limited Partnership), whose Unified Social Credit Code is 91440300MA5EQ4KM9Q, signs this Power of Attorney on 2 August 2019; this Power of Attorney takes effect as of the date of signing. The corporation owns 6.198% of the equity of Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “the Company”) on the date of signing this Power of Attorney.

 

For the Company equity currently and in the future held by the corporation (hereinafter referred to as the “Equity Held by the Corporation”), the corporation hereby irrevocably authorizes Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “WFOE”) or the person(s) designated at its sole discretion (including its successor, the liquidator replacing WFOE, if involved) (hereinafter referred to as “Trustee”) as the sole exclusive agent of the corporation during the term of this Power of Attorney to, on behalf of the corporation, exercise all rights enjoyed with respect to the Equity Held by the Corporation under relevant laws and regulations and the Company’s Articles of Association, including but not limited to the following rights (collectively referred to as “Shareholder Rights”):

 

(a)            Propose to convene, hold and participate in the Company’s shareholder meetings;

 

(b)            Receive any notice on the convening of the shareholders’ meetings and related proceedings;

 

(c)             In the name of the corporation, sign and deliver any written resolution on behalf of the corporation in the capacity of a shareholder;

 

(d)            Vote in person or by proxy on any matter discussed at the shareholders’ meetings, including but not limited to the sale, transfer, mortgage, pledge or disposal of any or all of the Company’s assets;

 

(e)             Sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of any or all of the Corporation’s equity in the Company;

 

(f)              Nominate, elect, designate, appoint or discuss the Company’s legal representative, directors, general manager, chief financial officer, supervisors and other senior management personnel;

 

1


 

(g)             Supervise the Company’s business performance, approve the Company’s annual budget or announcements of dividends, and review the Company’s financial information at any time;

 

(h)            Approve the Company to submit any registration documents to the competent government authorities;

 

(i)                Exercise voting rights on behalf of the shareholders on matters relating to the liquidation of the Company;

 

(j)               Bring a shareholder lawsuit or take other legal actions against any of the Company’s director or management personnel whose actions prejudice the interests of the Company or its shareholders;

 

(k)            Approve the amendment of the Company’s Articles of Association; and

 

(l)                Any other rights of the shareholders conferred by the Company’s Articles of Association or relevant laws and regulations.

 

The corporation hereby further agrees and undertakes that:

 

The Trustee is entitled to sign all documents that are required to be signed by the corporation as stipulated in the Exclusive Option Agreement signed by the corporation and WFOE and the Company on 2 August 2019, and the Equity Pledge Agreement signed by the corporation and WFOE and the Company on 2 August 2019 (including the modification, amendment or restatement of the above documents, collectively referred to as “Transaction Documents”), and perform the Transaction Documents as scheduled. The exercise of such right will not impose any restrictions on this authorization.

 

All acts of the Trustee with respect to the Equity Held by the Corporation are regarded as the conduct of the corporation, and all documents signed are deemed signed by the corporation, and will be recognized by the corporation.

 

WFOE is entitled to transfer the entrustment, and may further entrust other persons or units at its discretion to handle the above matters without prior notice to the corporation or obtaining the consent of the corporation. If required by the laws of China, WFOE shall designate a Chinese citizen or other person or unit permitted by the laws of China to exercise the above rights. Once WFOE has notified the corporation in writing of the transfer of the rights of this Power of Attorney to a third party, the company will immediately withdraw the entrustment and authorization to WFOE and immediately sign a power of attorney in the same format as this Power of Attorney to entrust and authorize the other person nominated by WFOE with the same contents as this Power of Attorney.

 

2


 

The corporation undertakes not to engage in any acts in violation of the purpose or intent of the Transaction Documents and this Power of Attorney, and not to engage in any acts or omission that may result in conflicts of interest between WFOE and the Company or its subsidiaries; in case of such a conflict of interest, the corporation shall support the legitimate rights and interests of WFOE and perform the reasonable actions required by WFOE.

 

During the period when the corporation is a shareholder of the Company, unless WFOE gives opposite written instructions, this Power of Attorney is irrevocable and continues to be valid, starting from the date of signing the Power of Attorney.

 

Any dispute arising out of the interpretation and performance of this power of attorney may be submitted by either the corporation and WFOE or the person(s) designated at its sole discretion (including its successor, the liquidator replacing WFOE, if involved) to the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with its arbitral procedures and rules in effect at that time. The arbitration shall be conducted in Beijing. The arbitral award is final and binding on all parties. During the arbitration period, except for parts that are under dispute between the corporation and WFOE or the person(s) designated at its sole discretion (including its successor, the liquidator replacing WFOE, if involved) and pending arbitration, this Power of Attorney shall remain in force.

 

During the period of this Power of Attorney, the corporation hereby waives all rights relating to Equity Held by the Corporation that have been entrusted to WFOE through this Power of Attorney and shall no longer exercise these rights at its discretion.

 

[There is no text hereunder]

 

Shenzhen Guohong No.2 Enterprise Management Partnership (Limited Partnership) (seal)

[chopped: Shenzhen Guohong No.2 Enterprise Management Partnership (Limited Partnership) [illegible]]

 

 

Signature: [signed]

 

Position:

 

3


 

WFOE hereby agrees to and accepts this Power of Attorney:

 

Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. (seal)

[chopped: Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. 1101052095304]

 

Signature:

Position:

 

The Company hereby agrees to and acknowledges this Power of Attorney:

 

Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. (seal)

[chopped: Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. 1101081481921]

 

Signature:

Position:

 

4




Exhibit 10.19

 

Power of Attorney

 

The corporation, Ningbo Meishan Baoshui Gangqu Tianhong Lvyan Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership), whose Unified Social Credit Code is 91330206MA2AGJ8K3N, signs this Power of Attorney on 2 August 2019; this Power of Attorney takes effect as of the date of signing. The corporation owns 3.857% of the equity of Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “the Company”) on the date of signing this Power of Attorney.

 

For the Company equity currently and in the future held by the corporation (hereinafter referred to as the “Equity Held by the Corporation”), the corporation hereby irrevocably authorizes Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “WFOE”) or the person(s) designated at its sole discretion (including its successor, the liquidator replacing WFOE, if involved) (hereinafter referred to as “Trustee”) as the sole exclusive agent of the corporation during the term of this Power of Attorney to, on behalf of the corporation, exercise all rights enjoyed with respect to the Equity Held by the Corporation under relevant laws and regulations and the Company’s Articles of Association, including but not limited to the following rights (collectively referred to as “Shareholder Rights”):

 

(a)      Propose to convene, hold and participate in the Company’s shareholder meetings;

 

(b)      Receive any notice on the convening of the shareholders’ meetings and related proceedings;

 

(c)       In the name of the corporation, sign and deliver any written resolution on behalf of the corporation in the capacity of a shareholder;

 

(d)      Vote in person or by proxy on any matter discussed at the shareholders’ meetings, including but not limited to the sale, transfer, mortgage, pledge or disposal of any or all of the Company’s assets;

 

(e)       Sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of any or all of the Corporation’s equity in the Company;

 

(f)        Nominate, elect, designate, appoint or discuss the Company’s legal representative, directors, general manager, chief financial officer, supervisors and other senior management personnel;

 

1


 

(g)       Supervise the Company’s business performance, approve the Company’s annual budget or announcements of dividends, and review the Company’s financial information at any time;

 

(h)      Sign and deliver any written resolutions and minutes in the name of the shareholders and on behalf of the shareholders

 

(i)          Approve the Company to submit any registration documents to the competent government authorities;

 

(j)         Exercise voting rights on behalf of the shareholders on matters relating to the liquidation of the Company;

 

(k)      Bring a shareholder lawsuit or take other legal actions against any of the Company’s director or management personnel whose actions prejudice the interests of the Company or its shareholders;

 

(l)          Approve the amendment of the Company’s Articles of Association; and

 

(m)  Any other rights of the shareholders conferred by the Company’s Articles of Association or relevant laws and regulations.

 

The corporation hereby further agrees and undertakes that:

 

The Trustee is entitled to sign all documents that are required to be signed by the corporation as stipulated in the Exclusive Option Agreement signed by the corporation and WFOE and the Company on [  ], and the Equity Pledge Agreement signed by the corporation and WFOE and the Company on [  ] (including the modification, amendment or restatement of the above documents, collectively referred to as “Transaction Documents”), and perform the Transaction Documents as scheduled. The exercise of such right will not impose any restrictions on this authorization.

 

All acts of the Trustee with respect to the Equity Held by the Corporation are regarded as the conduct of the corporation, and all documents signed are deemed signed by the corporation, and will be recognized by the corporation.

 

WFOE is entitled to transfer the entrustment, and may further entrust other persons or units at its discretion to handle the above matters without prior notice to the corporation or obtaining the consent of the corporation. If required by the laws of China, WFOE shall designate a Chinese citizen or other person or unit permitted by the laws of China to exercise the above rights. Once WFOE has notified the corporation in writing of the transfer of the rights of this Power of Attorney to a third party, the company will immediately withdraw the entrustment and authorization to WFOE and immediately sign a power of attorney in the same format as this Power of Attorney to entrust and authorize the other person nominated by WFOE with the same contents as this Power of Attorney.

 

2


 

The corporation undertakes not to engage in any acts in violation of the purpose or intent of the Transaction Documents and this Power of Attorney, and not to engage in any acts or omission that may result in conflicts of interest between WFOE and the Company or its subsidiaries; in case of such a conflict of interest, the corporation shall support the legitimate rights and interests of WFOE and perform the reasonable actions required by WFOE.

 

During the period when the corporation is a shareholder of the Company, unless WFOE gives opposite written instructions, this Power of Attorney is irrevocable and continues to be valid, starting from the date of signing the Power of Attorney.

 

Any dispute arising out of the interpretation and performance of this power of attorney may be submitted by either the corporation and WFOE or the person(s) designated at its sole discretion (including its successor, the liquidator replacing WFOE, if involved) to the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with its arbitral procedures and rules in effect at that time. The arbitration shall be conducted in Beijing. The arbitral award is final and binding on all parties. During the arbitration period, except for parts that are under dispute between the corporation and WFOE or the person(s) designated at its sole discretion (including its successor, the liquidator replacing WFOE, if involved) and pending arbitration, this Power of Attorney shall remain in force.

 

During the period of this Power of Attorney, the corporation hereby waives all rights relating to Equity Held by the Corporation that have been entrusted to WFOE through this Power of Attorney and shall no longer exercise these rights at its discretion.

 

[There is no text hereunder]

 

Ningbo Meishan Bonded Port Area Tianhong Luheng Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership) (seal)

[chopped: Ningbo Meishan Bonded Port Area Tianhong Luheng Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership) 3302060231082]

 

 

Signature: [seal of Sun Ning]

 

Position:

 

3


 

WFOE hereby agrees to and accepts this Power of Attorney:

 

Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. (seal)

[chopped: Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. 1101052095304]

 

Signature:

Position:

 

The Company hereby agrees to and acknowledges this Power of Attorney:

 

Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. (seal)

[chopped: Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. 1101081481921]

 

Signature:

Position:

 

4




Exhibit 10.20

 

Power of Attorney

 

The enterprise, Beijing Gebi Lvzhou Angel Investment Center (Limited Partnership), whose Unified Social Credit Code is 91110108061343242U, signs this Power of Attorney on 2 August 2019; this Power of Attorney takes effect as of the date of signing. The enterprise owns 0.275% of the equity of Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “the Company”) on the date of signing this Power of Attorney.

 

For the Company equity currently and in the future held by the enterprise (hereinafter referred to as the “Equity Held by the Enterprise”), the enterprise hereby irrevocably authorizes Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “WFOE”) or the person(s) designated at its sole discretion (including its successor, the liquidator replacing WFOE, if involved) (hereinafter referred to as “Trustee”) as the sole exclusive agent of the enterprise during the term of this Power of Attorney to, on behalf of the enterprise, exercise all rights enjoyed with respect to the Equity Held by the Enterprise under relevant laws and regulations and the Company’s Articles of Association, including but not limited to the following rights (collectively referred to as “Shareholder Rights”):

 

(a)            Propose to convene, hold and participate in the Company’s shareholder meetings;

 

(b)            Receive any notice on the convening of the shareholders’ meetings and related proceedings;

 

(c)             In the name of the corporation, sign and deliver any written resolution on behalf of the enterprise in the capacity of a shareholder;

 

(d)            Vote in person or by proxy on any matter discussed at the shareholders’ meetings, including but not limited to the sale, transfer, mortgage, pledge or disposal of any or all of the Company’s assets;

 

(e)             Sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of any or all of the enterprise’s equity in the Company;

 

(f)              Nominate, elect, designate, appoint or discuss the Company’s legal representative, directors, general manager, chief financial officer, supervisors and other senior management personnel;

 

(g)             Supervise the Company’s business performance, approve the Company’s annual budget or announcements of dividends, and review the Company’s financial information at any time;

 

1


 

(h)            Approve the Company to submit any registration documents to the competent government authorities;

 

(i)                Exercise voting rights on behalf of the shareholders on matters relating to the liquidation of the Company;

 

(j)               Bring a shareholder lawsuit or take other legal actions against any of the Company’s director or management personnel whose actions prejudice the interests of the Company or its shareholders;

 

(k)            Approve the amendment of the Company’s Articles of Association; and

 

(l)                Any other rights of the shareholders conferred by the Company’s Articles of Association or relevant laws and regulations.

 

The enterprise hereby further agrees and undertakes that:

 

The Trustee is entitled to sign all documents that are required to be signed by the enterprise as stipulated in the Exclusive Option Agreement signed by the enterprise and WFOE and the Company on 2 August 2019, and the Equity Pledge Agreement signed by the enterprise and WFOE and the Company on 2 August 2019 (including the modification, amendment or restatement of the above documents, collectively referred to as “Transaction Documents”), and perform the Transaction Documents as scheduled. The exercise of such right will not impose any restrictions on this authorization.

 

All acts of the Trustee with respect to the Equity Held by the Enterprise are regarded as the conduct of the enterprise, and all documents signed are deemed signed by the enterprise, and will be recognized by the enterprise.

 

WFOE is entitled to transfer the entrustment, and may further entrust other persons or units at its discretion to handle the above matters without prior notice to the enterprise or obtaining the consent of the enterprise. If required by the laws of China, WFOE shall designate a Chinese citizen or other person or unit permitted by the laws of China to exercise the above rights. Once WFOE has notified the enterprise in writing of the transfer of the rights of this Power of Attorney to a third party, the company will immediately withdraw the entrustment and authorization to WFOE and immediately sign a power of attorney in the same format as this Power of Attorney to entrust and authorize the other person nominated by WFOE with the same contents as this Power of Attorney.

 

2


 

The enterprise undertakes not to engage in any acts in violation of the purpose or intent of the Transaction Documents and this Power of Attorney, and not to engage in any acts or omission that may result in conflicts of interest between WFOE and the Company or its subsidiaries; in case of such a conflict of interest, the enterprise shall support the legitimate rights and interests of WFOE and perform the reasonable actions required by WFOE.

 

During the period when the enterprise is a shareholder of the Company, unless WFOE gives opposite written instructions, this Power of Attorney is irrevocable and continues to be valid, starting from the date of signing the Power of Attorney.

 

Any dispute arising out of the interpretation and performance of this power of attorney may be submitted by either the enterprise and WFOE or the person(s) designated at its sole discretion (including its successor, the liquidator replacing WFOE, if involved) to the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with its arbitral procedures and rules in effect at that time. The arbitration shall be conducted in Beijing. The arbitral award is final and binding on all parties. During the arbitration period, except for parts that are under dispute between the enterprise and WFOE or the person(s) designated at its sole discretion (including its successor, the liquidator replacing WFOE, if involved) and pending arbitration, this Power of Attorney shall remain in force.

 

During the period of this Power of Attorney, the enterprise hereby waives all rights relating to Equity Held by the Enterprise that have been entrusted to WFOE through this Power of Attorney and shall no longer exercise these rights at its discretion.

 

[There is no text hereunder]

 

Beijing Gebi Lvzhou Angel Investment Center (Limited Partnership) (seal)

[chopped: Beijing Gebi Lvzhou Angel Investment Center (Limited Partnership)  1101080319339]

 

 

Signature:

 

Position:

 

3


 

WFOE hereby agrees to and accepts this Power of Attorney:

 

Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. (seal)

[chopped: Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. 1101052095304]

 

Signature:

Position:

 

The Company hereby agrees to and acknowledges this Power of Attorney:

 

Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. (seal)

[chopped: Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. 1101081481921]

 

Signature:

Position:

 

4




Exhibit 10.21

 

Power of Attorney

 

The enterprise, Suzhou Industrial Park Gebi Yinghe Venture Capital Partnership (Limited Partnership), whose Unified Social Credit Code is 91320594MA1P4ADQ60, signs this Power of Attorney on 2 August 2019; this Power of Attorney takes effect as of the date of signing. The enterprise owns 1.928% of the equity of Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “the Company”) on the date of signing this Power of Attorney.

 

For the Company equity currently and in the future held by the enterprise (hereinafter referred to as the “Equity Held by the Enterprise”), the enterprise hereby irrevocably authorizes Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “WFOE”) or the person(s) designated at its sole discretion (including its successor, the liquidator replacing WFOE, if involved) (hereinafter referred to as “Trustee”) as the sole exclusive agent of the enterprise during the term of this Power of Attorney to, on behalf of the enterprise, exercise all rights enjoyed with respect to the Equity Held by the Enterprise under relevant laws and regulations and the Company’s Articles of Association, including but not limited to the following rights (collectively referred to as “Shareholder Rights”):

 

(a)            Propose to convene, hold and participate in the Company’s shareholder meetings;

 

(b)            Receive any notice on the convening of the shareholders’ meetings and related proceedings;

 

(c)             In the name of the corporation, sign and deliver any written resolution on behalf of the enterprise in the capacity of a shareholder;

 

(d)            Vote in person or by proxy on any matter discussed at the shareholders’ meetings, including but not limited to the sale, transfer, mortgage, pledge or disposal of any or all of the Company’s assets;

 

(e)             Sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of any or all of the enterprise’s equity in the Company;

 

(f)              Nominate, elect, designate, appoint or discuss the Company’s legal representative, directors, general manager, chief financial officer, supervisors and other senior management personnel;

 

(g)             Supervise the Company’s business performance, approve the Company’s annual budget or announcements of dividends, and review the Company’s financial information at any time;

 

1


 

(h)            Approve the Company to submit any registration documents to the competent government authorities;

 

(i)                Exercise voting rights on behalf of the shareholders on matters relating to the liquidation of the Company;

 

(j)               Bring a shareholder lawsuit or take other legal actions against any of the Company’s director or management personnel whose actions prejudice the interests of the Company or its shareholders;

 

(k)            Approve the amendment of the Company’s Articles of Association; and

 

(l)                Any other rights of the shareholders conferred by the Company’s Articles of Association or relevant laws and regulations.

 

The enterprise hereby further agrees and undertakes that:

 

The Trustee is entitled to sign all documents that are required to be signed by the enterprise as stipulated in the Exclusive Option Agreement signed by the enterprise and WFOE and the Company on 2 August 2019, and the Equity Pledge Agreement signed by the enterprise and WFOE and the Company on 2 August 2019 (including the modification, amendment or restatement of the above documents, collectively referred to as “Transaction Documents”), and perform the Transaction Documents as scheduled. The exercise of such right will not impose any restrictions on this authorization.

 

All acts of the Trustee with respect to the Equity Held by the Enterprise are regarded as the conduct of the enterprise, and all documents signed are deemed signed by the enterprise, and will be recognized by the enterprise.

 

WFOE is entitled to transfer the entrustment, and may further entrust other persons or units at its discretion to handle the above matters without prior notice to the enterprise or obtaining the consent of the enterprise. If required by the laws of China, WFOE shall designate a Chinese citizen or other person or unit permitted by the laws of China to exercise the above rights. Once WFOE has notified the enterprise in writing of the transfer of the rights of this Power of Attorney to a third party, the company will immediately withdraw the entrustment and authorization to WFOE and immediately sign a power of attorney in the same format as this Power of Attorney to entrust and authorize the other person nominated by WFOE with the same contents as this Power of Attorney.

 

2


 

The enterprise undertakes not to engage in any acts in violation of the purpose or intent of the Transaction Documents and this Power of Attorney, and not to engage in any acts or omission that may result in conflicts of interest between WFOE and the Company or its subsidiaries; in case of such a conflict of interest, the enterprise shall support the legitimate rights and interests of WFOE and perform the reasonable actions required by WFOE.

 

During the period when the enterprise is a shareholder of the Company, unless WFOE gives opposite written instructions, this Power of Attorney is irrevocable and continues to be valid, starting from the date of signing the Power of Attorney.

 

Any dispute arising out of the interpretation and performance of this power of attorney may be submitted by either the enterprise and WFOE or the person(s) designated at its sole discretion (including its successor, the liquidator replacing WFOE, if involved) to the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with its arbitral procedures and rules in effect at that time. The arbitration shall be conducted in Beijing. The arbitral award is final and binding on all parties. During the arbitration period, except for parts that are under dispute between the enterprise and WFOE or the person(s) designated at its sole discretion (including its successor, the liquidator replacing WFOE, if involved) and pending arbitration, this Power of Attorney shall remain in force.

 

During the period of this Power of Attorney, the enterprise hereby waives all rights relating to Equity Held by the Enterprise that have been entrusted to WFOE through this Power of Attorney and shall no longer exercise these rights at its discretion.

 

[There is no text hereunder]

 

Suzhou Industrial Park Gebi Yinghe Venture Capital Partnership (Limited Partnership) (seal)

[chopped: Suzhou Industrial Park Gebi Yinghe Venture Capital Partnership (Limited Partnership) 3205940045568]

 

 

Signature:

 

Position:

 

3


 

WFOE hereby agrees to and accepts this Power of Attorney:

 

Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. (seal)

[chopped: Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. 1101052095304]

 

Signature:

Position:

 

The Company hereby agrees to and acknowledges this Power of Attorney:

 

Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. (seal)

[chopped: Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. 1101081481921]

 

Signature:

Position:

 

4




Exhibit 10.22

 

Power of Attorney

 

The corporation, Beijing Wentou Huyu Investment Co. Ltd., whose Unified Social Credit Code is 9111030258252783XR, signs this Power of Attorney on 2 August 2019; this Power of Attorney takes effect as of the date of signing. The corporation owns 0.964% of the equity of Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “the Company”) on the date of signing this Power of Attorney.

 

For the Company equity currently and in the future held by the corporation (hereinafter referred to as the “Equity Held by the Corporation”), the corporation hereby irrevocably authorizes Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “WFOE”) or the person(s) designated at its sole discretion (including its successor, the liquidator replacing WFOE, if involved) (hereinafter referred to as “Trustee”) as the sole exclusive agent of the corporation during the term of this Power of Attorney to, on behalf of the corporation, exercise all rights enjoyed with respect to the Equity Held by the Corporation under relevant laws and regulations and the Company’s Articles of Association, including but not limited to the following rights (collectively referred to as “Shareholder Rights”):

 

(a)            Propose to convene, hold and participate in the Company’s shareholder meetings;

 

(b)            Receive any notice on the convening of the shareholders’ meetings and related proceedings;

 

(c)             In the name of the corporation, sign and deliver any written resolution on behalf of the corporation in the capacity of a shareholder;

 

(d)            Vote in person or by proxy on any matter discussed at the shareholders’ meetings, including but not limited to the sale, transfer, mortgage, pledge or disposal of any or all of the Company’s assets;

 

(e)             Sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of any or all of the Corporation’s equity in the Company;

 

(f)              Nominate, elect, designate, appoint or discuss the Company’s legal representative, directors, general manager, chief financial officer, supervisors and other senior management personnel;

 

(g)             Supervise the Company’s business performance, approve the Company’s annual budget or announcements of dividends, and review the Company’s financial information at any time;

 

1


 

(h)            Approve the Company to submit any registration documents to the competent government authorities;

 

(i)                Exercise voting rights on behalf of the shareholders on matters relating to the liquidation of the Company;

 

(j)               Bring a shareholder lawsuit or take other legal actions against any of the Company’s director or management personnel whose actions prejudice the interests of the Company or its shareholders;

 

(k)            Approve the amendment of the Company’s Articles of Association; and

 

(l)                Any other rights of the shareholders conferred by the Company’s Articles of Association or relevant laws and regulations.

 

The corporation hereby further agrees and undertakes that:

 

The Trustee is entitled to sign all documents that are required to be signed by the corporation as stipulated in the Exclusive Option Agreement signed by the corporation and WFOE and the Company on 2 August 2019, and the Equity Pledge Agreement signed by the corporation and WFOE and the Company on 2 August 2019 (including the modification, amendment or restatement of the above documents, collectively referred to as “Transaction Documents”), and perform the Transaction Documents as scheduled. The exercise of such right will not impose any restrictions on this authorization.

 

All acts of the Trustee with respect to the Equity Held by the Corporation are regarded as the conduct of the corporation, and all documents signed are deemed signed by the corporation, and will be recognized by the corporation.

 

WFOE is entitled to transfer the entrustment, and may further entrust other persons or units at its discretion to handle the above matters without prior notice to the corporation or obtaining the consent of the corporation. If required by the laws of China, WFOE shall designate a Chinese citizen or other person or unit permitted by the laws of China to exercise the above rights. Once WFOE has notified the corporation in writing of the transfer of the rights of this Power of Attorney to a third party, the company will immediately withdraw the entrustment and authorization to WFOE and immediately sign a power of attorney in the same format as this Power of Attorney to entrust and authorize the other person nominated by WFOE with the same contents as this Power of Attorney.

 

2


 

The corporation undertakes not to engage in any acts in violation of the purpose or intent of the Transaction Documents and this Power of Attorney, and not to engage in any acts or omission that may result in conflicts of interest between WFOE and the Company or its subsidiaries; in case of such a conflict of interest, the corporation shall support the legitimate rights and interests of WFOE and perform the reasonable actions required by WFOE.

 

During the period when the corporation is a shareholder of the Company, unless WFOE gives opposite written instructions, this Power of Attorney is irrevocable and continues to be valid, starting from the date of signing the Power of Attorney.

 

Any dispute arising out of the interpretation and performance of this power of attorney may be submitted by either the corporation and WFOE or the person(s) designated at its sole discretion (including its successor, the liquidator replacing WFOE, if involved) to the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with its arbitral procedures and rules in effect at that time. The arbitration shall be conducted in Beijing. The arbitral award is final and binding on all parties. During the arbitration period, except for parts that are under dispute between the corporation and WFOE or the person(s) designated at its sole discretion (including its successor, the liquidator replacing WFOE, if involved) and pending arbitration, this Power of Attorney shall remain in force.

 

During the period of this Power of Attorney, the corporation hereby waives all rights relating to Equity Held by the Corporation that have been entrusted to WFOE through this Power of Attorney and shall no longer exercise these rights at its discretion.

 

[There is no text hereunder]

 

Beijing Wentou Huyu Investment Co. Ltd. (seal)

[chopped: Beijing Wentou Huyu Investment Co. Ltd. 1001760012816]

 

 

Signature:

 

Position:

 

 

 

[signed]

 

3


 

WFOE hereby agrees to and accepts this Power of Attorney:

 

Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. (seal)

[chopped: Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. 1101052095304]

 

Signature:

Position:

 

The Company hereby agrees to and acknowledges this Power of Attorney:

 

Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. (seal)

[chopped: Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. 1101081481921]

 

Signature:

Position:

 

4




Exhibit 10.23

 

Power of Attorney

 

The enterprise, Wuhan Feixiang Automobile Electronics Industry Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership), whose Unified Social Credit Code is 91420100MA4L0TMD9P, signs this Power of Attorney on 2 August 2019; this Power of Attorney takes effect as of the date of signing. The enterprise owns 2.066% of the equity of Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “the Company”) on the date of signing this Power of Attorney.

 

For the Company equity currently and in the future held by the enterprise (hereinafter referred to as the “Equity Held by the Enterprise”), the enterprise hereby irrevocably authorizes Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “WFOE”) or the person(s) designated at its sole discretion (including its successor, the liquidator replacing WFOE, if involved) (hereinafter referred to as “Trustee”) as the sole exclusive agent of the enterprise during the term of this Power of Attorney to, on behalf of the enterprise, exercise all rights enjoyed with respect to the Equity Held by the Enterprise under relevant laws and regulations and the Company’s Articles of Association, including but not limited to the following rights (collectively referred to as “Shareholder Rights”):

 

(a)            Propose to convene, hold and participate in the Company’s shareholder meetings;

 

(b)            Receive any notice on the convening of the shareholders’ meetings and related proceedings;

 

(c)             In the name of the corporation, sign and deliver any written resolution on behalf of the enterprise in the capacity of a shareholder;

 

(d)            Vote in person or by proxy on any matter discussed at the shareholders’ meetings, including but not limited to the sale, transfer, mortgage, pledge or disposal of any or all of the Company’s assets;

 

(e)             Sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of any or all of the enterprise’s equity in the Company;

 

(f)              Nominate, elect, designate, appoint or discuss the Company’s legal representative, directors, general manager, chief financial officer, supervisors and other senior management personnel;

 

(g)             Supervise the Company’s business performance, approve the Company’s annual budget or announcements of dividends, and review the Company’s financial information at any time;

 

1


 

(h)            Approve the Company to submit any registration documents to the competent government authorities;

 

(i)                Exercise voting rights on behalf of the shareholders on matters relating to the liquidation of the Company;

 

(j)               Bring a shareholder lawsuit or take other legal actions against any of the Company’s director or management personnel whose actions prejudice the interests of the Company or its shareholders;

 

(k)            Approve the amendment of the Company’s Articles of Association; and

 

(l)                Any other rights of the shareholders conferred by the Company’s Articles of Association or relevant laws and regulations.

 

The enterprise hereby further agrees and undertakes that:

 

The Trustee is entitled to sign all documents that are required to be signed by the enterprise as stipulated in the Exclusive Option Agreement signed by the enterprise and WFOE and the Company on 2 August 2019, and the Equity Pledge Agreement signed by the enterprise and WFOE and the Company on 2 August 2019 (including the modification, amendment or restatement of the above documents, collectively referred to as “Transaction Documents”), and perform the Transaction Documents as scheduled. The exercise of such right will not impose any restrictions on this authorization.

 

All acts of the Trustee with respect to the Equity Held by the Enterprise are regarded as the conduct of the enterprise, and all documents signed are deemed signed by the enterprise, and will be recognized by the enterprise.

 

WFOE is entitled to transfer the entrustment, and may further entrust other persons or units at its discretion to handle the above matters without prior notice to the enterprise or obtaining the consent of the enterprise. If required by the laws of China, WFOE shall designate a Chinese citizen or other person or unit permitted by the laws of China to exercise the above rights. Once WFOE has notified the enterprise in writing of the transfer of the rights of this Power of Attorney to a third party, the company will immediately withdraw the entrustment and authorization to WFOE and immediately sign a power of attorney in the same format as this Power of Attorney to entrust and authorize the other person nominated by WFOE with the same contents as this Power of Attorney.

 

2


 

The enterprise undertakes not to engage in any acts in violation of the purpose or intent of the Transaction Documents and this Power of Attorney, and not to engage in any acts or omission that may result in conflicts of interest between WFOE and the Company or its subsidiaries; in case of such a conflict of interest, the enterprise shall support the legitimate rights and interests of WFOE and perform the reasonable actions required by WFOE.

 

During the period when the enterprise is a shareholder of the Company, unless WFOE gives opposite written instructions, this Power of Attorney is irrevocable and continues to be valid, starting from the date of signing the Power of Attorney.

 

Any dispute arising out of the interpretation and performance of this power of attorney may be submitted by either the enterprise and WFOE or the person(s) designated at its sole discretion (including its successor, the liquidator replacing WFOE, if involved) to the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with its arbitral procedures and rules in effect at that time. The arbitration shall be conducted in Beijing. The arbitral award is final and binding on all parties. During the arbitration period, except for parts that are under dispute between the enterprise and WFOE or the person(s) designated at its sole discretion (including its successor, the liquidator replacing WFOE, if involved) and pending arbitration, this Power of Attorney shall remain in force.

 

During the period of this Power of Attorney, the enterprise hereby waives all rights relating to Equity Held by the Enterprise that have been entrusted to WFOE through this Power of Attorney and shall no longer exercise these rights at its discretion.

 

[There is no text hereunder]

 

Wuhan Feixiang Automobile Electronics Industry Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership) (seal)

[chopped: Wuhan Feixiang Automobile Electronics Industry Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership) 4201190181518]

 

 

Signature: [signed]

 

Position:

 

3


 

WFOE hereby agrees to and accepts this Power of Attorney:

 

Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. (seal)

[chopped: Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. 1101052095304]

 

Signature:

Position:

 

The Company hereby agrees to and acknowledges this Power of Attorney:

 

Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. (seal)

[chopped: Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. 1101081481921]

 

Signature:

Position:

 

4




Exhibit 21.1

 

List of Significant Subsidiaries and VIE of the Registrant

 

Significant Subsidiaries

 

Place of Incorporation

36Kr Holding Limited

 

British Virgin Islands

36Kr Holdings (HK) Limited

 

Hong Kong

Tianjin Duoke Investment Co., Ltd.

 

PRC

Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd.

 

PRC

 

VIE

 

Place of Incorporation

Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd.

 

PRC

 




Exhibit 23.1

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form F-1 of 36Kr Holdings Inc. of our report dated June 28, 2019, except for the effects of the reorganization, as it relates to the transfer of the 36Kr Business by Beijing Duoke to 36Kr Holdings Inc. as described in Note 1, as to which the date is August 14, 2019 relating to the financial statements of 36Kr Holdings Inc., which appears in this Registration Statement.  We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

 

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP

 

Beijing, the People’s Republic of China

 

September 30, 2019

 


 



Exhibit 99.1

 

36Kr Holdings Inc.

(the “Company”)

 

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

 

Adopted September 29, 2019

 

Introduction

 

This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”) has been adopted by our Board of Directors (the “Board”) and summarizes the standards that must guide our actions.  Although they cover a wide range of business practices and procedures, these standards cannot and do not cover every issue that may arise, or every situation in which ethical decisions must be made, but rather set forth key guiding principles that represent Company policies and establish conditions for employment at the Company.

 

We must strive to foster a culture of honesty and accountability.  Our commitment to the highest level of ethical conduct should be reflected in all of the Company’s business activities, including, but not limited to, relationships with employees, customers, suppliers, competitors, the government, the public and our shareholders.  All of our employees, officers and directors must conduct themselves according to the language and spirit of this Code and seek to avoid even the appearance of improper behavior. Even well intentioned actions that violate the law or this Code may result in negative consequences for the Company and for the individuals involved.

 

One of our Company’s most valuable assets is our reputation for integrity, professionalism and fairness.  We should all recognize that our actions are the foundation of our reputation and adhering to this Code and applicable law is imperative.

 

Conflicts of Interest

 

Our employees, officers and directors have an obligation to conduct themselves in an honest and ethical manner and to act in the best interest of the Company.  All employees, officers and directors should endeavor to avoid situations that present a potential or actual conflict between their interest and the interest of the Company.

 

A “conflict of interest” occurs when a person’s private interest interferes in any way, or even appears to interfere, with the interests of the Company as a whole, including those of its subsidiaries and affiliates.  A conflict of interest may arise when an employee, officer or director takes an action or has an interest that may make it difficult for him or her to perform his or her work objectively and effectively.  A conflict of interest may also arise when an employee, officer or director (or a member of his or her family) receives improper personal benefits as a result of the employee’s, officer’s or director’s position in the Company.

 

Although it would not be possible to describe every situation in which a conflict of interest may arise, the following are examples of situations that may constitute a conflict of interest:

 

·                  Working, in any capacity, for a competitor, customer or supplier while employed by the Company.

 

·                  Accepting gifts of more than modest value or receiving personal discounts (if such discounts are not generally offered to the public) or other benefits as a result of your position in the Company from a competitor, customer or supplier.

 

1


 

·                  Competing with the Company for the purchase or sale of property, products, services or other interests.

 

·                  Having an interest in a transaction involving the Company, a competitor, customer or supplier (other than as an employee, officer or director of the Company and not including routine investments in publicly traded companies).

 

·                  Receiving a loan or guarantee of an obligation as a result of your position with the Company.

 

·                  Directing business to a supplier owned or managed by, or which employs, a relative or friend.

 

Situations involving a conflict of interest may not always be obvious or easy to resolve. You should report actions that may involve a conflict of interest to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

 

In order to avoid conflicts of interests, senior executive officers and directors must disclose to the Audit Committee of the Board any material transaction or relationship that reasonably could be expected to give rise to such a conflict.

 

In the event that an actual or apparent conflict of interest arises between the personal and professional relationship or activities of an employee, officer or director, the employee, officer or director involved is required to handle such conflict of interest in an ethical manner in accordance with the provisions of this Code.

 

Quality of Public Disclosures

 

The Company has a responsibility to provide full and accurate information in our public disclosures, in all material respects, about the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.  Our reports and documents filed with or submitted to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and our other public communications shall include full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure, and the Company has established a Disclosure Committee consisting of senior management to assist in monitoring such disclosures.

 

Compliance with Laws, Rules and Regulations

 

We are strongly committed to conducting our business affairs with honesty and integrity and in full compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations.  No employee, officer or director of the Company shall commit an illegal or unethical act, or instruct others to do so, for any reason.

 

Compliance with this Code and Reporting of Any Illegal or Unethical Behavior

 

All employees, directors and officers are expected to comply with all of the provisions of this Code.  The Code will be strictly enforced and violations will be dealt with immediately, including by subjecting persons who violate its provisions to corrective and/or disciplinary action such as dismissal or removal from office.  Violations of the Code that involve illegal behavior will be reported to the appropriate authorities.

 

Situations which may involve a violation of ethics, laws, rules, regulations or this Code may not always be clear and may require the exercise of judgment or the making of difficult decisions.  Employees, officers and directors should promptly report any concerns about a violation of ethics, laws, rules, regulations or this Code to their supervisor or the General Counsel (or an officer with similar duties and responsibilities) or, in the case of accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, the Audit Committee of the Board. Interested parties may also communicate directly with the Company’s non-management directors through contact information located in the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F.

 

2


 

Any concerns about a violation of ethics, laws, rules, regulations or this Code by any senior executive officer or director should be reported promptly to the Audit Committee of the Board.  Reporting of such violations may also be done anonymously through email to the Company at a designated email address for compliance reporting.  An anonymous report should provide enough information about the incident or situation to allow the Company to investigate properly.  If concerns or complaints require confidentiality, including keeping an identity anonymous, the Company will endeavor to protect this confidentiality, subject to applicable law, regulation or legal proceedings.

 

The Company encourages all employees, officers and directors to report any suspected violations promptly and intends to thoroughly investigate any good faith reports of violations.  The Company will not tolerate any kind of retaliation for reports or complaints regarding misconduct that were made in good faith.  Open communication of issues and concerns by all employees, officers and directors without fear of retribution or retaliation is vital to the successful implementation of this Code.  All employees, officers and directors are required to cooperate in any internal investigations of misconduct and unethical behavior.

 

The Company recognizes the need for this Code to be applied equally to everyone it covers.  The General Counsel (or an officer with similar duties and responsibilities) of the Company will have primary authority and responsibility for the enforcement of this Code, subject to the supervision of the Audit Committee of the Board, and the Company will devote the necessary resources to enable the General Counsel (or an officer with similar duties and responsibilities) to establish such procedures as may be reasonably necessary to create a culture of accountability and facilitate compliance with this Code.  Questions concerning this Code should be directed to the General Counsel (or an officer with similar duties and responsibilities).

 

The provisions of this section are qualified in their entirety by reference to the following section.

 

Reporting Violations to a Governmental Agency

 

Employees have the right under applicable law to certain protections for cooperating with or reporting legal violations to governmental agencies or entities and self-regulatory organizations. As such, nothing in this Code is intended to prohibit any employee from disclosing or reporting violations to, or from cooperating with, a governmental agency or entity or self-regulatory organization, and employees may do so without notifying the Company. The Company may not retaliate against all employee for any of these activities, and nothing in this Code or otherwise requires any employee to waive any monetary award or other payment that he or she might become entitled to from a governmental agency or entity, or self-regulatory organization.

 

All employees of the Company have the right to:

 

·                  Report possible violations of applicable law or regulation that have occurred, are occurring, or are about to occur to any governmental agency or entity, or self-regulatory organization;

 

·                  Cooperate voluntarily with, or respond to any inquiry from, or provide testimony before any self-regulatory organization or any other national or local regulatory or law enforcement authority;

 

3


 

·                  Make reports or disclosures to law enforcement or a regulatory authority without prior notice to, or authorization from, the Company; and

 

·                  Respond truthfully to a valid subpoena.

 

All employees have the right to not be retaliated against for reporting, either internally to the Company or to any governmental agency or entity or self-regulatory organization, information which the employee reasonably believes relates to a possible violation of law. It is a violation of law to retaliate against anyone who has reported such potential misconduct either internally or to any governmental agency or entity or self-regulatory organization. Retaliatory conduct includes discharge, demotion, suspension, threats, harassment, and any other manner of discrimination in the terms and conditions of employment because of any lawful act the employee may have performed. It is unlawful for the company to retaliate against an employee for reporting possible misconduct either internally or to any governmental agency or entity or self-regulatory organization.

 

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Code or otherwise, employees may disclose confidential Company information, including the existence and terms of any confidential agreements between the employee and the Company (including employment or severance agreements), to any governmental agency or entity or self-regulatory organization.

 

The Company cannot require an employee to withdraw reports or filings alleging possible violations of national or local law or regulation, and the Company may not offer employees any kind of inducement, including payment, to do so.

 

An employee’s rights and remedies as a whistleblower protected under applicable whistleblower laws, including a monetary award, if any, may not be waived by any agreement, policy form, or condition of employment, including by a predispute arbitration agreement.

 

Even if an employee has participated in a possible violation of law, the employee may be eligible to participate in the confidentiality and retaliation protections afforded under applicable whistleblower laws, and the employee may also be eligible to receive an award under such laws.

 

Waivers and Amendments

 

Any waiver (including any implicit waiver) of the provisions in this Code for executive officers or directors may only be granted by the Board or a committee thereof and will be promptly disclosed to the Company’s shareholders.  Any such waiver will also be disclosed in the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F. Amendments to this Code must be approved by the Board and will also be disclosed in the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F.

 

Trading on Inside Information

 

Using non-public Company information to trade in securities, or providing a family member, friend or any other person with non-public Company information, is illegal.  All non-public, Company information should be considered inside information and should never be used for personal gain.  You are required to familiarize yourself and comply with the Company’s Policy Against Insider Trading, copies of which are distributed to all employees, officers and directors and are available from the General Counsel (or an officer with similar duties and responsibilities).  You should contact the General Counsel (or an officer with similar duties and responsibilities) with any questions about your ability to buy or sell securities.

 

4


 

Protection of Confidential Proprietary Information

 

Confidential proprietary information generated by and gathered in our business is a valuable Company asset.  Protecting this information plays a vital role in our continued growth and ability to compete, and all proprietary information should be maintained in strict confidence, except when disclosure is authorized by the Company or required by law.

 

Proprietary information includes all non-public information that might be useful to competitors or that could be harmful to the Company, its customers or its suppliers if disclosed.  Intellectual property such as trade secrets, patents, trademarks and copyrights, as well as business, research and new product plans, objectives and strategies, records, databases, salary and benefits data, employee medical information, customer, employee and suppliers lists and any unpublished financial or pricing information must also be protected.

 

Unauthorized use or distribution of proprietary information violates Company policy and could be illegal.  Such use or distribution could result in negative consequences for both the Company and the individuals involved, including potential legal and disciplinary actions.  We respect the property rights of other companies and their proprietary information and require our employees, officers and directors to observe such rights.

 

Your obligation to protect the Company’s proprietary and confidential information continues even after you leave the Company, and you must return all proprietary information in your possession upon leaving the Company.

 

The provisions of this section are qualified in their entirety by the section entitled “Reporting Violations to Governmental Agencies” above.

 

Protection and Proper Use of Company Assets

 

Protecting Company assets against loss, theft or other misuse is the responsibility of every employee, officer and director.  Loss, theft and misuse of Company assets directly impact our profitability.  Any suspected loss, misuse or theft should be reported to a supervisor or the Legal Department.

 

The sole purpose of the Company’s equipment, vehicles, supplies and electronic resources (including hardware, software and the data thereon) is the conduct of our business.  They may only be used for Company business consistent with Company guidelines.

 

Corporate Opportunities

 

Employees, officers and directors are prohibited from taking for themselves business opportunities that are discovered through the use of corporate property, information or position.  No employee, officer or director may use corporate property, information or position for personal gain, and no employee, officer or director may compete with the Company.  Competing with the Company may involve engaging in the same line of business as the Company or any situation in which the employee, officer or director takes away from the Company opportunities for sales or purchases of property, products, services or interests. Employees, officers and directors owe a duty to the Company to advance its legitimate interests when the opportunity to do so arises.

 

5


 

Fair Dealing

 

Each employee, officer and director of the Company should endeavor to deal fairly with customers, suppliers, competitors, the public and one another at all times and in accordance with ethical business practices.

 

Each employee has an obligation to comply with the anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws of the People’s Republic of China and any other regions and countries in which the Company operates. No one should take unfair advantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts or any other unfair dealing practice.  No bribes, kickbacks or other similar payments in any form shall be made directly or indirectly to or for anyone for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business or obtaining any other favorable action.  In the event of a violation of these provisions, the Company and any employee, officer or director involved may be subject to disciplinary action as well as potential civil or criminal liability for violation of this policy.

 

Occasional business gifts to, or entertainment of, non-government employees in connection with business discussions or the development of business relationships are generally deemed appropriate in the conduct of Company business.  However, these gifts should be given infrequently and their value should be modest.  Gifts or entertainment in any form that would likely result in a feeling or expectation of personal obligation should not be extended or accepted.

 

Practices that are acceptable in a commercial business environment may be against the law or the policies governing national or local government employees.  Therefore, no gifts or business entertainment of any kind may be given to any government employee without the prior approval of a supervisor or the General Counsel (or an officer with similar duties and responsibilities).

 

Except in certain limited circumstances, the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”) prohibits giving anything of value directly or indirectly to any “non-U.S. official” for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business.  When in doubt as to whether a contemplated payment or gift may violate the FCPA, contact a supervisor or the Audit Committee of the Board before taking any action.

 

Compliance with Antitrust Laws

 

The antitrust laws prohibit agreements among competitors on such matters as prices, terms of sale to customers and the allocation of markets or customers.  Antitrust laws can be complex, and violations may subject the Company and its employees to criminal sanctions, including fines, jail time and civil liability.  If you have any questions about our antitrust compliance policies, consult the General Counsel (or an officer with similar duties and responsibilities).

 

Political Contributions and Activities

 

Any political contributions made by or on behalf of the Company and any solicitations for political contributions of any kind must be lawful and in compliance with Company policies.  This policy applies solely to the use of Company assets and is not intended to discourage or prevent individual employees, officers or directors from making political contributions or engaging in political activities on their own behalf.  No one may be reimbursed directly or indirectly by the Company for personal political contributions.

 

6


 

Doing Business with Others

 

We strive to promote the application of the standards of this Code by those with whom we do business.  Our policies, therefore, prohibit the engaging of a third party to perform any act prohibited by law or by this Code, and we shall avoid doing business with others who intentionally and continually violate the law or the standards of this Code.

 

Accuracy of Company Financial Records

 

We maintain the highest standards in all matters relating to accounting, financial controls, internal reporting and taxation. All financial books, records and accounts must accurately reflect transactions and events and conform both to required accounting principles and to the Company’s system of internal controls.  Records shall not be distorted in any way to hide, disguise or alter the Company’s true financial position.

 

Retention of Records

 

All Company business records and communications shall be clear, truthful and accurate.  Employees, officers and directors of the Company shall avoid exaggeration, guesswork, legal conclusions and derogatory remarks or characterizations of people and companies.  This applies to communications of all kinds, including email and “informal” notes or memos.  Records should always be handled according to the Company’s record retention policies.  If an employee, officer or director is unsure whether a document should be retained, consult a supervisor or the General Counsel (or an officer with similar duties and responsibilities) before proceeding.

 

Anti-Money Laundering

 

We are committed to preserving our reputation in the financial community by assisting in efforts to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. Money laundering is the practice of disguising the ownership or source of illegally obtained funds through a series of transactions to “clean” the funds so they appear to be proceeds from legal activities.

 

We have adopted measures to reduce the extent to which the Company’s facilities, products and services can be used for a purpose connected with market abuse or financial crimes. Additionally, where necessary, we screen customers, potential customers and suppliers to ensure that our products and services cannot be used to facilitate money laundering or terrorist activity. If you have any questions about our internal anti-money laundering process and procedure, consult the General Counsel (or an officer with similar duties and responsibilities).

 

Social Media

 

Unless you are authorized by the Company, you are discouraged from discussing the Company as part of your personal use of social media. While business should only be conducted through approved channels, we understand that social media is used as a source of information and as a form of communicating with friends, family and workplace contacts.

 

7


 

When you are using social media and identify yourself as a Company employee, officer or director or mention the Company incidentally, for instance on a Facebook page or professional networking site, please remember the following:

 

·                  Never disclose confidential information about the Company or its business, customers or suppliers.

 

·                  Make clear that any views expressed are your own and not those of the Company.

 

·                  Remember that our policy on Equal Opportunity, Non-Discrimination and Fair Employment applies to social media sites.

 

·                  Be respectful of your colleagues and all persons associated with the Company, including customers and suppliers.

 

·                  Promptly report to the Company’s corporate communications department any social media content which inaccurately or inappropriately discusses the Company.

 

·                  Never respond to any information, including information that may be inaccurate about the Company.

 

·                  Never post documents, parts of documents, images or video or audio recordings that have been made with Company property or of Company products, services or people or at Company functions or events.

 

Professional Networking

 

Online networking on professional or industry sites, such as LinkedIn, has become an important and effective way for colleagues to stay in touch and exchange information. Employees, officers and directors should use good judgment when posting information about themselves or the Company on any of these services.

 

What you post about the Company or yourself will reflect on all of us. When using professional networking sites, you should observe the same standards of professionalism and integrity described in our code and follow the social media guidelines outlined above.

 

Government Inquiries

 

The Company cooperates with government agencies and authorities. Forward all requests for information, other than routine requests, to the General Counsel (or an officer with similar duties and responsibilities) immediately to ensure that we respond appropriately.

 

All information provided must be truthful and accurate. Never mislead any investigator. Do not ever alter or destroy documents or records subject to an investigation.

 

Review

 

The Board shall review this Code annually and make changes as appropriate.

 

8




Exhibit 99.2

 

 

September 29, 2019

 

To: 36Kr Holdings Inc.

 

Re: Certain PRC Law Matters of 36Kr Holdings Inc. (the “Company”)

 

Dear Sir/Madam,

 

We are qualified lawyers of the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”, for the purpose of issuing this opinion, excluding Hong Kong Special Administration Region, Macau Special Administration Region and Taiwan) and as such are qualified to issue this opinion with respect to all laws, regulations, statutes, rules, decrees, guidelines, notices, and judicial interpretations and other legislations of the PRC currently in force and publicly available as of the date hereof (hereinafter referred to as the “PRC Laws”).

 

We are acting as your PRC legal counsel in connection with (a) the proposed initial public offering (the “Offering”) of certain number of American depositary shares (the “ADSs”), each representing certain number of ordinary shares of the Company (the “Ordinary Shares”), by the Company as set forth in the Company’s registration statement on Form F-1, including all amendments or supplements thereto (the “Registration Statement”), filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in relation to the Offering, and (b) the proposed listing and trading of the Company’s ADSs on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.

 

The following terms as used in this opinion are defined as follows.

 

M&A Rules” means the Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, which was issued by six PRC regulatory agencies, namely, the Ministry of Commerce, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, the State Administration for Taxation, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, China Securities Regulatory Commission (the “CSRC”) and the State Administration for Foreign Exchange, on August 8, 2006 and became effective on September 8, 2006, as amended by the Ministry of Commerce on June 22, 2009.

 

PRC Entities” means Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Duoke”), Beijing Dian Qier Creative Interactive Media Culture Co., Ltd., Tianjin Thirty-six Heart Technology Co., Ltd., Zhejiang Pinxin Technology Co., Ltd., Hangzhou Pinxin Acceleration Technology Co., Ltd., Sichuan Thirty-six Ke Technology Co., Ltd., Jiangsu Kuaike Technology Co., Ltd., Chongqing Duoke Acceleration Technology Co., Ltd., Tianjin Duoke Investment Co., Ltd.(“Tianjin Duoke”), Tianjin Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. and Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Dake”).

 


 

For the purpose of giving this opinion, we have examined the originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of corporate records, agreements, documents and other instruments provided to us and such other documents or certificates issued by governmental authorities or representations made by officials of government authorities or other public organizations and by officers or representatives of the Company as we have deemed necessary and appropriate as a basis for the opinions hereinafter set forth.

 

In rendering the opinions expressed below, we have assumed:

 

(a)

the authenticity of the documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to the originals of the documents submitted to us as copies;

 

 

(b)

the truthfulness, accuracy and completeness of all corporate minutes, resolutions and documents of or in connection with the PRC Entities as they were presented to us;

 

 

(c)

that the documents and the corporate minutes and resolutions which have been presented to us remain in full force and effect as of the date hereof and have not been revoked, amended, varied or supplemented, except as noted therein;

 

 

(d)

in response to our due diligence inquiries, requests and investigation for the purpose of this opinion, all the relevant information and materials that have been provided to us by the Company and the PRC Entities, including all factual statements in the documents and all other factual information provided to us by the Company and the PRC Entities, and the statements made by the Company, the PRC Entities and relevant government officials, are true, accurate, complete and not misleading, and that the Company has not withheld anything that, if disclosed to us, would reasonably cause us to alter this opinion in whole or in part. Where important facts were not independently established to us, we have relied upon certificates issued by governmental authorities and appropriate representatives of the Company and/or other relevant entities and/or upon representations made by such persons in the course of our inquiry and consultation;

 

 

(e)

that all parties to the documents provided to us in connection with this opinion, other than the PRC Entities, have the requisite power and authority to enter into, and have duly executed, delivered and/or issued those documents to which they are parties, and have the requisite power and authority to perform their obligations thereunder; and

 

 

(f)

with respect to all parties, the due compliance with, and the legality, validity, effectiveness and enforceability under, all laws other than the laws of the PRC.

 


 

We do not purport to be experts on and do not purport to be generally familiar with or qualified to express legal opinions on any laws other than the laws of the PRC and accordingly express no legal opinion herein on any laws of any jurisdiction other than the PRC.

 

Based on the foregoing and subject to the qualifications set out below, we are of the opinion that, as of the date hereof, so far as PRC Laws are concerned:

 

1.              Based on our understanding of the current PRC Laws (i) the ownership structures of the PRC Entities, both currently and immediately after giving effect to the Offering, do not and will not violate any applicable PRC Laws currently in effect; and (ii) the contractual arrangements among Beijing Dake, Beijing Duoke and its shareholders governed by PRC Laws are valid and binding upon each party to such arrangements and enforceable against each party thereto in accordance with their terms and applicable PRC Laws currently in effect, and will not violate any PRC Laws currently in effect. However, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of PRC Laws and future PRC laws and regulations, and there can be no assurance that the PRC regulatory authorities will not take a view that is contrary to or otherwise different from our opinion stated above.

 

2.              The M&A Rules, among other things, purport to require that an offshore special purpose vehicle controlled directly or indirectly by PRC domestic companies or individuals and formed for purposes of overseas listing through acquisition of PRC domestic interests held by such PRC companies or individuals obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to the listing and trading of such special purpose vehicle’s securities on an overseas stock exchange. The CSRC has not issued any definitive rules or interpretations concerning whether offerings such as the Offering are subject to the CSRC approval procedures under the M&A Rules. Based on our understanding of the current PRC Laws, a prior approval from the CSRC is not required under the M&A Rules for the Offering and listing and trading of the ADSs on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, because, among other things, (i) Tianjin Duoke and Beijing Dake were established by foreign investment, rather than through a merger or acquisition of a domestic company as defined under the M&A Rules; and (ii) no explicit provision in the M&A Rules classifies the respective contractual arrangements among Beijing Dake, Beijing Duoke and its shareholders as a type of acquisition transaction falling under the M&A Rules. However, uncertainties still exist as to how the M&A Rules will be interpreted and implemented and our opinion stated above is subject to any new laws, rules and regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations in any form relating to the M&A Rules.

 

3.              The recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under the PRC Civil Procedures Law. PRC courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of PRC Civil Procedures Law based either on treaties between China and the jurisdiction where the judgment is made or on principles of reciprocity between jurisdictions. China does not have any treaties or other form of reciprocity with the United States or the Cayman Islands that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. In addition, according to the PRC Civil Procedures Law, courts in the PRC will not enforce a foreign judgment against a company or its directors and officers if they decide that the judgment violates the basic principles of PRC law or national sovereignty, security or public interest. As a result, it is uncertain whether and on what basis a PRC court would enforce a judgment rendered by a court in the United States or the Cayman Islands.

 


 

4.              The statements made in the Registration Statement under the caption “Taxation—PRC,” with respect to the PRC tax laws and regulations or interpretations, constitute true and accurate descriptions of the matters described therein in all material aspects and such statements represent our opinion.

 

5.              To the best of our knowledge after due and reasonable inquiry, the statements set forth in the Registration Statement under the captions “Prospectus Summary” , “Risk Factors” , “Use of Proceeds” , “Dividend Policy” , “Enforceability of Civil Liabilities” , “Corporate History and Structure” , “Business” , “Regulation” and “Taxation”, in each case insofar as such statements describe or summarize PRC legal or regulatory matters, are true and accurate in all material aspects, and correctly set forth therein, and nothing has come to our attention, insofar as the PRC Laws are concerned, that causes us to believe that there is any omission which will cause such statements misleading in any material respect.

 

The foregoing opinion is further subject to the following qualifications:

 

(a)

we express no opinion as to any Laws other than the PRC Laws in force on the date of this opinion;

 

 

(b)

the PRC Laws referred to herein are Laws currently in force and there is no guarantee that any of such Laws, or the interpretation thereof or enforcement therefore, will not be changed, amended or replaced in the immediate future or in the longer term with or without retrospective effect;

 

 

(c)

this opinion is intended to be used in the context which is specifically referred to herein and each section should be looked on as a whole regarding the same subject matter; and

 

 

(d)

this opinion is subject to the effects of (i) certain legal or statutory principles affecting the validity and enforceability of contractual rights generally under the concepts of public interest, social ethics, national security, good faith, fair dealing, and applicable statutes of limitation; (ii) any circumstance in connection with formulation, execution or performance of any legal documents that would be deemed materially mistaken, clearly unconscionable, fraudulent, coercionary or concealing illegal intentions with a lawful form; (iii) judicial discretion with respect to the availability of indemnifications, remedies or defenses, the calculation of damages, the entitlement to attorney’s fees and other costs, and the waiver of immunity from jurisdiction of any court or from legal process; and (iv) the discretion of any competent PRC legislative, administrative or judicial bodies in exercising their authority in the PRC.

 


 

This opinion is delivered in our capacity as the Company’s PRC legal counsel solely for the purpose of the Registration Statement publicly submitted to the SEC on the date of this opinion and may not be used for any other purpose without our prior written consent.

 

We hereby consent to the use of this opinion in, and the filing hereof as an exhibit to, the Registration Statement, and to the reference to our name in such Registration Statement. We do not thereby admit that we fall within the category of the persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

 

Yours faithfully,

 

 

 

/s/ Jingtian & Gongcheng

 

Jingtian & Gongcheng

 

 




Exhibit 99.3

 

 

September 29, 2019

 

36Kr Holdings Inc.

5-6/F, Tower A1, Junhao Central Park Plaza

No. 10 South Chaoyang Park Avenue

Chaoyang District, Beijing

People’s Republic of China, 100026

 

Re: Consent of China Insights Consultancy

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

We understand that 36Kr Holdings Inc. (the “Company”) plans to file a registration statement on Form F-1 (the “Registration Statement”) with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in connection with its proposed initial public offering (the “Proposed IPO”).

 

We hereby consent to the references to our name and the inclusion of information, data and statements from our research reports and amendments thereto (collectively, the “Reports”), and any subsequent amendments to the Reports, as well as the citation of the Reports and amendments thereto, (i) in the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto, (ii) in any written correspondences with the SEC, (iii) in any other future filings with the SEC by the Company, including, without limitation, filings on Form 20-F or Form 6-K, or other SEC filings (collectively, the “SEC Filings”), (iv) on the websites or in the publicity materials of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, (v) in institutional and retail road shows and other activities in connection with the Proposed IPO, and (vi) in other publicity materials in connection with the Proposed IPO.

 

We further hereby consent to the filing of this letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and as an exhibit to any other SEC Filings.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

 

For and on behalf of

China Insights Industry Consultancy Limited

 

 

 

/s/ Charlie Jiang

 

Name:

Charlie Jiang (江磊)

 

Title:

Founding Partner

 

 

 

 




Exhibit 99.4

 

September 29, 2019

 

36Kr Holdings Inc. (the “Company”)

5-6/F, Tower A1, Junhao Central Park Plaza

No. 10 South Chaoyang Park Avenue

Chaoyang District, Beijing

People’s Republic of China, 100026

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Pursuant to Rule 438 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, I hereby consent to the references to my name in the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (the “Registration Statement”) of the Company and any amendments thereto, which indicate that I have accepted the nomination to become a director of the Company. I further agree that immediately upon the Securities and Exchange Commission’s declaration of effectiveness of the Registration Statement, I will serve as a member of the board of directors of the Company.

 


 

Sincerely yours,

 

 

 

/s/ Yifan Li

 

Name: Yifan Li

 

 

[Signature Page to the Consent of Independent Director]

 




Exhibit 99.5

 

September 29, 2019

 

36Kr Holdings Inc. (the “Company”)

5-6/F, Tower A1, Junhao Central Park Plaza

No. 10 South Chaoyang Park Avenue

Chaoyang District, Beijing

People’s Republic of China, 100026

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Pursuant to Rule 438 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, I hereby consent to the references to my name in the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (the “Registration Statement”) of the Company and any amendments thereto, which indicate that I have accepted the nomination to become a director of the Company. I further agree that immediately upon the Securities and Exchange Commission’s declaration of effectiveness of the Registration Statement, I will serve as a member of the board of directors of the Company.

 


 

Sincerely yours,

 

 

 

/s/ Peng Su

 

Name: Peng Su

 

 

 

[Signature Page to the Consent of Independent Director]

 


 



Exhibit 99.6

 

September 29, 2019

 

36Kr Holdings Inc. (the “Company”)

5-6/F, Tower A1, Junhao Central Park Plaza

No. 10 South Chaoyang Park Avenue

Chaoyang District, Beijing

People’s Republic of China, 100026

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Pursuant to Rule 438 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, I hereby consent to the references to my name in the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (the “Registration Statement”) of the Company and any amendments thereto, which indicate that I have accepted the nomination to become a director of the Company. I further agree that immediately upon the Securities and Exchange Commission’s declaration of effectiveness of the Registration Statement, I will serve as a member of the board of directors of the Company.

 


 

Sincerely yours,

 

 

 

/s/ Hendrick Sin

 

Name: Hendrick Sin

 

 

 

[Signature Page to the Consent of Independent Director]