POS AM
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 17, 2024

Registration No. 333-260839

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 5 TO

FORM S-1 ON FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

Vivid Seats Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   7990   86-3355184

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

24 E. Washington Street, Suite 900

Chicago, IL 60602

(312) 291-9966

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Stanley Chia

Chief Executive Officer

24 E. Washington Street, Suite 900

Chicago, IL 60602

(312) 291-9966

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

 

 

Copies to:

Christina T. Roupas

Courtney M.W. Tygesson

Brad Goldberg

Cooley LLP

110 North Wacker Drive

Suite 4200

Chicago, IL 60606

Tel: (312) 881-6500

 

 

APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐

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, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ☒

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

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. ☐

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer      Smaller reporting company  
     Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, 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 Securities Act. 

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 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


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EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 (this “Post-Effective Amendment”) relates to the registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-260839) of Vivid Seats Inc. originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on November 5, 2021 and declared effective on December 20, 2021 (the “Existing Registration Statement”). This Post-Effective Amendment is being filed to (i) convert the Existing Registration Statement from a Form S-1 registration statement to a Form S-3 registration statement and (ii) update the holdings of certain selling securityholders. No additional securities are being registered under this Post-Effective Amendment. All applicable registration fees were paid at the time of the original filing of the Existing Registration Statement.


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The information in this preliminary 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 preliminary prospectus is neither an offer to sell nor the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Subject to Completion

Preliminary Prospectus dated April 17, 2024

PROSPECTUS

 

LOGO

VIVID SEATS INC.

187,267,173 SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK

45,686,457 WARRANTS TO PURCHASE SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK

AND

58,652,569 SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK UNDERLYING WARRANTS

 

 

This prospectus relates to the resale from time to time of (i) an aggregate of 63,067,173 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share ( “Class A common stock”), of Vivid Seats Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Vivid Seats,” “we,” “us” or “our”), including (a) 47,517,173 shares of Class A common stock issued to certain qualified institutional buyers and accredited investors that purchased shares of Class A common stock in private placements consummated in connection with the Business Combination (as defined below) and (b) 15,550,000 shares of Class A common stock held by Horizon Sponsor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Sponsor”), and (ii) 45,686,457 warrants to purchase Class A common stock, including (a) 6,519,791 Vivid Seats Private Placement IPO Warrants (as defined herein) to purchase Class A common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share, (b) 5,166,666 Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants (as defined herein) to purchase Class A common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share, held by Sponsor, (c) 17,000,000 Vivid Seats $10.00 Exercise Warrants (as defined herein) to purchase Class A common stock at an exercise price of $10.00 per share and (d) 17,000,000 Vivid Seats $15.00 Exercise Warrants (as defined herein) to purchase Class A common stock at an exercise price of $15.00 per share (collectively, the “warrants”) by the registered holders named in this prospectus (each a “Registered Holder” and, collectively, the “Registered Holders”). This prospectus also relates to (x) the issuance by us and resale by the Registered Holders from time to time of (i) up to 45,686,457 shares of Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of the warrants and (ii) up to 124,200,000 shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exchange of common units (“Intermediate Common Units”) of Hoya Intermediate, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Hoya Intermediate”), held by Hoya Topco, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Hoya Topco”), including 6,000,000 Intermediate Common Units issuable in the future pursuant to the exercise of warrants held by Hoya Topco, and (y) the issuance by us of up to 12,966,112 shares of Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants held by shareholders other than Sponsor.

On October 18, 2021, we consummated the business combination (the “Business Combination”) contemplated by that certain transaction agreement, dated as of April 21, 2021 (as may be amended from time to time, the “Transaction Agreement”), by and among Horizon Acquisition Corporation (“Horizon”), Sponsor, Hoya Topco, Hoya Intermediate and Vivid Seats, pursuant to which, among other transactions, Horizon merged with and into Vivid Seats, upon which the separate corporate existence of Horizon ceased and we became the surviving corporation.

We are registering the issuance and resale of certain shares of Class A common stock and the resale of certain warrants as required by that certain amended and restated registration rights agreement, dated as of October 18, 2021 (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), by and among us, Sponsor and Hoya Topco, and by those certain subscription agreements, dated as of April 21, 2021 (the “Subscription Agreements”), by and among us, Horizon and certain qualified institutional buyers and accredited investors that purchased shares of Class A common stock in private placements consummated in connection with the Business Combination.

We will receive the proceeds from any exercise of the warrants for cash, but not from the resale of the shares of Class A common stock or warrants by the Registered Holders.

We will bear all costs, expenses and fees in connection with the registration of the shares of Class A common stock and warrants. The Registered Holders will bear all commissions and discounts, if any, attributable to their respective sales of the shares of Class A common stock and warrants.

We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and are subject to reduced public company reporting requirements. This prospectus complies with the requirements that apply to an issuer that is an emerging growth company.

Our shares of Class A common stock are listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “SEAT.” On April 16, 2024, the closing sale price of our Class A common stock was $5.49 per share. Our Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants are listed on Nasdaq under the symbol “SEATW.” On April 16, 2024, the closing sale price of our Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants was $0.85 per warrant.

 

 

Investing in our Class A common stock or warrants involves risks that are described in the section titled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 2 of this prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the securities to be sold under this prospectus or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is     , 2024.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS

     ii  

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

     iii  

THE COMPANY

     1  

RISK FACTORS

     2  

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     3  

USE OF PROCEEDS

     4  

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

     5  

REGISTERED HOLDERS

     13  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     15  

LEGAL MATTERS

     17  

EXPERTS

     17  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION; INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

     18  

 

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CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS

Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to:

 

   

Class A common stock” are to Vivid Seats’ Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share;

 

   

Class B common stock” are to Vivid Seats’ Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share

 

   

Form of New Warrant Agreement” are to that certain form of warrant agreement entered into by and between Horizon and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company pursuant to which the Vivid Seats $10.00 Exercise Warrants and the Vivid Seats $15.00 Exercise Warrants were issued;

 

   

Horizon” are to Horizon Acquisition Corporation, a Cayman Islands exempted company;

 

   

Horizon $10.00 Exercise Warrants” are to warrants for Horizon Class A ordinary shares with an exercise price of $10.00, issued in connection with the Exchange;

 

   

Horizon $15.00 Exercise Warrants” are to warrants for Horizon Class A ordinary shares with an exercise price of $15.00, issued in connection with the Exchange;

 

   

Horizon IPO Private Placement Warrants” are to the warrants sold by Horizon as part of the private placement in connection with the IPO;

 

   

Horizon IPO Public Warrants” are to the warrants sold by Horizon as part of the units in the IPO;

 

   

IPO” are to Horizon’s initial public offering of units, the base offering of which closed on August 25, 2020;

 

   

Private Equity Owner” are to, collectively, GTCR Fund XI/B LP, GTCR Fund XI/C LP, GTCR Co-Invest XI LP, GTCR Golder Rauner, L.L.C., GTCR Golder Rauner II, L.L.C., GTCR Management XI LLC and GTCR LLC;

 

   

Registration Rights Agreement” are to that certain Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 18, 2021, by and among Vivid Seats, Sponsor, Hoya Topco and the other holders party thereto;

 

   

Sponsor” are to Horizon Sponsor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company;

 

   

Subscription Agreements” are to those certain Subscription Agreements, dated as of April 21, 2021, by and among Vivid Seats, Horizon and certain qualified institutional buyers and accredited investors that purchased shares of Class A common stock in private placements consummated in connection with the Business Combination;

 

   

Vivid Seats” are to Vivid Seats Inc., a Delaware corporation;

 

   

Vivid Seats $10.00 Exercise Warrants” are to warrants for our Class A common stock with an exercise price of $10.00, issued in exchange for the Horizon $10.00 Exercise Warrants, with terms consistent with the Form of New Warrant Agreement;

 

   

Vivid Seats $15.00 Exercise Warrants” are to warrants for our Class A common stock with an exercise price of $15.00, issued in exchange for the Horizon $15.00 Exercise Warrants, with terms consistent with the Form of New Warrant Agreement;

 

   

Vivid Seats Private Placement IPO Warrants” are to warrants for our Class A common stock, with terms identical to the Horizon IPO Private Placement Warrants; and

 

   

Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants” are to warrants for our Class A common stock, with terms identical to Horizon IPO Public Warrants.

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC using a “shelf” registration process. By using a shelf registration statement, the Registered Holders named in this prospectus may, from time to time, sell the securities described in this prospectus from time to time in one or more offerings as described in this prospectus. To the extent necessary, each time that the Registered Holders offer and sell securities, we or the Registered Holders may provide a prospectus supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the securities being offered and sold and the specific terms of that offering. To the extent permitted by law, we may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses that may contain material information relating to these offerings. Such prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus with respect to that offering. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, you should rely on the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, as applicable. Before purchasing any securities, you should carefully read this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement and free writing prospectuses, together with the additional information described in the section titled “Where You Can Find More Information; Incorporation by Reference.

Neither we nor the Registered Holders have authorized anyone to provide you with any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectuses prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. Neither we nor the Registered Holders take any responsibility for, nor provide any assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. Neither we nor the Registered Holders will make an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement to this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on its respective cover, that the information appearing in any applicable free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date of that free writing prospectus, and that any information incorporated by reference herein is accurate only as of the date of the incorporated document, unless we indicate otherwise. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

This prospectus incorporates by reference, and any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus may contain and incorporate by reference, market data and industry statistics and forecasts that are based on independent industry publications and other publicly available information. Although we believe these sources are reliable, neither we nor the Registered Holders guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information and neither we nor the Registered Holders have independently verified this information. In addition, the market and industry data and forecasts that may be included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any applicable free writing prospectus may involve estimates, assumptions and other risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed in the section titled “Risk Factors” contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in other documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on this information.

As used in this prospectus, unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, the terms “we,” “our,” “us,” “Vivid,” “Vivid Seats” and the “Company” mean Vivid Seats Inc. and its subsidiaries following the closing of the Business Combination, and mean Hoya Intermediate prior to the closing of the Business Combination. When we refer to “you,” we mean the potential holders of the shares of our Class A common stock or warrants to purchase shares of our Class A common stock.

In this prospectus, we refer to our Class A common stock and warrants to purchase shares of Class A common stock, collectively, as “securities.”

 

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THE COMPANY

We are an online ticket marketplace that utilizes our technology platform to connect fans of live events seamlessly with ticket sellers. Our mission is to empower and enable fans to Experience It Live.

We believe in the power of shared experiences to connect people with live events delivering some of life’s most exciting moments. We are relentless about finding ways to make event discovery and ticket purchasing easy, exciting and stress-free. Our platform provides ticket buyers, sellers and partners with an easy-to-use, trusted marketplace experience, ensuring fans can attend live events and create new memories.

We operate a technology platform and marketplace that enables ticket buyers to easily discover and purchase tickets while enabling ticket sellers and partners to seamlessly manage their operations. To generate ticket sales, drive traffic to our websites and mobile applications, and build brand recognition, we have mutually beneficial partnerships with media partners, product and service partners, distribution partners, content rights holders such as teams, leagues and venues, and supplier partners in Las Vegas. To attract and retain sellers and partners, we offer a variety of products and services that allow their businesses to thrive.

Our platform is built on years of transactional and engagement data that provides us with deep insights into how to best connect ticket buyers with the experiences they seek. We understand the feeling of anticipation as the start of an event approaches and work diligently to enable fans to experience as many of these moments as possible. We seek to provide enriching customer engagement opportunities with personalized recommendations, engaging discovery options, a streamlined shopping experience and a differentiated value proposition through competitively priced tickets and loyalty rewards. Our Vivid Seats Rewards loyalty program allows enrolled ticket buyers on Vivid Seats branded properties to earn reward credits to spend on future orders and experience even more of their favorite events.

As a marketplace, our customer base includes ticket buyers, sellers and partners, as well as Vivid Picks daily fantasy sports users.

Our Class A common stock and our Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants are listed on Nasdaq under the symbols “SEAT” and “SEATW,” respectively.

Our principal executive offices are located at 24 E. Washington St., Ste. 900, Chicago, IL 60602, and our telephone number is (312) 291-9966. Our website address is www.vividseats.com. The information contained in, or accessible through, our website does not constitute a part of this prospectus. We have included our website address in this prospectus solely as an inactive textual reference.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investment in any securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement involves risks. You should carefully consider the risk factors incorporated by reference to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K, and all other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the risk factors and other information contained in any applicable prospectus supplement and free writing prospectuses before acquiring any of such securities. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only ones facing our company. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business operations. The occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment in the offered securities. The discussion of risks includes or refers to forward-looking statements. You should read the explanation of the qualifications and limitations on such forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any applicable prospectus supplement. Please also read carefully the section below titled “Forward-Looking Statements.”

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains “forward-looking statements” (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act) regarding our future events and future results. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “can,” “could,” “designed,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “future,” “goal,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “propose,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “will” and “would,” as well as similar expressions which predict or indicate future events and trends or which do not relate to historical matters, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.

For example, we may use forward-looking statements when addressing topics such as our future financial performance, including our ability to generate sufficient cash flows or to raise additional capital when necessary or desirable, our success in attracting, hiring, motivating and retaining our senior management team, key technical employees and other highly skilled personnel, our ability to declare and pay dividends on our Class A common stock and other topics relating to our business, operations and financial performance such as:

 

   

the supply and demand of live concert, sporting and theater events;

 

   

the impact of adverse economic conditions affecting discretionary consumer and corporate spending;

 

   

our ability to maintain and develop our relationships with ticket buyers, sellers and partners;

 

   

our ability to compete in the ticketing industry;

 

   

our ability to continue to maintain and improve our platform and develop successful new solutions and enhancements or improve existing ones;

 

   

the impact of extraordinary events, including disease epidemics and pandemics;

 

   

our ability to identify suitable acquisition targets and to complete and realize the expected benefits of planned acquisitions;

 

   

our ability to comply with applicable regulatory regimes;

 

   

the impact of unfavorable legislative outcomes, or unfavorable outcomes in legal proceedings; and

 

   

our ability to maintain the integrity of our information systems and infrastructure, and to identify, assess and manage relevant cybersecurity risks.

We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. While we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions or results, and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that can be difficult to predict and/or are outside of our control. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this prospectus or, in the case of statements incorporated by reference herein, as of the date of the incorporated document.

Important factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the sections titled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” as well as in our press releases and other filings with the SEC. Except as required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

All of the securities offered by the Registered Holders pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement will be sold by the Registered Holders for their respective accounts. We will not receive any of the proceeds from these sales.

The Registered Holders will pay any underwriting fees, discounts, selling commissions, stock transfer taxes and certain legal expenses incurred by such Registered Holders in disposing of their securities, and we will bear all other costs, fees and expenses incurred in effecting the registration of such securities covered by this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, including, without limitation, all registration and filing fees, Nasdaq listing fees and fees and expenses of our counsel and our independent registered public accountants.

We will receive proceeds from the exercise of the warrants for cash, but not from the sale of the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon such exercise. We expect to use the net proceeds from the exercise of the warrants, if any, for general corporate purposes.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

The following summary of the material terms of our securities is not intended to be a complete summary of the rights and preferences of such securities, and is qualified by reference to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the “Amended and Restated Charter”), our amended and restated bylaws, as amended (the “Amended and Restated Bylaws”), and the warrant-related documents described herein, which are exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We urge you to read the Amended and Restated Charter, the Amended and Restated Bylaws, the warrant-related documents and the applicable provisions of Delaware law for more information.

Authorized and Outstanding Capital Stock

The Amended and Restated Charter authorizes the issuance of (i) 750,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 500,000,000 of which are shares of Class A common stock and 250,000,000 of which are shares of Class B common stock, and (ii) 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

Common Stock

Voting

Except as otherwise required by the Amended and Restated Charter, holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock vote together as a single class on all matters on which stockholders are generally entitled to vote. Each holder of Class A common stock is entitled to one vote per share, and each holder of Class B common stock is entitled to one vote per share. Pursuant to the Amended and Restated Charter, the holders of the outstanding shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock shall be entitled to vote separately as a class upon any amendment to the Amended and Restated Charter (including by merger, consolidation, reorganization or similar event or otherwise) that would alter or change the powers, preferences, or special rights of a class of stock so as to affect them adversely.

Dividends

The holders of Class A common stock are entitled to receive dividends, as and if declared by our Board of Directors (the “Board”) out of our assets that are by law available for such use. Dividends shall not be declared or paid on our Class B common stock.

Liquidation or Dissolution

Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of ours as required by law and of the preferential and other amounts, if any, to which the holders of preferred stock shall be entitled, the holders of all outstanding shares of Class A common stock will be entitled to receive our remaining assets available for distribution ratably in proportion to the number of shares held by each such stockholder. The holders of shares of Class B common stock shall not be entitled to receive any assets of ours in the event of any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up our affairs.

Redemption Rights

We will at all times reserve and keep available out of our authorized and unissued shares of Class A common stock, for the purposes of effecting any redemptions or exchanges pursuant to the applicable provisions of Article IX of the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated October 18, 2021, of Hoya Intermediate (the “Second A&R LLCA”), the number of shares of Class A common stock that are issuable in connection with the redemption or exchange of all outstanding Intermediate Common Units as a result of any Redemption or Direct Exchange (each as defined in the Second A&R LLCA) pursuant to the applicable provisions of Article IX of the Second A&R LLCA. In the event that (a) a share of Class A common stock is issued as a result of any Redemption or Direct Exchange of an Intermediate Common Unit pursuant to the applicable provisions of Article IX of the Second A&R LLCA or (b) a Redemption by Cash Payment (as defined in the Second A&R LLCA) is

 

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effected with respect to any Intermediate Common Units pursuant to the applicable provisions of Article IX of the Second A&R LLCA, a share of Class B common stock held by such unitholder chosen by us in our sole discretion will automatically and without further action on the part of us or of such unitholder be transferred to us for no consideration and thereupon shall automatically be retired and cease to exist, and such share thereafter may not be reissued by us.

Other Provisions

None of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock has any pre-emptive or other subscription rights.

Preferred Stock

We are authorized to issue up to 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock. The Board is authorized, subject to limitations prescribed by law, to provide for the issuance of shares of preferred stock in one or more series, and with respect to each series, to establish the number of shares to be included in each such series, and to fix the voting powers (if any), designations, powers, preferences, and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, if any, of the shares of each such series, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof. The powers (including voting powers), preferences, and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of each series of preferred stock and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from those of any other series at any time outstanding. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock, the number of authorized shares of preferred stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares of preferred stock then outstanding) by the approval of the Board and by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote generally in an election of directors, without the separate vote of the holders of the preferred stock as a class, irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”).

Redeemable Warrants

Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants

In connection with the Business Combination, each Horizon IPO Public Warrant was converted into a corresponding Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrant. The terms of the Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants are identical to those of the Horizon IPO Public Warrants.

Each whole Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrant entitles the registered holder to purchase one share of Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as discussed below, at any time commencing 30 days after the completion of the Business Combination, except as discussed in the immediately succeeding paragraph. Pursuant to the Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement, dated October 14, 2021 (the “Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement”), between Horizon and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, a warrant holder may exercise its warrants only for a whole number of shares of Class A common stock. This means only a whole warrant may be exercised at a given time by a warrant holder. The Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on October 18, 2026 (five years after the completion of the Business Combination) or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.

We will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Class A common stock pursuant to the exercise of a Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrant and will have no obligation to settle such exercise unless a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of Class A common stock underlying such warrants is then effective and a prospectus relating thereto is current, subject to our satisfying our obligations described below with respect to registration, or a valid exemption from registration is available. No Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrant will be exercisable, and we will not be obligated to issue a share of Class A common stock upon exercise of a Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrant, unless the share of Class A common stock issuable upon such warrant exercise has been registered, qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the registered holder of such warrants. In the event that the conditions in the two immediately preceding sentences are not satisfied with respect to a Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrant, the holder thereof will not be entitled to exercise such warrant and such warrant may have no value and expire worthless. In no event will we be required to net cash settle any warrant.

 

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We agreed that we would use commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC a registration statement for the registration under the Securities Act of the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants. We will continue to use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement, and a current prospectus relating thereto, until the expiration of the Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants in accordance with the provisions of the Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement. During any period when we fail to maintain an effective registration statement covering the issuance of the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants, holders of Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants may exercise such warrants on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act or another exemption. In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants for that number of shares of Class A common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of Class A common stock underlying the Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants, multiplied by the excess of the “fair market value” (defined below) less the exercise price of the Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” as used in this paragraph means the volume weighted average price of the shares of Class A common stock for the 10 trading days ending on the trading day prior to the date on which the notice of exercise is received by the warrant agent.

Redemption of Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants When the Price Per Share of Class A Common Stock Equals or Exceeds $18.00

Once the Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants become exercisable, we may call the outstanding Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants for redemption:

 

   

in whole and not in part;

 

   

at a price of $0.01 per Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrant;

 

   

upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption (the “Redemption Period”) to each holder of Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants; and

 

   

if, and only if, the closing price of our Class A common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for adjustments to the number of shares issuable upon exercise or the exercise price of a Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrant as described under the heading “—Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants—Anti-Dilution Adjustments”) for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which we send the notice of redemption to the holders of Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants.

We will not redeem the Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants as described above unless a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the issuance of the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants is then effective and a current prospectus relating to those shares is available throughout the Redemption Period. If and when the Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants become redeemable by us, we may exercise our redemption right even if we are unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws.

We have established the last of the redemption criterion discussed above to prevent a redemption call unless there is at the time of the call a significant premium to the warrant exercise price. If the foregoing conditions are satisfied and we issue a notice of redemption of the Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants, each holder of such warrants will be entitled to exercise his, her or its Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants prior to the scheduled redemption date. However, the price of our Class A common stock may fall below the $18.00 per share redemption trigger price (as adjusted for adjustments to the number of shares issuable upon exercise or the exercise price of a Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrant as described under the heading “—Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants—Anti-Dilution Adjustments”) as well as the $11.50 (for whole shares) warrant exercise price after the redemption notice is issued.

 

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Redemption Procedures

A holder of a Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrant may notify us in writing in the event it elects to be subject to a requirement that such holder will not have the right to exercise such warrant, to the extent that after giving effect to such exercise, such person (together with such person’s affiliates), to the warrant agent’s actual knowledge, would beneficially own in excess of 4.9% or 9.8% (or such other amount as specified by the holder) of the shares of Class A common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise.

Anti-Dilution Adjustments

If the number of outstanding shares of Class A common stock is increased by a share capitalization or share dividend payable in shares of Class A common stock, or by a split-up of shares of Class A common stock or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such share capitalization, share dividend, split-up or similar event, the number of shares of Class A common stock issuable on exercise of each Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrant will be increased in proportion to such increase in the outstanding shares of Class A common stock. A rights offering to holders of shares of Class A common stock entitling holders to purchase shares of Class A common stock at a price less than the “historical fair market value” (as defined below) will be deemed a share capitalization of a number of shares of Class A common stock equal to the product of (i) the number of shares of Class A common stock actually sold in such rights offering (or issuable under any other equity securities sold in such rights offering that are convertible into or exercisable for shares of Class A common stock) multiplied by (ii) one minus the quotient of (x) the price per share of Class A common stock paid in such rights offering and divided by (y) the historical fair market value. For these purposes, (i) if the rights offering is for securities convertible into or exercisable for shares of Class A common stock, in determining the price payable for shares of Class A common stock, there will be taken into account any consideration received for such rights, as well as any additional amount payable upon exercise or conversion and (ii) “historical fair market value” means the volume weighted average price of shares of Class A common stock during the 10-trading day period ending on the trading day prior to the first date on which the shares of Class A common stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive such rights.

In addition, if we, at any time while the Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants are outstanding and unexpired, pay a dividend or make a distribution in cash, securities or other assets to holders of shares of Class A common stock on account of such shares of Class A common stock (or other securities into which the Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants are convertible), other than (a) as described above or (b) any cash dividends or cash distributions which, when combined on a per share basis with all other cash dividends and cash distributions paid on the shares of Class A common stock during the 365-day period ending on the date of declaration of such dividend or distribution (as adjusted to appropriately reflect any other adjustments and excluding cash dividends or cash distributions that resulted in an adjustment to the exercise price or to the number of shares of Class A common stock issuable on exercise of each warrant) does not exceed $0.50, then the Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrant exercise price will be decreased, effective immediately after the effective date of such event, by the amount of cash and/or the fair market value of any securities or other assets paid on each share of Class A common stock in respect of such event.

If the number of outstanding shares of Class A common stock is decreased by a consolidation, combination, reverse share sub-division or reclassification of shares of Class A common stock or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such consolidation, combination, reverse share sub-division, reclassification or similar event, the number of shares of Class A common stock issuable on exercise of each Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrant will be decreased in proportion to such decrease in outstanding shares of Class A common stock.

Whenever the number of shares of Class A common stock purchasable upon the exercise of the Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants is adjusted, as described above, the Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrant exercise price will be adjusted by multiplying the Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrant exercise price immediately prior to such adjustment by a fraction (x) the numerator of which will be the number of shares of Class A common stock purchasable upon the exercise of the Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants immediately prior to such adjustment, and (y) the denominator of which will be the number of shares of Class A common stock so purchasable immediately thereafter.

In case of any reclassification or reorganization of the outstanding shares of Class A common stock (other than those described above or that solely affects the par value of such shares of Class A common stock), or in the case of any merger or consolidation of us with or into another corporation (other than a consolidation or merger in which we are the continuing corporation and that does not result in any reclassification or reorganization of our issued and outstanding shares of Class A common stock), or in the case of any sale or conveyance to another corporation or entity of the assets or other property of us as an entirety or substantially as an entirety in connection with which we are

 

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dissolved, the holders of the Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants will thereafter have the right to purchase and receive, upon the basis and upon the terms and conditions specified in the Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants and in lieu of the shares of Class A common stock immediately theretofore purchasable and receivable upon the exercise of the rights represented thereby, the kind and amount of shares of Class A common stock or other securities or property (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, reorganization, merger or consolidation, or upon a dissolution following any such sale or transfer, that the holder of the Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants would have received if such holder had exercised their Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants immediately prior to such event. However, if such holders were entitled to exercise a right of election as to the kind or amount of securities, cash or other assets receivable upon such consolidation or merger, then the kind and amount of securities, cash or other assets for which each Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants will become exercisable will be deemed to be the weighted average of the kind and amount received per share by such holders in such consolidation or merger that affirmatively make such election. Additionally, if less than 70% of the consideration receivable by the holders of shares of Class A common stock in such a transaction is payable in the form of in the successor entity that is listed for trading on a national securities exchange or is quoted in an established over-the-counter market, or is to be so listed for trading or quoted immediately following such event, and if the registered holder of the warrant properly exercises the warrant within thirty days following public disclosure of such transaction, the Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrant exercise price will be reduced as specified in the Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement based on the Black-Scholes Warrant Value (as defined in the Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement) of the Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrant. The purpose of such exercise price reduction is to provide additional value to holders of the Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants when an extraordinary transaction occurs during the exercise period of the Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants pursuant to which the holders of the Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants otherwise do not receive the full potential value of the Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants.

The Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants are governed by the warrant agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, and Horizon. The Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement provides that the terms of the Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder to cure any ambiguity or correct any mistake, including to conform the provisions of the Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement to the description of the terms of the Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants and the Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement set forth in this prospectus related to Horizon’s IPO, or defective provision, but requires the approval by the holders of at least 65% of the then outstanding Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders of Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants and, solely with respect to any amendment to the terms of the Vivid Seats Private Placement IPO Warrants or any provision of the Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement with respect to the Vivid Seats Private Placement IPO Warrants, 65% of the then outstanding Vivid Seats Private Placement IPO Warrants. You should review a copy of the Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement, which will be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, for a complete description of the terms and conditions applicable to the Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants.

The Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants may be exercised upon surrender of the warrant certificate on or prior to the expiration date at the offices of the warrant agent, with the exercise form on the reverse side of the warrant certificate completed and executed as indicated, accompanied by full payment of the exercise price (or on a cashless basis, if applicable), by certified or official bank check payable to us, for the number of Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants being exercised. The holders of the Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants do not have the rights or privileges (including voting rights) of holders of common stock until they exercise their Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants and receive shares of Class A common stock. After the issuance of shares of Class A common stock upon exercise of the Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants, each holder will be entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by stockholders.

Vivid Seats Private Placement IPO Warrants

In connection with the Business Combination, each Horizon IPO Private Placement Warrant was converted into a corresponding Vivid Seats Private Placement IPO Warrant.

Except as described below, the Vivid Seats Private Placement IPO Warrants have terms and provisions that are identical to those of the Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants. The Vivid Seats Private Placement IPO Warrants (including the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of such Vivid Seats Private Placement IPO Warrants) will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of the Business Combination (except, among other limited exceptions, to officers, directors and affiliates of Sponsor) and they will not be redeemable.

 

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Sponsor or its permitted transferees will have certain registration rights with respect to the shares of Class A common stock underlying the Vivid Seats Private Placement IPO Warrants.

Vivid Seats $10.00 Exercise Warrants and Vivid Seats $15.00 Exercise Warrants

In connection with the Business Combination, we issued the Vivid Seats $10.00 Exercise Warrants and the Vivid Seats $15.00 Exercise Warrants. The Vivid Seats $10.00 Exercise Warrants and the Vivid Seats $15.00 Exercise Warrants have identical terms (other than with respect to exercise price) and were each issued pursuant to a warrant agreement between Horizon and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, substantially in the form of the Form of New Warrant Agreement.

The Form of New Warrant Agreement is substantially consistent with the Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement other than with respect to the following key terms:

 

   

The Form of New Warrant Agreement excludes references to ownership through The Depository Trust Company;

 

   

The Form of New Warrant Agreement reflects the fact that the Vivid Seats $10.00 Exercise Warrants and Vivid Seats $15.00 Exercise Warrants were not issued as part of a unit;

 

   

The Form of New Warrant Agreement does not distinguish between “private” and “public” warrants;

 

   

The Vivid Seats $10.00 Exercise Warrants and the Vivid Seats $15.00 Exercise Warrants terminate on the date that is ten years after the date of completion of the Business Combination;

 

   

The Form of New Warrant Agreement does not provide for the redemption of the Vivid Seats $10.00 Exercise Warrants or the Vivid Seats $15.00 Exercise Warrants;

 

   

The underlying value for purposes of warrant exercise makes reference to the last reported sale price; and

 

   

The Form of New Warrant Agreement excludes provisions contingent upon the consummation of the Business Combination.

Vivid Seats Class B Warrants

In connection with the Business Combination, we issued the Vivid Seats Class B Warrants. Each Vivid Seats Class B Warrant will exercise automatically upon the exercise of a corresponding Hoya Intermediate Warrant. The terms of the Hoya Intermediate Warrants have terms substantially consistent with the Vivid Seats $10.00 Exercise Warrants and the Vivid Seats $15.00 Exercise Warrants.

Choice of Forum

The Amended and Restated Charter provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, and unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of us, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers, employees or stockholders to us or our stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, the Amended and Restated Charter or the Amended and Restated Bylaws or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine. The Amended and Restated Charter further provides that the federal district courts of the United States will be the exclusive forum for resolving any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act. There is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce such a provision relating to causes of action arising under the Securities Act, and investors cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. The clauses described above will not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction.

 

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Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of the Amended and Restated Charter and the Amended and Restated Bylaws

The provisions of the Amended and Restated Charter, the Amended and Restated Bylaws and the DGCL summarized below may have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that you might consider in your best interest, including an attempt that might result in your receipt of a premium over the market price for your shares of Class A common stock.

The Amended and Restated Charter and the Amended and Restated Bylaws contain certain provisions that are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of the Board and that may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a future takeover or change in control of us unless such takeover or change in control is approved by the Board.

These provisions include:

 

   

Action by Written Consent; Special Meetings of Stockholders. The Amended and Restated Charter provides that, following the time that our Private Equity Owner and its affiliated companies cease to beneficially own in the aggregate 50% of the voting control of us, stockholder action can be taken only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders and cannot be taken by written consent in lieu of a meeting. The Amended and Restated Charter and the Amended and Restated Bylaws also provide that, subject to any special rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock and except as otherwise required by law, special meetings of our stockholders may be called only (i) by or at the direction of the Board or the Chair of the Board pursuant to a written resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of the majority of the total number of directors that we would have if there were no vacancies or (ii) prior to the date on which our Private Equity Owner and its affiliated companies cease to beneficially own at least 30% of the voting control of us, by the Chair of the Board at the written request of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of voting stock in the manner provided for in the Amended and Restated Bylaws.

 

   

Advance Notice Procedures. The Amended and Restated Bylaws establish an advance notice procedure for stockholder proposals to be brought before an annual meeting of our stockholders, and for stockholder nominations of persons for election to the Board to be brought before an annual or special meeting of stockholders. Stockholders at an annual meeting will only be able to consider proposals or nominations specified in the notice of meeting or brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board or by a stockholder who was a stockholder of record on the record date for the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has given our Secretary timely written notice, in proper form, of the stockholder’s intention to bring that business or nomination before the meeting. Although the Amended and Restated Bylaws do not give the Board the power to approve or disapprove stockholder nominations of candidates or proposals regarding other business to be conducted at a special or annual meeting, as applicable, the Amended and Restated Bylaws may have the effect of precluding the conduct of certain business at a meeting if the proper procedures are not followed or may discourage or deter a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us.

 

   

Authorized but Unissued Shares. Our authorized but unissued shares of Class A common stock and preferred stock will be available for future issuance without stockholder approval. These additional shares may be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional capital, corporate acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of Class A common stock and preferred stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of a majority of Class A common stock by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.

 

   

Business Combinations with Interested Stockholders. The Amended and Restated Charter provides that we are not subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, an anti-takeover law. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a business combination, such as a merger, with an “interested stockholder” (which includes a person or group owning 15% or more of the corporation’s voting stock) for a period of three years following the date the person became an interested stockholder, unless (with certain exceptions) the business combination or the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder

 

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is approved in a prescribed manner. Accordingly, we are not subject to any anti-takeover effects of Section 203. Nevertheless, the Amended and Restated Charter contains provisions that have a similar effect to Section 203, except that they provide that Sponsor, Hoya Topco and our Private Equity Owner, and their respective affiliates and successors and their direct and indirect transferees will not be deemed to be “interested stockholders,” regardless of the percentage of our voting stock owned by them, and accordingly will not be subject to such restrictions.

 

   

Director Designees; Classes of Directors. Pursuant to the Amended and Restated Charter, the Board is divided into three classes, with each class of directors serving staggered three-year terms. The existence of a classified board of directors could discourage a third party from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us as it is more difficult and time consuming for stockholders to replace a majority of the directors on a classified board of directors.

 

   

No Cumulative Voting for Directors. The DGCL provides that stockholders are not entitled to cumulate votes in the election of directors unless a corporation’s certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. The Amended and Restated Charter does not provide for cumulative voting. As a result, the holders of shares of common stock representing a majority of the voting power of all of the outstanding shares of our capital stock of will be able to elect all of the directors then standing for election.

 

   

Restriction on Issuance of Class B Common Stock. No shares of Class B common stock may be issued by us except to a holder of Intermediate Common Units, such that after such issuance such unitholder holds an identical number of Intermediate Common Units and shares of Class B common stock. The Intermediate Common Units are held by us and Hoya Topco and are subject to transfer restrictions set forth in the Second A&R LLCA. The restriction on issuance of Class B common stock and the restriction on transfer of Intermediate Common Units could make it more difficult for a third party to obtain control of us from Hoya Topco, which controls our business policies and affairs and will control any action requiring the general approval of stockholders by virtue of its ownership of all outstanding shares of Class B common stock.

Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors

The Amended and Restated Charter limits the liability of our directors to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL and provides that we will provide them with customary indemnification and advancement of expenses. We entered into customary indemnification agreements with each of our executive officers and directors that provide them, in general, with customary indemnification in connection with their service to us or on our behalf.

Corporate Opportunity

The Amended and Restated Charter provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, (a) we renounce any interest or expectancy in a transaction or matter that may be a corporate opportunity for us and (b) our Private Equity Owner and/or its affiliated companies or Sponsor and/or its affiliates companies and/or their respective directors, members, managers and/or employees have no duty to present such corporate opportunity to us.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent for our common stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.

Listing of Class A Common Stock and Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants

Our Class A common stock and Vivid Seats Public IPO Warrants are listed on Nasdaq under the symbols “SEAT” and “SEATW,” respectively.

 

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REGISTERED HOLDERS

The Registered Holders listed in the table below may from time to time offer and sell any or all of the securities set forth below pursuant to this prospectus. When we refer to the “Registered Holders” in this prospectus, we refer to the persons listed in the table below, and the pledgees, donees, transferees, assignees, successors and other permitted transferees that hold any of the Registered Holders’ interest in the securities after the date of this prospectus.

The following table sets forth certain information provided by or on behalf of the Registered Holders concerning the securities that may be offered from time to time by each of them pursuant to this prospectus. The Registered Holders identified below may have sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of all or a portion of their securities after the date on which they provided us with this information. Moreover, the securities identified below include only the securities being registered for resale and may not incorporate all securities deemed to be beneficially held by the Registered Holders. Any changed or new information given to us by the Registered Holders, including regarding the identity of, and the securities held by, each Registered Holder, will be set forth in a prospectus supplement or amendments to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, if and when necessary. A Registered Holder may sell all, some or none of such securities in this offering. See the section titled “Plan of Distribution.”

Percentage ownership is based on 133,141,425 shares of Class A common stock outstanding as of April 9, 2024.

Other than as described below or elsewhere in this prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference herein, none of the Registered Holders has, or within the last three years has had, any material relationship with us or any of our predecessors or affiliates.

 

     Securities Beneficially
Owned Before the Offering
                   Securities Beneficially
Owned After the Offering
 
Name of Registered Holder    Shares of
Class A
Common
Stock (#)
     Warrants (#)      Shares of
Class A
Common
Stock Being
Offered (#)
     Warrants
Being
Offered (#)
     Shares of
Class A
Common
Stock (#)
     Outstanding
Shares of
Class
A Common
Stock (%)
     Warrants
(#)
     Outstanding
Warrants
(%)
 

Hoya Topco, LLC(1)

     80,225,000        —         80,225,000        —         —         —         —         —   

Eldridge Industries, LLC(2)

     54,001,411        40,519,791        54,001,411        40,519,791        —         —         —         —   

DraftKings Inc.(3)

     2,500,000        —         2,500,000        —         —         —         —         —   

Vivid Public Holdings, LLC(4)

     5,000,000        —         5,000,000        —         —         —         —         —   

The Restated 2012 Irrevocable Trust F/B/O Ashley De Simone(5)

     10,000        —         10,000        —         —         —         —         —   

 

(1)

Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 9, 2024 on behalf of on behalf of Hoya Topco, GTCR Fund XI/B LP (“GTCR Fund XI/B”), GTCR Fund XI/C LP (“GTCR Fund XI/C”), GTCR Partners XI/B LP (“GTCR Partners XI/B”), GTCR Partners XI/A&C LP (“GTCR Partners XI/A&C”) and GTCR Investment XI LLC (“GTCR Investment XI”). Shares of Class A common stock offered hereby include 76,225,000 shares issuable upon exchange of Intermediate Common Units and shares of Class B common stock held by Hoya Topco, including 4,000,000 Intermediate Common Units issuable in the future pursuant to the exercise of warrants held by Hoya Topco. GTCR Fund XI/B, GTCR Fund XI/C and certain other entities affiliated with GTCR LLC (“GTCR”) have the right to appoint a majority of the members of the Board of Managers of Hoya Topco. GTCR Partners XI/B is the general partner of GTCR Fund XI/B. GTCR Partners XI/A&C is the general partner of GTCR Fund XI/C. GTCR Investment XI is the general partner of each of GTCR Partners XI/B and GTCR Partners XI/A&C. GTCR Investment XI is managed by a Board of Managers, which includes Mark M. Anderson and David A. Donnini, and no single person has voting or dispositive authority over the securities reported herein. As such, each of the foregoing entities and individuals may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of the securities reported herein. Each of them disclaims any such beneficial ownership. The address for each of the foregoing entities and individuals is 300 N. LaSalle St., Ste. 5600, Chicago, IL 60654.

(2)

Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on January 26, 2024 on behalf of Todd Boehly, Eldridge Industries, LLC (“Eldridge”), Sponsor, Post Portfolio Trust, LLC (“PPT”) and SBT Investors, LLC (“SBT”). Securities offered hereby include (i) 16,789,999 shares of Class A common stock held directly by Sponsor, (ii) 24,552,096 shares of Class A common stock held directly by PPT, (iii) 2,500,000 shares of Class A common stock held indirectly by Eldridge, (iv) 10,159,316 shares of Class A common stock held directly and indirectly by SBT and (v) 40,519,791 shares of Class A common stock underlying an equivalent number of warrants held by Sponsor. Each of Sponsor and PPT is indirectly controlled by Eldridge. SBT is the majority owner and controlling member of Eldridge. Mr. Boehly is the indirect majority and controlling member of SBT and the Co-Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Eldridge. Mr. Boehly and each of the foregoing entities may be deemed to have voting and dispositive power with respect to the reported securities held by the entities for which he or it directly or indirectly exercises control. The address for Mr. Boehly and each of the foregoing entities is 600 Steamboat Rd., Ste. 200, Greenwich, CT 06830.

 

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(3)

DraftKings Inc. (“DraftKings”) has appointed Mr. Boehly as its true and lawful proxy and attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, for and in the name, place and stead of DraftKings, to represent it at all annual and special meetings of our stockholders and all written consents of our stockholders with respect to these shares of Class A common stock and to vote these shares at any meeting of our stockholders, however called, and at any adjournment or adjournments thereof, or in connection with any written consent of our stockholders, and to otherwise do all things which DraftKings might do if present and acting itself with respect to the these shares, for so long as DraftKings still holds these shares and expiring one year after the closing of the Business Combination. The address for DraftKings is 222 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 02116. The information in this footnote was obtained from the Registered Holder at the time of the filing of the original registration statement on Form S-1.

(4)

Vivid Public Holdings, LLC (“VPH”), DLHPII Public Investments, LLC (“Public Investments”), DLHPII Investment Holdings, LLC (“Investment Holdings”), Delaware Life Holdings Parent II, LLC (“Parent”), Delaware Life Holdings Manager, LLC (“Manager”) and Mark R. Walter have shared voting and dispositive power over the shares of Class A common stock offered hereby. VPH, who directly holds the shares of Class A common stock offered hereby, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Public Investments. Public Investments is a wholly owned subsidiary of Investment Holdings. Investment Holdings is a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. Each of VPH, Public Investments, Investment Holdings and Parent is managed by Manager, and each of Parent and Manager is controlled by Mr. Walter. Each of Public Investments, Investment Holdings, Parent, Manager and Mr. Walter may be deemed to indirectly share voting and dispositive power over the securities held directly by VPH and, as a result, may be deemed to have or share beneficial ownership of some or all of such shares. Each of Public Investments, Investment Holdings, Parent, Manager and Mr. Walter disclaim beneficial ownership of such securities except to the extent of their respective pecuniary interest therein. The address for VPH is 227 W. Monroe St., Ste. 5000, Chicago, IL 60606. The information in this footnote was obtained from the Registered Holder at the time of the filing of the original registration statement on Form S-1.

(5)

The Goldman Sachs Trust Company of Delaware is the trustee of the Restated 2012 Irrevocable Trust F/B/O Ashley DeSimone (the “Trust”). Each of Ashley DeSimone, as investment advisor of the Trust, the Goldman Sachs Trust Company of Delaware, as trustee, and Glenn J. Morley, as Vice President of the Goldman Sachs Trust Company of Delaware, share voting and dispositive power over the securities held by the Trust and, as a result, may be deemed to have or share beneficial ownership of such securities. The address for the Trust is 200 Bellevue Pkwy., Ste. 500, Wilmington, DE 19089. The information in this footnote was obtained from the Registered Holder at the time of the filing of the original registration statement on Form S-1.

We cannot advise you as to whether the Registered Holders will in fact sell any or all of such securities.

Registered Holder information for each additional Registered Holders, if any, will be set forth by prospectus supplement to the extent required prior to the time of any offer or sale of such Registered Holder’s securities pursuant to this prospectus. To the extent permitted by law, a prospectus supplement may add, update, substitute, or change the information contained in this prospectus, including the identity of each Registered Holder and the number of securities registered on its behalf. A Registered Holder may sell or otherwise transfer all, some or none of such securities in this offering. See the section titled “Plan of Distribution.”

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

The Registered Holders (which as used herein includes donees, pledgees, transferees, distributees or other successors-in-interest selling the securities or interests therein received after the date of this prospectus from the Registered Holders as a gift, pledge, partnership distribution or other transfer) may, from time to time, sell, transfer, distribute or otherwise dispose of certain of their securities or interests therein on Nasdaq or any other stock exchange, market or trading facility on which such securities are traded or in private transactions. These dispositions may be at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at prices related to the prevailing market price, at varying prices determined at the time of sale or at negotiated prices.

The Registered Holders may use any one or more of the following methods when disposing of their securities or interests therein:

 

   

ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers;

 

   

one or more underwritten offerings;

 

   

block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell their securities as agent, but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

 

   

purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its accounts;

 

   

an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange;

 

   

through trading plans entered into by a Registered Holder pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act that are in place at the time of an offering pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement hereto that provide for periodic sales of their securities on the basis of parameters described in such trading plans;

 

   

privately negotiated transactions;

 

   

distributions to their members, partners or shareholders, including in-kind distributions;

 

   

short sales effected after the date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part is declared effective by the SEC;

 

   

through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions, whether through an options exchange or otherwise;

 

   

in market transactions, including transactions on a national securities exchange or quotations service or over-the-counter market;

 

   

directly to one or more purchasers;

 

   

through agents;

 

   

broker-dealers may agree with the Registered Holders to sell a specified number of their securities at a stipulated price per security;

 

   

a combination of any such methods of sale; or

 

   

any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.

 

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The Registered Holders may, from time to time, pledge or grant a security interest in certain securities owned by them and, if a Registered Holder defaults in the performance of its secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell such securities from time to time under this prospectus or an amendment or supplement hereto amending the list of the Registered Holders to include the pledgee, transferee or other successors in interest as the Registered Holders under this prospectus. The Registered Holders also may transfer the securities in other circumstances, in which case the transferees, pledgees or other successors in interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus.

In connection with the sale of shares of the securities or interests therein, the Registered Holders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the securities in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The Registered Holders may also sell the securities short and deliver these securities to close out their short positions, or loan or pledge the securities to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities. The Registered Holders may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions or the creation of one or more derivative securities that require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of the securities offered by this prospectus, which securities such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction).

The aggregate proceeds to the Registered Holders from the sale of the securities offered by them will be the purchase price of such securities less discounts or commissions, if any. The Registered Holders reserve the right to accept and, together with their agents from time to time, to reject, in whole or in part, any proposed purchase of the securities to be made directly or through agents. We will not receive any of the proceeds from any offering by the Registered Holders.

The Registered Holders also may in the future resell a portion of the securities owned by them in open market transactions in reliance upon Rule 144 under the Securities Act, provided that they meet the criteria and conform to the requirements of that rule, or pursuant to other available exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

The Registered Holders and any underwriters, broker-dealers or agents that participate in the sale of the securities or interests therein may be “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act. Any discounts, commissions, concessions or profit they earn on any resale of the securities may be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. If any Registered Holder is an “underwriter” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act, then the Registered Holder will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. Underwriters and their controlling persons, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements entered into with us and the Registered Holders, to indemnification against and contribution toward specific civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

To the extent required, the securities to be sold, the respective purchase prices and public offering prices, the names of any agent, dealer or underwriter, and any applicable discounts, commissions, concessions or other compensation with respect to a particular offer will be set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement or, if appropriate, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement that includes this prospectus.

To facilitate the offering of the securities by the Registered Holders, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities. This may include over-allotments or short sales, which involve the sale by persons participating in the offering of more securities than were sold to them. In these circumstances, these persons would cover such over-allotments or short positions by making purchases in the open market or by exercising their over-allotment option, if any. In addition, these persons may stabilize or maintain the price of the securities by bidding for or purchasing the securities in the open market or by imposing penalty bids, whereby selling concessions allowed to dealers participating in the offering may be reclaimed if the securities sold by them are repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. These transactions may be discontinued at any time.

 

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Under the Registration Rights Agreement and the Subscription Agreements, we have agreed to indemnify the Registered Holders party thereto against certain liabilities that they may incur in connection with the sale of the securities registered hereunder, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments that the Registered Holders may be required to make with respect thereto. In addition, we and the Registered Holders have agreed to indemnify any underwriter, broker-dealer or agent against certain liabilities related to the selling of the securities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.

We have agreed to maintain the effectiveness of this registration statement until all securities covered hereby have been sold under this registration statement or Rule 144 under the Securities Act or are no longer outstanding. We have agreed to pay all expenses in connection with this offering, other than underwriting fees, discounts, selling commissions, stock transfer taxes and certain legal expenses. The Registered Holders will pay, on a pro rata basis, any underwriting fees, discounts, selling commissions, stock transfer taxes and certain legal expenses relating to the offering.

A Registered Holder that is an entity may elect to make an in-kind distribution of the securities to its members, partners or shareholders pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part by delivering a prospectus. To the extent that such members, partners or shareholders are not affiliates of ours, such members, partners or shareholders would thereby receive freely tradable securities pursuant to the distribution through a registration statement.

Registered Holders may use this prospectus in connection with resales of securities. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement will identify the Registered Holders, the terms of the securities and any material relationships between us and the Registered Holders. Registered Holders may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act in connection with the securities they resell and any profits on the sales may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Unless otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement, the Registered Holders will receive all the net proceeds from the resale of the securities.

At the time a particular offer of securities is made, if required, a prospectus supplement will be distributed that will set forth the number of securities being offered and the terms of the offering, including the name of any underwriter, dealer or agent, the purchase price paid by any underwriter, any discount, commission and other item constituting compensation, any discount, commission or concession allowed or reallowed or paid to any dealer, and the proposed selling price to the public.

We have agreed to pay all expenses in connection with this offering, other than underwriting commissions and discounts, brokerage fees, underwriter marketing costs, and certain legal expenses. The Registered Holders will pay any underwriting commissions and discounts, brokerage fees, underwriter marketing costs, and certain legal expenses relating to the offering.

LEGAL MATTERS

Latham & Watkins LLP has passed upon the validity of the securities offered by this prospectus and certain other legal matters related to this prospectus. Additional legal matters may be passed upon for us or any underwriters, dealers or agents, by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The financial statements of Vivid Seats Inc. incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report. Such financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance upon the report of such firm given their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

The financial statements of VDC Holdco, LLC as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2022, incorporated by reference herein, have been audited by Eide Bailly LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report. Such financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance upon the report of such firm given their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION;

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Available Information

We file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information about issuers, such as us, who file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is http://www.sec.gov. You may access these materials free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC.

Our website address is www.vividseats.com. The information on our website, however, is not, and should not be deemed to be, a part of, or incorporated by reference in, this prospectus.

This prospectus and any prospectus supplement are part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC and do not contain all of the information in the registration statement. The full registration statement may be obtained from the SEC or us, as provided above. Statements in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement about these documents are summaries and each statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the document to which it refers. You should refer to the actual documents for a more complete description of the relevant matters. You may inspect a copy of the registration statement through the SEC’s website, as provided above.

Incorporation by Reference

The SEC’s rules allow us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus, and subsequent information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede that information. Any statement contained in this prospectus or a previously filed document incorporated by reference herein will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or a subsequently filed document incorporated by reference herein modifies or replaces that statement.

This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement incorporate by reference the documents set forth below that have previously been filed with the SEC:

 

   

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on March 8, 2024;

 

   

Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 9, 2024 and March 5, 2024 (only with respect to Items 5.02 and 8.01); and

 

   

The description of our Class  A common stock and warrants contained in the registration statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on October 18, 2021, as updated by Exhibit 4.4 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on March 15, 2022, as well as any additional amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

All reports and other documents we subsequently file pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act in this prospectus, prior to the termination of this offering, including all such documents we may file with the SEC after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement, but excluding any information furnished to (including any information furnished pursuant to Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Current Reports on Form 8-K or related exhibits furnished pursuant to Item 9.01 of Current Reports on Form 8-K), rather than filed with, the SEC, will also be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and deemed to be part of this prospectus from the date of the filing of such reports and documents.

You may request a free copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus by writing to us at Vivid Seats Inc., 24 E. Washington St., Ste. 900, Chicago, IL 60602, or calling us at (312) 291-9966. Exhibits to the filings will not be sent, however, unless they have specifically been incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.

 

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following table sets forth the estimated expenses to be borne by the registrant in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered hereby.

 

SEC registration fee

   $ 295,689.93  

Accounting fees and expenses*

   $ 100,000  

Legal fees and expenses*

   $ 250,000  

Financial printing and miscellaneous expenses*

   $ 60,000  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 705,689.93  
  

 

 

 

 

*

Estimated solely for the purposes of this Item 14. Actual expenses may vary.

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Subsection (a) of Section 145 of the DGCL (“Section 145”) empowers a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or who is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful.

Subsection (b) of Section 145 empowers a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person acted in any of the capacities set forth above, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

Section 145 further provides that to the extent a director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 145, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith; that indemnification provided for by Section 145 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which the indemnified party may be entitled; and the indemnification provided for by Section 145 shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of such person’s heirs, executors and administrators. Section 145 also empowers the corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liabilities under Section 145.

 

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Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL provides that a corporation’s certificate of incorporation may contain a provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that such provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

Additionally, the Amended and Restated Charter limits the liability of our directors to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, and the Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that we will indemnify them to the fullest extent permitted by such law. We have entered into and expect to continue to enter into agreements to indemnify our directors, executive officers and other employees as determined by the Board. Under the terms of such indemnification agreements, we are required to indemnify each of our directors and officers, to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the state of Delaware, if the basis of the indemnitee’s involvement was by reason of the fact that the indemnitee is or was our director or officer or was serving at our request in an official capacity for another entity. We must indemnify our officers and directors against all reasonable fees, expenses, charges and other costs of any type or nature whatsoever, including any and all expenses and obligations paid or incurred in connection with investigating, defending, being a witness in, participating in (including on appeal), or preparing to defend, be a witness or participate in any completed, actual, pending or threatened action, suit, claim or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, or establishing or enforcing a right to indemnification under the indemnification agreement. The indemnification agreements also require us, if so requested, to advance all reasonable fees, expenses, charges and other costs that such director or officer incurred, provided that such person will return any such advance if it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to indemnification by us. Any claims for indemnification by our directors and officers may reduce our available funds to satisfy successful third-party claims against us and may reduce the amount of money available to us.

Item 16. Exhibits

 

Exhibit

No.

  

Description

3.1    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Vivid Seats Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with SEC on October 22, 2021).
3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws of Vivid Seats Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with SEC on October 22, 2021).
3.3    First Amendment to Amended and Restated Bylaws of Vivid Seats Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 filed with SEC on May 10, 2022)
4.1    Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement dated October  14, 2021 between Horizon Acquisition Corporation and Continental Stock Transfer  & Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with SEC on October 22, 2021).
4.2    Specimen Class A Common Stock Certificate of Vivid Seats Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 filed with SEC on March 15, 2022).
4.3    Specimen Warrant Certificate of Vivid Seats Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 filed with SEC on March 15, 2022).
5.1    Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 5.1 to the initial filing of this Registration Statement).
23.1*    Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
23.2*    Consent of Eide Bailly LLP.
23.3    Consent of Latham & Watkins LLP (included as part of Exhibit 5.1).
24.1    Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of the initial filing of this Registration Statement).

 

*

Filed herewith.

 

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Item 17. Undertakings

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 

  (1)

To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

 

  (i)

To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

 

  (ii)

To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

 

  (iii)

To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii), and (a)(1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is a part of the registration statement.

 

  (2)

That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

  (3)

To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

  (4)

That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:

 

  (A)

Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

 

  (B)

Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the

 

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  registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c) 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 foregoing provisions, 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 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.

 

II-4


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Chicago, State of Illinois, on April 17, 2024.

 

VIVID SEATS INC.
By:  

/s/ Stanley Chia

Name:   Stanley Chia
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

SIGNATURE       TITLE   DATE

/s/ Stanley Chia

Stanley Chia

   

Chief Executive Officer and Director

(principal executive officer)

  April 17, 2024

*

Lawrence Fey

   

Chief Financial Officer

(principal financial officer)

  April 17, 2024

*

Edward Pickus

   

Chief Accounting Officer

(principal accounting officer)

  April 17, 2024

*

Mark Anderson

    Director   April 17, 2024

*

Todd Boehly

    Director   April 17, 2024

*

Jane DeFlorio

    Director   April 17, 2024

*

Craig Dixon

    Director   April 17, 2024

*

David Donnini

    Director   April 17, 2024

*

Tom Ehrhart

    Director   April 17, 2024

*

Julie Masino

    Director   April 17, 2024

*

Martin Taylor

    Director   April 17, 2024

 

*

Pursuant to power of attorney

 

By:  

/s/ Stanley Chia

  Stanley Chia, As Attorney-in-Fact

 

II-5

EX-23.1

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement (No. 333-260839) on Form S-3 of our report dated March 7, 2024, relating to the financial statements of Vivid Seats Inc., appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Vivid Seats Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2023. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Chicago, Illinois

April 17, 2024

EX-23.2

Exhibit 23.2

Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Form S-3 Registration Statements (Registration Nos. 333-275889 and 333-260839) of our report, dated December 4, 2023, on our audit of the financial statements of VDC Holdco, LLC as of December 31, 2022 and 2021. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in the Form S-3 Registration Statements.

/s/ Eide Bailly LLP

Las Vegas, Nevada

April 17, 2024