ADATOM COM INC
8-K, EX-4.40, 2000-10-04
CATALOG & MAIL-ORDER HOUSES
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                         SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT

         SECURITIES  PURCHASE  AGREEMENT dated as of September 27, 2000, between
Adatom.com,  Inc.,  a Delaware  corporation  with  principal  executive  offices
located at 920  Hillview  Court,  Suite  160,  Milpitas,  California  95035 (the
"Company"), and the persons signatory hereto (the "Buyers").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:
                              -------------------

         WHEREAS,  Buyers desires to purchase from the Company,  and the Company
desires  to issue and sell to the  Buyers,  upon the terms  and  subject  to the
conditions of this Agreement, (i) 1,200 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred
Stock, $0.01 par value (the "Preferred Stock"),  having the rights,  preferences
and  privileges  set  forth  in  the  Certificate  of  Designations  of  Rights,
Preferences,  Privileges and  Restrictions  of Series B Preferred Stock attached
hereto as ANNEX I (the "Certificate of Designations"), (ii) warrants to purchase
an aggregate of 545,450 shares (the  "Warrants")  of the Company's  common stock
$0.01 par value (the  "Common  Stock"),  272,725  Warrants in the form  attached
hereto as Annex II-A  ("Class A  Warrants")  and  272,725  Warrants  in the form
attached hereto as Annex II-B ("Class B Warrants").

         WHEREAS,  upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the
Certificate of  Designations,  the Preferred Stock is convertible into shares of
Common Stock;

         WHEREAS, the Warrants,  upon the terms and subject to the conditions in
the  Warrants,  will for a period of five (5) years be  exercisable  to purchase
545,450 shares of Common Stock;

         NOW  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of  the  premises  and  the  mutual
covenants  contained herein, the parties hereto,  intending to be legally bound,
hereby agree as follows:

         I.       PURCHASE AND SALE OF PREFERRED STOCK AND WARRANTS

         A.       TRANSACTION.  Each  Buyer hereby  agrees  to purchase from the
Company,  and the Company  hereby  agrees to issue and sell to each Buyer,  in a
transaction exempt from the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of
the Securities  Act of 1933, as amended (the  "Securities  Act"),  the number of
shares of Preferred Stock and Warrants set forth on the signature page hereof.

         B.       PURCHASE  PRICE; FORM OF  PAYMENT.  The purchase price for the
Preferred  Stock and Warrants to be purchased by Buyer  hereunder shall be equal
to one thousand  dollars  ($1,000) times the number of shares of Preferred Stock
purchased (the "Purchase Price"). Each Buyer shall pay the Purchase Price on the
date hereof by wire transfer of immediately  available funds to the escrow agent
(the "Escrow  Agent")  identified in those certain Escrow  Instructions  of even
date  herewith,  a copy of which is  attached  hereto as ANNEX III (the  "Escrow
Instructions").

         Simultaneously  against  receipt  by the Escrow  Agent of the  Purchase
Price,  the  Company  shall  deliver  one or more duly  authorized,  issued  and
executed  certificates  (I/N/O  Buyer  or,  if the  Company  otherwise  has been
notified, I/N/O Buyer's nominee) evidencing the Securities,  to the Escrow Agent
or its designated depository. By executing and delivering this Agreement,  Buyer
and the Company each


<PAGE>

hereby agrees to observe the terms and  conditions  of the Escrow  Instructions,
all of which are incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein.

         C.       METHOD OF PAYMENT.  Payment into  escrow of the Purchase Price
shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to:

                            Transfer Online Escrow 1
                            227 S W Pine, Suite 300
                            Portland, Oregon 97204
                            Account # 370591005548
                            For the account of Adatom.com

Simultaneously  with the  execution of this  Agreement,  the Buyer shall deposit
with the Escrow Agent the Purchase  Price and the Company shall deposit with the
Escrow Agent the Securities.

         II.      BUYER'S REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES;  ACCESS  TO  INFORMATION;
 INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION.

         Buyer  represents  and  warrants to and  covenants  and agrees with the
Company as follows:

         A.       Buyer is purchasing the Preferred  Stock,  the  Warrants,  the
Common Stock  issuable upon exercise of the Warrants (the "Warrant  Shares") and
the shares of Common Stock  issuable upon  conversion  of the  Preferred  Stock,
including  payment of the Additional  Amounts,  as defined in the Certificate of
Designations  (the  "Conversion  Shares" and,  collectively  with the  Preferred
Stock,  the  Warrants  and the Warrant  Shares,  the  "Securities")  for its own
account,  for  investment  purposes  only  and  not  with a view  towards  or in
connection  with the public sale or  distribution  thereof in  violation  of the
Securities Act.

         B.       Buyer is (i) an "accredited investor"  within  the  meaning of
Rule 501 of Regulation D under the  Securities  Act, (ii)  experienced in making
investments of the kind contemplated by this Agreement, (iii) capable, by reason
of its business and financial experience,  of evaluating the relative merits and
risks of an  investment in the  Securities,  and (iv) able to afford the loss of
its investment in the Securities.

         C.       Buyer  understands  that  the Securities are being offered and
sold  by  the  Company  in  reliance  on  an  exemption  from  the  registration
requirements  of the Securities Act and  equivalent  state  securities and "blue
sky" laws,  and that the Company is relying  upon the  accuracy  of, and Buyer's
compliance with, Buyer's representations,  warranties and covenants set forth in
this  Agreement  to  determine  the  availability  of  such  exemption  and  the
eligibility of Buyer to purchase the Securities;

         D.       Buyer  has  been  furnished  with  or  provided  access to all
materials relating to the business, financial position and results of operations
of the Company,  and all other materials requested by Buyer to enable it to make
an informed investment decision with respect to the Securities.

         E.       Buyer  acknowledges  that it has been furnished with,  or  had
access to through the EDGAR system of the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission
(the "SEC"), copies of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal
year ended  December  31, 1999 and all other  reports and  documents  heretofore
filed by the Company with the SEC pursuant to the Securities Act and the


                                       2

Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), since December
31, 1999 (collectively the "SEC Filings").

         F.       Buyer  acknowledges that in making its  decision  to  purchase
the  Securities  it has been given an  opportunity  to ask  questions  of and to
receive answers from the Company's executive officers,  directors and management
personnel  concerning the terms and  conditions of the private  placement of the
Securities by the Company.

         G.       Buyer  understands  that   the   Securities  have   not   been
approved or disapproved by the SEC or any state  securities  commission and that
the  foregoing  authorities  have not reviewed any documents or  instruments  in
connection  with  the  offer  and  sale to it of the  Securities  and  have  not
confirmed  or  determined  the  adequacy or accuracy  of any such  documents  or
instruments.

         H.       This  Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed
and delivered by Buyer and is a valid and binding agreement of Buyer enforceable
against it in  accordance  with its terms,  subject  to  applicable  bankruptcy,
insolvency, fraudulent conveyance,  reorganization,  moratorium and similar laws
affecting creditors' rights and remedies generally.

         I.       Neither  Buyer nor its  affiliates,  nor  any person acting on
its or their behalf, has the intention of entering, or will enter into, prior to
the  closing,  or has entered  within the past 30 days,  any put  option,  short
position or other  similar  instrument  or position  with  respect to the Common
Stock and neither Buyer nor any of its affiliates,  nor any person acting on its
or their behalf,  will use at any time shares of Common Stock acquired  pursuant
to this  Agreement  to settle any put option,  short  position or other  similar
instrument or position that may have been entered into prior to the execution of
this Agreement.

         III.     COMPANY'S REPRESENTATIONS

         The Company  represents  and warrants to Buyer that except as disclosed
on Schedule III hereto:

         A.  CAPITALIZATION.  1. The  authorized  capital  stock of the  Company
consists of 50,000,000  shares of Common Stock, of which  17,617,506  shares are
outstanding  on the date hereof and  5,000,000  shares of preferred  stock,  par
value $0.01,  of which 195 shares of Series A  Convertible  Preferred  Stock are
outstanding  on the date  hereof.  All of the issued and  outstanding  shares of
Common Stock and Preferred  Stock have been duly  authorized  and validly issued
and are fully paid and  non-assessable.  As of the date hereof,  the Company has
outstanding  stock options and warrants to purchase  7,585,952  shares of Common
Stock as set forth on Schedule III.A.  The Conversion  Shares and Warrant Shares
have been duly and validly  authorized and reserved for issuance by the Company,
and  when  issued  by  the  Company  upon  conversion  of the  Preferred  Shares
(including  payment of the Additional  Amount),  or on exercise of the Warrants,
will be duly and  validly  issued,  fully paid and  non-assessable  and will not
subject the holder thereof to personal liability by reason of being such holder.
There are no preemptive, subscription, "call" or other similar rights to acquire
the Common Stock (including the Conversion  Shares and Warrant Shares) that have
been issued or granted to any person.

         2.       The  Company  does not  have  any  subsidiaries  and does  not
own or control,  directly or indirectly,  any interest in any other corporation,
partnership,  limited liability company,  unincorporated  business organization,
association, trust or other business entity.


                                       3

<PAGE>

         B.       ORGANIZATION; REPORTING COMPANY STATUS.
         1.       The Company is a corporation duly organized,  validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of its  jurisdiction of organization  and is
duly  qualified  as a  foreign  corporation  in all  jurisdictions  in which the
failure to so qualify  would have a  material  adverse  effect on the  business,
properties,   prospects,  condition  (financial  or  otherwise)  or  results  of
operations  of the  Company or on the  consummation  of any of the  transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (a "Material Adverse Effect").

         2.       The  Company  has  registered   the  Common  Stock pursuant to
Section 12 of the Exchange Act and has timely filed with the SEC all reports and
information  required to be filed by it pursuant  to all  reporting  obligations
under  Section  13(a) or  15(d),  as  applicable,  of the  Exchange  Act for the
12-month  period  immediately  preceding  the date  hereof.  The Common Stock is
listed and traded on the NASDAQ SmallCap  Market  ("NASDAQ") and the Company has
not received any notice  regarding,  and to its knowledge there is no threat, of
the  termination or  discontinuance  of the  eligibility of the Common Stock for
such listing.

         C.       AUTHORIZED SHARES. The Company has duly and validly authorized
and reserved for issuance  shares of Common Stock  sufficient  in number for the
conversion of the Preferred  Stock (assuming for purposes of this Section III.C.
a Conversion  Price (as defined in the Certificate of  Designations) of $.25 and
the exercise of the  Warrants.  The Company  understands  and  acknowledges  the
potentially  dilutive  effect  to  the  Common  Stock  of  the  issuance  of the
Conversion  Shares upon conversion of the Preferred Stock and the Warrant Shares
upon  exercise  of the  Warrants.  The  Company  further  acknowledges  that its
obligation to issue Conversion Shares upon conversion of the Preferred Stock and
Warrant  Shares upon exercise of the Warrants in accordance  with this Agreement
is  absolute  and  unconditional  regardless  of the  dilutive  effect that such
issuance  may  have on the  ownership  interests  of other  stockholders  of the
Company, notwithstanding the commencement of any case under 11 U.S.C. ss. 101 et
seq.  (the  "Bankruptcy  Code").  In the event the Company is a debtor under the
Bankruptcy  Code, the Company hereby waives to the fullest extent  permitted any
rights  to  relief  it may have  under  11  U.S.C.  ss.  362 in  respect  of the
conversion of the Preferred Stock and the exercise of the Warrants.  The Company
agrees,  without cost or expense to the Buyer, to take or consent to any and all
action necessary to effectuate relief under 11 U.S.C. ss. 362.

         D.       AUTHORITY;  VALIDITY  AND  ENFORCEABILITY.   The  Company  has
the requisite  corporate power and authority to enter into this  Agreement,  the
Certificate of  Designations,  the  Registration  Rights  Agreement of even date
herewith  between the Company  and Buyer,  a copy of which is annexed  hereto as
Annex IV (the  "Registration  Rights Agreement") and the Warrants and to perform
all of its obligations  hereunder and thereunder  (including the issuance,  sale
and  delivery  to  Buyer  of  the  Securities).  The  execution,   delivery  and
performance by the Company of this Agreement,  the Certificate of  Designations,
the Warrants and the Registration Rights Agreement,  and the consummation by the
Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (the issuance of the
Preferred  Stock,  the Warrants and the issuance and reservation for issuance of
the  Conversion  Shares and Warrant  Shares),  has been duly  authorized  by all
necessary  corporate action on the part of the Company and no further consent or
authorization  of the  Company  or its Board of  Directors  or  stockholders  is
required,  except to the extent  stockholder  approval is required  under NASDAQ
rules. Each of this Agreement, the Certificate of Designations, the Warrants and
the  Registration  Rights Agreement has been duly validly executed and delivered
by the Company and each instrument constitutes a valid and binding obligation of
the Company  enforceable  against it in  accordance  with its terms,  subject to
applicable  bankruptcy,   insolvency,  fraudulent  conveyance,   reorganization,
moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors,  rights and remedies generally.
The Securities have been duly and validly authorized for issuance by the Company
and,  when  executed and  delivered  by the  Company,  will be valid and binding
obligations of the Company

                                       4

<PAGE>

enforceable  against it in  accordance  with their terms,  subject to applicable
bankruptcy,  insolvency, fraudulent conveyance,  reorganization,  moratorium and
similar laws affecting creditors' rights and remedies generally.

         E.       NON-CONTRAVENTION. The execution and delivery  by the  Company
of this  Agreement,  the  Certificate  of  Designations,  the  Warrants  and the
Registration  Rights  Agreement,  the  issuance  of  the  Securities,   and  the
consummation by the Company of the other  transactions  contemplated  hereby and
thereby,  do not and will not conflict with or result in a breach by the Company
of any of the terms or  provisions  of,  or  constitute  a default  (or an event
which, with notice, lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under (i)
the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or by-laws of the Company,
(ii) except for such conflict, breach or default which would not have a Material
Adverse  Effect,  any  indenture,  mortgage,  deed of trust  or  other  material
agreement  or  instrument  to which  the  Company  is a party or by which  their
respective  properties or assets are bound, or (iii) any law, rule,  regulation,
decree,  judgment  or order of any  court or public  or  governmental  authority
having  jurisdiction  over the  Company or any of the  Company's  properties  or
assets,  nor is the Company  otherwise  in  violation  of,  conflict  with or in
default under any of the foregoing,  except for such conflict, breach or default
which would not have a Material Adverse Affect.

         F.       APPROVALS. No authorization, approval or consent of  any court
or public or  governmental  authority  is required to be obtained by the Company
for the  issuance  and sale of the  Preferred  Stock and the  Warrants  (and the
Conversion  Shares  and  Warrant  Shares)  to  Buyer  as  contemplated  by  this
Agreement,  except such  authorizations,  approvals  and consents that have been
obtained by the Company prior to the date hereof.

         G.       SEC FILINGS.  None of  the  SEC  Filings contained at the time
they were filed any untrue  statement of a material fact or omitted to state any
material fact required to be stated  therein or necessary to make the statements
made  therein,  in light of the  circumstances  under which they were made,  not
misleading.  The  Company  has not  provided  to  Buyer  any  information  that,
according to applicable  law,  rule or  regulation,  should have been  disclosed
publicly  prior to the date  hereof  by the  Company,  but which has not been so
disclosed.

         H.       ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES.  Except as  disclosed  in  the SEC
Filings or the Financial Statements (as defined in Section III.L. hereto), since
the Balance  Sheet Date (as defined in Section  III.L.),  there has not occurred
any change, event or development in the business, financial condition, prospects
or results of operations of the Company, and there has not existed any condition
having or reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

         I.       FULL DISCLOSURE. There is no fact known to the Company  (other
than general economic or industry conditions known to the public generally) that
has not been fully  disclosed in writing to the Buyer that (i) reasonably  would
be  expected  to have a  Material  Adverse  Effect or (ii)  reasonably  would be
expected  to  materially  and  adversely  affect the  ability of the  Company to
perform  its  obligations  pursuant  to  this  Agreement,   the  Certificate  of
Designations, the Warrants or the Registration Rights Agreement.

         J.       ABSENCE OF LITIGATION.  There  is  no  action,  suit,   claim,
proceeding,  inquiry or  investigation  pending or, to the Company's  knowledge,
threatened, by or before any court or public or governmental authority which, if
determined adversely to the Company, would have a Material Adverse Effect.


                                       5

<PAGE>


         K.       ABSENCE  OF  EVENTS  OF  DEFAULT.   No "Event of Default"  (as
defined in any  agreement or  instrument to which the Company is a party) and no
event which,  with notice,  lapse of time or both,  would constitute an Event of
Default (as so  defined),  has occurred  and is  continuing,  which could have a
Material Adverse Effect.

         L.       FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; NO UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES.  The Company
has delivered or made available to Buyer true and complete copies of its audited
balance  sheet as at December  31, 1999 and the related  audited  statements  of
operations  and cash flows for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 including
the related notes and schedules thereto as well as the same unaudited  financial
statements as of and for the six month period ended June 30, 2000 (collectively,
the  "Financial  Statements"),  and all  management  letters,  if any,  from the
Company's  independent auditors relating to the dates and periods covered by the
Financial  Statements.  Each of the  Financial  Statements  has been prepared in
accordance with United States General Accepted  Accounting  Principles  ("GAAP")
(subject,  in the case of the interim Financial  Statements,  to normal year end
adjustments  and the absence of footnotes) and in conformity  with the practices
consistently  applied by the  Company  without  modification  of the  accounting
principles  used in the preparation  thereof,  and fairly presents the financial
position,  results of  operations  and cash flows of the Company as at the dates
and for the periods indicated. For purposes hereof, the audited balance sheet of
the Company as at December 31, 1999 is  hereinafter  referred to as the "Balance
Sheet" and December 31, 1999 is  hereinafter  referred to as the "Balance  Sheet
Date". The Company has no  indebtedness,  obligations or liabilities of any kind
(whether  accrued,  absolute,  contingent  or  otherwise,  and whether due or to
become due) that would have been required to be reflected in,  reserved  against
or  otherwise  described  in the  Balance  Sheet  or in  the  notes  thereto  in
accordance  with GAAP,  which was not fully  reflected in,  reserved  against or
otherwise  described  in the  Balance  Sheet  or the  notes  thereto  or was not
incurred in the ordinary  course of business  consistent with the Company's past
practices since the Balance Sheet Date.

         M.       COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS; PERMITS.  The Company  is in  compliance
with all laws, rules, regulations,  codes, ordinances and statutes (collectively
"Laws")  applicable  to it or to the  conduct of its  business,  except for such
non-compliance  which  would not have a Material  Adverse  Effect.  The  Company
possesses all permits,  approvals,  authorizations,  licenses,  certificates and
consents  from all public and  governmental  authorities  which are necessary to
conduct  its  business,  except for those the  absence of which would not have a
Material Adverse Effect.

         N.       RELATED  PARTY  TRANSACTIONS.  Neither the  Company nor any of
its officers,  directors or "Affiliates"  (as such term is defined in Rule 12b-2
under the  Exchange  Act) has borrowed  any moneys from or has  outstanding  any
indebtedness  or other similar  obligations to the Company.  Neither the Company
nor any of its officers, directors or Affiliates (i) owns any direct or indirect
interest  constituting  more  than  a one  percent  equity  (or  similar  profit
participation)  interest  in, or controls or is a  director,  officer,  partner,
member or employee of, or  consultant  to or lender to or borrower  from, or has
the right to  participate in the profits of, any person or entity which is (x) a
competitor,  supplier,  customer,  landlord,  tenant,  creditor or debtor of the
Company,  (y) engaged in a business  related to the business of the Company , or
(z) a participant in any transaction to which the Company is a party (other than
in the  ordinary  course of the  Company's  business)  or (ii) is a party to any
contract, agreement, commitment or other arrangement with the Company.

         O.       INSURANCE.   The  Company  maintains  property  and  casualty,
general  liability and workers'  compensation,  insurance with financially sound
and reputable  insurers  that is adequate in light of the  Company's  historical
claims  experience.  The  Company  has  not  received  notice  from,  and has no
knowledge of any threat by, any insurer (that has issued any insurance policy to
the Company) that such

                                       6


insurer  intends to deny coverage under or cancel,  discontinue or not renew any
insurance policy presently in force.

         P.       SECURITIES   LAW   MATTERS.   Based,  in   part,    upon   the
representations  and  warranties  of Buyer set forth in Section  II hereof,  the
offer  and  sale  by the  Company  of the  Securities  is  exempt  from  (i) the
registration and prospectus delivery  requirements of the Securities Act and the
rules and  regulations of the SEC thereunder  and (ii) the  registration  and/or
qualification provisions of all applicable state securities and "blue sky" laws.
Other than pursuant to an effective  registration statement under the Securities
Act, the Company has not issued,  offered or sold Preferred  Stock or any shares
of Common  Stock  (including  for this purpose any  securities  of the same or a
similar  class  as the  Preferred  Stock  or  Common  Stock,  or any  securities
convertible  into or  exchangeable  or exercisable for Preferred Stock or Common
Stock or any such other  securities)  within the six-month period next preceding
the date hereof,  except as  previously  disclosed in writing to Buyer,  and the
Company shall not directly or indirectly  take,  and shall not permit any of its
directors,  officers or Affiliates  directly or  indirectly to take,  any action
(including,  without limitation, any offering or sale to any person or entity of
Preferred  Stock or shares  of  Common  Stock),  so as to make  unavailable  the
exemption from Securities Act registration  being relied upon by the Company for
the offer and sale to Buyer of the Preferred  Stock (and the Conversion  Shares)
as  contemplated  by  this  Agreement.   No  form  of  general  solicitation  or
advertising  has been used or  authorized by the Company or any of its officers,
directors or Affiliates  in  connection  with the offer or sale of the Preferred
Stock (and the Conversion Shares) as contemplated by this Agreement or any other
agreement to which the Company is a party.

         Q.       ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. 1. The operations of the Company are in
material  compliance  with all  applicable  Environmental  Laws and all  permits
issued pursuant to Environmental Laws or otherwise;

         2.       to its knowledge, the Company has obtained or applied  for all
material permits required under all applicable  Environmental  Laws necessary to
operate their respective businesses;

         3.       to  its  knowledge, the  Company  is  not  the subject  of any
outstanding  written  order of and the  Company is not a party to any  agreement
with, any governmental  authority or person respecting (i)  Environmental  Laws,
(ii)  Remedial  Action or (iii) any Release or  threatened  Release of Hazardous
Materials;

         4.       the Company has not received, since the October 14, 1999,  any
written communication  alleging that it may be in violation of any Environmental
Law or any permit  issued  pursuant  to any  Environmental  Law, or may have any
liability under any Environmental Law;

         5.       to  its  knowledge,  the  Company  does  not  have any current
contingent  liability in connection with any Release of any Hazardous  Materials
into the indoor or outdoor environment (whether on-site or off-site);

         6.       to the Company's knowledge, there are no investigations of the
business,  operations,  or currently  or  previously  owned,  operated or leased
property of the Company pending or threatened which could lead to the imposition
of any liability pursuant to any Environmental Law;

         7.       to  its  knowledge,   there  is  not  located  at  any  of the
properties   of  the   Company   any  (A)   underground   storage   tanks,   (B)
asbestos-containing   material  or  (C)  equipment  containing   polychlorinated
biphenyls; and,


                                       7

<PAGE>


         8.       the Company has provided to Buyer all environmentally  related
audits, studies, reports, analyses, and results of investigations that have been
performed with respect to the currently or previously owned,  leased or operated
properties of the Company.

         For purposes of this Section III.Q.:

         "Environmental Law"  means   any  federal,  state  or  local   statute,
         -------------------
regulation,  ordinance,  or rule of common law as now or  hereafter in effect in
any way relating to the protection of human health and safety or the environment
including,   without  limitation,  the  Comprehensive   Environmental  Response,
Compensation  and  Liability  Act (42  U.S.C.ss.9601  et  seq.),  the  Hazardous
                                                      --------
Materials  Transportation  Act (49 U.S.C.  App.ss.1801  et seg.),  the  Resource
                                                        -------
Conservation  and Recovery Act (42  U.S.C.ss.6901  et seq.), the Clean Water Act
(33  U.S.C.ss.1251 et seg.),  the Clean Air Act (42  U.S.C.ss.7401 et seg.), the
                   -------                                         -------
Toxic   Substances   Control  Act  (15   U.S.C.ss.2601  et  seg.),  the  Federal
                                                        --------
Insecticide,  Fungicide,  and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C.ss.136 et seq.),  and the
                                                              -------
Occupational   Safety  and  Health  Act  (29  U.S.C.ss.651  et  seg.),  and  the
                                                            --------
regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.

         "Hazardous  Material"  means any substance,  material or waste which is
         ---------------------
regulated  by the  United  States or any state or local  governmental  authority
including, without limitation, petroleum and its by-products,  asbestos, and any
material  or  substance  which is defined  as a  "hazardous  waste,"  "hazardous
substance,"  "hazardous  material,"  "restricted  hazardous waste,"  "industrial
waste,"  "solid  waste,"  "contaminant,"  "pollutant,"  "toxic  waste"  or toxic
substance" under any provision of any Environmental Law;

         "Release"  means any release,  spill,  filtration,  emission,  leaking,
         ---------
pumping, injection,  deposit, disposal,  discharge,  dispersal, or leaching into
the indoor or outdoor environment,  or into or out of any property, in each case
in violation of any Environmental law.

         "Remedial  Action" means all actions to (x) clean up, remove,  treat or
         ------------------
in any other way address any Hazardous Material;  (y) prevent the Release of any
Hazardous Material in violation of any Environmental law so it does not endanger
or  threaten  to  endanger  public  health or  welfare  or the indoor or outdoor
environment;   or  (z)  perform   pre-remedial  studies  and  investigations  or
post-remedial monitoring and care.

         R.       LABOR  MATTERS.   The  Company  is  not  party to any labor or
collective  bargaining agreement and there are no labor or collective bargaining
agreements  which  pertain to  employees  of the  Company.  No  employees of the
Company are represented by any labor organization and none of such employees has
made  a  pending  demand  for  recognition,  and  there  are  no  representation
proceedings or petitions seeking a representation  proceeding  presently pending
or, to the  Company's  knowledge,  threatened  to be brought or filed,  with the
National Labor Relations Board or other labor  relations  tribunal.  There is no
organizing  activity  involving  the  Company  or  pending  or to the  Company's
knowledge,  threatened  by any labor  organization  or group of employees of the
Company.  There are no (i)  strikes,  work  stoppages,  slowdowns,  lockouts  or
arbitrations or (ii) material  grievances or other labor disputes pending or, to
the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or involving the Company. There
are no unfair labor practice  charges,  grievances or complaints  pending or, to
the  knowledge  of the  Company,  threatened  by or on behalf of any employee or
group of employees of the Company.

         S.       ERISA  MATTERS. The Company  and its ERISA  Affiliates  are in
compliance in all material  respects with all provisions of ERISA  applicable to
it.  Neither  the  Company  nor  any  ERISA


                                       8

<PAGE>

Affiliate maintains, contributes, maintained or contributed to a plan subject to
the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code.

         For purposes of this Section III.S.:

         "ERISA" means the Employee  Retirement  Income Security Act of 1974, or
         -------
any  successor  statute,   together  with  the  final  regulations   promulgated
thereunder, as the same may be amended from time to time.

         "ERISA   Affiliate"  means  any  trade  or  business  (whether  or  not
         -------------------
incorporated)  that is a member of a group of which the  Company is a member and
which is treated as a single employer under ss. 414 of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Internal Revenue Code").

         T.       TAX MATTERS. 1. The Company has filed all Tax Returns which it
is  required  to file under  applicable  Laws,  except  for such Tax  Returns in
respect  of which the  failure to so file does not and could not have a Material
Adverse  Effect;  all such Tax  Returns are true and  accurate  in all  material
respects and have been  prepared in compliance  with all  applicable  Laws;  the
Company  has paid all Taxes due and owing by it  (whether  or not such Taxes are
required  to be shown on a Tax Return)  and have  withheld  and paid over to the
appropriate  taxing  authorities  all Taxes which they are  required to withhold
from amounts paid or owing to any employee, stockholder, creditor or other third
parties;  and since  December 31, 1999,  the charges,  accruals and reserves for
Taxes with respect to the Company  (including any provisions for deferred income
taxes)  reflected  on the books of the  Company  are  adequate  to cover any Tax
liabilities of the Company if its current tax year were treated as ending on the
date hereof.

         2.       No claim has been made by a taxing authority in a jurisdiction
where the Company does not file tax returns that such  corporation  is or may be
subject to taxation by that jurisdiction.  To the Company's knowledge, there are
no foreign,  federal,  state or local tax audits or  administrative  or judicial
proceedings  pending  or  being  conducted  with  respect  to  the  Company;  no
information  related to Tax matters has been requested by any foreign,  federal,
state or local taxing  authority;  and,  except as disclosed  above,  no written
notice  indicating  an intent to open an audit or other review has been received
by the Company from any foreign,  federal,  state or local taxing authority.  To
the Company's  knowledge,  there are no material unresolved  questions or claims
concerning  the  Company's  Tax  liability.  The Company (A) has not executed or
entered into a closing  agreement  pursuant to ss. 7121 of the Internal  Revenue
Code or any  predecessor  provision  thereof or any similar  provision of state,
local or  foreign  law;  or (B) has not  agreed  to or is  required  to make any
adjustments  pursuant to ss. 481 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code or any similar
provision  of state,  local or foreign  law by reason of a change in  accounting
method  initiated by the Company or has any knowledge  that the IRS has proposed
any such  adjustment  or change in  accounting  method,  or has any  application
pending  with any taxing  authority  requesting  permission  for any  changes in
accounting methods that relate to the business or operations of the Company. The
Company has not been a United States real property  holding  corporation  within
the meaning of ss.  897(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code during the applicable
period specified in ss. 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Internal Revenue Code.

         3.       The  Company  has not  made an  election  under ss.  341(f) of
the Internal  Revenue  Code.  The Company is not liable for the Taxes of another
person  that is not a  subsidiary  of the  Company  under (A)  Treas.  Reg.  ss.
1.1502-6 (or  comparable  provisions of state,  local or foreign law),  (B) as a
transferee  or  successor,  (C) by contract or indemnity or (D)  otherwise.  The
Company is not a party to any tax  sharing  agreement.  The Company has not made
any payments,  is obligated to make payments or is a party to an


                                       9


agreement  that  could  obligate  it to make  any  payments  that  would  not be
deductible under ss. 28OG of the Internal Revenue Code.

         For purposes of this Section III.T.:

         "IRS" means the United States Internal Revenue Service.
         -----

         "Tax" or "Taxes" means federal, state, county, local, foreign, or other
         ----------------
income, gross receipts, ad valorem, franchise,  profits, sales or use, transfer,
registration, excise, utility, environmental,  communications,  real or personal
property,   capital  stock,   license,   payroll,  wage  or  other  withholding,
employment, social security, severance, stamp, occupation, alternative or add-on
minimum,  estimated and other taxes of any kind whatsoever  (including,  without
limitation, deficiencies, penalties, additions to tax, and interest attributable
thereto) whether disputed or not.

         "Tax  Return"  means any  return,  information  report  or filing  with
         -------------
respect to Taxes,  including  any schedules  attached  thereto and including any
amendment thereof.

         U.       PROPERTY.  The  Company  does  not own any real property.  The
Company has good and marketable title to all personal property owned by it, free
and  clear  of  all  liens,  encumbrances  and  defects  except  such  as do not
materially  affect the value of such  property and do not  materially  interfere
with the use made and proposed to be made of such  property by the Company;  and
any real property and  buildings  held under lease by the Company are held by it
under valid,  subsisting and enforceable  leases with such exceptions as are not
material and do not interfere  with the use made and proposed to be made of such
property and buildings by the Company.

         V.       INTELLECTUAL  PROPERTY. The Company owns or possesses adequate
and  enforceable  rights to use all patents,  patent  applications,  trademarks,
trademark  applications,  trade  names,  service  marks,  copyrights,  copyright
applications,  licenses,  know-how (including trade secrets and other unpatented
and/or  unpatentable  proprietary  or  confidential   information,   systems  or
procedures)  and other similar rights and proprietary  knowledge  (collectively,
"Intangibles") necessary for the conduct of its business as now being conducted.
To the Company's  knowledge,  the Company is not infringing  upon or in conflict
with any right of any other  person with respect to any  Intangibles.  No claims
have been asserted by any person to the ownership or use of any  Intangibles and
the Company has no knowledge of any basis for such claim.

         W.       INTERNAL  CONTROLS  AND  PROCEDURES.   The  Company  maintains
accurate  books and records  and  internal  accounting  controls  which  provide
reasonable  assurance that (i) all  transactions to which the Company is a party
or  by  which  its   properties   are  bound  are  executed  with   management's
authorization;  (ii) the  reported  accountability  of the  Company's  assets is
compared  with  existing  assets  at  regular  intervals;  (iii)  access  to the
Company's   assets  is   permitted   only  in   accordance   with   management's
authorization;  and (iv) all  transactions to which the Company is a party or by
which its properties  are bound are recorded as necessary to permit  preparation
of the financial  statements of the Company in  accordance  with U.S.  generally
accepted accounting principles.

         X.       PAYMENTS  AND  CONTRIBUTIONS.  Neither the  Company nor any of
its directors,  officers or, to its knowledge,  other employees has (i) used any
Company funds for any unlawful contribution, endorsement, gift, entertainment or
other unlawful expense relating to political  activity;  (ii) made any direct or
indirect unlawful payment of Company funds to any foreign or domestic government
official or employee;  (iii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977,


                                       10

<PAGE>

as amended; or (iv) made any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment,  kickback
or other similar payment to any person with respect to Company matters.

         Y.       NO MISREPRESENTATION.  No  representation  or  warranty of the
Company  contained in this Agreement,  any schedule,  annex or exhibit hereto or
any  agreement,  instrument  or  certificate  furnished  by the Company to Buyer
pursuant to this Agreement,  contains any untrue statement of a material fact or
omits to state a material  fact  required to be stated  therein or  necessary to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading.

         Z.       RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL.  Except  as provided in Section IV.K.,
the  Company  has not  granted  any right of first  refusal to any  person  with
respect to the  issuance of the  Preferred  Stock,  Common  Stock or  securities
convertible into Common Stock.

         IV.      CERTAIN COVENANTS AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.

         A.       RESTRICTIVE LEGEND. Buyer acknowledges and  agrees that,  upon
issuance  pursuant to this  Agreement,  the Securities (and any shares of Common
Stock issued upon  conversion  of the  Preferred  Stock or upon  exercise of the
Warrants) shall have endorsed  thereon a legend in  substantially  the following
form (and a stop-transfer  order may be placed against transfer of the Preferred
Stock and the Conversion Shares:

         "THESE  SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF
1933, AS AMENDED (THE  "SECURITIES  ACT"),  OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE,
AND ARE BEING  OFFERED AND SOLD PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION  FROM THE  REGISTRATION
REQUIREMENTS  OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND SUCH LAWS.  THESE  SECURITIES MAY NOT BE
SOLD OR TRANSFERRED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE  EXEMPTION FROM THE  REGISTRATION
REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OR SUCH OTHER LAWS."

         B.       FILINGS.  The  Company  shall  make  all  necessary  SEC   and
"blue sky"  filings  required to be made by the Company in  connection  with the
sale of the  Securities  to the Buyer as required by all  applicable  Laws,  and
shall provide a copy thereof to the Buyer promptly after such filing.

         C.       REPORTING STATUS. So long as  the Buyer beneficially owns  any
of the  Securities,  the Company  shall use its best efforts to file all reports
required  to be filed by it with the SEC  pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act.

         D.       LISTING.  So  long  as  the Buyer beneficially owns any of the
Securities,  except to the extent the Company  lists its Common Stock on The New
York Stock  Exchange,  the Company  shall use its best  efforts to maintain  its
listing of the Common Stock on the NASDAQ.

         E.       RESERVED  CONVERSION  SHARES. Subject to Section 5.11  of  the
Certificate  of  Designations  and  Section  2(d)  of  the  Registration  Rights
Agreement,  the Company at all times from and after the date hereof shall have a
sufficient  number of shares of Common  Stock duly and  validly  authorized  and
reserved  for  issuance to satisfy the  conversion,  in full,  of the  Preferred
Stock, including payment of the Additional Amount (assuming for purposes of this
Section  IV.E.,  a  Conversion  Price of $0.25),  and upon the  exercise  of the
Warrants.


                                       11


         F.       REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT.  The  Company  shall  cause the
Registration Rights Agreement to remain in full force and effect and the Company
shall comply in all material respects with the terms thereof.

         G.       NOTICE OF CERTAIN EVENTS AFFECTING  REGISTRATION.  The Company
will  immediately  notify the Buyer upon the  occurrence of any of the following
events in respect of a registration  statement or related  prospectus in respect
of an offering  of the  Securities;  (i)  receipt of any request for  additional
information  by the SEC or any other  federal  or state  governmental  authority
during the period of effectiveness of the Registration  Statement to be supplied
by  amendments  or  supplements  to  the   registration   statement  or  related
prospectus;  (ii)  the  issuance  by the  SEC  or any  other  federal  or  state
governmental  authority of any stop order  suspending the  effectiveness  of the
Registration  Statement or the initiation of any  proceedings  for that purpose;
(iii)  receipt  of  any  notification  with  respect  to the  suspension  of the
qualification or exemption from  qualification of any of the Securities for sale
in any  jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such
purpose;  (iv) the happening of any event that makes any  statement  made in the
Registration  Statement or related  prospectus or any document  incorporated  or
deemed to be incorporated therein by reference untrue in any material respect or
that requires the making of any changes in the Registration  Statement,  related
prospectus or documents so that, in the case of the Registration  Statement,  it
will not contain any untrue  statement  of a material  fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated  therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading,  and that in the case of the related prospectus, it will
not  contain  any  untrue  statement  of a  material  fact or omit to state  any
material fact required to be stated  therein or necessary to make the statements
therein,  in the light of the  circumstances  under  which they were  made,  not
misleading; and (v) the Company's reasonable determination that a post-effective
amendment to the  Registration  Statement would be appropriate;  and the Company
will  promptly make  available to Buyer any such  supplement or amendment to the
related prospectus.

         H.       CONSOLIDATION;  MERGER.  The  Company  shall  not, at any time
after the date hereof, effect any merger or consolidation of the Company with or
into, or a transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to,
another  entity (a  "Consolidation  Event")  unless the  resulting  successor or
acquiring  entity  (if not the  Company)  assumes by  written  instrument  or by
operation of law the  obligation to deliver to Buyer such shares of stock and/or
securities as Buyer is entitled to receive pursuant to this Agreement.

         I.       ISSUANCE OF PREFERRED  SHARES AND WARRANT  SHARES. The sale of
the Preferred  Stock and the issuance of the Warrant Shares pursuant to exercise
of the Warrant and the Conversion  Shares upon conversion of the Preferred Stock
shall be made in accordance with the provisions and requirements of Section 4(2)
of Regulation D and any applicable  state securities law. The Company shall make
all necessary  SEC and "blue sky" filings  required to be made by the Company in
connection  with  the  sale  of the  Securities  to  Buyer  as  required  by all
applicable  Laws,  and shall provide a copy thereof to Buyer promptly after such
filing.

         J.       LIMITATION ON FUTURE FINANCING.   The  Company  agrees that it
will not enter into any  financing  at a discount to Market Price (as defined in
the Certificate of Designations)  which contains  dividend,  interest,  payment,
liquidation,  redemption,  exchange,  conversion  or similar  terms which may be
calculated  by  formulas  based  in  part on the  varying  market  price  of the
Company's  securities (a "Variable Rate Financing"),  other than under a private
equity line of credit  with J. E.  Matthews,  LLC for not less than  $5,000,000,
which provides for the issuance of convertible exchangeable term notes and other
than any  equity  line of  credit  with any  other  investor  for not less  than
$5,000,000 (an "Equity Line Financing"), until (i) six months from the effective
date of the Registration Statement, or (ii) Astor


                                       12

<PAGE>

Capital,  Inc., as agent for Buyer,  gives written  approval for such additional
financing;   provided,  however,  anything  to  the  contrary  appearing  herein
notwithstanding,  neither this Section nor any other  provision  hereof shall be
construed to restrict or prohibit the Company's right to  restructure,  amend or
modify any financing facility existing on the date hereof.

         K.       RIGHT OF FIRST  REFUSAL.  Except for Variable Rate  Financings
and Equity Line Financings,  the Company shall not enter into any financing at a
discount  to Market  Price with  Persons  other  than the Buyers (a  "Restricted
Financing")  during  the  period  commencing  on the date  hereof and ending six
months  after the  effective  date of the  Registration  Statement,  unless  the
Company shall first have satisfied its obligations under this Section IV.K.

                  (a)      If the  Company  receives  a written  offer  from any
                           Person or group of Persons other than the Buyers, the
                           Company  shall  give the  Buyers a written  notice of
                           such offer  stating  the type,  terms,  and  purchase
                           price  of the  securities  offered  as  part  of such
                           Restricted Financing and the other material terms and
                           conditions of the proposed  Restricted  Financing and
                           attaching a copy of the offer signed by the Person or
                           Persons making such offer.

                  (b)      The Buyers  shall have the right to  purchase  all or
                           any part of the  securities  offered  as part of such
                           Restricted Financing on the same terms and conditions
                           as are set  forth in the  Company's  written  notice.
                           Each Buyer may  exercise  its right to purchase  such
                           securities by giving a written  notice of exercise to
                           the  Company  within  three  Trading  Days after such
                           Buyer's receipt of the Company's  notice.  Each Buyer
                           shall have the right to purchase such  securities pro
                           rata  in  accordance  with  their  investment  in the
                           Company as a result of their  purchase  of  Preferred
                           Stock  under  this  Agreement.  Each  Buyer  may also
                           notify the Company that it will purchase its pro rata
                           share of any such  securities  not  purchased  by the
                           other Buyers.

                  (c)      If the Buyers shall not have  exercised  their rights
                           to purchase all of such securities,  then the Company
                           shall  have  the  right to sell  all  securities  not
                           subscribed  by the  Buyers  on  the  same  terms  and
                           conditions  as  those  set  forth  in  the  Company's
                           notice.  If the Company  shall not have sold all such
                           securities within 30 days after the expiration of the
                           three Trading Day period in paragraph (b) above, then
                           the Company shall not sell any such securities unless
                           it first offers to sell such securities to the Buyers
                           in accordance  with the  procedures set forth in this
                           Section IV.K.


         V.       TRANSFER AGENT INSTRUCTIONS.

         A.       The  Company  undertakes  and agrees that no instruction other
than the instructions  referred to in this Section V and customary stop transfer
instructions  prior to the registration and sale of the Common Stock pursuant to
an effective Securities Act registration statement will be given to its transfer
agent for the Common Stock and that the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of
the Preferred Stock,  including the payment of the Additional  Amount,  and upon
exercise of the Warrants otherwise shall be freely transferable on the books and
records of the  Company as and to the extent  provided  in this  Agreement,  the
Registration  Rights  Agreement and applicable  law.  Nothing  contained in this
Section V.A. shall affect in any way Buyer's obligations and agreement to comply
with all applicable


                                       13

<PAGE>

securities  laws  upon  resale of such  Common  Stock.  If,  at any time,  Buyer
provides the Company with an opinion of counsel  reasonably  satisfactory to the
Company  that  registration  of the resale by Buyer of such Common  Stock is not
required under the Securities Act and that the removal of restrictive legends is
permitted  under  applicable  law, the Company shall permit the transfer of such
Common Stock and, promptly instruct the Company's transfer agent to issue one or
more  certificates  for Common Stock without any  restrictive  legends  endorsed
thereon.

         B.       The  Company  shall  permit  Buyer  to  exercise  its right to
convert the Preferred  Stock by telecopying an executed and completed  Notice of
Conversion  to the  Company.  Each  date on  which a  Notice  of  Conversion  is
telecopied  to and  received by the Company in  accordance  with the  provisions
hereof  shall be deemed a  Conversion  Date.  The  Company  shall  transmit  the
certificates  evidencing the shares of Common Stock issuable upon  conversion of
any Preferred Stock (together with  certificates  evidencing any Preferred Stock
not being so converted) to Buyer via express courier,  by electronic transfer or
otherwise, within three business days after receipt by the Company of the Notice
of Conversion  (the  "Delivery  Date").  Within 30 days after Buyer delivers the
Notice of  Conversion  to the  Company,  Buyer shall  deliver to the Company the
Preferred  Stock  being  converted.  Buyer shall  indemnify  the Company for any
damages to third parties as a result of a claim by such third party to ownership
of the Preferred  Stock converted prior to receipt of the Preferred Stock by the
Company.

         C.       The  Company  shall  permit  Buyer  to exercise  its  right to
purchase  shares of  Common  Stock  pursuant  to  exercise  of the  Warrants  in
accordance  with its  applicable  terms of the Warrants.  The last date that the
Company  may  deliver  shares of Common  Stock  issuable  upon any  exercise  of
Warrants is referred to herein as the "Warrant Delivery Date."

         D.       The Company  understands  that a delay in the issuance of  the
shares of Common Stock  issuable  upon the  conversion  of the  Preferred  Stock
(including  the  payment  of the  Additional  Amount)  or upon  exercise  of the
Warrants  beyond the  applicable  Delivery  Date or Warrant  Delivery Date could
result in economic loss to Buyer.  As  compensation  to Buyer for such loss (and
not as a  penalty),  the  Company  agrees to pay to Buyer for late  issuance  of
Common Stock issuable upon  conversion of the Preferred Stock or exercise of the
Warrants in accordance with the following schedule (where "No. Business Days" is
defined as the number of business  days beyond  three (3) days from the Delivery
Date or the Warrant Delivery Date, as applicable):





                                       14

<PAGE>


                                                 Compensation For Each
                                                 5 Shares of Preferred
                                                  Stock Not Converted
                                              Timely or Shares of Common
                                             Stock Issuable Upon Exercise
                                                 of Each 250 Warrants
         No. Business Days                         Not Issued Timely
         -----------------                         -----------------

                        1                            $ 100
                        2                            $ 200
                        3                            $ 300
                        4                            $ 400
                        5                            $ 500
                        6                            $ 600
                        7                            $ 700
                        8                            $ 800
                        9                            $ 900
                       10                            $1000
             more than 10                            $ 200 for each
                                                     Business Day Late
                                                     beyond 10 days

The Company shall pay to Buyer the compensation  described above by the transfer
of immediately  available funds upon Buyer's demand.  Nothing herein shall limit
Buyer's  right to pursue actual  damages for the Company's  failure to issue and
deliver  Common Stock to Buyer  (which  actual  damages  shall be reduced by the
amount  of any  compensation  paid by the  Company  as  described  above in this
Section  V.D.),  and in addition to any other remedies which may be available to
Buyer,  in the event the Company fails for any reason to effect delivery of such
shares of Common Stock  within five  business  days after the relevant  Delivery
Date or the Warrant  Delivery  Date, as  applicable,  Buyer shall be entitled to
rescind the relevant  Notice of Conversion or exercise of Warrants by delivering
a notice to such  effect to the  Company  whereupon  the Company and Buyer shall
each be restored to their respective  original  positions  immediately  prior to
delivery  of such  Notice of  Conversion  on  delivery.  The Company may pay the
compensation described above in additional shares of Common Stock based upon the
Market Price (as defined in the  Certificate of  Designations)  as determined on
the date of payment.

         E.       Upon the execution and delivery hereof, the Company is issuing
to the transfer agent for its Common Stock (and to any substitute or replacement
transfer  agent for its Common Stock upon the Company's  appointment of any such
substitute  or  replacement   transfer  agent)  instructions   relating  to  the
Securities. Such instructions shall be irrevocable by the Company from and after
the date hereof or from and after the issuance thereof to any such substitute or
replacement  transfer agent,  as the case may be, except as otherwise  expressly
provided in the Registration  Rights Agreement.  It is the intent and purpose of
such instructions,  to require the transfer agent for the Common Stock from time
to time upon transfer of Securities  by Buyer to issue  certificates  evidencing
such  Registrable  Securities  free of legends and without  consultation  by the
transfer  agent with the  Company or its  counsel  and  without the need for any
further advice or instruction or  documentation to the transfer agent by or from
the Company or its counsel or Buyer.


                                       15

<PAGE>


         VI.      DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS.

         The   Securities   shall   be   delivered   by   the   Company   on   a
"delivery-against-payment basis" at the Closing.

         VII.     CLOSING DATE.

         The date and time of the issuance and sale of the Preferred Shares (the
"Closing  Date")  shall be the date  hereof or such  other as shall be  mutually
agreed upon in writing.  The issuance and sale of the Securities  shall occur on
the Closing Date at the offices of the Escrow Agent.

         VIII.    CONDITIONS TO THE COMPANY'S OBLIGATIONS.

         The  Buyer  understands  that  the  Company's  obligation  to sell  the
Securities  on  the  Closing  Date  to  Buyer  pursuant  to  this  Agreement  is
conditioned upon:

         A.       Delivery by Buyer of the Purchase Price;

         B.       The accuracy in all  material respects on the Closing  Date of
the  representations  and warranties of Buyer  contained in this Agreement as if
made on the Closing Date (except for  representations  and warranties  which, by
their express terms,  speak as of and relate to a specified  date, in which case
such accuracy shall be measured as of such specified  date) and the  performance
by Buyer in all material respects on or before the Closing Date of all covenants
and  agreements  of  Buyer  required  to be  performed  by it  pursuant  to this
Agreement on or before the Closing Date;

         C.       There  shall  not  be  in  effect any  Law  or  order, ruling,
judgment or writ of any court or public or governmental  authority  restraining,
enjoining or otherwise prohibiting any of the transactions  contemplated by this
Agreement.

         IX.      CONDITIONS TO BUYER'S OBLIGATIONS.

         The  Company  understands  that  Buyer's  obligation  to  purchase  the
Securities on the Closing Date pursuant to this Agreement is conditioned upon:

         A.       Delivery  by  the  Company  of one or more certificates (I/N/O
Buyer)  evidencing  the  Securities  to be purchased  by Buyer  pursuant to this
Agreement;

         B.       The accuracy in all  material respects on the Closing  Date of
the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement as
if made on the Closing Date (except for representations and warranties which, by
their express terms,  speak as of and relate to a specified  date, in which case
such accuracy shall be measured as of such specified  date) and the  performance
by the Company in all  material  respects  on or before the Closing  Date of all
covenants and agreements of the Company  required to be performed by it pursuant
to this Agreement on or before the Closing Date;

         C.       Buyer  having  received an opinion of counsel for the Company,
dated the Closing Date, in form, scope and substance reasonably  satisfactory to
the Buyer.

         D.       There  not  having  occurred  (i)  any  general  suspension of
 trading in,
or  limitation  on prices  listed for, the Common Stock on the NASDAQ,  (ii) the
declaration of a banking  moratorium or


                                       16

<PAGE>


any suspension of payments in respect of banks in the United  States,  (iii) the
commencement  of a war,  armed  hostilities or other  international  or national
calamity  directly  or  indirectly  involving  the  United  States or any of its
territories,  protectorates or possessions, or (iv) in the case of the foregoing
existing at the date of this  Agreement,  a material  acceleration  or worsening
thereof.

         E.       There not having occurred any event or development,  and there
being in existence no  condition,  having or which  reasonably  and  foreseeably
would have a Material Adverse Effect.

         F.       The Company shall  have delivered  to Buyer  reimbursement  of
Buyer's  out-of-pocket  costs  and  expenses  incurred  in  connection  with the
transactions  contemplated by the Preferred Stock and this Agreement  (including
the fees and  disbursements  of legal counsel,  which is being held in escrow by
the Escrow Agent).

         G.       There  shall  not  be  in  effect  any  Law  or order, ruling,
judgment or writ of any court or public or governmental  authority  restraining,
enjoining or otherwise prohibiting any of the transactions  contemplated by this
Agreement.

         H.       Delivery of Irrevocable Instructions to the Transfer Agent.

         X.       TERMINATION.

         A.       TERMINATION BY MUTUAL WRITTEN CONSENT.  This  Agreement may be
terminated and the transactions  contemplated  hereby may be abandoned,  for any
reason and at any time prior to the Closing Date, by the mutual written  consent
of the Company and Buyer.

         B.       TERMINATION BY THE COMPANY OR  BUYER.  This Agreement  may  be
terminated and the transactions  contemplated  hereby may be abandoned by action
of the Company or Buyer if (i) the Closing  shall not have  occurred at or prior
to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on September 30, 2000; provided, however, that
the right to terminate this Agreement  pursuant to this Article X.B(i) shall not
be available to any party whose failure to fulfill any of its obligations  under
this  Agreement  has been the cause of or resulted in the failure of the Closing
to occur  at or  before  such  time and  date or (ii)  any  court or  public  or
governmental authority shall have issued an order, ruling,  judgment or writ, or
there  shall  be  in  effect  any  Law,  restraining,   enjoining  or  otherwise
prohibiting  the  consummation of any of the  transactions  contemplated by this
Agreement.

         C.       TERMINATION BY BUYER. This Agreement may be terminated and the
transactions  contemplated hereby may be abandoned by Buyer at any time prior to
the Closing Date, if (i) the Company shall have failed to comply in any material
respect with any of its  covenants or  agreements  contained in this  Agreement,
(ii)  there  shall  have  been a  breach  by the  Company  with  respect  to any
representation  or warranty made by it in this  Agreement,  or (iii) there shall
have  occurred  any event or  development,  or there shall be in  existence  any
condition,  having or  reasonably  and  foreseeably  likely  to have a  Material
Adverse Effect.

         D.       TERMINATION BY THE COMPANY.  This Agreement may  be terminated
and the transactions  contemplated hereby may be abandoned by the Company at any
time prior to the Closing  Date, if (i) Buyer shall have failed to comply in any
material  respect  with any of its  covenants  or  agreements  contained in this
Agreement  or (ii) there  shall have been a breach by Buyer with  respect to any
representation or warranty made by it in this Agreement.


                                       17

<PAGE>


         XI.      SURVIVAL; INDEMNIFICATION.

         A.       The  representations,  warranties  and covenants made  by each
of the Company and Buyer in this Agreement, the annexes,  schedules and exhibits
hereto  and in each  instrument,  agreement  and  certificate  entered  into and
delivered by them pursuant to this Agreement,  shall survive the Closing and the
consummation of the transactions  contemplated  hereby. In the event of a breach
or violation of any of such representations,  warranties or covenants, the party
to whom such representations,  warranties or covenants have been made shall have
all rights and remedies  for such breach or violation  available to it under the
provisions  of  this  Agreement  or  otherwise,  whether  at law  or in  equity,
irrespective of any investigation made by or on behalf of such party on or prior
to the Closing Date.

         B.       The Company  hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless  the
Buyer, its Affiliates and their  respective  officers,  directors,  partners and
members  (collectively,  the "Buyer Indemnitees"),  from and against any and all
losses,  claims,  damages,  judgments,  penalties,  liabilities and deficiencies
(collectively,  "Losses"), and agrees to reimburse the Buyer Indemnitees for all
out-of-pocket  expenses  (including  the  reasonable  fees and expenses of legal
counsel),  in each case promptly as incurred by the Buyer Indemnitees and to the
extent arising out of or in connection with:

                  1.  any misrepresentation,omission of fact or breach of any of
         the  Company's   representations   or  warranties   contained  in  this
         Agreement, the annexes, schedules or exhibits hereto or any instrument,
         agreement  or  certificate  entered  into or  delivered  by the Company
         pursuant to this Agreement; or

                  2.  any failure by the  Company  to  perform  in any  material
         respect any of its covenants,  agreements,  undertakings or obligations
         set forth in this Agreement, the annexes,  schedules or exhibits hereto
         or any instrument,  agreement or certificate  entered into or delivered
         by the Company pursuant to this Agreement.

         C.       Buyer  hereby  agrees  to  indemnify  and  hold  harmless  the
Company, its Affiliates and their respective officers,  directors,  partners and
members (collectively, the "Company Indemnitees"),  from and against any and all
Losses,  and agrees to reimburse the Company  Indemnitees for all  out-of-pocket
expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel),  in each
case promptly as incurred by the Company  Indemnitees  and to the extent arising
out of or in connection with:

                  1.  any misrepresentation,  omission of fact, or breach of any
         of Buyer's  representations or warranties  contained in this Agreement,
         the annexes, schedules or exhibits hereto or any instrument,  agreement
         or  certificate  entered into or  delivered  by Buyer  pursuant to this
         Agreement; or

                  2.  any  failure  by  Buyer to perform in any material respect
         any of its covenants, agreements, undertakings or obligations set forth
         in this Agreement or any instrument, certificate or  agreement  entered
         into or delivered by Buyer pursuant to this Agreement.

         D.       Promptly   after   receipt   by  either  party  hereto seeking
indemnification  pursuant to this Section XI (an "Indemnified Party") of written
notice of any  investigation,  claim,  proceeding  or other action in respect of
which  indemnification is being sought (each, a "Claim"),  the Indemnified Party
promptly  shall notify the party against whom  indemnification  pursuant to this
Section  XI is being  sought  (the  "Indemnifying  Party")  of the  commencement
thereof;  but the omission to so notify the Indemnifying Party shall not relieve
it from any  liability  that it  otherwise  may have to the  Indemnified  Party,
except to


                                       18

<PAGE>


the extent that the  Indemnifying  Party is materially  prejudiced  and forfeits
substantive  rights and defenses by reason of such failure.  In connection  with
any Claim,  the  Indemnifying  Party  shall be  entitled  to assume the  defense
thereof.  Notwithstanding  the  assumption  of the  defense  of any Claim by the
Indemnifying  Party,  the  Indemnified  Party  shall  have the  right to  employ
separate  legal  counsel  (together  with  appropriate  local  counsel)  and  to
participate in the defense of such Claim, and the Indemnifying  Party shall bear
the  reasonable  fees,  out-of-pocket  costs and expenses of such separate legal
counsel to the Indemnified  Party if (and only if): (x) the  Indemnifying  Party
shall have agreed to pay such fees,  out-of-pocket  costs and expenses,  (y) the
Indemnified  Party and the  Indemnifying  Party  reasonably shall have concluded
that  representation of the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying  Party by the
same   legal   counsel   would  not  be   appropriate   due  to  actual  or,  as
reasonably-determined by legal counsel to the Indemnified Party, (i) potentially
differing  interests  between such parties in the conduct of the defense of such
Claim, or (ii) if there may be legal defenses available to the Indemnified Party
that are in addition to or disparate  from those  available to the  Indemnifying
Party and which can not be presented by counsel to the  Indemnifying  Party,  or
(z) the Indemnifying  Party shall have failed to employ legal counsel reasonably
satisfactory to the Indemnified  Party within a reasonable  period of time after
notice of the  commencement  of such Claim.  If the  Indemnified  Party  employs
separate legal counsel in circumstances  other than as described in clauses (x),
(y) or (z) above,  the fees,  costs and expenses of such legal  counsel shall be
borne  exclusively  by the  Indemnified  Party.  Except as provided  above,  the
Indemnifying  Party  shall  not,  in  connection  with  any  Claim  in the  same
Jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one firm of legal
counsel for the Indemnified Party (together with appropriate local counsel). The
Indemnifying  Party  shall  not,  without  the  prior  written  consent  of  the
Indemnified Party (which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld),  settle or
compromise  any  Claim or  consent  to the entry of any  judgment  that does not
include an unconditional  release of the Indemnified  Party from all liabilities
with respect to such Claim or judgment.

         E.       In  the  event  one  party  hereunder   should  have  a  claim
for indemnification  that does not involve a claim or demand being asserted by a
third party,  the Indemnified  Party promptly shall deliver notice of such claim
to the  Indemnifying  Party. If the Indemnified  Party disputes the claim,  such
dispute shall be resolved by mutual  agreement of the Indemnified  Party and the
Indemnifying  Party  or by  binding  arbitration  in San  Francisco,  California
conducted in accordance with the commercial procedures and rules of the American
Arbitration Association. Judgment upon any award rendered by any arbitrators may
be entered in any court having competent jurisdiction thereof.


                                       19

<PAGE>


         XII. GOVERNING LAW: MISCELLANEOUS.

         This Agreement  shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with
the laws of the State of  California,  without  regard to the  conflicts  of law
principles of such state.  Each of the parties  consents to the  jurisdiction of
the  federal  courts  whose  districts  encompass  any  part of the  City of San
Francisco or the state courts of the State of California  sitting in the City of
San Francisco in connection  with any dispute  arising under this  Agreement and
hereby waives, to the maximum extent permitted by law, any objection,  including
any  objection  based on  forum  non  conveniens,  to the  bringing  of any such
proceeding  in such  jurisdictions.  A  facsimile  transmission  of this  signed
Agreement shall be legal and binding on all parties  hereto.  This Agreement may
be  signed  in one or more  counterparts,  each of  which  shall  be  deemed  an
original.  The headings of this  Agreement are for  convenience of reference and
shall not form part of, or affect the interpretation of, this Agreement.  If any
provision  of  this  Agreement  shall  be  invalid  or   unenforceable   in  any
jurisdiction,  such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity
or  enforceability  of the  remainder  of  this  Agreement  or the  validity  or
enforceability of this Agreement in any other  jurisdiction.  This Agreement may
be amended only by an  instrument  in writing  signed by the party to be charged
with   enforcement.   This  Agreement   supersedes  all  prior   agreements  and
understandings  among the  parties  hereto with  respect to the  subject  matter
hereof.

         XIII.    NOTICES.  Except  as  may  be  otherwise  provided herein, any
notice or other  communication or delivery required or permitted hereunder shall
be in writing  and shall be  delivered  personally  or sent by  certified  mail,
postage prepaid, or by a nationally  recognized  overnight courier service,  and
shall be deemed  given when so  delivered  personally  or by  overnight  courier
service,  or, if mailed,  three (3) days after the date of deposit in the United
States mails, as follows:

         (1)      if to the Company, to:

                  Adatom.com, Inc.
                  920 Hillview Court, Suite 160
                  Milpitas, California 95305
                  Attention: Richard Barton

                  with a copy to:

                  Henry D. Evans, Jr., Esq.
                  McCutchen, Doyle, Brown & Enersen, LLP
                  3 Embarcadero Center
                  San Francisco, California 94111-4067

         (2)      if to Buyer, to the address set forth on the signature page
                  hereof.

         with a copy to:

                  Snow Becker Krauss P.C.
                  605 Third Avenue
                  New York, New York 10158
                  Attention: Mark Orenstein, Esq.

The Company or Buyer may change the foregoing  address by notice given  pursuant
to this Section XVIII.


                                       20

<PAGE>


         XIV.     CONFIDENTIALITY. Each of the Company and Buyer agrees to  keep
confidential  and not to  disclose  to or use for the benefit of any third party
the  terms  of this  Agreement  or any  other  information  which at any time is
communicated by the other party as being confidential  without the prior written
approval of the other party;  provided,  however,  that this provision shall not
apply to information  which,  at the time of disclosure,  is already part of the
public domain  (except by breach of this  Agreement)  and  information  which is
required to be disclosed by law (including, without limitation, pursuant to Item
10 of Rule 601 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act).

         XV.      ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement shall  not be  assignable by either
of the parties hereto prior to the Closing  without the prior written consent of
the other party, and any attempted  assignment contrary to the provisions hereby
shall be null and void; provided,  however, that Buyer may assign its rights and
                        --------   -------
obligations  hereunder,  in whole  or in part,  to any  affiliate  of Buyer  who
furnishes to the Company the representations and warranties set forth in Section
II hereof and otherwise agrees to be bound by the terms of this Agreement.

         XVI.     BROKERS.  Each  of the  parties  hereto represents that it has
had no dealings in connection  with this  transaction  with any finder or broker
who will demand  payment of any fee or commission  from the other party,  except
for Astor Capital who is the agent of the Company and whose fee shall be paid by
the Company. The Company on the one hand, and Buyer, on the other hand, agree to
indemnify  the  other  against  and hold  the  other  harmless  from any and all
liabilities  to any person  claiming  brokerage  commissions or finder's fees on
account  of  services   purported  to  have  been  rendered  on  behalf  of  the
indemnifying  party  in  connection  with  this  Agreement  or the  transactions
contemplated hereby.




                                       21


<PAGE>


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed and delivered
this Agreement on the date first above written.

                                       ADATOM.COM, INC.



                                       By:/s/RICHARD S. BARTON
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Richard S. Barton
                                          Title: President and CEO



                        BUYER

                                       Name:Alborz Select Opportunities Fund



                                       By:/s/Ali Moussavi
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Ali Moussavi
                                          Title:    Investment Manager

                        BUYER

                                       Name:Yasser Moustaffa
                                            ----------------------------------



                                       By:/s/Yasser Moustaffa
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          Name:
                                          Title:


                        BUYER

                                       Name:Target Growth Fund Ltd.
                                            ----------------------------------



                                       By:/s/George Stedman
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          Name: George Stedman
                                          Title:  President


                        BUYER

                                       Name:IIG Equity Opportunities Fund Ltd.
                                            ----------------------------------


                                       22

<PAGE>



                                       By:/s/Thomas LaVecchia
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          Name: Thomas LaVecchia
                                          Title:   Senior Director

                        BUYER

                                       Name:/s/Alain Salem
                                            ----------------------------------



                                       By:Alain Salem
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Alain Salem
                                          Title:

                        BUYER

                                       Name:/s/Pietro Gattini
                                            ----------------------------------



                                       By:
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          Name: Pietro Gattini
                                          Title:


                        BUYER

                                       Name:/s/Magnolia Drive Investment Corp.
                                          ------------------------------------



                                       By:/s/Jacques Tizabi
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          Name: Jacques Tizabi
                                          Title:   President

Jurisdiction of Incorporation:

Address:

                           --------------------
                           --------------------
Telephone No.              --------------------
Fax No.                    --------------------
e-mail                     --------------------


                                       23


<PAGE>


Amount of Investment:

Number of Preferred Shares to be Purchased:

Number of Class A Warrants to be Purchased:

Number of Class B Warrants to be Purchased:





                                       24



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