Common use of PERFORMANCE BASED AWARDS Clause in Contracts

PERFORMANCE BASED AWARDS. The number of Shares or other benefits granted, issued, retainable and/or vested under an Award may be made subject to the attainment of performance goals. The Committee may utilize any performance criteria selected by it in its sole discretion to establish performance goals; provided, however, that in the case of any Performance Based Award, the following conditions shall apply: (i) The amount potentially available under a Performance Based Award shall be subject to the attainment of pre-established, objective performance goals relating to a specified period of service including but not limited to any of the following performance criteria: (a) cash flow, (b) earnings per share, (c) earnings before interest, taxes and amortization, (d) return on equity, (e) total stockholder return, (f) share price performance, (g) return on capital, (h) return on assets or net assets, (i) revenue, (j) income or net income, (k) operating income or net operating income, (l) operating profit or net operating profit, (m) operating margin or profit margin, (n) return on operating revenue, (o) return on invested capital, (p) market segment shares, (q) costs, (r) expenses, (s) initiation or completion of research activities, (t) initiation or completion of development programs, (u) other milestones with respect to research activities or development programs, (v) regulatory body approval, (w) implementation or completion of critical projects, (x) commercial milestones or (z) other milestones with respect to the growth of the Company’s business or the development or commercialization of any product or service (“Qualifying Performance Criteria”), any of which may be measured either individually, alternatively or in any combination, applied to either the Company as a whole or to a business unit or Subsidiary, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, and measured either annually or cumulatively over a period of years, on an absolute basis or relative to a pre-established target, to previous years’ results or to a designated comparison group or index, in each case as specified by the Committee in the Award; (ii) The Committee may appropriately adjust the method of evaluating performance under a Qualifying Performance Criteria for a performance period as follows: (i) to exclude asset write-downs, (ii) to exclude litigation or claim judgments or settlements, (iii) to exclude the effect of changes in tax law, accounting principles or other such laws or provisions affecting reported results, (iv) to exclude accruals for reorganization and restructuring programs, (v) to exclude any extraordinary nonrecurring items as determined under generally accepted accounting principles and/or described in managements’ discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company’s annual report to stockholders for the applicable year, (vi) to exclude the dilutive effects of acquisitions or joint ventures, (vii) to assume that any business divested by the Company achieved performance objectives at targeted levels during the balance of a performance period following such divestiture, (viii) to exclude the effect of any change in the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company by reason of any stock dividend or split, stock repurchase, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares or other similar corporate change, or any distributions to common stockholders other than regular cash dividends, (ix) to exclude the effects of stock based compensation and the award of bonuses under the Company’s bonus plans; and (x) to exclude costs incurred in connection with potential acquisitions or divestitures that are required to be expensed under generally accepted accounting principles; (iii) The Committee shall establish the applicable performance goals in writing and an objective method for determining the Award earned by a Participant if the goals are attained, while the outcome is substantially uncertain, and shall determine and certify in writing, for each Participant, the extent to which the performance goals have been met prior to payment or vesting of the Award; and (iv) The maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be subject to Performance Based Awards granted to a Participant in any calendar year (other than Inducement Awards) is 2,000,000 Shares, and no more than two times this amount in the first year of employment (subject to adjustment under Section 12), and the maximum aggregate amount of cash that may be payable to a Participant under Performance Based Awards granted to a Participant in any calendar year that are Cash-Based Awards is $10,000,000.

PERFORMANCE BASED AWARDS. The number of Shares or other benefits granted, issued, retainable and/or vested under an Award may be made subject to the attainment of performance goals. The Committee may utilize any performance criteria selected by it in its sole discretion to establish performance goals; provided, however, that in the case of any Performance Based Award, the following conditions shall apply: (i) The amount potentially available under a Performance Based Award shall be subject to the attainment of pre-established, objective performance goals relating to a specified period of service including but not limited to any based on one or more of the VIOLIN MEMORY, INC. 2012 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN following performance criteria: (a) cash flow, (b) earnings per share, (c) earnings before interest, taxes and amortization, (d) return on equity, (e) total stockholder return, (f) share price performance, (g) return on capital, (h) return on assets or net assets, (i) revenue, (j) income or net income, (k) operating income or net operating income, (l) operating profit or net operating profit, (m) operating margin or profit margin, (n) return on operating revenue, (o) return on invested capital, (p) market segment shares, (q) costs, (r) expenses, (s) initiation regulatory body approval for commercialization of a product, or completion of research activities, (t) initiation or completion of development programs, (u) other milestones with respect to research activities or development programs, (v) regulatory body approval, (w) implementation or completion of critical projects, (x) commercial milestones projects or (z) other milestones with respect to the growth of the Company’s business or the development or commercialization of any product or service contracts (“Qualifying Performance Criteria”), any of which may be measured either individually, alternatively or in any combination, applied to either the Company as a whole or to a business unit or Subsidiary, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, and measured either annually or cumulatively over a period of years, on an absolute basis or relative to a pre-established target, to previous years’ results or to a designated comparison group or index, in each case as specified by the Committee in the Award; (ii) The Unless specified otherwise by the Committee may at the time the performance goals are established or otherwise within the time prescribed by Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall appropriately adjust the method of evaluating performance under a Qualifying Performance Criteria for a performance period as follows: (i) to exclude asset write-downs, (ii) to exclude litigation or claim judgments or settlements, (iii) to exclude the effect of changes in tax law, accounting principles or other such laws or provisions affecting reported results, (iv) to exclude accruals for reorganization and restructuring programs, (v) to exclude any extraordinary nonrecurring items as determined under generally accepted accounting principles and/or described in managements’ discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company’s annual report to stockholders for the applicable year, (vi) to exclude the dilutive effects of acquisitions or joint ventures, (vii) to assume that any business divested by the Company achieved performance objectives at targeted levels during the balance of a performance period following such divestiture, (viii) to exclude the effect of any change in the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company by reason of any stock dividend or split, stock repurchase, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares or other similar corporate change, or any distributions to common stockholders other than regular cash dividends, (ix) to exclude the effects of stock based compensation and the award of bonuses under the Company’s bonus plans; and (x) to exclude costs incurred in connection with potential acquisitions or divestitures that are required to be expensed under generally accepted accounting principles;, in each case in compliance with Section 162(m); VIOLIN MEMORY, INC. 2012 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN (iii) The Committee shall establish the applicable performance goals in writing and an objective method for determining the Award earned by a Participant if the goals are attained, while the outcome is substantially uncertainuncertain and not later than the 90th day of the performance period (but in no event after 25% of the period of service with respect to which the performance goals relate has elapsed), and shall determine and certify in writing, for each Participant, the extent to which the performance goals have been met prior to payment or vesting of the Award; and (iv) The Committee may not in any event increase the amount of compensation payable under the Plan upon the attainment of the pre-established performance goals to a Participant who is a “covered employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. (v) The maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be subject to Performance Based Awards granted to a Participant in any calendar year (other than Inducement Awards) is 2,000,000 5,000,000 Shares, and no more than two times this amount in the first year of employment (subject to adjustment under Section 12), and the maximum aggregate amount of cash that may be payable to a Participant under Performance Based Awards granted to a Participant in any calendar year that are Cash-Based Awards is $10,000,000.

PERFORMANCE BASED AWARDS. The number of Shares or other benefits granted, issued, retainable and/or vested under an Award may be made subject to the attainment of performance goals. The Committee may utilize any performance criteria selected by it in its sole discretion to establish performance goals; provided, however, that in the case of any Performance Based Award, the following conditions shall apply: (i) The amount potentially available under a Performance Based Award shall be subject to the attainment of pre-established, objective performance goals relating to a specified period of service including but not limited to any based on one or more of the following performance criteria: (a) cash flow (including operating cash flow), (b) earnings per share, (c) earnings before any combination of interest, taxes and taxes, depreciation or amortization, (d) return on equity, (e) total stockholder return, (f) share price performance, (g) return on capital, (h) return on assets or ​ ​ net assets, (i) revenue, (j) income or net income, (k) operating income or net operating income, (l) operating profit or net operating profit, (m) operating margin or profit margin, (n) return on operating revenue, (o) return on invested capital, (p) market segment shares, (q) costs, (r) expenses, (s) initiation achievement of target levels of discovery and/or development of products or completion of services, including but not limited to research activitiesor regulatory achievements, (t) initiation third party coverage and/or reimbursement objectives, or completion of development programs, (u) other milestones with respect to research activities or development programs, (v) regulatory body approval, (w) implementation or completion of critical projects, (x) commercial milestones or (z) other milestones with respect to the growth of the Company’s business or the development or commercialization of any product or service test volume metrics (“Qualifying Performance Criteria”), any of which may be measured either individually, alternatively or in any combination, applied to either the Company as a whole or to a business unit or Subsidiary, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, and measured either annually or cumulatively over a period of years, on an absolute basis or relative to a pre-established target, to previous years’ results or to a designated comparison group or index, in each case as specified by the Committee in the Award; (ii) The Unless specified otherwise by the Committee may at the time the performance goals are established or otherwise within the time prescribed by Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall appropriately adjust the method of evaluating performance under a Qualifying Performance Criteria for a performance period as follows: (i) to exclude asset write-downs, (ii) to exclude litigation or claim judgments or settlements, (iii) to exclude the effect of changes in tax law, accounting principles or other such laws or provisions affecting reported results, (iv) to exclude accruals for reorganization and restructuring programs, (v) to exclude any extraordinary nonrecurring items as determined under generally accepted accounting principles and/or described in managements’ discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company’s annual report to stockholders for the applicable year, (vi) to exclude the dilutive effects of acquisitions or joint ventures, (vii) to assume that any business divested by the Company achieved performance objectives at targeted levels during the balance of a performance period following such divestiture, (viii) to exclude the effect of any change in the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company by reason of any stock dividend or split, stock repurchase, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares or other similar corporate change, or any distributions to common stockholders other than regular cash dividends, (ix) to exclude the effects of stock based compensation and the award of bonuses under the Company’s bonus plans; and (x) to exclude costs incurred in connection with potential acquisitions or divestitures that are required to be expensed under generally accepted accounting principles, in each case in compliance with Section 162(m); (iii) The Committee shall establish the applicable performance goals in writing and an objective method for determining the Award earned by a Participant if the goals are attained, while the outcome is substantially uncertainuncertain and not later than the 90th day of the performance period (but in no event after 25% of the period of service with respect to which the performance goals relate has elapsed), and shall determine and certify in writing, for each Participant, the extent to which the performance goals have been met prior to payment or vesting of the Award; and (iv) The Committee may not in any event increase the amount of compensation payable under the Plan upon the attainment of the pre-established performance goals to a Participant who is a “covered employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. ​ ​ (v) The maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be subject to Performance Based Awards granted to a Participant in any calendar year is 500,000 Shares (other than Inducement Awards) is 2,000,000 Sharessubject to adjustment under Section 11), and no more than two times this amount in the first year of employment (subject to adjustment under Section 12), and the maximum aggregate amount of cash that may be payable to a Participant under Performance Based Awards granted to a Participant in any calendar year that are Cash-Based Awards is $10,000,000employment.

PERFORMANCE BASED AWARDS. The number of Shares or other benefits granted, issued, retainable and/or vested under an Award may be made subject to the attainment of performance goals. The Committee may utilize any performance criteria selected by it in its sole discretion to establish performance goals; provided, however, that in the case of any Performance Based Award, the following conditions shall apply: (i) The amount potentially available under a Performance Based Award shall be subject to the attainment of pre-established, objective performance goals relating to a specified period of service including but not limited to any based on one or more of the following performance criteria: (a) cash flow (including operating cash flow), (b) earnings per share, (c) earnings before any combination of interest, taxes and taxes, depreciation or amortization, (d) return on equity, (e) total stockholder return, (f) share price performance, (g) return on capital, (h) return on assets or net assets, (i) revenue, (j) income or net income, (k) operating income or net operating income, (l) operating profit or net operating profit, (m) operating margin or profit margin, (n) return on operating revenue, (o) return on invested capital, (p) market segment shares, (q) costs, (r) expenses, (s) initiation achievement of target levels of discovery and/or development of products or completion of services, including but not limited to research activitiesor regulatory achievements, (t) initiation third party coverage and/or reimbursement objectives, or completion of development programs, (u) other milestones with respect to research activities or development programs, (v) regulatory body approval, (w) implementation or completion of critical projects, (x) commercial milestones or (z) other milestones with respect to the growth of the Company’s business or the development or commercialization of any product or service test volume metrics (“Qualifying Performance Criteria”), any of which may be measured either individually, alternatively or in any combination, applied to either the Company as a whole or to a business unit or Subsidiary, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, and measured either annually or cumulatively over a period of years, on an absolute basis or relative to a pre-established target, to previous years’ results or to a designated comparison group or index, in each case as specified by the Committee in the Award; (ii) The Unless specified otherwise by the Committee may at the time the performance goals are established or otherwise within the time prescribed by Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall appropriately adjust the method of evaluating performance under a Qualifying Performance Criteria for a performance period as follows: (i) to exclude asset write-downs, (ii) to exclude litigation or claim judgments or settlements, (iii) to exclude the effect of changes in tax law, accounting principles or other such laws or provisions affecting reported results, (iv) to exclude accruals for reorganization and restructuring programs, (v) to exclude any extraordinary nonrecurring items as determined under generally accepted accounting principles and/or described in managements’ discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company’s annual report to stockholders for the applicable year, (vi) to exclude the dilutive effects of acquisitions or joint ventures, (vii) to assume that any business divested by the Company achieved performance objectives at targeted levels during the balance of a performance period following such divestiture, (viii) to exclude the effect of any change in the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company by reason of any stock dividend or split, stock repurchase, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares or other similar corporate change, or any distributions to common stockholders other than regular cash dividends, (ix) to exclude the effects of stock based compensation and the award of bonuses under the Company’s bonus plans; and (x) to exclude costs incurred in connection with potential acquisitions or divestitures that are required to be expensed under generally accepted accounting principles, in each case in compliance with Section 162(m); (iii) The Committee shall establish the applicable performance goals in writing and an objective method for determining the Award earned by a Participant if the goals are attained, while the outcome is substantially uncertainuncertain and not later than the 90th day of the performance period (but in no event after 25% of the period of service with respect to which the performance goals relate has elapsed), and shall determine and certify in writing, for each Participant, the extent to which the performance goals have been met prior to payment or vesting of the Award; and (iv) The Committee may not in any event increase the amount of compensation payable under the Plan upon the attainment of the pre-established performance goals to a Participant who is a “covered employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. (v) The maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be subject to Performance Based Awards granted to a Participant in any calendar year is 500,000 Shares (other than Inducement Awards) is 2,000,000 Sharessubject to adjustment under Section 11), and no more than two times this amount in the first year of employment (subject to adjustment under Section 12), and the maximum aggregate amount of cash that may be payable to a Participant under Performance Based Awards granted to a Participant in any calendar year that are Cash-Based Awards is $10,000,000employment.

PERFORMANCE BASED AWARDS. The number of Shares or other benefits granted, issued, retainable and/or vested under an Award may be made subject to the attainment of performance goals. The Committee may utilize any performance criteria selected by it in its sole discretion to establish performance goals; provided, however, that in the case of any Performance Based Award, the following conditions shall apply: (i) The amount potentially available under a Performance Based Award shall be subject to the attainment of pre-established, objective performance goals relating to a specified period of service including but not limited to any based on one or more of the following performance criteria: (a) cash flow, (b) earnings per share, (c) earnings before interest, taxes and amortization, (d) return on equity, (e) total stockholder return, (f) share price performance, (g) return on capital, (h) return on assets or net assets, (i) revenue, (j) income or net income, (k) operating income or net operating income, (l) operating profit or net operating profit, (m) operating margin or profit margin, (n) return on operating revenue, (o) return on invested capital, (p) market segment shares, (q) costs, (r) expenses, (s) initiation regulatory body approval for commercialization of a product, or completion of research activities, (t) initiation or completion of development programs, (u) other milestones with respect to research activities or development programs, (v) regulatory body approval, (w) implementation or completion of critical projects, (x) commercial milestones or (z) other milestones with respect to the growth of the Company’s business or the development or commercialization of any product or service projects (“Qualifying Performance Criteria”), any of which may be measured either individually, alternatively or in any combination, applied to either the Company as a whole or to a business unit or Subsidiary, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, and measured either annually or cumulatively over a period of years, on an absolute basis or relative to a pre-established target, to previous years’ results or to a designated comparison group or index, in each case as specified by the Committee in the Award; (ii) The Unless specified otherwise by the Committee may at the time the performance goals are established or otherwise within the time prescribed by Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall appropriately adjust the method of evaluating performance under a Qualifying Performance Criteria for a performance period as follows: (i) to exclude asset write-downs, (ii) to exclude litigation or claim judgments or settlements, (iii) to exclude the effect of changes in tax law, accounting principles or other such laws or provisions affecting reported results, (iv) to exclude accruals for reorganization and restructuring programs, (v) to exclude any ARC DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS, INC. 2014 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN extraordinary nonrecurring items as determined under generally accepted accounting principles and/or described in managements’ discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company’s annual report to stockholders for the applicable year, (vi) to exclude the dilutive effects of acquisitions or joint ventures, (vii) to assume that any business divested by the Company achieved performance objectives at targeted levels during the balance of a performance period following such divestiture, (viii) to exclude the effect of any change in the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company by reason of any stock dividend or split, stock repurchase, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares or other similar corporate change, or any distributions to common stockholders other than regular cash dividends, (ix) to exclude the effects of stock based compensation and the award of bonuses under the Company’s bonus plans; and (x) to exclude costs incurred in connection with potential acquisitions or divestitures that are required to be expensed under generally accepted accounting principles, in each case in compliance with Section 162(m); (iii) The Committee shall establish the applicable performance goals in writing and an objective method for determining the Award earned by a Participant if the goals are attained, while the outcome is substantially uncertainuncertain and not later than the 90th day of the performance period (but in no event after 25% of the period of service with respect to which the performance goals relate has elapsed), and shall determine and certify in writing, for each Participant, the extent to which the performance goals have been met prior to payment or vesting of the Award; and (iv) The Committee may not in any event increase the amount of compensation payable under the Plan upon the attainment of the pre-established performance goals to a Participant who is a “covered employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. (v) The maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be subject to Performance Based Awards granted to a Participant in any calendar year (other than Inducement Awards) is 2,000,000 Shares, and no more than 500,000 Shares or two times this such amount in the Participant’s first year of employment (subject to adjustment under Section 12), and the . The maximum aggregate amount of cash that may be payable to a Participant under Performance Based Awards granted to a Participant in any calendar year that are Cash-Based Awards is $10,000,0002,800,000.

PERFORMANCE BASED AWARDS. The number of Shares or other benefits granted, issued, retainable and/or vested under an Award may be made subject to the attainment of performance goals. Such Awards, however, do not need to be granted as Performance Based Awards intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, and, to the extent that such Awards are not Performance Based Awards, such Awards may be based on performance criteria not included in this Section 19. The Committee may utilize any performance criteria selected by it in its sole discretion to establish performance goals; provided, however, that in the case of any Performance Based Award, the following conditions shall apply: (i) The amount potentially available under a Performance Based Award shall be subject to the attainment of pre-established, objective performance goals relating to a specified period of service including but not limited to any based on one or more of the following performance criteria: (a) cash flow (including operating cash flow), (b) earnings per share, (c) earnings before any combination of interest, taxes and taxes, depreciation or amortization, (d) return on equity, (e) total stockholder shareholder return, (f) share price performance, (g) return on capital, (h) return on assets or net assets, (i) revenue, (j) income or net income, (k) operating income or net operating income, (l) operating profit or net operating profit, (m) operating margin or profit margin, (n) return on operating revenue, (o) return on invested capital, (p) market segment shares, (q) costs, or (r) expenses, (s) initiation or completion of research activities, (t) initiation or completion of development programs, (u) other milestones with respect to research activities or development programs, (v) regulatory body approval, (w) implementation or completion of critical projects, (x) commercial milestones or (z) other milestones with respect to the growth of the Company’s business or the development or commercialization of any product or service expenses (“Qualifying Performance Criteria”), any of which may be measured either individually, alternatively or in any combination, applied to either the Company as a whole or to a business unit or Subsidiary, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, and measured either annually or cumulatively over a period of years, on an absolute basis or relative to a pre-established target, to previous years’ results or to a designated comparison group or index, in each case as specified by the Committee in the Award; (ii) The Unless specified otherwise by the Committee may at the time the performance goals are established or otherwise within the time prescribed by Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall appropriately adjust the method of evaluating performance under a Qualifying Performance Criteria for a performance period as follows: (i) to exclude asset write-downs, (ii) to exclude litigation or claim judgments or settlements, (iii) to exclude the effect of changes in tax law, accounting principles or other such laws or provisions affecting reported results, (iv) to exclude accruals for reorganization and restructuring programs, (v) to exclude any extraordinary nonrecurring items as determined under generally accepted accounting principles and/or described in managements’ discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company’s annual report to stockholders shareholders for the applicable year, (vi) to exclude the dilutive effects of acquisitions or joint ventures, (vii) to assume that any business divested by the Company achieved performance objectives at targeted levels during the balance of a performance period following such divestiture, (viii) to exclude the effect of any change in the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company by reason of any stock dividend or split, stock repurchase, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares or other similar corporate change, or any distributions to common stockholders shareholders other than regular cash dividends, (ix) to exclude the effects of stock based compensation and the award of bonuses under the Company’s bonus plans; and (x) to exclude costs incurred in connection with potential acquisitions or divestitures that are required to be expensed under generally accepted accounting principles, in each case in compliance with Section 162(m); (iii) The Committee shall establish the applicable performance goals in writing and an objective method for determining the Award earned by a Participant if the goals are attained, while the outcome is substantially uncertainuncertain and not later than the 90th day of the performance period (but in no event after 25% of the period of service with respect to which the performance goals relate has elapsed), and shall determine and certify in writing, for each Participant, the extent to which the performance goals have been met prior to payment or vesting of the Award; (iv) The Committee may not in any event increase the amount of compensation payable under the Plan upon the attainment of the pre-established performance goals to a Participant who is a “covered employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code; and (ivv) The maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be subject to Performance Based Awards granted to a Participant in any calendar year is 500,000 Shares (other than Inducement Awards) is 2,000,000 Sharessubject to adjustment under Section 12), and no more than two times this amount in the first year of employment (subject to adjustment under Section 12)employment, and the maximum aggregate amount of cash that may be payable to a Participant under Performance Based Awards granted to a Participant in any calendar year that are Cash-Based Awards is $10,000,0001,000,000.

PERFORMANCE BASED AWARDS. The number of Shares or other benefits granted, issued, retainable and/or vested under an Award may be made subject to the attainment of performance goals. The Committee may utilize any performance criteria selected by it in its sole discretion to establish performance goals; provided, however, that in the case of any Performance Based Award, the following conditions shall apply: (i) The amount potentially available under a Performance Based Award shall be subject to the attainment of pre-established, objective performance goals relating to a specified period of service including but not limited to any based on one or more of the VIOLIN MEMORY, INC. 2012 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN following performance criteria: (a) cash flow, (b) earnings per share, (c) earnings before interest, taxes and amortization, (d) return on equity, (e) total stockholder return, (f) share price performance, (g) return on capital, (h) return on assets or net assets, (i) revenue, (j) income or net income, (k) operating income or net operating income, (l) operating profit or net operating profit, (m) operating margin or profit margin, (n) return on operating revenue, (o) return on invested capital, (p) market segment shares, (q) costs, (r) expenses, (s) initiation regulatory body approval for commercialization of a product, or completion of research activities, (t) initiation or completion of development programs, (u) other milestones with respect to research activities or development programs, (v) regulatory body approval, (w) implementation or completion of critical projects, (x) commercial milestones projects or (z) other milestones with respect to the growth of the Company’s business or the development or commercialization of any product or service contracts (“Qualifying Performance Criteria”), any of which may be measured either individually, alternatively or in any combination, applied to either the Company as a whole or to a business unit or Subsidiary, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, and measured either annually or cumulatively over a period of years, on an absolute basis or relative to a pre-established target, to previous years’ results or to a designated comparison group or index, in each case as specified by the Committee in the Award; (ii) The Unless specified otherwise by the Committee may at the time the performance goals are established or otherwise within the time prescribed by Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall appropriately adjust the method of evaluating performance under a Qualifying Performance Criteria for a performance period as follows: (i) to exclude asset write-downs, (ii) to exclude litigation or claim judgments or settlements, (iii) to exclude the effect of changes in tax law, accounting principles or other such laws or provisions affecting reported results, (iv) to exclude accruals for reorganization and restructuring programs, (v) to exclude any extraordinary nonrecurring items as determined under generally accepted accounting principles and/or described in managements’ discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company’s annual report to stockholders for the applicable year, (vi) to exclude the dilutive effects of acquisitions or joint ventures, (vii) to assume that any business divested by the Company achieved performance objectives at targeted levels during the balance of a performance period following such divestiture, (viii) to exclude the effect of any change in the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company by reason of any stock dividend or split, stock repurchase, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares or other similar corporate change, or any distributions to common stockholders other than regular cash dividends, (ix) to exclude the effects of stock based compensation and the award of bonuses under the Company’s bonus plans; and (x) to exclude costs incurred in connection with potential acquisitions or divestitures that are required to be expensed under generally accepted accounting principles;, in each case in compliance with Section 162(m); VIOLIN MEMORY, INC. 2012 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN (iii) The Committee shall establish the applicable performance goals in writing and an objective method for determining the Award earned by a Participant if the goals are attained, while the outcome is substantially uncertainuncertain and not later than the 90th day of the performance period (but in no event after 25% of the period of service with respect to which the performance goals relate has elapsed), and shall determine and certify in writing, for each Participant, the extent to which the performance goals have been met prior to payment or vesting of the Award; and (iv) The Committee may not in any event increase the amount of compensation payable under the Plan upon the attainment of the pre-established performance goals to a Participant who is a “covered employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. (v) The maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be subject to Performance Based Awards granted to a Participant in any calendar year (other than Inducement Awards) is 2,000,000 2,500,000 Shares, and no more than two times this amount in the first year of employment (subject to adjustment under Section 12), and the maximum aggregate amount of cash that may be payable to a Participant under Performance Based Awards granted to a Participant in any calendar year that are Cash-Based Awards is $10,000,000.

PERFORMANCE BASED AWARDS. The number of Shares or other benefits granted, issued, retainable and/or vested under an Award may be made subject to the attainment of performance goals. The Committee may utilize any performance criteria selected by it in its sole discretion to establish performance goals; provided, however, that in the case of any Performance Based Award, the following conditions shall apply: (i) The amount potentially available under a Performance Based Award shall be subject to the attainment of pre-established, objective performance goals relating to a specified period of service including but not limited to any based on one or more of the following performance criteria: (aA) cash flow, (bB) earnings per share, (cC) earnings before interest, taxes and amortization, (dD) return on equity, (eE) total stockholder return, (fF) share price performance, (gG) return on capital, (hH) return on assets or net assets, (iI) revenue, (jJ) income or net income, (kK) operating income or net operating income, (lL) operating profit or net operating profit, (mM) operating margin or profit margin, (nN) return on operating revenue, (oO) return on invested capital, (pP) market segment shares, (qQ) costs, (rR) expenses, (sS) initiation or completion of research activities, (tT) initiation or completion of development programs, (uU) other milestones with respect to research activities or development programs, (vV) regulatory body approval, (wW) implementation or completion of critical projects, (xX) commercial milestones or (zY) other milestones with respect to the growth of the Company’s business or the development or commercialization of any product or service (“Qualifying Performance Criteria”), any of which may be measured either individually, alternatively or in any combination, applied to either the Company as a whole or to a business unit or Subsidiary, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, and measured either annually or cumulatively over a period of years, on an absolute basis or relative to a pre-established target, to previous years’ results or to a designated comparison group or index, in each case as specified by the Committee in the Award; (ii) The Unless specified otherwise by the Committee may at the time the performance goals are established or otherwise within the time prescribed by Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall appropriately adjust the method of evaluating performance under a Qualifying Performance Criteria for a performance period as follows: (iA) to exclude asset write-downs, (iiB) to exclude litigation or claim judgments or settlements, (iiiC) to exclude the effect of changes in tax law, accounting principles or other such laws or provisions affecting reported results, (ivD) to exclude accruals for reorganization and restructuring programs, (vE) to exclude any extraordinary nonrecurring items as determined under generally accepted accounting principles and/or described in managements’ discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company’s annual report to stockholders for the applicable year, (viF) to exclude the dilutive effects of acquisitions or joint ventures, (viiG) to assume that any business divested by the Company achieved performance objectives at targeted levels during the balance of a performance period following such divestiture, (viiiH) to exclude the effect of any change in the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company by reason of any stock dividend or split, stock repurchase, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares or other similar corporate change, or any distributions to common stockholders other than regular cash dividends, (ixI) to exclude the effects of stock based compensation and the award of bonuses under the Company’s bonus plans; and (xJ) to exclude costs incurred in connection with potential acquisitions or divestitures that are required to be expensed under generally accepted accounting principles, in each case in compliance with Section 162(m) of the Code; (iii) The Committee shall establish the applicable performance goals in writing and an objective method for determining the Award earned by a Participant if the goals are attained, while the outcome is substantially uncertainuncertain and not later than the 90th day of the performance period (but in no event after 25% of the period of service with respect to which the performance goals relate has elapsed), and shall determine and certify in writing, for each Participant, the extent to which the performance goals have been met prior to payment or vesting of the Award; (iv) The Committee may not in any event increase the amount of compensation payable under the Plan upon the attainment of the pre-established performance goals to a Participant who is a “covered employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code; and (ivv) The maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be subject to Performance Based Awards granted to a Participant in any calendar year (other than Inducement Awards) is 2,000,000 1,000,000 Shares, and no more than two (2) times this amount in the first year of employment (subject to adjustment under Section 12), and the maximum aggregate amount of cash that may be payable to a Participant under Performance Based Awards granted to a Participant in any calendar year that are Cash-Based Awards is $10,000,0002,000,000.

PERFORMANCE BASED AWARDS. The number of Shares or other benefits granted, issued, retainable and/or vested under an Award may be made subject to the attainment of performance goals. The Committee may utilize any performance criteria selected by it in its sole discretion to establish performance goals; provided, however, that in the case of any Performance Based Award, the following conditions shall apply: (i) The amount potentially available under a Performance Based Award shall be subject to the attainment of pre-established, objective performance goals relating to a specified period of service including but not limited to any based on one or more of the following performance criteria: (a) cash flow, (b) earnings per share, (c) earnings before interest, taxes and amortization, (d) return on equity, (e) total stockholder return, (f) share price performance, (g) return on capital, (h) return on assets or net assets, (i) revenue, (j) income or net income, (k) operating income or net operating income, (l) operating profit or net operating profit, (m) operating margin or profit margin, (n) return on operating revenue, (o) return on invested capital, (p) market segment shares, (q) costs, (r) expenses, (s) initiation or completion of research activities, (t) initiation or completion of clinical studies or other development programs, (u) other milestones with respect to research activities or clinical studies or other development programs, (v) regulatory body approvalapproval for commercialization of a product, (w) implementation or completion of critical projects, projects or (x) commercial milestones or (z) other milestones with respect to the growth of the Company’s business or the development or commercialization of any a product or service (“Qualifying Performance Criteria”), any of which may be measured either individually, alternatively or in any combination, applied to either the Company as a whole or to a business unit or Subsidiary, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, and measured either annually or cumulatively over a period of years, on an absolute basis or relative to a pre-established target, to previous years’ results or to a designated comparison group or index, in each case as specified by the Committee in the Award; (ii) The Unless specified otherwise by the Committee may at the time the performance goals are established or otherwise within the time prescribed by Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall appropriately adjust the method of evaluating performance under a Qualifying Performance Criteria for a performance period as follows: (i) to exclude asset write-downs, (ii) to exclude litigation or claim judgments or settlements, (iii) to exclude the effect of changes in tax law, accounting principles or other such laws or provisions affecting reported results, (iv) to exclude accruals for reorganization and restructuring programs, (v) to exclude any extraordinary nonrecurring items as determined under generally accepted accounting principles and/or described in managements’ discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company’s annual report to stockholders for the applicable year, (vi) to exclude the dilutive effects of acquisitions or joint ventures, (vii) to assume that any business divested by the Company achieved performance objectives at targeted levels during the balance of a performance period following such divestiture, (viii) to exclude the effect of any change in the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company by reason of any stock dividend or split, stock repurchase, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares or other similar corporate change, or any distributions to common stockholders other than regular cash dividends, (ix) to exclude the effects of stock based compensation and the award of bonuses under the Company’s bonus plans; and (x) to exclude costs incurred in connection with potential acquisitions or divestitures that are required to be expensed under generally accepted accounting principles, in each case in compliance with Section 162(m); (iii) The Committee shall establish the applicable performance goals in writing and an objective method for determining the Award earned by a Participant if the goals are attained, while the outcome is substantially uncertainuncertain and not later than the 90th day of the performance period (but in no event after 25% of the period of service with respect to which the performance goals relate has elapsed), and shall determine and certify in writing, for each Participant, the extent to which the performance goals have been met prior to payment or vesting of the Award; and (iv) The Committee may not in any event increase the amount of compensation payable under the Plan upon the attainment of the pre-established performance goals to a Participant who is a “covered employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. (v) The maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be subject to Performance Based Awards granted to a Participant in any calendar year (other than Inducement Awards) is 2,000,000 Shares10,000,000 Shares(4), and no more than two times this amount in the first year of employment (subject to adjustment under Section 12), and the maximum aggregate amount of cash that may be payable to a Participant under Performance Based Awards granted to a Participant in any calendar year that are Cash-Based Awards is $10,000,000.

PERFORMANCE BASED AWARDS. The number of Shares or other benefits granted, issued, retainable and/or vested under an Award may be made subject to the attainment of performance goals. The Committee may utilize any performance criteria selected by it in its sole discretion to establish performance goals; provided, however, that in the case of any Performance Based Award, the following conditions shall apply: (i) The amount potentially available under a Performance Based Award shall be subject to the attainment of pre-established, objective performance goals relating to a specified period of service including but not limited to any based on one or more of the following performance criteria: (a) cash flow, (b) earnings per share, (c) earnings before interest, taxes and amortization, (d) return on equity, (e) total stockholder return, (f) share price performance, (g) return on capital, (h) return on assets or net assets, (i) revenue, (j) income or net income, (k) operating income or net operating income, (l) operating profit or net operating profit, (m) operating margin or profit margin, (n) return on operating revenue, (o) return on invested capital, (p) market segment shares, (q) costs, (r) expenses, (s) initiation or completion of research activities, (t) initiation or completion of development programs, (u) other milestones with respect to research activities or development programs, (v) regulatory body approval, (w) implementation or completion of critical projects, (x) commercial milestones or (z) other milestones with respect to the growth of the Company’s business or the development or commercialization of any product or service (“Qualifying Performance Criteria”), any of which may be measured either individually, alternatively or in any combination, applied to either the Company as a whole or to a business unit or Subsidiary, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, and measured either annually or cumulatively over a period of years, on an absolute basis or relative to a pre-established target, to previous years’ results or to a designated comparison group or index, in each case as specified by the Committee in the Award; (ii) The Unless specified otherwise by the Committee may at the time the performance goals are established or otherwise within the time prescribed by Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall appropriately adjust the method of evaluating performance under a Qualifying Performance Criteria for a performance period as follows: (i) to exclude asset write-downs, (ii) to exclude litigation or claim judgments or settlements, (iii) to exclude the effect of changes in tax law, accounting principles or other such laws or provisions affecting reported results, (iv) to exclude accruals for reorganization and restructuring programs, (v) to exclude any extraordinary nonrecurring items as determined under generally accepted accounting principles and/or described in managements’ discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company’s annual report to stockholders for the applicable year, (vi) to exclude the dilutive effects of acquisitions or joint ventures, (vii) to assume that any business divested by the Company achieved performance objectives at targeted levels during the balance of a performance period following such divestiture, (viii) to exclude the effect of any change in the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company by reason of any stock dividend or split, stock repurchase, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares or other similar corporate change, or any distributions to common stockholders other than regular cash dividends, (ix) to exclude the effects of stock based compensation and the award of bonuses under the Company’s bonus plans; and (x) to exclude costs incurred in connection with potential acquisitions or divestitures that are required to be expensed under generally accepted accounting principles, in each case in compliance with Section 162(m); (iii) The Committee shall establish the applicable performance goals in writing and an objective method for determining the Award earned by a Participant if the goals are attained, while the outcome is substantially uncertainuncertain and not later than the 90th day of the performance period (but in no event after 25% of the period of service with respect to which the performance goals relate has elapsed), and shall determine and certify in writing, for each Participant, the extent to which the performance goals have been met prior to payment or vesting of the Award; (iv) The Committee may not in any event increase the amount of compensation payable under the Plan upon the attainment of the pre-established performance goals to a Participant who is a “covered employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code; and (ivv) The maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be subject to Performance Based Awards granted to a Participant in any calendar year (other than Inducement Awards) is 2,000,000 Shares12,000,000 Shares(4), and no more than two times this amount in the first year of employment (subject to adjustment under Section 12), and the maximum aggregate amount of cash that may be payable to a Participant under Performance Based Awards granted to a Participant in any calendar year that are Cash-Based Awards is $10,000,000.

PERFORMANCE BASED AWARDS. The number of Shares or other benefits granted, issued, retainable and/or vested under an Award may be made subject to the attainment of performance goals. The Committee may utilize any performance criteria selected by it in its sole discretion to establish performance goals; provided, however, that in the case of any Performance Based Award, the following conditions shall apply: (i) The amount potentially available under a Performance Based Award shall be subject to the attainment of pre-established, objective performance goals relating to a specified period of service including but not limited to any based on one or more of the following performance criteria: (a) cash flow (including operating cash flow), (b) earnings per share, (c) earnings before any combination of interest, taxes and taxes, depreciation or amortization, (d) return on equity, (e) total stockholder return, (f) share price performance, (g) return on capital, (h) return on assets or net assets, (i) revenue, (j) income or net income, (k) operating income or net operating income, (l) operating profit or net operating profit, (m) operating margin or profit margin, (n) return on operating revenue, (o) return on invested capital, (p) market segment shares, (q) costs, (r) expenses, (s) initiation achievement of target levels of discovery and/or development of products or completion of services, including but not limited to research activitiesor regulatory achievements, (t) initiation third party coverage and/or reimbursement objectives, or completion of development programs, (u) other milestones with respect to research activities or development programs, (v) regulatory body approval, (w) implementation or completion of critical projects, (x) commercial milestones or (z) other milestones with respect to the growth of the Company’s business or the development or commercialization of any product or service test volume metrics (“Qualifying Performance Criteria”), any of which may be measured either individually, alternatively or in any combination, applied to either the Company as a whole or to a business unit or Subsidiary, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, and measured either annually or cumulatively over a period of years, on an absolute basis or relative to a pre-established target, to previous years’ results or to a designated comparison group or index, in each case as specified by the Committee in the Award; (ii) The Unless specified otherwise by the Committee may at the time the performance goals are established or otherwise within the time prescribed by Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall appropriately adjust the method of evaluating performance under a Qualifying Performance Criteria for a performance period as follows: (i) to exclude asset write-downs, (ii) to exclude litigation or claim judgments or settlements, (iii) to exclude the effect of changes in tax law, accounting principles or other such laws or provisions affecting reported results, (iv) to exclude accruals for reorganization and restructuring programs, (v) to exclude any extraordinary nonrecurring items as determined under generally accepted accounting principles and/or described in managements’ discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company’s annual report to stockholders for the applicable year, (vi) to exclude the dilutive effects of acquisitions or joint ventures, (vii) to assume that any business divested by the Company achieved performance objectives at targeted levels during the balance of a performance period following such divestiture, (viii) to exclude the effect of any change in the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company by reason of any stock dividend or split, stock repurchase, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares or other similar corporate change, or any distributions to common stockholders other than regular cash dividends, (ix) to exclude the effects of stock based compensation and the award of bonuses under the Company’s bonus plans; and (x) to exclude costs incurred in connection with potential acquisitions or divestitures that are required to be expensed under generally accepted accounting principles, in each case in compliance with Section 162(m); (iii) The Committee shall establish the applicable performance goals in writing and an objective method for determining the Award earned by a Participant if the goals are attained, while the outcome is substantially uncertainuncertain and not later than the 90th day of the performance period (but in no event after 25% of the period of service with respect to which the performance goals relate has elapsed), and shall determine and certify in writing, for each Participant, the extent to which the performance goals have been met prior to payment or vesting of the Award; and (iv) The Committee may not in any event increase the amount of compensation payable under the Plan upon the attainment of the pre-established performance goals to a Participant who is a “covered employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. (v) The maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be subject to Performance Based Awards granted to a Participant in any calendar year is 1,000,000 Shares (other than Inducement Awards) is 2,000,000 Sharessubject to adjustment under Section 12), and no more than two times this amount in the first year of employment (subject to adjustment under Section 12)employment, and the maximum aggregate amount of cash that may be payable to a Participant under Performance Based Awards granted to a Participant in any calendar year that are Cash-Based Awards is $10,000,0002,000,000.

PERFORMANCE BASED AWARDS. The number of Shares or other benefits granted, issued, retainable and/or vested under an Award may be made subject to the attainment of performance goals. The Committee may utilize any performance criteria selected by it in its sole discretion to establish performance goals; provided, however, that in the case of any Performance Based Award, the following conditions shall apply: (i) The amount potentially available under a Performance Based Award shall be subject to the attainment of pre-established, objective performance goals relating to a specified period of service including but not limited to any based on one or more of the following performance criteria: (a) cash flow, (b) earnings per share, (c) earnings before interest, taxes and amortization, (d) return on equity, (e) total stockholder return, (f) share price performance, (g) return on capital, (h) return on assets or net assets, (i) revenue, (j) income or net income, (k) operating income or net operating income, (l) operating profit or net operating profit, (m) operating margin or profit margin, (n) return on operating revenue, (o) return on invested capital, (p) market segment shares, (q) costs, (r) expenses, (s) initiation or completion of research activities, (t) initiation or completion of clinical studies or other development programs, (u) other milestones with respect to research activities or clinical studies or other development programs, (v) regulatory body approvalapproval for commercialization of a product, (w) implementation or completion of critical projects, projects or (x) commercial milestones or (z) other milestones with respect to the growth of the Company’s business or the development or commercialization of any a product or service (“Qualifying Performance Criteria”), any of which may be measured either individually, alternatively or in any combination, applied to either the Company as a whole or to a business unit or Subsidiary, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, and measured either annually or cumulatively over a period of years, on an absolute basis or relative to a pre-established target, to previous years’ results or to a designated comparison group or index, in each case as specified by the Committee in the Award; (ii) The Unless specified otherwise by the Committee may at the time the performance goals are established or otherwise within the time prescribed by Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall appropriately adjust the method of evaluating performance under a Qualifying Performance Criteria for a performance period as follows: (i) to exclude asset write-downs, (ii) to exclude litigation or claim judgments or settlements, (iii) to exclude the effect of changes in tax law, accounting principles or other such laws or provisions affecting reported results, (iv) to exclude accruals for reorganization and restructuring programs, (v) to exclude any extraordinary nonrecurring items as determined under generally accepted accounting principles and/or described in managements’ discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company’s annual report to stockholders for the applicable year, (vi) to exclude the dilutive effects of acquisitions or joint ventures, (vii) to assume that any business divested by the Company achieved performance objectives at targeted levels during the balance of a performance period following such divestiture, (viii) to exclude the effect of any change in the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company by reason of any stock dividend or split, stock repurchase, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares or other similar corporate change, or any distributions to common stockholders other than regular cash dividends, (ix) to exclude the effects of stock based compensation and the award of bonuses under the Company’s bonus plans; and (x) to exclude costs incurred in connection with potential acquisitions or divestitures that are required to be expensed under generally accepted accounting principles, in each case in compliance with Section 162(m); (iii) The Committee shall establish the applicable performance goals in writing and an objective method for determining the Award earned by a Participant if the goals are attained, while the outcome is substantially uncertainuncertain and not later than the 90th day of the performance period (but in no event after 25% of the period of service with respect to which the performance goals relate has elapsed), and shall determine and certify in writing, for each Participant, the extent to which the performance goals have been met prior to payment or vesting of the Award; and (iv) The Committee may not in any event increase the amount of compensation payable under the Plan upon the attainment of the pre-established performance goals to a Participant who is a “covered employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. (v) The maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be subject to Performance Based Awards granted to a Participant in any calendar year (other than Inducement Awards) is 2,000,000 [ ] Shares, and no more than two times this amount in the first year of employment (subject to adjustment under Section 12), and the maximum aggregate amount of cash that may be payable to a Participant under Performance Based Awards granted to a Participant in any calendar year that are Cash-Based Awards is $10,000,000[ ].