FORM OF INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.15
FORM OF
THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of April __, 2022 by and between Actelis Networks, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Actelis”), and _________________ (“Indemnitee”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve as directors or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or adequate indemnification against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of the corporation;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Actelis (the “Board”) has determined that the increased difficulty in attracting and retaining such persons is detrimental to the best interests of Actelis’ stockholders and that Actelis should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the future;
WHEREAS, it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for Actelis contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law so that they will serve or continue to serve Actelis free from undue concern that they will not be so indemnified;
WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of Actelis and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder; and
WHEREAS, Indemnitee does not regard the protection available under Actelis’ Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, and insurance as adequate in the present circumstances, and may not be willing to serve as a director without adequate protection, and Actelis desires Indemnitee to serve in such capacity. Indemnitee is willing to serve and to take on additional service for or on behalf of Actelis on the condition that she be so indemnified.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of Indemnitee’s agreement to serve as a director of Actelis after the date hereof, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Indemnity of Indemnitee. Xxxxxxx hereby agrees to hold harmless and indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such may be amended from time to time. In furtherance of the foregoing indemnification, and without limiting the generality thereof:
(a) Proceedings Other Than Proceedings by or in the Right of Actelis. Indemnitee shall be entitled to the rights of indemnification provided in this Section l(a) if, by reason of his Entity Status (as hereinafter defined), Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in any Proceeding (as hereinafter defined) other than a Proceeding by or in the right of Actelis. Pursuant to this Section l(a), Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses (as hereinafter defined) and Liabilities (as hereinafter defined) actually and reasonably incurred by him, or on his behalf, in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of Actelis, and with respect to any criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.
(b) Proceedings by or in the Right of Actelis. Indemnitee shall be entitled to the rights of indemnification provided in this Section l(b) if, by reason of his Entity Status, the Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in any Proceeding brought by or in the right of Actelis. Pursuant to this Section l(b), Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee, or on the Indemnitee’s behalf, in connection with such Proceeding if the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of Actelis; provided, however, if applicable law so provides, no indemnification against such Expenses shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter in such Proceeding as to which Indemnitee shall have been adjudged to be liable to either of Actelis unless and to the extent that a court of law shall determine that such indemnification may be made.
(c) Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly Successful. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his Entity Status, a party to and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding, she shall be indemnified to the maximum extent permitted by law, as such may be amended from time to time, against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, Actelis shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. For purposes of this Section and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.
2. Additional Indemnity. In addition to, and without regard to any limitations on, the indemnification provided for in Section 1 of this Agreement, Actelis shall and hereby does indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee against all Expenses and Liabilities actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf if, by reason of his Entity Status, she is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of Actelis), including, without limitation, all liability arising out of the negligence or active or passive wrongdoing of Indemnitee. The only limitation that shall exist upon Actelis’ obligations pursuant to this Agreement shall be that Actelis shall not be obligated to make any payment to Indemnitee that is finally determined (under the procedures, and subject to the presumptions, set forth in Sections 6 and 7 hereof) to be unlawful.
3. Contribution.
(a) Whether or not the indemnification provided in Sections 1 and 2 hereof is available, in respect of any threatened, pending or completed Proceeding in which Actelis is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding), Actelis shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount of any judgment or settlement of such Proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment and Actelis hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have against Indemnitee. Actelis shall not enter into any settlement of any Proceeding in which Actelis is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding) unless such settlement provides for a full and final release of all claims asserted against Indemnitee.
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(b) Without diminishing or impairing the obligations of Actelis set forth in the preceding subparagraph, if, for any reason, Indemnitee shall elect or be required to pay all or any portion of any Liabilities in any threatened, pending or completed Proceeding in which Actelis is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding), Actelis shall contribute to the amount of Expenses and Liabilities actually and reasonably incurred and paid or payable by Indemnitee in proportion to the relative benefits received by Actelis collectively and all officers, directors or employees of Actelis, other than Indemnitee, who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, from the transaction from which such Proceeding arose; provided, however, that the proportion determined on the basis of relative benefit may, to the extent necessary to conform to law, be further adjusted by reference to the relative fault of Actelis and all officers, directors or employees of Actelis (other than Indemnitee) who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, in connection with the events that resulted in such Expenses and Liabilities, as well as any other equitable considerations which the Law may require to be considered. The relative fault of Actelis and all officers, directors or employees of Actelis, other than Indemnitee, who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, the degree to which their actions were motivated by intent to gain personal profit or advantage, the degree to which their liability is primary or secondary and the degree to which their conduct is active or passive.
(c) Actelis hereby agrees to fully indemnify and hold Indemnitee harmless from any claims of contribution which may be brought by officers, directors or employees of Xxxxxxx, other than Indemnitee, who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee.
(d) To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, Actelis, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for Liabilities and/or for Expenses, in connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by Actelis and Indemnitee as a result of the event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving cause to such Proceeding; and/or (ii) the relative fault of Actelis (and its directors, officers, employees and agents) and Indemnitee in connection with such event(s) and/or transaction(s).
4. Indemnification for Expenses of a Witness. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his Entity Status, a witness in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party, she shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection therewith.
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5. Advancement of Expenses. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, Actelis shall advance all Expenses incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding by reason of Indemnitee’s Entity Status within thirty (30) days after the receipt by Xxxxxxx of a statement or statements from Indemnitee requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee and shall include or be preceded or accompanied by an undertaking by or on behalf of Indemnitee to repay any Expenses advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified against such Expenses. Any advances and undertakings to repay pursuant to this Section 5 shall be unsecured and interest free.
6. Procedures and Presumptions for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification. It is the intent of this Agreement to secure for Indemnitee rights of indemnity that are as favorable as may be permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law and public policy of the State of Delaware. Accordingly, the parties agree that the following procedures and presumptions shall apply in the event of any question as to whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement:
(a) To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to Actelis a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification. The Chief Executive Officer of Actelis shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification.
(b) Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to the first sentence of Section 6(a) hereof, a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall be made in the specific case by one of the following four methods, which shall be at the election of the Board: (1) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum, (2) by a committee of Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum, (3) if there are no Disinterested Directors or if the Disinterested Directors so direct, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to the Indemnitee, or (4) if so directed by the Board, by the stockholders of Actelis.
(c) If the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 6(b) hereof, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 6(c). The Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board. Indemnitee may, within ten (10) days after such written notice of selection shall have been given, deliver to Actelis a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 13 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If a written objection is made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within thirty (30) days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 6(a) hereof, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either of Actelis or Indemnitee may petition the Court of Chancery of the State or Delaware or other court of competent jurisdiction for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Indemnitee to the Board’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the court or by such other person as the court shall designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 6(b) hereof. Actelis shall pay any and all reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel incurred by such Independent Counsel in connection with acting pursuant to Section 6(b) hereof, and Actelis shall pay all reasonable fees and expenses incident to the procedures of this Section 6(c), regardless of the manner in which such Independent Counsel was selected or appointed.
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(d) In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion by clear and convincing evidence. Neither the failure of Actelis (including by its directors or Independent Counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by Actelis (including by its directors or Independent Counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
(e) Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Xxxxxxxxxx’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise (as hereinafter defined), including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected with reasonable care by the Enterprise. In addition, the knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any manager, director, officer, agent or employee of the Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement. Whether or not the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(e) are satisfied, it shall in any event be presumed that Indemnitee has at all times acted in good faith and in a manner she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of Actelis. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion by clear and convincing evidence.
(f) If the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under Section 6 to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within sixty (60) days after receipt by Actelis of the request therefor, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law; provided, however, that such 60-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional thirty (30) days, if the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith requires such additional time to obtain or evaluate documentation and/or information relating thereto; and provided, further, that the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(f) shall not apply if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by the members pursuant to Section 6(b) of this Agreement and if within fifteen (15) days after receipt by Actelis of the request for such determination, the Board or the Disinterested Directors, if appropriate, resolve to submit such determination to the members for their consideration at an annual or special meeting to be held within seventy-five (75) days after such receipt and such determination is made.
(g) Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any Independent Counsel or member of the Board shall act reasonably and in good faith in making a determination regarding the Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification under this Agreement. Any costs or expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by Actelis (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and Actelis hereby indemnifies and agree to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.
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(h) Actelis acknowledges that a settlement or other disposition short of final judgment may be successful if it permits a party to avoid expense, delay, distraction, disruption and uncertainty. In the event that any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party is resolved in any manner other than by adverse judgment against Indemnitee (including, without limitation, settlement of such Proceeding with or without payment of money or other consideration) it shall be presumed that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in such Proceeding. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion by clear and convincing evidence.
(i) The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of Actelis or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Xxxxxxxxxx had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
7. Remedies of Indemnitee.
(a) In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Section 5 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification is made pursuant to Section 6(b) of this Agreement within ninety (90) days after receipt by Actelis of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by Actelis of a written request therefor or (v) payment of indemnification is not made within ten (10) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification or such determination is deemed to have been made pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication in an appropriate court of the State of Delaware, or in any other court of competent jurisdiction, of Indemnitee’s entitlement to such indemnification. Indemnitee shall commence such proceeding seeking an adjudication within one (1) year following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this Section 7(a). Actelis shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication.
(b) In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 6(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section 7 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial on the merits, and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of the adverse determination under Section 6(b).
(c) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 6(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, Actelis shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section 7, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s misstatement not materially misleading in connection with the application for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.
(d) In the event that Indemnitee, pursuant to this Section 7, seeks a judicial adjudication of his rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement, or to recover under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by Actelis, Actelis shall pay on his behalf, in advance, any and all expenses (of the types described in the definition of Expenses in Section 13 of this Agreement) actually and reasonably incurred by him in such judicial adjudication, regardless of whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, advancement of expenses or insurance recovery.
(e) Actelis shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section 7 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court that Actelis is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement. Actelis shall indemnify Indemnitee against any and all Expenses and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (within ten (10) days after receipt by Actelis of a written request therefore) advance, to the extent not prohibited by law, such Expenses to Indemnitee, which are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any action brought by Indemnitee for indemnification or advance of Expenses from Actelis under this Agreement or under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by Actelis, regardless of whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, advancement of Expenses or insurance recovery, as the case may be.
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(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no determination as to entitlement to indemnification under this Agreement shall be required to be made prior to the final disposition of the Proceeding.
8. Non-Exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Insurance; Subrogation.
(a) The rights of indemnification as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of Actelis, any agreement, a vote of stockholders, a resolution of directors or otherwise. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his Entity Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in the Delaware General Corporation Law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification than would be afforded currently under the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of Actelis and this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.
(b) To the extent that Actelis maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, employees, or agents or fiduciaries of Actelis or of any other Enterprise that such person serves at the request of Actelis, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary under such policy or policies. If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to the terms hereof, Xxxxxxx has director and officer liability insurance in effect, Actelis shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. Actelis shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of the Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.
(c) In the event of any payment under this Agreement, Actelis shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable Actelis to bring suit to enforce such rights.
(d) Actelis shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee has otherwise actually received and retained such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise.
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(e) Actelis’ obligation to indemnify or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee who is or was serving at the request of Xxxxxxx as a manager, director, officer, employee or agent of any other Enterprise shall be reduced by any amount Indemnitee has actually received and retained as indemnification or advancement of expenses from such other Enterprise.
(f) The parties hereby agree that any directors and officers liability insurance maintained by Actelis (the “Actelis D&O Insurance”) is the secondary indemnification source (i.e., such directors and officers liability insurance is secondary and any obligation of each of Actelis to advance expenses or to provide indemnification pursuant to this Agreement for the same expenses or liabilities incurred by Indemnitee are primary). The parties further agree that any rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses, and/or insurance provided by Independent Health Corporation or any of its Affiliates (collectively, the “Tertiary Indemnitor”) is the tertiary indemnification source behind the indemnification obligations of Actelis provided in this Agreement and the Actelis D&O Insurance such that the Tertiary Indemnitor shall have no obligation to pay Indemnitee any sum unless (i) neither Actelis nor the Actelis D&O Insurance has any obligation to pay, or advance such sum or (ii) Actelis and the Actelis D&O Insurance has not paid a portion (or all) of such sum. Actelis agrees: (i) that it is indemnitor of first resort, (ii) that, to the extent set forth herein, it is required to advance the full amount of expenses incurred by Indemnitee and shall be liable for the full amount of all Expenses and Liabilities to the extent legally permitted and as required by the terms of this Agreement, without regard to any rights Indemnitee may have against the Tertiary Indemnitor, and (iii) that it irrevocably waives, relinquishes, and releases the Tertiary Indemnitor from any and all claims against the Tertiary Indemnitor for contribution, subrogation, or any recovery of any kind in respect of its obligations as an indemnitor under this Agreement. Xxxxxxx further agrees that no advancement or payment by the Tertiary Indemnitor on behalf of Indemnitee with respect to any claim for which Indemnitee sought indemnification from either Actelis or the Actelis D&O Insurance shall affect the foregoing. Actelis and Indemnitee agree that the Tertiary Indemnitors are express third party beneficiaries of the terms of this Section 8(f).
9. Exception to Right of Indemnification. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, Actelis shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnity in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee:
(a) for which payment has actually been made to or on behalf of Indemnitee under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount paid under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision; or
(b) for an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of Actelis within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law; or
(c) in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against Actelis or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation, or (ii) Actelis provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in Actelis under applicable law.
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10. Duration of Agreement. All agreements and obligations of Actelis contained herein shall continue during the period Indemnitee is an officer or director of Actelis (or is or was serving at the request of Xxxxxxx as a manager, director, officer, employee or agent of another Enterprise) and shall continue thereafter for so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to, or may be made subject to, any Proceeding (or any proceeding commenced under Section 7 hereof) by reason of his Entity Status, whether or not she is acting or serving in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement.
11. Security. To the extent requested by Xxxxxxxxxx and approved by the Board, Actelis may at any time and from time to time provide security to Indemnitee for Actelis’ obligations hereunder through an irrevocable bank line of credit, funded trust or other collateral. Any such security, once provided to Indemnitee, may not be revoked or released without the prior written consent of the Indemnitee.
12. Enforcement.
(a) Actelis expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumes the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as a director of Actelis, and Actelis acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as a director of Actelis.
(b) This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.
13. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
(a) “Affiliate” has the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 of the regulations promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.
(b) “Entity Status” describes the status of a person who is or was a manager, director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of Actelis or of any other Enterprise that such person is or was serving at the express written request of Xxxxxxx.
(c) “Disinterested Director” means a director of Xxxxxxx who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Xxxxxxxxxx.
(d) “Enterprise” shall mean Actelis and any other limited liability company, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that Indemnitee is or was serving at the express written request of Xxxxxxx as a manager, director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary.
(e) “Expenses” shall include all reasonable attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees and all other disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, participating, or being or preparing to be a witness in a Proceeding. Expenses also shall include Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including without limitation the premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent. Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.
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(f) “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) Actelis or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either of Actelis or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement. Xxxxxxx agrees to pay the reasonable fees of the Independent Counsel referred to above and to fully indemnify such counsel against any and all Expenses and Liabilities arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.
(g) “Liabilities” means any and all judgments, damages, penalties, fines, interest or amounts paid in settlement.
(h) “Proceeding” includes any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of Actelis or otherwise and whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party or otherwise, by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was an officer or director of Actelis, by reason of any action taken by him or of any inaction on his part while acting as a director of Actelis, or by reason of the fact that she is or was serving at the request of Xxxxxxx as a manager, director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of another Enterprise; in each case whether or not she is acting or serving in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement; including one pending on or before the date of this Agreement, but excluding one initiated by an Indemnitee pursuant to Section 7 of this Agreement to enforce his rights under this Agreement.
14. Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision hereof shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this Agreement is intended to confer upon Indemnitee indemnification rights to the fullest extent permitted by applicable laws. In the event any provision hereof conflicts with any applicable law, such provision shall be deemed modified, consistent with the aforementioned intent, to the extent necessary to resolve such conflict.
15. Modification and Waiver. No supplement, modification, termination or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
16. Notice by Indemnitee. Indemnitee agrees promptly to notify Xxxxxxx in writing upon being served with or otherwise receiving any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter which may be subject to indemnification covered hereunder. The failure to so notify Actelis shall not relieve Actelis of any obligation which it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise unless and only to the extent that such failure or delay materially prejudices Actelis.
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17. Notices. All notices and other communications given or made pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given: (a) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) when sent by confirmed electronic mail if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not so confirmed, then on the next business day, (c) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (d) one (1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent:
(a) | To Indemnitee at the address set forth below Indemnitee’s signature hereto. |
(b) | To Actelis at: | |
Actelis Networks, Inc. | ||
00000 Xxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx | ||
Freemont, CA 94539 | ||
Attn: CEO |
or to such other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee by Actelis or to Actelis by Indemnitee, as the case may be.
18. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. This Agreement may also be executed and delivered by facsimile or other electronic signature and in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
19. Headings. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.
20. Governing Law and Consent to Jurisdiction. This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. Actelis and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware.
21. Successors and Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties named herein and their respective successors and permitted assigns. No party may assign either this Agreement or any of its interest or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the other party. Any purported assignment made in contravention of this Section 21 shall be null and void ab initio.
[Signature page follows.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on and as of the day and year first above written.
ACTELIS NETWORKS, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
INDEMNITEE | ||
Name: | ||
Address: | ||
E-mail: |
[Signature Page to Actelis Indemnification Agreement]
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