Contract
Exhibit 99.4
THE SECURITIES WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT OF THIS AGREEMENT HAVE NOT BEEN QUALIFIED WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF CORPORATIONS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH SECURITIES OR THE PAYMENT OR RECEIPT OF ANY PART OF THE CONSIDERATION THEREFOR PRIOR TO SUCH QUALIFICATION IS UNLAWFUL, UNLESS THE SALE OF SECURITIES IS EXEMPT FROM QUALIFICATION BY SECTION 25100, 25102, OR 25105 OF THE CALIFORNIA CORPORATIONS CODE. THE RIGHTS OF ALL PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT ARE EXPRESSLY CONDITIONED UPON SUCH QUALIFICATION BEING OBTAINED, UNLESS THE SALE IS SO EXEMPT.
THE SECURITIES WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT OF THIS AGREEMENT HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THE SALE OR DISTRIBUTION THEREOF. NO SUCH SALE OR DISPOSITION MAY BE EFFECTED WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATED THERETO OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933.
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
AEye, Inc. has granted to the Participant named in the Notice of Grant of Stock Option (the βGrant Noticeβ) to which this Stock Option Agreement (the βOption Agreementβ) is attached an option (the βOptionβ) to purchase certain shares of Stock upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Grant Notice and this Option Agreement. The Option has been granted pursuant to and shall in all respects be subject to the terms and conditions of the AEye, Inc. 2016 Stock Plan (the βPlanβ), as amended to the Date of Grant, the provisions of which are incorporated herein by reference. By signing the Grant Notice, the Participant: (a)Β acknowledges receipt of, and represents that the Participant has read and is familiar with, the Grant Notice, this Option Agreement and the Plan, (b)Β accepts the Option subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Grant Notice, this Option Agreement and the Plan, and (c)Β agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Board upon any questions arising under the Grant Notice, this Option Agreement or the Plan.
1. DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.
1.1 Definitions. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Grant Notice or the Plan.
1.2 Construction. Captions and titles contained herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Option Agreement. Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular. Use of the term βorβ is not intended to be exclusive, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
2. TAX CONSEQUENCES.
2.1 Tax Status of Option. This Option is intended to have the tax status designated in the Grant Notice.
(a) Incentive Stock Option. If the Grant Notice so designates, this Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option within the meaning of SectionΒ 422(b) of the Code, but the Company does not represent or warrant that this Option qualifies as such. The Participant should consult with the Participantβs own tax advisor regarding the tax effects of this Option and the requirements necessary to obtain favorable income tax treatment under SectionΒ 422 of the Code, including, but not limited to, holding period requirements. (NOTE TO PARTICIPANT: If the Option is exercised more than three (3)Β months after the date on which you cease to be an Employee (other than by reason of your death or permanent and total disability as defined in SectionΒ 22(e)(3) of the Code), the Option will be treated as a Nonstatutory Stock Option and not as an Incentive Stock Option to the extent required by SectionΒ 422 of the Code.)
(b) Nonstatutory Stock Option. If the Grant Notice so designates, this Option is intended to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option and shall not be treated as an Incentive Stock Option within the meaning of SectionΒ 422(b) of the Code.
2.2 ISO Fair Market Value Limitation. If the Grant Notice designates this Option as an Incentive Stock Option, then to the extent that the Option (together with all Incentive Stock Options granted to the Participant under all stock option plans of the Participating Company Group, including the Plan) becomes exercisable for the first time during any calendar year for shares having a Fair Market Value greater than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000), the portion of such options which exceeds such amount will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section, options designated as Incentive Stock Options are taken into account in the order in which they were granted, and the Fair Market Value of stock is determined as of the time the option with respect to such stock is granted. If the Code is amended to provide for a different limitation from that set forth in this Section, such different limitation shall be deemed incorporated herein effective as of the date required or permitted by such amendment to the Code. If the Option is treated as an Incentive Stock Option in part and as a Nonstatutory Stock Option in part by reason of the limitation set forth in this Section, the Participant may designate which portion of such Option the Participant is exercising. In the absence of such designation, the Participant shall be deemed to have exercised the Incentive Stock Option portion of the Option first. Separate certificates representing each such portion shall be issued upon the exercise of the Option. (NOTE TO PARTICIPANT: If the aggregate Exercise Price of the Option (that is, the Exercise Price multiplied by the Number of Option Shares) plus the aggregate exercise price of any other Incentive Stock Options you hold (whether granted pursuant to the Plan or any other stock option plan of the Participating Company Group) is greater than $100,000, you should contact the Chief Financial Officer of the Company to ascertain whether the entire Option qualifies as an Incentive Stock Option.)
3. ADMINISTRATION.
All questions of interpretation concerning the Grant Notice, this Option Agreement, the Plan or any other form of agreement or other document employed by the Company in the administration of the Plan or the Option shall be determined by the Board. All such determinations by the Board shall be final, binding and conclusive upon all persons having an interest in the Option, unless fraudulent or made in bad faith. Any and all actions, decisions and determinations taken or made by the Board in the exercise of its discretion pursuant to the Plan or the Option or other agreement thereunder (other than determining questions of interpretation pursuant to the preceding sentence) shall be final, binding and conclusive upon all persons having an interest in the Option. Any Officer shall have the authority to act on behalf of the Company with respect to any matter, right, obligation, or election which is the responsibility of or which is allocated to the Company herein, provided the Officer has apparent authority with respect to such matter, right, obligation, or election.
4. EXERCISE OF THE OPTION.
4.1 Right to Exercise. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Option shall be exercisable on and after the Initial Vesting Date and prior to the termination of the Option (as provided in SectionΒ 6) in an amount not to exceed the number of Vested Shares less the number of shares previously acquired upon exercise of the Option, subject to the Companyβs repurchase rights set forth in SectionΒ 11. In no event shall the Option be exercisable for more shares than the Number of Option Shares, as adjusted pursuant to SectionΒ 9.
4.2 Method of Exercise. Exercise of the Option shall be by means of electronic or written notice (the βExercise Noticeβ) in a form authorized by the Company. An electronic Exercise Notice must be digitally signed or authenticated by the Participant in such manner as required by the notice and transmitted to the Company or an authorized representative of the Company (including a third-party administrator designated by the Company). In the event that the Participant is not authorized or is unable to provide an electronic Exercise Notice, the Option shall be exercised by a written Exercise Notice addressed to the Company, which shall be signed by the Participant and delivered in person, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, by confirmed facsimile transmission, or by such other means as the Company may permit, to the Company, or an authorized representative of the Company (including a third-party administrator designated by the Company). Each Exercise Notice, whether electronic or written, must state the Participantβs election to exercise the Option, the number of whole shares of Stock for which the Option
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is being exercised and such other representations and agreements as to the Participantβs investment intent with respect to such shares as may be required pursuant to the provisions of this Option Agreement. Further, each Exercise Notice must be received by the Company prior to the termination of the Option as set forth in SectionΒ 6 and must be accompanied by full payment of the aggregate Exercise Price for the number of shares of Stock being purchased. The Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company of such electronic or written Exercise Notice and the aggregate Exercise Price.
4.3 Payment of Exercise Price.
(a) Forms of Consideration Authorized. Except as otherwise provided below, payment of the aggregate Exercise Price for the number of shares of Stock for which the Option is being exercised shall be made (i)Β in cash, by check or in cash equivalent, (ii)Β if permitted by the Company and subject to the limitations contained in SectionΒ 4.3(b), by means of (1)Β a Stock Tender Exercise, (2)Β a Cashless Exercise or (3)Β a Net-Exercise; or (iii)Β by any combination of the foregoing.
(b) Limitations on Forms of Consideration. The Company reserves, at any and all times, the right, in the Companyβs sole and absolute discretion, to establish, decline to approve or terminate any program or procedure providing for payment of the Exercise Price through any of the means described below, including with respect to the Participant notwithstanding that such program or procedures may be available to others.
(i) Stock Tender Exercise. A βStock Tender Exerciseβ means the delivery of a properly executed Exercise Notice accompanied by (1)Β the Participantβs tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, in a form acceptable to the Company of whole shares of Stock having a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate Exercise Price for the shares with respect to which the Option is exercised, and (2)Β the Participantβs payment to the Company in cash of the remaining balance of such aggregate Exercise Price not satisfied by such sharesβ Fair Market Value. A Stock Tender Exercise shall not be permitted if it would constitute a violation of the provisions of any law, regulation or agreement restricting the redemption of the Companyβs stock. If required by the Company, the Option may not be exercised by tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, of shares of Stock unless such shares either have been owned by the Participant for a period of time required by the Company (and not used for another option exercise by attestation during such period) or were not acquired, directly or indirectly, from the Company.
(ii) Cashless Exercise. A Cashless Exercise shall be permitted only upon the class of shares subject to the Option becoming publicly traded in an established securities market. A βCashless Exerciseβ means the delivery of a properly executed Exercise Notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker in a form acceptable to the Company providing for the assignment to the Company of the proceeds of a sale or loan with respect to shares of Stock acquired upon the exercise of the Option in an amount not less than the aggregate Exercise Price for such shares (including, without limitation, through an exercise complying with the provisions of Regulation T as promulgated from time to time by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System).
(iii) Net-Exercise. A βNet-Exerciseβ means the delivery of a properly executed Exercise Notice electing a procedure pursuant to which (1)Β the Company will reduce the number of shares otherwise issuable to the Participant upon the exercise of the Option by the largest whole number of shares having a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate Exercise Price for the shares with respect to which the Option is exercised, and (2)Β the Participant shall pay to the Company in cash the remaining balance of such aggregate Exercise Price not satisfied by such reduction in the number of whole shares to be issued. Following a Net-Exercise, the number of shares remaining subject to the Option, if any, shall be reduced by the sum of (1)Β the net number of shares issued to the Participant upon such exercise, and (2)Β the number of shares deducted by the Company for payment of the aggregate Exercise Price.
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4.4 Tax Withholding.
(a) In General. At the time the Option is exercised, in whole or in part, or at any time thereafter as requested by a Participating Company, the Participant hereby authorizes withholding from payroll and any other amounts payable to the Participant, and otherwise agrees to make adequate provision for any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax (including any social insurance) withholding obligations of the Participating Company Group, if any, which arise in connection with the Option. The Company shall have no obligation to deliver shares of Stock until the tax withholding obligations of the Participating Company Group have been satisfied by the Participant.
(b) Withholding in or Directed Sale of Shares. The Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to require the Participant to satisfy all or any portion of a Participating Companyβs tax withholding obligations upon exercise of the Option by deducting from the shares of Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant upon such exercise a number of whole shares having a fair market value, as determined by the Company as of the date of exercise, not in excess of the amount of such tax withholding obligations determined by the applicable minimum statutory withholding rates. The Company may require the Participant to direct a broker, upon the exercise of the Option, to sell a portion of the shares subject to the Option determined by the Company in its discretion to be sufficient to cover the tax withholding obligations of any Participating Company and to remit an amount equal to such tax withholding obligations to the Company in cash.
4.5 Beneficial Ownership of Shares; Certificate Registration. The Participant hereby authorizes the Company, in its sole discretion, to deposit for the benefit of the Participant with any broker with which the Participant has an account relationship of which the Company has notice any or all shares acquired by the Participant pursuant to the exercise of the Option. Except as provided by the preceding sentence, a certificate for the shares as to which the Option is exercised shall be registered in the name of the Participant, or, if applicable, in the names of the heirs of the Participant.
4.6 Restrictions on Grant of the Option and Issuance of Shares. The grant of the Option and the issuance of shares of Stock upon exercise of the Option shall be subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of federal, state or foreign law with respect to such securities. The Option may not be exercised if the issuance of shares of Stock upon exercise would constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state or foreign securities laws or other law or regulations or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. In addition, the Option may not be exercised unless (i)Β a registration statement under the Securities Act shall at the time of exercise of the Option be in effect with respect to the shares issuable upon exercise of the Option or (ii)Β in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares issuable upon exercise of the Option may be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. THE PARTICIPANT IS CAUTIONED THAT THE OPTION MAY NOT BE EXERCISED UNLESS THE FOREGOING CONDITIONS ARE SATISFIED. ACCORDINGLY, THE PARTICIPANT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXERCISE THE OPTION WHEN DESIRED EVEN THOUGH THE OPTION IS VESTED. The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by the Companyβs legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares subject to the Option shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. As a condition to the exercise of the Option, the Company may require the Participant to satisfy any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate, to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect thereto as may be requested by the Company.
4.7 Fractional Shares. The Company shall not be required to issue fractional shares upon the exercise of the Option.
5. NONTRANSFERABILITY OF THE OPTION.
During the lifetime of the Participant, the Option shall be exercisable only by the Participant or the Participantβs guardian or legal representative. The Option shall not be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, exchange, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, or garnishment by creditors of the Participant or the Participantβs beneficiary, except transfer by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Following the death of the Participant, the Option, to the extent provided in SectionΒ 7, may be exercised by the Participantβs legal representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Participantβs will or under the then applicable laws of descent and distribution.
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6. TERMINATION OF THE OPTION.
The Option shall terminate and may no longer be exercised after the first to occur of (a)Β the close of business on the Option Expiration Date, (b)Β the close of business on the last date for exercising the Option following termination of the Participantβs Service as described in SectionΒ 7, or (c)Β a Change in Control to the extent provided in SectionΒ 8.
7. EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE.
7.1 Option Exercisability. The Option shall terminate immediately upon the Participantβs termination of Service to the extent that it is then unvested and shall be exercisable after the Participantβs termination of Service to the extent it is then vested only during the applicable time period as determined below and thereafter shall terminate.
(a) Disability. If the Participantβs Service terminates because of the Disability of the Participant, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable for Vested Shares on the date on which the Participantβs Service terminated, may be exercised by the Participant (or the Participantβs guardian or legal representative) at any time prior to the expiration of twelve (12)Β months after the date on which the Participantβs Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.
(b) Death. If the Participantβs Service terminates because of the death of the Participant, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable for Vested Shares on the date on which the Participantβs Service terminated, may be exercised by the Participantβs legal representative or other person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by reason of the Participantβs death at any time prior to the expiration of twelve (12)Β months after the date on which the Participantβs Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date. The Participantβs Service shall be deemed to have terminated on account of death if the Participant dies within three (3)Β months after the Participantβs termination of Service.
(c) Termination for Cause. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Option Agreement, if the Participantβs Service is terminated for Cause, the Option shall terminate in its entirety and cease to be exercisable immediately upon such termination of Service.
(d) Other Termination of Service. If the Participantβs Service terminates for any reason, except Disability, death or Cause, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable for Vested Shares by the Participant on the date on which the Participantβs Service terminated, may be exercised by the Participant at any time prior to the expiration of three (3)Β months (or such longer or shorter period (but not less than thirty (30)Β days) provided by the Award Agreement) after the date on which the Participantβs Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.
7.2 Extension if Exercise Prevented by Law. Notwithstanding the foregoing other than termination of the Participantβs Service for Cause, if the exercise of the Option within the applicable time periods set forth in SectionΒ 7.1 is prevented by the provisions of SectionΒ 4.6, the Option shall remain exercisable until the later of (a)Β thirty (30) days after the date such exercise first would no longer be prevented by such provisions or (b)Β the end of the applicable time period under SectionΒ 7.1, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.
8. EFFECT OF CHANGE IN CONTROL.
In the event of a Change in Control, except to the extent that the Board determines to settle the Option in accordance with SectionΒ 9.1(c) of the Plan, the surviving, continuing, successor, or purchasing corporation or other business entity or parent thereof, as the case may be (the βAcquirorβ), may, without the consent of the Participant, assume or continue in full force and effect the Companyβs rights and obligations under all or any portion of the Option or substitute for all or any portion of the Option a substantially equivalent option for the Acquirorβs stock. For purposes of this Section, the Option or any portion thereof shall be deemed assumed if, following the Change in Control, the Option confers the right to receive, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement, for each share of Stock subject to such portion of the Option immediately prior to the Change in Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash, other securities or property or a combination thereof) to which a holder of a share of Stock on the effective date of the Change in Control was entitled (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Stock); provided, however,
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that if such consideration is not solely common stock of the Acquiror, the Board may, with the consent of the Acquiror, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of the Option for each share of Stock to consist solely of common stock of the Acquiror equal in Fair Market Value to the per share consideration received by holders of Stock pursuant to the Change in Control. If any portion of such consideration may be received by holders of Stock pursuant to the Change in Control on a contingent or delayed basis, the Board may, in its discretion, determine such Fair Market Value per share as of the time of the Change in Control on the basis of the Boardβs good faith estimate of the present value of the probable future payment of such consideration. The Option shall terminate and cease to be outstanding effective as of the time of consummation of the Change in Control to the extent that the Option is neither assumed or continued by the Acquiror in connection with the Change in Control nor exercised as of the time of the Change in Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, shares acquired upon exercise of the Option prior to the Change in Control and any consideration received pursuant to the Change in Control with respect to such shares shall continue to be subject to all applicable provisions of this Option Agreement except as otherwise provided herein.
9. ADJUSTMENTS FOR CHANGES IN CAPITAL STRUCTURE.
Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company and the requirements of Sections 409A and 424 of the Code to the extent applicable, in the event of any change in the Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company, whether through merger, consolidation, reorganization, reincorporation, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, split-up, split-off, spin-off, combination of shares, exchange of shares, or similar change in the capital structure of the Company, or in the event of payment of a dividend or distribution to the stockholders of the Company in a form other than Stock (excepting normal cash dividends) that has a material effect on the Fair Market Value of shares of Stock, appropriate and proportionate adjustments shall be made in the number, Exercise Price and kind of shares subject to the Option, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the Participantβs rights under the Option. For purposes of the foregoing, conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be treated as βeffected without receipt of consideration by the Company.β Any fractional share resulting from an adjustment pursuant to this Section shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number, and the Exercise Price shall be rounded up to the nearest whole cent. In no event may the Exercise Price be decreased to an amount less than the par value, if any, of the stock subject to the Option. Such adjustments shall be determined by the Board, and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.
10. RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER, DIRECTOR, EMPLOYEE OR CONSULTANT.
The Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares covered by the Option until the date of the issuance of the shares for which the Option has been exercised (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company). No adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date the shares are issued, except as provided in SectionΒ 9. If the Participant is an Employee, the Participant understands and acknowledges that, except as otherwise provided in a separate, written employment agreement between a Participating Company and the Participant, the Participantβs employment is βat willβ and is for no specified term. Nothing in this Option Agreement shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue in the Service of a Participating Company or interfere in any way with any right of the Participating Company Group to terminate the Participantβs Service as a Director, an Employee or Consultant, as the case may be, at any time.
11. RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL.
11.1 Grant of Right of First Refusal. Except as provided in SectionΒ 11.7 and SectionΒ 16 below, in the event the Participant, the Participantβs legal representative, or other holder of shares acquired upon exercise of the Option proposes to sell, exchange, transfer, pledge, or otherwise dispose of any Vested Shares (the βTransfer Sharesβ) to any person or entity, including, without limitation, any stockholder of a Participating Company, the Company shall have the right to repurchase the Transfer Shares under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this SectionΒ 11 (the βRight of First Refusalβ).
11.2 Notice of Proposed Transfer. Prior to any proposed transfer of the Transfer Shares, the Participant shall deliver written notice (the βTransfer Noticeβ) to the Company describing fully the proposed transfer, including the number of Transfer Shares, the name and address of the proposed transferee (the βProposed Transfereeβ) and, if the transfer is voluntary, the proposed transfer price, and
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containing such information necessary to show the bona fide nature of the proposed transfer. In the event of a bona fide gift or involuntary transfer, the proposed transfer price shall be deemed to be the Fair Market Value of the Transfer Shares, as determined by the Board in good faith. If the Participant proposes to transfer any Transfer Shares to more than one Proposed Transferee, the Participant shall provide a separate Transfer Notice for the proposed transfer to each Proposed Transferee. The Transfer Notice shall be signed by both the Participant and the Proposed Transferee and must constitute a binding commitment of the Participant and the Proposed Transferee for the transfer of the Transfer Shares to the Proposed Transferee subject only to the Right of First Refusal.
11.3 Bona Fide Transfer. If the Company determines that the information provided by the Participant in the Transfer Notice is insufficient to establish the bona fide nature of a proposed voluntary transfer, the Company shall give the Participant written notice of the Participantβs failure to comply with the procedure described in this SectionΒ 11, and the Participant shall have no right to transfer the Transfer Shares without first complying with the procedure described in this SectionΒ 11. The Participant shall not be permitted to transfer the Transfer Shares if the proposed transfer is not bona fide.
11.4 Exercise of Right of First Refusal. If the Company determines the proposed transfer to be bona fide, the Company shall have the right to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Transfer Shares (except as the Company and the Participant otherwise agree) at the purchase price and on the terms set forth in the Transfer Notice by delivery to the Participant of a notice of exercise of the Right of First Refusal within thirty (30)Β days after the date the Transfer Notice is delivered to the Company. The Companyβs exercise or failure to exercise the Right of First Refusal with respect to any proposed transfer described in a Transfer Notice shall not affect the Companyβs right to exercise the Right of First Refusal with respect to any proposed transfer described in any other Transfer Notice, whether or not such other Transfer Notice is issued by the Participant or issued by a person other than the Participant with respect to a proposed transfer to the same Proposed Transferee. If the Company exercises the Right of First Refusal, the Company and the Participant shall thereupon consummate the sale of the Transfer Shares to the Company on the terms set forth in the Transfer Notice within sixty (60)Β days after the date the Transfer Notice is delivered to the Company (unless a longer period is offered by the Proposed Transferee); provided, however, that in the event the Transfer Notice provides for the payment for the Transfer Shares other than in cash, the Company shall have the option of paying for the Transfer Shares by the present value cash equivalent of the consideration described in the Transfer Notice as reasonably determined by the Company. For purposes of the foregoing, cancellation of any indebtedness of the Participant to any Participating Company shall be treated as payment to the Participant in cash to the extent of the unpaid principal and any accrued interest canceled. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section to the contrary, the period during which the Company may exercise the Right of First Refusal and consummate the purchase of the Transfer Shares from the Participant shall terminate no sooner than the completion of a period of eight (8)Β months following the date on which the Participant acquired the Transfer Shares upon exercise of the Option.
11.5 Failure to Exercise Right of First Refusal. If the Company fails to exercise the Right of First Refusal in full (or to such lesser extent as the Company and the Participant otherwise agree) within the period specified in SectionΒ 11.4 above, the Participant may conclude a transfer to the Proposed Transferee of the Transfer Shares on the terms and conditions described in the Transfer Notice, provided such transfer occurs not later than ninety (90)Β days following delivery to the Company of the Transfer Notice or, if applicable, following the end of the period described in the last sentence of SectionΒ 11.4. The Company shall have the right to demand further assurances from the Participant and the Proposed Transferee (in a form satisfactory to the Company) that the transfer of the Transfer Shares was actually carried out on the terms and conditions described in the Transfer Notice. No Transfer Shares shall be transferred on the books of the Company until the Company has received such assurances, if so demanded, and has approved the proposed transfer as bona fide. Any proposed transfer on terms and conditions different from those described in the Transfer Notice, as well as any subsequent proposed transfer by the Participant, shall again be subject to the Right of First Refusal and shall require compliance by the Participant with the procedure described in this SectionΒ 11.
11.6 Transferees of Transfer Shares. All transferees of the Transfer Shares or any interest therein, other than the Company, shall be required as a condition of such transfer to agree in writing (in a form satisfactory to the Company) that such transferee shall receive and hold such Transfer Shares or interest therein subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Option Agreement, including this SectionΒ 11 providing for the Right of First Refusal with respect to any subsequent transfer. Any sale or transfer of any shares acquired upon exercise of the Option shall be void unless the provisions of this SectionΒ 11 are met.
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11.7 Transfers Not Subject to Right of First Refusal. The Right of First Refusal shall not apply to any transfer or exchange of the shares acquired upon exercise of the Option if such transfer or exchange is in connection with an Ownership Change Event. If the consideration received pursuant to such transfer or exchange consists of stock of a Participating Company, such consideration shall remain subject to the Right of First Refusal unless the provisions of SectionΒ 11.9 result in a termination of the Right of First Refusal.
11.8 Assignment of Right of First Refusal. The Company shall have the right to assign the Right of First Refusal at any time, whether or not there has been an attempted transfer, to one or more persons as may be selected by the Company.
11.9 Early Termination of Right of First Refusal. The other provisions of this Option Agreement notwithstanding, the Right of First Refusal shall terminate and be of no further force and effect upon (a)Β the occurrence of a Change in Control, unless the Acquiror assumes the Companyβs rights and obligations under the Option or substitutes a substantially equivalent option for the Acquirorβs stock for the Option, or (b)Β the existence of a public market for the class of shares subject to the Right of First Refusal. A βpublic marketβ shall be deemed to exist if (i)Β such stock is listed on a national securities exchange (as that term is used in the Exchange Act) or (ii)Β such stock is traded on the over the counter market and prices therefor are published daily on business days in a recognized financial journal.
12. STOCK DISTRIBUTIONS SUBJECT TO OPTION AGREEMENT.
If, from time to time, there is any stock dividend, stock split or other change, as described in SectionΒ 9, in the character or amount of any of the outstanding stock of the corporation the stock of which is subject to the provisions of this Option Agreement, then in such event any and all new, substituted or additional securities to which the Participant is entitled by reason of the Participantβs ownership of the shares acquired upon exercise of the Option shall be immediately subject to the Right of First Refusal with the same force and effect as the shares subject to the Right of First Refusal immediately before such event.
13. NOTICE OF SALES UPON DISQUALIFYING DISPOSITION.
The Participant shall dispose of the shares acquired pursuant to the Option only in accordance with the provisions of this Option Agreement. In addition, if the Grant Notice designates this Option as an Incentive Stock Option, the Participant shall (a)Β promptly notify the Chief Financial Officer of the Company if the Participant disposes of any of the shares acquired pursuant to the Option within one (1)Β year after the date the Participant exercises all or part of the Option or within two (2)Β years after the Date of Grant and (b)Β provide the Company with a description of the circumstances of such disposition. Until such time as the Participant disposes of such shares in a manner consistent with the provisions of this Option Agreement, unless otherwise expressly authorized by the Company, the Participant shall hold all shares acquired pursuant to the Option in the Participantβs name (and not in the name of any nominee) for the one-year period immediately after the exercise of the Option and the two-year period immediately after Date of Grant. At any time during the one-year or two-year periods set forth above, the Company may place a legend on any certificate representing shares acquired pursuant to the Option requesting the transfer agent for the Companyβs stock to notify the Company of any such transfers. The obligation of the Participant to notify the Company of any such transfer shall continue notwithstanding that a legend has been placed on the certificate pursuant to the preceding sentence.
14. LEGENDS.
The Company may at any time place legends referencing the Right of First Refusal and any applicable federal, state or foreign securities law restrictions on all certificates representing shares of stock subject to the provisions of this Option Agreement. The Participant shall, at the request of the Company, promptly present to the Company any and all certificates representing shares acquired pursuant to the Option in the possession of the Participant in order to carry out the provisions of this Section. Unless otherwise specified by the Company, legends placed on such certificates may include, but shall not be limited to, the following:
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14.1 βTHE SECURITIES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS THERE IS AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT COVERING SUCH SECURITIES, THE SALE IS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144 OR RULE 701 UNDER THE ACT, OR THE COMPANY RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, STATING THAT SUCH SALE, TRANSFER, ASSIGNMENT OR HYPOTHECATION IS EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION AND PROSPECTUS DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH ACT.β
14.2 βTHE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND REPURCHASE OPTIONS IN FAVOR OF THE CORPORATION OR ITS ASSIGNEE SET FORTH IN AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CORPORATION AND THE REGISTERED HOLDER, OR SUCH HOLDERβS PREDECESSOR IN INTEREST, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THIS CORPORATION.β
14.3 βTHE SHARES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE WERE ISSUED BY THE CORPORATION TO THE REGISTERED HOLDER UPON EXERCISE OF AN INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION AS DEFINED IN SECTION 422 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (βISOβ). IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE PREFERENTIAL TAX TREATMENT AFFORDED TO ISOs, THE SHARES SHOULD NOT BE TRANSFERRED PRIOR TO [INSERT DISQUALIFYING DISPOSITION DATE HERE]. SHOULD THE REGISTERED HOLDER ELECT TO TRANSFER ANY OF THE SHARES PRIOR TO THIS DATE AND FOREGO ISO TAX TREATMENT, THE TRANSFER AGENT FOR THE SHARES SHALL NOTIFY THE CORPORATION IMMEDIATELY. THE REGISTERED HOLDER SHALL HOLD ALL SHARES PURCHASED UNDER THE INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION IN THE REGISTERED HOLDERβS NAME (AND NOT IN THE NAME OF ANY NOMINEE) PRIOR TO THIS DATE OR UNTIL TRANSFERRED AS DESCRIBED ABOVE.β
15. LOCK-UP AGREEMENT.
The Participant hereby agrees that in the event of any underwritten public offering of stock, including an initial public offering of stock, made by the Company pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act, the Participant shall not offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, hypothecate, grant any option to purchase or make any short sale of, or otherwise dispose of any shares of stock of the Company or any rights to acquire stock of the Company for such period of time from and after the effective date of such registration statement as may be established by the underwriter for such public offering; provided, however, that such period of time shall not exceed one hundred eighty (180)Β days from the effective date of the registration statement to be filed in connection with such public offering; or, if required by managing underwriters of such offering, such longer period of time as is necessary to enable such underwriters to issue a research report or make a public appearance that relates to an earnings release or announcement by the Company within 15 days before or after the date that is 180 days after the effective date of the registration statement relating to the initial public offering, but in any event not to exceed 210 days following the effective date of the registration statement relating to such offering. The foregoing limitation shall not apply to shares registered in the public offering under the Securities Act. The Participant hereby agrees to enter into any agreement reasonably required by the underwriters to implement the foregoing within a reasonable timeframe if so requested by the Company.
16. RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF SHARES.
No shares acquired upon exercise of the Option may be sold, exchanged, transferred (including, without limitation, any transfer to a nominee or agent of the Participant), assigned, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of, including by operation of law in any manner which violates any of the provisions of this Option Agreement, and any such attempted disposition shall be void. The Company shall not be required (a)Β to transfer on its books any shares which will have been transferred in violation of any of the provisions set forth in this Option Agreement or (b)Β to treat as owner of such shares or to accord the right to vote as such owner or to pay dividends to any transferee to whom such shares will have been so transferred.
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9
17. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
17.1 Termination or Amendment. The Board may terminate or amend the Plan or the Option at any time; provided, however, that except as provided in SectionΒ 8 in connection with a Change in Control, no such termination or amendment may adversely affect the Option or any unexercised portion hereof without the consent of the Participant unless such termination or amendment is necessary to comply with any applicable law or government regulation, including, but not limited to SectionΒ 409A of the Code. No amendment or addition to this Option Agreement shall be effective unless in writing.
17.2 Compliance with SectionΒ 409A. The Company intends that income realized by the Participant pursuant to the Plan and this Option Agreement will not be subject to taxation under SectionΒ 409A of the Code. The provisions of the Plan and this Option Agreement shall be interpreted and construed in favor of satisfying any applicable requirements of SectionΒ 409A of the Code. The Company, in its reasonable discretion, may amend (including retroactively) the Plan and this Agreement in order to conform to the applicable requirements of SectionΒ 409A of the Code, including amendments to facilitate the Participantβs ability to avoid taxation under SectionΒ 409A of the Code. However, the preceding provisions shall not be construed as a guarantee by the Company of any particular tax result for income realized by the Participant pursuant to the Plan or this Option Agreement. In any event, and except for the responsibilities of the Company set forth in SectionΒ 4.4, no Participating Company shall be responsible for the payment of any applicable taxes incurred by the Participant on income realized by the Participant pursuant to the Plan or this Option Agreement.
17.3 Further Instruments. The parties hereto agree to execute such further instruments and to take such further action as may reasonably be necessary to carry out the intent of this Option Agreement.
17.4 Binding Effect. This Option Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company and, subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein, be binding upon the Participant and the Participantβs heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.
17.5 Delivery of Documents and Notices. Any document relating to participation in the Plan, or any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given (except to the extent that this Option Agreement provides for effectiveness only upon actual receipt of such notice) upon personal delivery, electronic delivery at the e-mail address, if any, provided for the Participant by a Participating Company, or upon deposit in the U.S. Post Office or foreign postal service, by registered or certified mail, or with a nationally recognized overnight courier service, with postage and fees prepaid, addressed to the other party at the address of such party set forth in the Grant Notice or at such other address as such party may designate in writing from time to time to the other party.
(a) Description of Electronic Delivery. The Plan documents, which may include but do not necessarily include: the Plan, the Grant Notice, this Option Agreement, and any reports of the Company provided generally to the Companyβs stockholders, may be delivered to the Participant electronically. In addition, if permitted by the Company, the Participant may deliver electronically the Grant Notice and Exercise Notice called for by SectionΒ 4.2 to the Company or to such third party involved in administering the Plan as the Company may designate from time to time. Such means of electronic delivery may include but do not necessarily include the delivery of a link to a Company intranet or the Internet site of a third party involved in administering the Plan, the delivery of the document via e-mail or such other means of electronic delivery specified by the Company.
(b) Consent to Electronic Delivery. The Participant acknowledges that the Participant has read SectionΒ 17.5(a) of this Option Agreement and consents to the electronic delivery of the Plan documents and, if permitted by the Company, the delivery of the Grant Notice and Exercise Notice, as described in SectionΒ 17.5(a). The Participant acknowledges that he or she may receive from the Company a paper copy of any documents delivered electronically at no cost to the Participant by contacting the Company by telephone or in writing. The Participant further acknowledges that the Participant will be provided with a paper copy of any documents if the attempted electronic delivery of such documents fails. Similarly, the Participant understands that the Participant must provide the Company or any designated third party administrator with a paper copy of any documents if the attempted electronic delivery of such documents fails. The Participant may revoke his or her consent to the electronic delivery of documents described in SectionΒ 17.5(a) or may change the electronic mail address to which such documents are to be delivered (if Participant has provided an electronic mail address) at any time by notifying the Company of such revoked consent or revised e-mail address by telephone, postal service or electronic mail. Finally, the Participant understands that he or she is not required to consent to electronic delivery of documents described in SectionΒ 17.5(a).
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17.6 Integrated Agreement. The Grant Notice, this Option Agreement and the Plan, together with any employment, service or other agreement with the Participant and a Participating Company referring to the Option, shall constitute the entire understanding and agreement of the Participant and the Participating Company Group with respect to the subject matter contained herein or therein and supersede any prior agreements, understandings, restrictions, representations, or warranties among the Participant and the Participating Company Group with respect to such subject matter. To the extent contemplated herein or therein, the provisions of the Grant Notice, the Option Agreement and the Plan shall survive any exercise of the Option and shall remain in full force and effect.
17.7 Applicable Law. This Option Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware as such laws are applied to agreements between Delaware residents entered into and to be performed entirely within the State of Delaware.
17.8 Counterparts. The Grant Notice may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
___Incentive Stock Option
Participant:
___Nonstatutory Stock Option
Date:
STOCK OPTION EXERCISE NOTICE
Attention: Secretary
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000
Pleasanton, CA 94588
Ladies and Gentlemen:
1. Option. I was granted an option (the βOptionβ) to purchase shares of the common stock (the βSharesβ) of AEye, Inc.(the βCompanyβ) pursuant to the Companyβs 2016 Stock Plan (the βPlanβ), my Notice of Grant of Stock Option (the βGrant Noticeβ) and my Stock Option Agreement (the βOption Agreementβ) as follows:
Β
Date of Grant: |
Β Β | |||
Number of Option Shares: |
Β Β | |||
Exercise Price per Share: |
Β Β | $ | Β | Β |
2. Exercise of Option. I hereby elect to exercise the Option to purchase the following number of Shares, all of which are Vested Shares, in accordance with the Grant Notice and the Option Agreement:
Β
Total Shares Purchased: |
Β Β | |||
Total Exercise Price (Total Shares X Price per Share) |
Β Β | $ | Β | Β |
3. Payments. I enclose payment in full of the total exercise price for the Shares in the following form(s), as authorized by my Option Agreement:
Β
β | Β Β | Cash: | Β Β | $ |
β | Β Β | Check: | Β Β | $ |
β | Β Β | Stock Tender Exercise: | Β Β | Contact Plan Administrator |
β | Β Β | Cashless Exercise: | Β Β | Contact Plan Administrator |
β | Β Β | Net Exercise: | Β Β | Contact Plan Administrator |
4. Tax Withholding. I authorize payroll withholding and otherwise will make adequate provision for the federal, state, local and foreign tax withholding obligations of the Company, if any, in connection with the Option. If I am exercising a Nonstatutory Stock Option, I enclose payment in full of my withholding taxes, if any, as follows:
(Contact Plan Administrator for amount of tax due.)
Β
β |
Β Β | Cash: | Β Β | $ |
β |
Β Β | Check: | Β Β | $ |
5. Participant Information.
My address is:
My Social Security Number is:
6. Notice of Disqualifying Disposition. If the Option is an Incentive Stock Option, I agree that I will promptly notify the Chief Financial Officer of the Company if I transfer any of the Shares within one (1)Β year from the date I exercise all or part of the Option or within two (2)Β years of the Date of Grant.
7. Binding Effect. I agree that the Shares are being acquired in accordance with and subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Grant Notice, the Option Agreement, including the Right of First Refusal set forth therein, and the Plan, to all of which I hereby expressly assent. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon my heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.
8. Transfer. I understand and acknowledge that the Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the βSecurities Actβ), and that consequently the Shares must be held indefinitely unless they are subsequently registered under the Securities Act, an exemption from such registration is available, or they are sold in accordance with Rule 144 or Rule 701 under the Securities Act. I further understand and acknowledge that the Company is under no obligation to register the Shares. I understand that the certificate or certificates evidencing the Shares will be imprinted with legends which prohibit the transfer of the Shares unless they are registered or such registration is not required in the opinion of legal counsel satisfactory to the Company.
I am aware that Rule 144 under the Securities Act, which permits limited public resale of securities acquired in a nonpublic offering, is not currently available with respect to the Shares and, in any event, is available only if certain conditions are satisfied. I understand that any sale of the Shares that might be made in reliance upon Rule 144 may only be made in limited amounts in accordance with the terms and conditions of such rule and that a copy of Rule 144 will be delivered to me upon request.
I understand that I am purchasing the Shares pursuant to the terms of the Plan, the Grant Notice and my Option Agreement, copies of which I have received and carefully read and understand.
Β
Very truly yours, |
Β (Signature) |
Β
Receipt of the above is hereby acknowledged. |
AEYE, IIN. |
By: |
Title: |
Dated: |
THE SECURITIES WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT OF THIS AGREEMENT HAVE NOT BEEN QUALIFIED WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF CORPORATIONS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH SECURITIES OR THE PAYMENT OR RECEIPT OF ANY PART OF THE CONSIDERATION THEREFOR PRIOR TO SUCH QUALIFICATION IS UNLAWFUL, UNLESS THE SALE OF SECURITIES IS EXEMPT FROM QUALIFICATION BY SECTION 25100, 25102, OR 25105 OF THE CALIFORNIA CORPORATIONS CODE. THE RIGHTS OF ALL PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT ARE EXPRESSLY CONDITIONED UPON SUCH QUALIFICATION BEING OBTAINED, UNLESS THE SALE IS SO EXEMPT.
THE SECURITIES WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT OF THIS AGREEMENT HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THE SALE OR DISTRIBUTION THEREOF. NO SUCH SALE OR DISPOSITION MAY BE EFFECTED WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATED THERETO OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933.
RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS AGREEMENT
AEye, Inc. has granted to the Participant named in the Notice of Grant of Restricted Stock Units (the βGrant Noticeβ) to which this Restricted Stock Units Agreement (the βAgreementβ) is attached an Award consisting of Restricted Stock Units (each a βUnitβ) subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Grant Notice and this Agreement. The Award has been granted pursuant to and shall in all respects be subject to the terms and conditions of the AEye, Inc. 2016 Stock Plan (the βPlanβ), as amended to the Date of Grant, the provisions of which are incorporated herein by reference. By signing the Grant Notice, the Participant: (a)Β acknowledges receipt of and represents that the Participant has read and is familiar with the Grant Notice, this Agreement and the Plan, (b)Β accepts the Award subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Grant Notice, this Agreement and the Plan and (c)Β agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Board upon any questions arising under the Grant Notice, this Agreement or the Plan.
1. DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.
1.1 Definitions. Capitalized terms shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Grant Notice or the Plan, unless otherwise defined herein.
1.2 Construction. Captions and titles contained herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement. Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular. Use of the term βorβ is not intended to be exclusive, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
2. ADMINISTRATION.
All questions of interpretation concerning the Grant Notice, this Agreement, the Plan or any other form of agreement or other document employed by the Company in the administration of the Plan or the Award shall be determined by the Board. All such determinations by the Board shall be final, binding and conclusive upon all persons having an interest in the Award, unless fraudulent or made in bad faith. Any and all actions, decisions and determinations taken or made by the Board in the exercise of its discretion pursuant to the Plan or the Award or other agreement thereunder (other than determining questions of interpretation pursuant to the preceding sentence) shall be final, binding and conclusive upon all persons having an interest in the Award. Any Officer shall have the authority to act on behalf of the Company with respect to any matter, right, obligation, or election which is the responsibility of or which is allocated to the Company herein, provided the Officer has apparent authority with respect to such matter, right, obligation, or election.
3. THE AWARD.
3.1 Grant of Units. On the Date of Grant, the Participant shall acquire, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Total Number of Units set forth in the Grant Notice, subject to adjustment as provided in SectionΒ 9. Each Unit represents a right to receive one (1)Β Share on a date determined in accordance with the Grant Notice and this Agreement.
3.2 No Monetary Payment Required. The Participant is not required to make any monetary payment (other than applicable tax withholding, if any) as a condition to receiving the Units or Shares issued upon settlement of the Units, the consideration for which shall be past services actually rendered or future services to be rendered to the Participating Company Group or for its benefit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if required by applicable law, the Participant shall furnish consideration in the form of cash or past services rendered to the Participating Company Group or for its benefit having a value not less than the par value of the Shares issued upon settlement of the Units.
3.3 Termination of the Award. The Award shall terminate upon the first to occur of (a)Β the date of termination of the Participantβs Service, (b)Β the Expiration Date if the Liquidity Event Condition has not yet been satisfied, (c)Β a Change in Control to the extent provided in SectionΒ 7, or (d)Β the final settlement of all Vested Units in accordance with SectionΒ 5.
4. VESTING OF UNITS; TERMINATION OF SERVICE.
4.1 Vesting. Units acquired pursuant to this Agreement shall become Vested Units as provided in the Grant Notice. For purposes of determining the number of Vested Units following an Ownership Change Event, credited Service shall include all Service with any entity which is a member of the Participating Company Group at the time the Service is rendered, whether or not such entity is a member of the Participating Company Group both before and after such transaction or event.
4.2 Effect of Termination of Service Prior to Liquidity Event. If the Participantβs Service is terminated for any reason at any time prior to the occurrence of a Liquidity Event, then all Units subject to the Award shall be forfeited and automatically canceled immediately upon the Participantβs termination of Service, notwithstanding that the Participant may have satisfied the Service Condition with respect to all or a portion of the Units.
4.3 Effect of Termination of Service upon or after Liquidity Event. If the Participantβs Service terminates for any reason upon or after the occurrence of a Liquidity Event, then all Units that are not then Vested Units (i.e., because the Service Condition has also been satisfied) shall be forfeited and automatically canceled immediately upon the Participantβs termination of Service.
5. SETTLEMENT OF THE AWARD.
5.1 Issuance of Shares. Subject to the provisions of SectionΒ 5.3 below, the Company shall issue one (1)Β Share to the Participant on the Settlement Date for each Vested Unit to be settled on such date. Shares issued in settlement of Units shall not be subject to any restriction on transfer other than any such restriction as may be required pursuant to SectionΒ 5.3, SectionΒ 6 or the Companyβs xxxxxxx xxxxxxx policy.
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2
5.2 Beneficial Ownership of Shares; Certificate Registration. The Participant hereby authorizes the Company, in its sole discretion, to deposit any or all shares acquired by the Participant pursuant to the settlement of the Award with the Companyβs transfer agent, including any successor transfer agent, to be held in book entry form, or to deposit such shares for the benefit of the Participant with any broker with which the Participant has an account relationship of which the Company has notice. Except as provided by the foregoing, a certificate for the shares acquired by the Participant shall be registered in the name of the Participant, or, if applicable, in the names of the heirs of the Participant.
5.3 Restrictions on Grant of the Award and Issuance of Shares. The grant of the Award and issuance of Shares upon settlement of the Award shall be subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of federal, state or foreign law with respect to such securities. No Shares may be issued hereunder if the issuance of such shares would constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state or foreign securities laws or other law or regulations or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Shares may then be listed. The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by the Companyβs legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance of any securities subject to the Award shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue such securities as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. As a condition to the settlement of the Award, the Company may require the Participant to satisfy any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate, to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect thereto as may be requested by the Company.
5.4 Shares Subject to Drag Along Rights. Shares issued in settlement of the Award shall be βApplicable Sharesβ subject to the drag along rights set forth in SectionΒ 11 of the Plan.
5.5 Fractional Shares. The Company shall not be required to issue fractional shares upon the settlement of the Award.
6. TAX WITHHOLDING.
6.1 In General. At the time the Grant Notice is executed, or at any time thereafter as requested by a member of the Participating Company Group, the Participant hereby authorizes withholding from payroll and any other amounts payable to the Participant, and otherwise agrees to make adequate provision for, any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax (including any social insurance) withholding obligations of the Participating Company Group, if any, which arise in connection with the Award, the vesting of Units or the issuance of Shares in settlement thereof. The Company shall have no obligation to deliver Shares until the tax withholding obligations of the Participating Company Group have been satisfied by the Participant.
6.2 Assignment of Sale Proceeds. Subject to compliance with applicable law and the Companyβs xxxxxxx xxxxxxx policy, if permitted by the Company, the Participant may satisfy the Participating Company Groupβs tax withholding obligations in accordance with procedures established by the Company providing for delivery by the Participant to the Company or a broker approved by the Company of properly executed instructions, in a form approved by the Company, providing for the assignment to the Company of the proceeds of a sale with respect to some or all of the shares being acquired upon settlement of Units.
6.3 Withholding in Shares. The Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to require the Participant to satisfy all or any portion of the Participating Company Groupβs tax withholding obligations by deducting from the Shares otherwise deliverable to the Participant in settlement of the Award a number of whole Shares having a fair market value, as determined by the Company as of the date on which the tax withholding obligations arise, not in excess of the amount of such tax withholding obligations determined by the applicable minimum statutory withholding rates.
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3
7. EFFECT OF CHANGE IN CONTROL.
In the event of a Change in Control, the treatment of the Award will be governed by SectionΒ 10 of the Plan and any applicable provisions of the Grant Notice.
8. RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL.
8.1 Grant of Right of First Refusal Except as provided in SectionΒ 8.7, in the event the Participant, the Participantβs legal representative, or other holder of Shares acquired upon settlement of the Award proposes to sell, exchange, transfer, pledge, or otherwise dispose of any such Shares (the βTransfer Sharesβ) to any person or entity, including, without limitation, any stockholder of the Company, the Company shall have the right to repurchase the Transfer Shares under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Section (the βRight of First Refusalβ).
8.2 Notice of Proposed Transfer. Prior to any proposed transfer of the Transfer Shares, the Participant shall deliver written notice (the βTransfer Noticeβ) to the Company describing fully the proposed transfer, including the number of Transfer Shares, the name and address of the proposed transferee (the βProposed Transfereeβ) and, if the transfer is voluntary, the proposed transfer price, and containing such information necessary to show the bona fide nature of the proposed transfer. In the event of a bona fide gift or involuntary transfer, the proposed transfer price shall be deemed to be the Fair Market Value of the Transfer Shares, as determined by the Board in good faith. If the Participant proposes to transfer any Transfer Shares to more than one Proposed Transferee, the Participant shall provide a separate Transfer Notice for the proposed transfer to each Proposed Transferee. The Transfer Notice shall be signed by both the Participant and the Proposed Transferee and must constitute a binding commitment of the Participant and the Proposed Transferee for the transfer of the Transfer Shares to the Proposed Transferee subject only to the Right of First Refusal.
8.3 Bona Fide Transfer. If the Company determines that the information provided by the Participant in the Transfer Notice is insufficient to establish the bona fide nature of a proposed voluntary transfer, the Company shall give the Participant written notice of the Participantβs failure to comply with the procedure described in this SectionΒ 8, and the Participant shall have no right to transfer the Transfer Shares without first complying with the procedure described in this SectionΒ 8. The Participant shall not be permitted to transfer the Transfer Shares if the proposed transfer is not bona fide.
8.4 Exercise of Right of First Refusal If the Company determines the proposed transfer to be bona fide, the Company shall have the right to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Transfer Shares (except as the Company and the Participant otherwise agree) at the purchase price and on the terms set forth in the Transfer Notice by delivery to the Participant of a notice of exercise of the Right of First Refusal within thirty (30)Β days after the date the Transfer Notice is delivered to the Company. The Companyβs exercise or failure to exercise the Right of First Refusal with respect to any proposed transfer described in a Transfer Notice shall not affect the Companyβs right to exercise the Right of First Refusal with respect to any proposed transfer described in any other Transfer Notice, whether or not such other Transfer Notice is issued by the Participant or issued by a person other than the Participant with respect to a proposed transfer to the same Proposed Transferee. If the Company exercises the Right of First Refusal, the Company and the Participant shall thereupon consummate the sale of the Transfer Shares to the Company on the terms set forth in the Transfer Notice within sixty (60)Β days after the date the Transfer Notice is delivered to the Company (unless a longer period is offered by the Proposed Transferee); provided,
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4
however, that in the event the Transfer Notice provides for the payment for the Transfer Shares other than in cash, the Company shall have the option of paying for the Transfer Shares by the present value cash equivalent of the consideration described in the Transfer Notice as reasonably determined by the Company. For purposes of the foregoing, cancellation of any indebtedness of the Participant to any member of the Participating Company Group shall be treated as payment to the Participant in cash to the extent of the unpaid principal and any accrued interest canceled. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section to the contrary, the period during which the Company may exercise the Right of First Refusal and consummate the purchase of the Transfer Shares from the Participant shall terminate no sooner than the completion of a period of eight (8)Β months following the date on which the Participant acquired the Transfer Shares.
8.5 Failure to Exercise Right of First Refusal. If the Company fails to exercise the Right of First Refusal in full (or to such lesser extent as the Company and the Participant otherwise agree) within the period specified in SectionΒ 8.4, the Participant may conclude a transfer to the Proposed Transferee of the Transfer Shares on the terms and conditions described in the Transfer Notice, provided such transfer occurs not later than ninety (90)Β days following delivery to the Company of the Transfer Notice or, if applicable, following the end of the period described in the last sentence of SectionΒ 8.4. The Company shall have the right to demand further assurances from the Participant and the Proposed Transferee (in a form satisfactory to the Company) that the transfer of the Transfer Shares was actually carried out on the terms and conditions described in the Transfer Notice. No Transfer Shares shall be transferred on the books of the Company until the Company has received such assurances, if so demanded, and has approved the proposed transfer as bona fide. Any proposed transfer on terms and conditions different from those described in the Transfer Notice, as well as any subsequent proposed transfer by the Participant, shall again be subject to the Right of First Refusal and shall require compliance by the Participant with the procedure described in this Section.
8.6 Transferees of Transfer Shares. All transferees of the Transfer Shares or any interest therein, other than the Company, shall be required as a condition of such transfer to agree in writing (in a form satisfactory to the Company) that such transferee shall receive and hold such Transfer Shares or interest therein subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including this SectionΒ 8 providing for the Right of First Refusal with respect to any subsequent transfer. Any sale or transfer of any Shares shall be void unless the provisions of this Section are met.
8.7 Transfers Not Subject to Right of First Refusal. The Right of First Refusal shall not apply to any transfer or exchange of the Shares if such transfer or exchange is in connection with an Ownership Change Event described in the Plan. If the consideration received pursuant to such Ownership Change Event consists of shares of a member of the Participating Company Group, such consideration shall remain subject to the Right of First Refusal unless the provisions of SectionΒ 8.9 result in a termination of the Right of First Refusal.
8.8 Assignment of Right of First Refusal. The Company shall have the right to assign the Right of First Refusal at any time, whether or not there has been an attempted transfer, to one or more persons as may be selected by the Company.
8.9 Early Termination of Right of First Refusal. The other provisions of this Agreement notwithstanding, the Right of First Refusal shall terminate and be of no further force and effect upon the existence of a public market for the class of shares subject to the Right of First Refusal. A βpublic marketβ shall be deemed to exist if (i)Β such shares are listed on a national securities exchange (as that term is used in the Exchange Act) or (ii)Β such shares are traded on the over-the-counter market and prices therefor are published daily on business days in a recognized financial journal.
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5
9. ADJUSTMENTS FOR CHANGES IN CAPITAL STRUCTURE.
Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company and the requirements of SectionΒ 409A of the Code to the extent applicable, in the event of any change in the Shares effected without receipt of consideration by the Company, whether through merger, consolidation, reorganization, reincorporation, recapitalization, reclassification, share dividend, share split, reverse share split, split-up, split-off, spin-off, combination of shares, exchange of shares, or similar change in the capital structure of the Company, or in the event of payment of a dividend or distribution to the stockholders of the Company in a form other than Shares (other than regular, periodic cash dividends paid on Shares pursuant to the Companyβs dividend policy) that has a material effect on the Fair Market Value of Shares, appropriate and proportionate adjustments shall be made in the number of Units subject to the Award and/or the number and kind of shares or other property to be issued in settlement of the Award, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the Participantβs rights under the Award. For purposes of the foregoing, conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be treated as βeffected without receipt of consideration by the Company.β Any and all new, substituted or additional securities or other property (other than regular, periodic cash dividends paid on Shares pursuant to the Companyβs dividend policy) to which the Participant is entitled by reason of ownership of Units acquired pursuant to this Award will be immediately subject to the provisions of this Award on the same basis as all Units originally acquired hereunder. Any fractional Unit or share resulting from an adjustment pursuant to this Section shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number. Such adjustments shall be determined by the Board, and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.
10. RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER, DIRECTOR, EMPLOYEE OR CONSULTANT.
The Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares which may be issued in settlement of this Award until the date of the issuance of such shares (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company). No adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date the shares are issued, except as provided in SectionΒ 9. If the Participant is an employee, the Participant understands and acknowledges that, except as otherwise provided in a separate, written employment agreement between a member of the Participating Company Group and the Participant, the Participantβs employment is βat willβ and is for no specified term. Nothing in this Agreement shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue in the Service of a member of the Participating Company Group or interfere in any way with any right of a member of the Participating Company Group to terminate the Participantβs Service at any time.
11. LEGENDS.
The Company may at any time place legends referencing the Right of First Refusal and any applicable federal, state or foreign securities law restrictions on all certificates representing Shares issued pursuant to this Agreement. The Participant shall, at the request of the Company, promptly present to the Company any and all certificates representing Shares acquired pursuant to this Award in the possession of the Participant in order to carry out the provisions of this Section. Unless otherwise specified by the Company, legends placed on such certificates may include, but shall not be limited to, the following:
11.1 βTHE SECURITIES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS THERE IS AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT COVERING SUCH SECURITIES, THE SALE IS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144 OR RULE 701 UNDER THE ACT, OR THE COMPANY RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, STATING THAT SUCH SALE, TRANSFER, ASSIGNMENT OR HYPOTHECATION IS EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION AND PROSPECTUS DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH ACT.β
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11.2 βTHE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND REPURCHASE OPTIONS IN FAVOR OF THE CORPORATION OR ITS ASSIGNEE SET FORTH IN AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CORPORATION AND THE REGISTERED HOLDER, OR SUCH HOLDERβS PREDECESSOR IN INTEREST, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THIS CORPORATION.β
12. COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 409A.
It is intended that any election, payment or benefit which is made or provided pursuant to or in connection with this Award that may result in nonqualified deferred compensation within the meaning of SectionΒ 409A shall comply in all respects with the applicable requirements of SectionΒ 409A (including applicable regulations or other administrative guidance thereunder, as determined by the Board in good faith) to avoid the unfavorable tax consequences provided therein for non-compliance and the Award shall be so construed. In connection with effecting such compliance with SectionΒ 409A, the following shall apply:
12.1 Separation from Service; Required Delay in Payment to Specified Employee. Notwithstanding anything set forth herein to the contrary, no amount payable pursuant to this Agreement on account of the Participantβs termination of Service which constitutes a βdeferral of compensationβ within the meaning of the Treasury Regulations issued pursuant to SectionΒ 409A of the Code (the βSectionΒ 409A Regulationsβ) shall be paid unless and until the Participant has incurred a βseparation from serviceβ within the meaning of the SectionΒ 409A Regulations. Furthermore, to the extent that the Participant is a βspecified employeeβ within the meaning of the SectionΒ 409A Regulations as of the date of the Participantβs separation from service, no amount that constitutes a deferral of compensation which is payable on account of the Participantβs separation from service shall be paid to the Participant before the date (the βDelayed Payment Dateβ) which is the first day of the seventh month after the date of the Participantβs separation from service or, if earlier, the date of the Participantβs death following such separation from service. All such amounts that would, but for this Section, become payable prior to the Delayed Payment Date will be accumulated and paid on the Delayed Payment Date.
12.2 Other Changes in Time of Payment. Neither the Participant nor the Company shall take any action to accelerate or delay the payment of any benefits under this Agreement in any manner which would not be in compliance with the SectionΒ 409A Regulations.
12.3 Amendments to Comply with SectionΒ 409A; Indemnification. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company is authorized to amend this Agreement, to void or amend any election made by the Participant under this Agreement and/or to delay the payment of any monies and/or provision of any benefits in such manner as may be determined by the Company, in its discretion, to be necessary or appropriate to comply with the SectionΒ 409A Regulations without prior notice to or consent of the Participant. The Participant hereby releases and holds harmless the Company, its directors, officers and stockholders from any and all claims that may arise from or relate to any tax liability, penalties, interest, costs, fees or other liability incurred by the Participant in connection with the Award, including as a result of the application of SectionΒ 409A.
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12.4 Advice of Independent Tax Advisor. The Company has not obtained a tax ruling or other confirmation from the Internal Revenue Service with regard to the application of SectionΒ 409A to the Award, and the Company does not represent or warrant that this Agreement will avoid adverse tax consequences to the Participant, including as a result of the application of SectionΒ 409A to the Award. The Participant hereby acknowledges that he or she has been advised to seek the advice of his or her own independent tax advisor prior to entering into this Agreement and is not relying upon any representations of the Company or any of its agents as to the effect of or the advisability of entering into this Agreement.
13. LOCK-UP AGREEMENT.
The Participant hereby agrees that in the event of any underwritten public offering of Shares, including an initial public offering of Shares, made by the Company pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act, the Participant shall not offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, hypothecate, grant any option to purchase or make any short sale of, or otherwise dispose of any Shares of the Company or any rights to acquire Shares of the Company for such period of time from and after the effective date of such registration statement as may be established by the underwriter for such public offering; provided, however, that such period of time may not exceed one hundred eighty (180)Β days from the effective date of the registration statement to be filed in connection with such public offering; or, upon the request of the Company or the underwriter, such longer period as necessary to permit compliance with FINRA Rule 2241 or any successor provisions or amendments thereto. The foregoing limitation will not apply to Shares registered in the public offering under the Securities Act. The Participant hereby agrees to enter into any agreement reasonably required by the underwriters to implement the foregoing within a reasonable timeframe if so requested by the Company.
14. RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF SHARES.
At any time prior to the existence of a public market for the Shares, the Board may prohibit the Participant and any transferee of such Participant from selling, transferring, assigning, pledging, or otherwise disposing of or encumbering any shares acquired pursuant to the Award (each, a βTransferβ) without the prior written consent of the Board. The Board may withhold consent for any reason, including without limitation any Transfer (i)Β to any individual or entity identified by the Company as a potential competitor or considered by the Company to be unfriendly, or (ii)Β if such Transfer increases the risk of the Company having a class of security held of record by such number of persons as would require the Company to register any class of securities under the Exchange Act; or (iii)Β if such Transfer would result in the loss of any federal or state securities law exemption relied upon by the Company in connection with the initial issuance of such Shares or the issuance of any other securities; or (iv)Β if such Transfer is facilitated in any manner by any public posting, message board, trading portal, Internet site, or similar method of communication, including without limitation any trading portal or Internet site intended to facilitate secondary transfers of securities; or (v)Β if such Transfer is to be effected in a brokered transaction; or (vi)Β if such Transfer would be of less than all of the Shares then held by the stockholder and its affiliates or is to be made to more than a single transferee. No Shares acquired pursuant to this Award may be sold, exchanged, transferred (including, without limitation, any transfer to a nominee or agent of the Participant), assigned, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of, including by operation of law in any manner which violates any of the provisions of this Agreement, and any such attempted disposition shall be void. The Company shall not be required (a)Β to transfer on its books any Shares which will have been transferred in violation of any of the provisions set forth in this Agreement or (b)Β to treat as owner of such Shares or to accord the right to vote as such owner or to pay dividends to any transferee to whom such Shares will have been so transferred.
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15. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
15.1 Termination or Amendment. The Board may terminate or amend the Plan or this Agreement at any time; provided, however, that except as provided in SectionΒ 7 in connection with a Change in Control, no such termination or amendment may have a materially adverse effect on the Participantβs rights under this Agreement without the consent of the Participant unless such termination or amendment is necessary to comply with applicable law or government regulation, including, but not limited to, SectionΒ 409A. No amendment or addition to this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing.
15.2 Nontransferability of the Award. Prior to the issuance of Shares on the applicable Settlement Date, neither this Award nor any Units subject to this Award shall be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, exchange, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, or garnishment by creditors of the Participant or the Participantβs beneficiary, except transfer by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and, for so long as the Company is relying on an order of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the βSECβ) under SectionΒ 12(h) of the Exchange Act or a no-action position of the Staff of the SEC relieving the Company from registration under SectionΒ 12(g) of the Exchange Act of the Units and the Shares subject thereto, the restrictions on transfer provided by Rule 12h-1(f) under the Exchange Act that would apply were the Units subject to such rule (including the requirement under such rule that any permitted transferee may not further transfer the Units). No Units subject to this Award, or the Shares underlying such Units, shall, prior to the settlement of the Units, be subject to any short position, βput equivalent positionβ or βcall equivalent positionβ by the Participant, as such terms are defined in Rule 16a-1 under the Exchange Act, until the Company becomes subject to SectionΒ 13 or SectionΒ 15(d) of the Exchange Act or is no longer relying on such SEC order or SEC Staff no action position. All rights with respect to the Award shall be exercisable during the Participantβs lifetime only by the Participant or the Participantβs guardian or legal representative.
15.3 Further Instruments. The parties hereto agree to execute such further instruments and to take such further action as may reasonably be necessary to carry out the intent of this Agreement.
15.4 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company and, subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein, be binding upon the Participant and the Participantβs heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.
15.5 Delivery of Documents and Notices. Any document relating to participation in the Plan or any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given (except to the extent that this Agreement provides for effectiveness only upon actual receipt of such notice) upon personal delivery, electronic delivery at the e-mail address, if any, provided for the Participant by a Member of the Participating Company Group, or upon deposit in the U.S. Post Office or foreign postal service, by registered or certified mail, or with a nationally recognized overnight courier service, with postage and fees prepaid, addressed to the other party at the address of such party set forth in the Grant Notice or at such other address as such party may designate in writing from time to time to the other party.
(a) Description of Electronic Delivery. The Plan documents, which may include but do not necessarily include: the Plan, the Grant Notice, this Agreement, the Plan Prospectus, and any reports of the Company provided generally to the Companyβs stockholders, may be delivered to the Participant electronically. In addition, if permitted by the Company, the Participant may deliver electronically the Grant Notice to the Company or to such third party involved in administering the Plan as the Company may designate from time to time. Such means of electronic delivery may include but do not necessarily include the delivery of a link to a Company intranet or the Internet site of a third party involved in administering the Plan, the delivery of the document via e-mail or such other means of electronic delivery specified by the Company.
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(b) Consent to Electronic Delivery. The Participant acknowledges that the Participant has read SectionΒ 15.5(a) of this Agreement and consents to the electronic delivery of the Plan documents and, if permitted by the Company, the delivery of the Grant Notice, as described in SectionΒ 15.5(a). The Participant acknowledges that he or she may receive from the Company a paper copy of any documents delivered electronically at no cost to the Participant by contacting the Company by telephone or in writing. The Participant further acknowledges that the Participant will be provided with a paper copy of any documents if the attempted electronic delivery of such documents fails. Similarly, the Participant understands that the Participant must provide the Company or any designated third party administrator with a paper copy of any documents if the attempted electronic delivery of such documents fails. The Participant may revoke his or her consent to the electronic delivery of documents described in SectionΒ 15.5(a) or may change the electronic mail address to which such documents are to be delivered (if Participant has provided an electronic mail address) at any time by notifying the Company of such revoked consent or revised e-mail address by telephone, postal service or electronic mail. Finally, the Participant understands that he or she is not required to consent to electronic delivery of documents described in SectionΒ 15.5(a).
15.6 Integrated Agreement. The Grant Notice, this Agreement and the Plan shall constitute the entire understanding and agreement of the Participant and the Company with respect to the subject matter contained herein or therein and supersede any prior agreements, understandings, restrictions, representations, or warranties among the Participant and the Company with respect to such subject matter. To the extent contemplated herein or therein, the provisions of the Grant Notice, this Agreement and the Plan shall survive any settlement of the Award and shall remain in full force and effect.
15.7 Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of law rules.
15.8 Counterparts. The Grant Notice may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
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NOTICE OF GRANT OF STOCK OPTION
Participant (β Participant β) has been granted an option (the β Option β) to purchase certain shares of common stock (the β Option Shares β) of AEYE, INC. (the β Company β) pursuant to the AEye, Inc. 2016 Stock Plan (the β Planβ), as follows:
Β
Participant: | Β Β | __ See information entered in Carta ___________________________________ |
Date of Grant: | Β Β | __ See information entered in Carta _____________________________ |
Number of Option Shares: | Β Β | __ See information entered in Carta _________, subject to adjustment as provided by the Option Agreement. |
Exercise Price: | Β Β | See information entered in Carta |
Vesting Commencement Date: | Β Β | __ See information entered in Carta ______________________________ |
Option Expiration Date: | Β Β | The date ten (10)Β years after the Date of Grant |
Tax Status of Option: | Β Β | See information entered in Carta Stock Option. (Enter βIncentiveβ or βNonstatutory.β If blank, this Option will be a Nonstatutory Stock Option). To the extent that any Incentive Stock Option grant exceeds the $100,000 rule of the Internal Revenue Code SectionΒ 422(d), it shall be treated as a Nonstatutory Option. |
Vested Shares: | Β Β | See information entered in Carta. |
The Exercise Price represents an amount the Company believes to be no less than the fair market value of a share of Stock as of the Date of Grant, determined in good faith in compliance with the requirements of SectionΒ 409A of the Code. However, there is no guarantee that the Internal Revenue Service will agree with the Companyβs determination. A subsequent IRS determination that the Exercise Price is less than such fair market value could result in adverse tax consequences to Participant. By signing below, Participant agrees that the Company, its directors, officers and shareholders shall not be held liable for any tax, penalty, interest or cost incurred by Participant as a result of such determination by the IRS. Participant is urged to consult with his or her own tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of the Option, including the application of SectionΒ 409A.
By their signatures below, the Company and Participant agree that the Option is governed by this Grant Notice and by the provisions of the Plan and the Stock Option Agreement, both of which are attached to and made a part of this document. Participant acknowledges receipt of copies of the Plan and the Stock Option Agreement, represents that Participant has read and is familiar with their provisions, and hereby accepts the Option subject to all of their terms and conditions.
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AEYE, INC. | Β Β | PARTICIPANT | ||||
By: | Β Β | Β |
Β Β | By: | Β Β | Β |
Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxx | Β Β | Name: | Β Β | Β | ||
Title: President | Β Β | Β Β | ||||
Date: | Β Β | Β |
Β Β | Date: | Β Β | Β |
Address: | Β Β | 0000 Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000 | Β Β | Address: | Β Β | Β |
Β Β | Pleasanton, CA 94588 | Β Β | Β Β | Β |
ATTACHMENTS: 2016 Stock Plan, as amended to the Date of Grant; Stock Option Agreement and Exercise Notice
AEYE, INC.
NOTICE OF GRANT OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
AEye, Inc. (the βCompanyβ) has granted to the Participant an award (the βAwardβ) of Restricted Stock
Units pursuant to the AEye, Inc. 2016 Stock Plan (the βPlanβ) and the attached Restricted Stock Units
Agreement (the βAgreementβ). Each Unit represents the right to receive on the applicable Settlement
Date one (1)Β share of Common Stock (each a βShareβ), as follows:
Β
Participant: | Β Β | See details entered in CartaΒ Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β | ||
Date of Grant: | Β Β | See details entered in CartaΒ Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β | ||
Total Number of | Β Β | See details entered in CartaΒ Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (each a βUnitβ), subject to | ||
Units: | Β Β | adjustment as provided by the Agreement. | ||
Expiration Date: | Β Β | The [___]th anniversary of the Date of Grant. | ||
Vesting Start Date: | Β Β | See details entered in CartaΒ Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β | ||
Vested Units: | Β Β | The vesting of each Unit requires the satisfaction of both the Service Condition and Liquidity Event Condition on or before the Expiration Date. Each Unit will become a Vested Unit on the first date (the βVesting Dateβ) on which both of the following conditions have been satisfied with respect to such Unit on or before the Expiration Date, provided that, except as otherwise provided by the Agreement, the Participantβs Service has not terminated before the Vesting Date: | ||
Service Condition |
Β Β | The Service Condition will be satisfied for a portion of the Total Number of Units by the Participantβs continued Service through the applicable date, as follows: | ||
Β Β | Continued Service Date | Β Β | Portion of Units for which Service Condition Satisfied | |
Β Β | 1st anniversary of Vesting Start Date | Β Β | See details entered in Carta | |
Β Β | Plus | Β Β | ||
Β Β | For each additional one (1)Β month of the Participantβs continuous Service from the 1st anniversary of the Vesting Start date, an additional | Β Β | See details entered in Carta | |
Liquidity Event Condition | Β Β | The Liquidity Event Condition will be satisfied upon the first to occur of the following events (each, a βLiquidity Eventβ): (i) the first day on which the Common Stock issuable upon settlement of the Award would be readily tradable on an established securities exchange and (ii)Β the time immediately prior to the consummation of a Change in Control. | ||
Settlement Date: | Β Β | Except as provided by the Agreement, the Settlement Date with respect to each Unit shall be as soon as practicable following the Vesting Date, as determined by the Company, but in any event no later than the 15th day of the third month following the end of the Applicable Year in which the Unit becomes a Vested Unit. For this purpose, βApplicable Yearβ means the calendar year or the Companyβs fiscal year, whichever year ends later. |
By their signatures below, the Company and the Participant agree that the Award is governed by this Grant Notice and by the provisions of the Plan and the Agreement, both of which are made a part of this document. The Participant acknowledges receipt of copies of the Plan and the Agreement, represents that the Participant has read and is familiar with their provisions, and hereby accepts the Award subject to all of their terms and conditions.
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AEYE, INC. | Β Β | PARTICIPANT |
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β | Β Β | Β |
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β [officer name] | Β Β | Signature |
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β [officer title] | Β Β | Β |
Β Β | Date | |
Address: | Β Β | Β |
Β Β | Address | |
Β Β | Β |
ATTACHMENTS: 2016 Stock Plan, as amended to the Date of Grant, and Restricted Stock Units Agreement