Piggyback Registration Rights
Subject to certain specified exceptions, if we propose to register any of our securities under the Securities Act either for our own account or for the account of other stockholders, the holders of shares having registration rights are entitled to notice and certain “piggyback” registration rights allowing them to include their shares in our registration statement. These registration rights are subject to specified conditions and limitations, including the right of the underwriters, in their sole discretion, to limit the number of shares included in any such offering under certain circumstances.
Relationship with AE Operating and Affiliates of AE Industrial Partners
On March 22, 2022, we and AE Industrial Operating Partners, LLC (“AE Operating”), an affiliate of AE Industrial Partners, entered into an agreement for consulting services provided related to our operations. Pursuant to this agreement and certain work orders between the Company and each of Redwire Space, Inc. and Belcan LLC, each an affiliate of AE Industrial Partners, we have (a) utilized AE Operating, the operating and consulting arm of AE Industrial Partners, for consulting services and executive recruitment, (b) reimbursed AE Industrial Partners for expenses related to participation by our employees in AE Industrial Partners sponsored events, (c) paid to AE Industrial Partners and AE Operating related fees and expenses, and (d) paid certain companies controlled by AE Industrial Partners for goods and services provided to the Company. We paid (i) $1.9 million in the fiscal year 2025 in connection with services provided by AE Industrial Partners and AE Operating and (ii) $0.2 million in the fiscal year 2025 in connection with the payment for goods and services provided by AE Industrial Partners’ portfolio companies. In connection with the completion of our IPO, we entered into an amended and restated consulting services agreement with AE Operating, pursuant to which the Company will pay AE Operating an annual fee of approximately $2.4 million for consulting and advisory services until the earlier of: (i) two years following the completion of our IPO or (ii) such time as AE Industrial Partners beneficially owns less than 10% of our outstanding common stock.
Director Nomination Agreement and Voting Proxies
In connection with our IPO, we entered into the Director Nomination Agreement) with the Investor Group that provides AE Industrial Partners, as representative of the Investor Group, with the right to designate nominees to the Board, subject to certain conditions. See “Corporate Governance – Director Qualifications & Nominating Process” above for more information.
The Investor Group includes entities affiliated with AE Industrial Partners and certain entities controlled by Marc Weiser and Thomas Markusic, each of whom are former directors. Ms. Braden and Messrs. Emerson, Konert, Lusczakoski and McAllister, five of our current directors, serve as Operating Partner, Senior Partner, Managing Partner, Partner and Senior Operating Partner, respectively, at AE Industrial Partners.
Term Loan Facility
In connection with our entry into our prior credit agreement, AE Industrial Partners (through an affiliated entity) acquired approximately $21.1 million of the term loan facility provided pursuant to our prior credit agreement. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, we used approximately $136.5 million of our net proceeds from our IPO to repay in full such term loan facility. As a result, AE Industrial Partners received $21.1 million of net proceeds in connection with such repayment.
Relationship with Thomas Markusic
In April 2021, we entered into two stock option loan agreements (together, the “Markusic Option Loans”) with Thomas Markusic, our founder, a former director and a beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of our common stock, pursuant to which we loaned Mr. Markusic an aggregate of $1,458,299 in connection with the exercise of stock options for the purchase of an aggregate 10,396,003 shares of the Company’s common stock. Interest under the Markusic Option Loans accrues at a rate of 1.96% per annum.