2021 Equity Incentive Plan

 

1.   PURPOSE.   The purpose of this Plan is to provide incentives to attract, retain and motivate eligible persons whose present and potential contributions are important to the success of the Company, and any Parents, Subsidiaries and Affiliates that exist now or in the future, by offering them an opportunity to participate in the Company’s future performance through the grant of Awards. Capitalized terms not defined elsewhere in the text are defined in Section 29.

2.   SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.

2.1.   Number of Shares Available.   Subject to Sections 2.6 and 22 and any other applicable provisions hereof, the total number of Shares reserved and available for grant and issuance pursuant to this Plan as of the date of adoption of the Plan by the Board Thirty-One Million Two Hundred and Six Thousand Five Hundred and Fifty (31,206,550) Shares plus (a) any reserved shares not issued or subject to outstanding grants under BuzzFeed, Inc.’s 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”) on the Effective Date and (b) any Shares to be issued in substitution of outstanding BuzzFeed, Inc. awards pursuant to Section 22.2 hereof at the consummation of the Business Combination. Shares issued by the Company in settlement of Awards may be authorized and unissued Shares, Shares held in the Company’s treasury, Shares purchased on the open market or by private purchase or a combination of the foregoing.

2.2.   Lapsed, Returned Awards.   Shares subject to Awards, and Shares issued under the Plan under any Award, will again be available for grant and issuance in connection with subsequent Awards under this Plan to the extent such Shares: (a) are subject to issuance upon exercise of an Option or SAR granted under this Plan but which cease to be subject to the Option or SAR for any reason other than exercise of the Option or SAR; (b) are subject to Awards granted under this Plan that are forfeited or are repurchased by the Company at the original issue price; (c) are subject to Awards granted under this Plan that otherwise terminate without such Shares being issued; or (d) are surrendered pursuant to an Exchange Program. To the extent an Award under the Plan is paid out in cash or other property rather than Shares, such cash payment will not result in reducing the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan. Shares used to pay the Exercise Price of an Award or withheld to satisfy the tax withholding obligations related to an Award will become available for future grant or issuance in connection with subsequent Awards under the Plan. For the avoidance of doubt, Shares that otherwise become available for grant and issuance because of the provisions of this Section 2.2 shall include Shares subject to Awards that are substituted pursuant to Section 22.2 hereof at the consummation of the Business Combination but shall not include Shares subject to Awards that initially became available because of the substitution clause in Section 22.2 hereof following the consummation of the Business Combination.

2.3.   Minimum Share Reserve.   At all times the Company shall reserve and keep available a sufficient number of Shares as shall be required to satisfy the requirements of all outstanding Awards granted under this Plan.

2.4.   Automatic Share Reserve Increase.   The number of Shares available for grant and issuance under the Plan shall be increased on January 1 of each of 2022 through 2031, by the lesser of (a) five percent (5%) of the total number of shares of all classes of the Company’s common stock issued and outstanding on the immediately preceding December 31 (rounded down to the nearest whole share), or (b) such lesser number of shares determined by the Board.

2.5.   ISO Limitation.   Subject, to Section 2.6, no more than Ninety-Three Million Six Hundred and Nineteen Thousand Siz Hundred and Forty-Nine (93,619,649) Shares shall be issued pursuant to the exercise of ISOs.

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2.6.   Adjustment of Shares.   If the number or class of outstanding Shares are changed by a stock dividend, extraordinary dividend or distribution (whether in cash, shares or other property, other than a regular cash dividend), spin-off, recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, subdivision, combination, consolidation, reclassification or similar change in the capital structure of the Company, without consideration, then (a) the number and class of Shares reserved for issuance and future grant under the Plan set forth in Section 2.1, including Shares reserved under sub-clauses (a)-(b) of Section 2.1, (b) the Exercise Prices of and number and class of Shares subject to outstanding Options and SARs, (c) the number and class of Shares subject to other outstanding Awards, and (d) the maximum number and class of Shares that may be issued as ISOs set forth in Section 2.5, shall be proportionately adjusted, subject to any required action by the Board or the stockholders of the Company and in compliance with applicable securities or other laws; provided that fractions of a Share will not be issued. If, by reason of an adjustment pursuant to this Section 2.6, a Participant’s Award Agreement or other agreement related to any Award or the Shares subject to such Award covers additional or different shares of stock or securities, then such additional or different shares, and the Award Agreement or such other agreement in respect thereof, shall be subject to all of the terms, conditions and restrictions which were applicable to the Award or the Shares subject to such Award prior to such adjustment.

3.   ELIGIBILITY.   ISOs may be granted only to Employees. All other Awards may be granted to Employees, Consultants, Directors and Non-Employee Directors; provided such Consultants, Directors and Non-Employee Directors render bona fide services not in connection with the offer and sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction and provided further that Awards may not be granted to any Employees, Consultants, Directors and Non-Employee Directors who are providing services only to Parent unless (i) the Shares underlying the Awards are treated as “service recipient stock” under Section 409A or (ii) the Company has determined that such Awards are exempt from, or otherwise comply with Section 409A. Nothing in this Plan creates an entitlement or right of any Employee, Consultant, Director or Non-Employee Director to any Award unless and until such Award is granted as provided in the Plan.

4.   ADMINISTRATION.

4.1.   Committee Composition; Authority.   This Plan will be administered by the Committee or by the Board acting as the Committee. Subject to the general purposes, terms and conditions of this Plan and applicable law, and to the direction of the Board, the Committee will have full power to implement and carry out this Plan, except, however, the Board shall establish the terms for the grant of an Award to Non-Employee Directors. The Committee will have the authority to:

(a)   construe and interpret this Plan, any Award Agreement and any other agreement or document executed pursuant to this Plan;

(b)   prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to this Plan or any Award;

(c)   select persons to receive Awards;

(d)   determine the form and terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder. Such terms and conditions include, but are not limited to, the Exercise Price, the time or times when Awards may vest (which may be based on performance criteria) and be exercised or settled, any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, the method to satisfy tax withholding obligations or any other tax liability legally due and any restriction or limitation regarding any Award or the Shares relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Committee will determine;

(e)   determine the number of Shares or other consideration subject to Awards;

(f)   determine the Fair Market Value in good faith and interpret the applicable provisions of this Plan and the definition of Fair Market Value in connection with circumstances that impact the Fair Market Value, if necessary;

(g)   determine whether Awards will be granted singly, in combination with, in tandem with, in replacement of, or as alternatives to, other Awards under this Plan or any other incentive or compensation plan of the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate;

 

(h)   grant waivers of Plan or Award conditions;

(i)   determine the vesting, exercisability and payment provisions of Awards;

(j)   correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in this Plan, any Award or any Award Agreement;

(k)   determine whether an Award has been earned or has vested;

(l)   determine the terms and conditions of any, and to institute any Exchange Program;

(m)   reduce or modify any criteria with respect to Performance Factors;

(n)   adjust Performance Factors to take into account changes in law and accounting or tax rules as the Committee deems necessary or appropriate to reflect the impact of extraordinary or unusual items, events or circumstances to avoid windfalls or inequitable results;

(o)   adopt rules and/or procedures (including the adoption of any subplan under this Plan) relating to the operation and administration of the Plan to accommodate requirements of local law and procedures outside of the United States or qualify Awards for special tax treatment under laws of jurisdictions other than the United States;

(p)   make all determinations, including findings of fact, necessary or appropriate to resolve any disputes regarding the Plan or Awards;

(q)   make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of this Plan; and

(r)   delegate any of the foregoing to a subcommittee or to one or more officers pursuant to a specific delegation as permitted by applicable law, including Section 157(c) of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

4.2.   Committee Interpretation and Discretion.   Any determination made by the Committee with respect to any Award shall be made in its sole discretion at the time of grant of the Award or, unless in contravention of any express term of the Plan or Award, at any later time, and such determination shall be final and binding on the Company and all persons having an interest in any Award under the Plan. Any dispute regarding the interpretation of the Plan or any Award Agreement shall be submitted by the Participant or Company to the Committee for review. The resolution of such a dispute by the Committee shall be final and binding on the Company and the Participant. The Committee may delegate to one or more executive officers the authority to review and resolve disputes with respect to Awards held by Participants who are not Insiders, and such resolution shall be final and binding on the Company and the Participant.

4.3.   Section 16 of the Exchange Act.   Awards granted to Participants who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act must be approved by two or more “non-employee directors” ​(as defined in the regulations promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act).

4.4.   Documentation.   The Award Agreement for a given Award, the Plan and any other documents may be delivered to, and accepted by, a Participant or any other person in any manner (including electronic distribution or posting) that meets applicable legal requirements.

4.5.   Foreign Award Recipients.   Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in order to comply with the laws and practices in other countries in which the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates operate or have employees or other persons eligible for Awards, the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall have the power and authority to: (a) determine which Subsidiaries and Affiliates shall be covered by the Plan; (b) determine which individuals outside the United States are eligible to participate in the Plan, which may include individuals who provide services to the Company, Subsidiary or Affiliate under an agreement with a foreign nation or agency; (c) modify the terms and conditions of any Award granted to individuals outside the United States or foreign nationals to comply with applicable foreign laws, policies, customs and practices; (d) establish subplans and modify exercise procedures, vesting conditions, and other terms and procedures, to the extent the Committee determines

 

such actions to be necessary or advisable (and such subplans and/or modifications shall be attached to this Plan as appendices, if necessary); and (e) take any action, before or after an Award is made, that the Committee determines to be necessary or advisable to obtain approval or comply with any local governmental regulatory exemptions or approvals; provided, however, that no action taken under this Section 4.5 shall increase the share limitations contained in Section 2.1 or Section 2.5 hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may not take any actions hereunder, and no Awards shall be granted, that would violate the Exchange Act or any other applicable United States securities law, the Code, or any other applicable United States governing statute or law.

5.   OPTIONS.   An Option is the right but not the obligation to purchase a Share, subject to certain conditions. Subject to Plan Section 3, the Committee may grant Options to eligible Employees, Consultants and Directors and will determine whether such Options will be Incentive Stock Options within the meaning of the Code (“ISOs”) or Nonqualified Stock Options (“NSOs”), the number of Shares subject to the Option, the Exercise Price of the Option, the period during which the Option may vest and be exercised, and all other terms and conditions of the Option, subject to the following terms of this section.

5.1.   Option Grant.   Each Option granted under this Plan will identify the Option as an ISO or an NSO. The Company shall have no liability to any Participant or any other Person if any Option designated as an ISO fails to qualify as an ISO at any time. An Option may be, but need not be, awarded upon satisfaction of such Performance Factors during any Performance Period as are set out in advance in the Participant’s individual Award Agreement. If the Option is being earned upon the satisfaction of Performance Factors, then the Committee will: (a) determine the nature, length and starting date of any Performance Period for each Option; and (b) select from among the Performance Factors to be used to measure the performance, if any. Performance Periods may overlap and Participants may participate simultaneously with respect to Options that are subject to different performance goals and other criteria. All Options will be granted pursuant to an Award Agreement.

5.2.   Date of Grant.   The date of grant of an Option will be the date on which the Committee authorized the grant of the Option, or a future date specified in the authorization. The Award Agreement will be delivered to the Participant within a reasonable time after the granting of the Option.

5.3.   Exercise Period.   Options may be vested and exercisable within the times or upon the conditions as set forth in the Award Agreement governing such Option; provided, however, that no Option will be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date the Option is granted; and provided further that no ISO granted to a person who, at the time the ISO is granted, directly or by attribution owns more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of any Parent or Subsidiary (“Ten Percent Stockholder”), will be exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from the date the ISO is granted. The Committee also may provide for Options to become exercisable at one time or from time to time, periodically or otherwise, in such number of Shares or percentage of Shares as the Committee determines.

5.4.   Exercise Price.   The Exercise Price of each Option will be determined by the Committee when the Option is granted; provided that: (a) the Exercise Price of an Option will be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the Option on the date of grant and (b) the Exercise Price of any ISO granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder will not be less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the ISO on the date of grant. Payment for the Shares purchased may be made in accordance with Section 12 and the Award Agreement and in accordance with any procedures established by the Company.

5.5.   Method of Exercise.   Any Option granted hereunder will be vested and exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share. An Option will be deemed exercised when the Company receives: (a) notice of exercise (in such form as the Committee may specify from time to time) from the person entitled to exercise the Option (and/or via electronic execution through an authorized third-party administrator) and (b) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised together with applicable withholding taxes. Full payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the Committee and permitted by the Award Agreement and the Plan. Shares issued upon exercise of an

 

Option will be issued in the name of the Participant. Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder will exist with respect to the Shares, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company will issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares promptly after the Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for any dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 2.6 of the Plan. Exercising an Option in any manner will decrease the number of Shares thereafter available, both for purposes of the Plan and for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised.

5.6.   Termination of Service.   If a Participant’s Service terminates for any reason other than for Cause or because of the Participant’s death, or Disability, then the Participant may exercise his or her Options only to the extent that such Options would have been exercisable by the Participant on the date the Participant’s Service terminates no later than three (3) months after the date the Participant’s Service terminates (or such shorter or longer time period as may be determined by the Committee as set forth in an Award Agreement or otherwise, with any exercise of an ISO beyond three (3) months after the date Participant’s employment terminates deemed to be the exercise of an NSO), but in any event no later than the expiration date of the Options, except as required by applicable law.

(a)   Death.   If a Participant’s Service terminates because of the Participant’s death (or the Participant dies within three (3) months after the Participant’s Service terminates other than for Cause or because of the Participant’s Disability), then the Participant’s Options may be exercised only to the extent that such Options would have been exercisable by the Participant on the date the Participant’s Service terminates and must be exercised by the Participant’s legal representative, or authorized assignee, no later than twelve (12) months after the date the Participant’s Service terminates (or such shorter or longer time period as may be determined by the Committee as set forth in an Award Agreement or otherwise), but in any event no later than the expiration date of the Options, except as required by applicable law.

(b)   Disability.   If a Participant’s Service terminates because of the Participant’s Disability, then the Participant’s Options may be exercised only to the extent that such Options would have been exercisable by the Participant on the date the Participant’s Service terminates and must be exercised by the Participant (or the Participant’s legal representative or authorized assignee) no later than twelve (12) months after the date the Participant’s Service terminates (or such shorter or longer time period as may be determined by the Committee as set forth in an Award Agreement or otherwise, with any exercise of an ISO beyond (a) three (3) months after the date the Participant’s employment terminates when the termination of Service is for a Disability that is not a “permanent and total disability” as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, or (b) twelve (12) months after the date the Participant’s employment terminates when the termination of Service is for a Disability that is a “permanent and total disability” as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, deemed to be exercise of an NSO), but in any event no later than the expiration date of the Options.

(c)   Cause.   If a Participant’s Service is terminated for Cause, then the Participant’s Options (whether vested or unvested) shall immediately expire on the Participant’s date of termination of Service if the Committee has reasonably determined in good faith that such cessation of Services has resulted in connection with an act or failure to act constituting Cause (or such Participant’s Service could have been terminated for Cause (without regard to the lapsing of any required notice or cure periods in connection therewith) at the time such Participant terminated Service), or at such later time and on such conditions as are determined by the Committee, but in any event no later than the expiration date of the Options. Unless otherwise provided in an employment agreement, the Award Agreement or other applicable agreement between the Participant and the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, Cause shall have the meaning set forth in the Plan.

5.7.   Limitations on ISOs.   With respect to Awards granted as ISOs, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares with respect to which such ISOs are exercisable for the first time by the Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), such Options will be treated as NSOs. For purposes of this Section 5.7, ISOs will be taken into account in the order in which they were granted.

 

The Fair Market Value of the Shares will be determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted. In the event that the Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder are amended after the Effective Date to provide for a different limit on the Fair Market Value of Shares permitted to be subject to ISOs, such different limit will be automatically incorporated herein and will apply to any Options granted after the effective date of such amendment.

5.8.   Disqualifying Dispositions.   Any Participant who shall make a “disposition” ​(as defined in Section 424 of the Code) of all or any portion of Shares acquired upon exercise of an Incentive Stock Option within two (2) years from the date of grant of such Incentive Stock Option or within one (1) year after the issuance of Shares acquired upon exercise of such Incentive Stock Option shall be required to immediately advise the Company in writing as to the occurrence of the sale and the price realized upon the sale of such Shares.

5.9.   Modification, Extension or Renewal.   The Committee may modify, extend or renew outstanding Options and authorize the grant of new Options in substitution therefor, provided that any such action may not, without the written consent of a Participant, impair any of such Participant’s rights under any Option previously granted, unless for the purpose of complying with applicable laws and regulations. Any outstanding ISO that is modified, extended, renewed or otherwise altered will be treated in accordance with Section 424(h) of the Code. Subject to Section 19 of this Plan, by written notice to affected Participants, the Committee may reduce the Exercise Price of outstanding Options without the consent of such Participants; provided, however, that the Exercise Price may not be reduced below the minimum Exercise Price that would be permitted under Section 5.4 for Options granted on the date the action is taken to reduce the Exercise Price.

5.10.   No Disqualification.   Notwithstanding any other provision in this Plan, no term of this Plan relating to ISOs will be interpreted, amended or altered, nor will any discretion or authority granted under this Plan be exercised, so as to disqualify this Plan under Section 422 of the Code or, without the consent of the Participant, to disqualify any Participant’s ISO under Section 422 of the Code.

6.   RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS.   A Restricted Stock Award is an offer by the Company to sell to an eligible Employee, Consultant or Director Shares that are subject to restrictions (“Restricted Stock”). The Committee will determine to whom an offer will be made, the number of Shares the Participant may purchase, the Purchase Price, the restrictions applicable to the Shares, vesting conditions, and all other terms and conditions of the Restricted Stock Award, subject to the Plan.

6.1.   Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement.   All Restricted Stock Awards will be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Except as may otherwise be provided in an Award Agreement, a Participant accepts a Restricted Stock Award by signing and delivering to the Company an Award Agreement with full payment of the Purchase Price, within thirty (30) days from the date the Award Agreement was delivered to the Participant. If the Participant does not accept such Award within thirty (30) days, then the offer to purchase such Restricted Stock Award will terminate, unless the Committee determines otherwise.

6.2.   Purchase Price.   The Purchase Price for Shares issued pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award will be determined by the Committee on the date the Restricted Stock Award is granted and, if permitted by law, no cash consideration will be required in connection with the payment for the Purchase Price if the Committee provides that payment shall be in the form of services rendered. Payment of the Purchase Price must be made in accordance with Section 12 of the Plan, the Award Agreement and any procedures established by the Company.

6.3.   Terms of Restricted Stock Awards.   Restricted Stock Awards will be subject to such restrictions as the Committee may impose or are required by law. These restrictions may be based on completion of a specified number of years of service with the Company or upon completion of Performance Factors, if any, during any Performance Period as set out in advance in the Participant’s Award Agreement. Prior to the grant of a Restricted Stock Award, the Committee shall: (a) determine the nature, length and starting date of any Performance Period for the Restricted Stock Award; (b) select from among the Performance Factors to be used to measure performance goals, if any; and (c) determine the number of Shares that may be awarded to the Participant. Performance Periods may

 

overlap and a Participant may participate simultaneously with respect to Restricted Stock Awards that are subject to different Performance Periods and having different performance goals and other criteria.

6.4.   Termination of Service.   Except as may be set forth in any Participant’s Award Agreement, vesting ceases on the date the Participant’s Service terminates (unless determined otherwise by the Committee).

7.   STOCK BONUS AWARDS.   A Stock Bonus Award is an award to an eligible Employee, Consultant, Director or Non-Employee Director of Shares for Services to be rendered or for past Services already rendered to the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate. All Stock Bonus Awards shall be made pursuant to an Award Agreement. No payment from the Participant will be required for Shares awarded pursuant to a Stock Bonus Award.

7.1.   Terms of Stock Bonus Awards.   The Committee will determine the number of Shares to be awarded to the Participant under a Stock Bonus Award and any restrictions thereon. These restrictions may be based upon completion of a specified number of years of service with the Company or upon satisfaction of performance goals based on Performance Factors during any Performance Period as set out in advance in the Participant’s Stock Bonus Agreement. Prior to the grant of any Stock Bonus Award the Committee shall: (a) determine the restrictions to which the Stock Bonus Award is subject, including the nature, length and starting date of any Performance Period for the Stock Bonus Award; (b) select from among the Performance Factors, if any, to be used to measure performance goals; and (c) determine the number of Shares that may be awarded to the Participant. Performance Periods may overlap and a Participant may participate simultaneously with respect to Stock Bonus Awards that are subject to different Performance Periods and different performance goals and other criteria.

7.2.   Form of Payment to Participant.   Payment may be made in the form of cash, whole Shares, or a combination thereof, based on the Fair Market Value of the Shares earned under a Stock Bonus Award on the date of payment, as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee.

7.3.   Termination of Service.   Except as may be set forth in the Participant’s Award Agreement, vesting ceases on the date the Participant’s Service terminates (unless determined otherwise by the Committee).

8.   STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.   A Stock Appreciation Right (“SAR”) is an award to an eligible Employee, Consultant, Director or Non-Employee Director that may be settled in cash, or Shares (which may consist of Restricted Stock), having a value equal to (a) the difference between the Fair Market Value on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price multiplied by (b) the number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is being settled (subject to any maximum number of Shares that may be issuable as specified in an Award Agreement). All SARs shall be granted pursuant to an Award Agreement.

8.1.   Terms of SARs.   The Committee will determine the terms of each SAR including, without limitation: (a) the number of Shares subject to the SAR; (b) the Exercise Price and the time or times during which the SAR may be exercised and settled; (c) the consideration to be distributed on settlement of the SAR; and (d) the effect of the Participant’s termination of Service on each SAR. The Exercise Price of the SAR will be determined by the Committee when the SAR is granted, and may not be less than Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the SAR on the date of grant. A SAR may be subject to satisfaction of Performance Factors, if any, during any Performance Period as are set out in advance in the Participant’s individual Award Agreement. If the SAR is being earned upon the satisfaction of Performance Factors, then the Committee will: (i) determine the nature, length and starting date of any Performance Period for each SAR; and (ii) select from among the Performance Factors to be used to measure the performance, if any. Performance Periods may overlap and Participants may participate simultaneously with respect to SARs that are subject to different Performance Factors and other criteria.

8.2.   Date of Grant.   The date of grant of an SAR will be the date on which the Committee authorized the grant of the SAR, or a future date specified in the authorization. The Award Agreement will be delivered to the Participant within a reasonable time after the granting of the SAR.

 

8.3.   Exercise Period and Expiration Date.   A SAR will be exercisable within the times or upon the occurrence of events determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement governing such SAR. The SAR Agreement shall set forth the expiration date; provided that no SAR will be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date the SAR is granted. The Committee may also provide for SARs to become exercisable at one time or from time to time, periodically or otherwise (including, without limitation, upon the attainment during a Performance Period of performance goals based on Performance Factors), in such number of Shares or percentage of the Shares subject to the SAR as the Committee determines. Except as may be set forth in the Participant’s Award Agreement, vesting ceases on the date Participant’s Service terminates (unless determined otherwise by the Committee). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rules of Section 5.6 of the Plan also will apply to SARs.

8.4.   Form of Settlement.   Upon exercise of a SAR, a Participant will be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount determined by multiplying (a) the difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price; times (b) the number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised. At the discretion of the Committee, the payment from the Company for the SAR exercise may be in cash, in Shares of equivalent value, or in some combination thereof.

8.5.   Termination of Service.   Except as may be set forth in the Participant’s Award Agreement, vesting ceases on the date the Participant’s Service terminates (unless determined otherwise by the Committee).

9.   RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS.   A Restricted Stock Unit (“RSU”) is an award to an eligible Employee, Consultant, Director or Non-Employee Director covering a number of Shares that may be settled in cash or by issuance of those Shares (which may consist of Restricted Stock). No Purchase Price shall apply to an RSU settled in Shares. All RSUs shall be made pursuant to an Award Agreement.

9.1.   Terms of RSUs.   The Committee will determine the terms of an RSU including, without limitation: (a) the number of Shares subject to the RSU; (b) the time or times during which the RSU may be vested and settled; (c) the consideration to be distributed on settlement; and (d) the effect of the Participant’s termination of Service on each RSU; provided that no RSU shall have a term longer than ten (10) years. An RSU may be subject to satisfaction of such performance goals based on Performance Factors during any Performance Period as are set out in advance in the Participant’s Award Agreement. If the RSU is being earned upon satisfaction of Performance Factors, then the Committee will: (i) determine the nature, length and starting date of any Performance Period for the RSU; (ii) select from among the Performance Factors to be used to measure the performance, if any; and (iii) determine the number of Shares deemed subject to the RSU. Performance Periods may overlap and Participants may participate simultaneously with respect to RSUs that are subject to different Performance Periods and different performance goals and other criteria.

9.2.   Form and Timing of Settlement.   Payment of earned RSUs shall be made as soon as practicable after the date(s) determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may settle earned RSUs in cash, Shares or a combination of both. The Committee may also permit a Participant to defer payment under a RSU to a date or dates after the RSU is earned provided that the terms of the RSU and any deferral satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code to the extent applicable.

9.3.   Termination of Service.   Except as may be set forth in the Participant’s Award Agreement, vesting ceases on the date the Participant’s Service terminates (unless determined otherwise by the Committee).

9.4.   Dividend Equivalent Payments.   The Committee may permit Participants holding RSUs to receive dividend equivalent payments on outstanding RSUs if and when dividends are paid to stockholders on Shares. In the discretion of the Committee, such dividend equivalent payments may be paid in cash or Shares and will be subject to the same vesting or performance requirements as the RSUs. If the Committee permits dividend equivalent payments to be made on RSUs, the terms and conditions for such dividend equivalent payments will be set forth in the RSU Agreement.

 

10.   PERFORMANCE AWARDS.   A Performance Award is an award to an eligible Employee, Consultant or Director that is based upon the attainment of performance goals, as established by the Committee, and other terms and conditions specified by the Committee, and may be settled in cash, Shares (which may consist of, without limitation, Restricted Stock), other property or any combination thereof. Grants of Performance Awards shall be made pursuant to an Award Agreement that cites Section 10 of the Plan.

10.1.   Types of Performance Awards.   Performance Awards shall include Performance Shares, Performance Units and cash-settled Performance Awards as set forth in Sections 10.1(a), 10.1(b) and 10.1(c) below.

(a)   Performance Shares.   The Committee may grant Awards of Performance Shares, designate the Participants to whom Performance Shares are to be awarded and determine the number of Performance Shares and the terms and conditions of each such Award.

(b)   Performance Units.   The Committee may grant Awards of Performance Units, designate the Participants to whom Performance Units are to be awarded and determine the number of Performance Units and the terms and conditions of each such Award.

(c)   Cash-Settled Performance Awards.   The Committee may also grant cash-settled Performance Awards, designate the Participants to whom cash-settled Performance Awards are to be awarded and determine the terms and conditions of each such Award.

The amount to be paid under any Performance Award may be adjusted on the basis of such further consideration as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion.

10.2.   Terms of Performance Awards.   Performance Awards will be based on the attainment of performance goals using the Performance Factors within this Plan that are established by the Committee for the relevant Performance Period. The Committee will determine, and each Award Agreement shall set forth, the terms of each Performance Award including, without limitation: (a) the amount of any cash bonus, (b) the number of Shares deemed subject to an award of Performance Shares; (c) the Performance Factors and Performance Period that shall determine the time and extent to which each award of Performance Shares shall be settled; (d) the consideration to be distributed on settlement, and (e) the effect of the Participant’s termination of Service on each Performance Award. In establishing Performance Factors and the Performance Period the Committee will: (i) determine the nature, length and starting date of any Performance Period; (ii) select from among the Performance Factors to be used; and (iii) determine the number of Shares deemed subject to the award of Performance Shares. Each Performance Share will have an initial value equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant. Prior to settlement the Committee shall determine the extent to which Performance Awards have been earned. Performance Periods may overlap and Participants may participate simultaneously with respect to Performance Awards that are subject to different Performance Periods and different performance goals and other criteria.

10.3.   Termination of Service.   Except as may be set forth in the Participant’s Award Agreement, vesting ceases on the date the Participant’s Service terminates (unless determined otherwise by the Committee).

11.   CASH AWARDS.   A Cash Award (“Cash Award”) is an award not otherwise described in the Plan that is denominated in, or payable to an eligible Participant solely in, cash, as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan. Cash Awards shall be subject to the terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, from time to time. Awards granted pursuant to this Section 11 may be granted with value and payment contingent upon the achievement of Performance Factors. All Cash Awards shall be made pursuant to an Award Agreement.

12.   PAYMENT FOR SHARE PURCHASES.   Payment from a Participant for Shares acquired pursuant to this Plan may be made in cash or cash equivalents or, where expressly approved for the Participant by the Committee and where permitted by law (and to the extent not otherwise set forth in the applicable Award Agreement):

 

(a)   by surrender of Shares held by the Participant that are clear of all liens, claims, encumbrances, pledges or security interests that have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the Shares as to which the Award will be exercised or settled; provided that such shares have been held and vested for at least six (6) months (or such other period of time as established from time to time by the Committee to avoid adverse accounting treatment);

(b)   by a “net exercise” method by which the Company withholds from the delivery of the number Shares that otherwise would have been delivered by the Company on exercise of an Option the number of Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate Exercise Price due on Option exercise;

(c)   by consideration received by the Company pursuant to a broker-assisted or other form of cashless exercise program implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan;

(d)   by any combination of the foregoing; or

(e)   by any other method of payment as is permitted by applicable law.

The Committee may limit the availability of any method of payment, to the extent the Committee determines, in its discretion, that such limitation is necessary or advisable to comply with applicable law or facilitate the administration of the Plan.

13.   GRANTS TO NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS.   Non-Employee Directors are eligible to receive any type of Award offered under this Plan except ISOs. Awards pursuant to this Section 13 may be automatically made pursuant to policy adopted by the Board, or made from time to time as determined in the discretion of the Board. No Non-Employee Director may receive Awards under the Plan with an aggregate grant date fair value that, when combined with cash compensation received for service as a Non-Employee Director, exceeds $750,000 value (described below) in a calendar year, increased to $1,000,000 in the calendar year of his or her initial services as a Non-Employee Director. Grant date fair value for purposes of Awards to Non-Employee Directors under the Plan will be determined as follows: (a) for Options and SARs, grant date fair value will be calculated using the Company’s regular valuation methodology for determining the grant date fair value of such Options or SARs for reporting purposes and (b) for all other Awards, grant date fair value will be determined by either (i) calculating the product of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant and the aggregate number of Shares subject to the Award or (ii) calculating the product using an average of the Fair Market Value over a number of trading days and the aggregate number of Shares subject to the Award as determined by the Committee. Awards granted to an individual while he or she was serving in the capacity as an Employee or while he or she was a Consultant but not a Non-Employee Director will not count for purposes of the limitations set forth in this Section 13. All Awards to Non-Employee Directors shall be made pursuant to an Award Agreement.

13.1.   Eligibility.   Awards pursuant to this Section 13 shall be granted only to Non-Employee Directors. A Non-Employee Director who is elected or re-elected as a member of the Board will be eligible to receive an Award under this Section 13.

13.2.   Vesting, Exercisability and Settlement.   Except as set forth in Section 22, Awards shall vest, become exercisable and be settled as determined by the Board. With respect to Options and SARs, the exercise price for such Awards granted to Non-Employee Directors will not be less than the Fair Market Value of the Shares at the time that such Option or SAR is granted.

13.3.   Election to Receive Awards in Lieu of Cash.   A Non-Employee Director may elect to receive his or her annual retainer payments and/or meeting fees from the Company in the form of cash or Awards or a combination thereof, if permitted, and as determined, by the Committee. Such Awards will be issued under the Plan. An election under this Section 13.3 will be filed with the Company on the form prescribed by the Company.

14.   WITHHOLDING TAXES.

14.1.   Withholding Generally.   Prior to any relevant taxable or tax withholding events in connection with the Awards under this Plan, the Company or the Parent, Subsidiary, or Affiliate, as applicable, employing the Participant, may require the Participant to pay or make adequate arrangements

 

satisfactory to the Company with respect to any or all applicable U.S. federal, state, local, and international income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, fringe benefits tax, payment on account and other tax-related items related to the Participant’s participation in this Plan and legally applicable to the Participant (collectively, “Tax-Related Obligations”) prior to the delivery of Shares pursuant to exercise or settlement of any Award. Whenever payments in satisfaction of Awards granted under this Plan are to be made in cash, such payment will be net of an amount sufficient to satisfy applicable withholding obligations for Tax-Related Obligations. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the Fair Market Value of the Shares will be determined as of the date that the taxes are required to be withheld.

14.2.   Stock Withholding.   The Committee, or its delegate(s), as permitted by applicable law, may, in its sole discretion and pursuant to such procedures as it may specify from time to time, require or permit a Participant to satisfy withholding obligations for such Tax-Related Obligations, in whole or in part by (without limitation) (a) paying cash, (b) having the Company withhold otherwise deliverable cash or Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the Tax-Related Obligations to be withheld, (c) delivering to the Company already-owned Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the Tax-Related Obligations to be withheld, or (d) withholding from proceeds of the sale of Shares issued pursuant to an Award either through a voluntary sale or through a mandatory sale arranged by the Company, provided that, in all instances, the satisfaction of the Tax-Related Obligations will not result in any adverse accounting consequence to the Company, as the Committee may determine in its sole discretion. The Company may withhold or account for these Tax-Related Obligations by considering applicable statutory withholding rates or other applicable withholding rates, including maximum rates for the applicable tax jurisdiction to the extent consistent with applicable laws. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the Fair Market Value of the Shares will be determined as of the date that the taxes are required to be withheld and such Shares shall be valued based on the value of the actual trade or, if there is none, the Fair Market Value of the Shares as of the previous trading day.

15.   TRANSFERABILITY.

15.1.   Transfer Generally.   Unless determined otherwise by the Committee or pursuant to Section 16.2, an Award may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and any such sale, pledge, assignment, hypothecation, transfer or disposition shall be void and unenforceable against the Company. If the Committee makes an Award transferable, including, without limitation, by instrument to an inter vivos or testamentary trust in which the Awards are to be passed to beneficiaries upon the death of the trustor (settlor) or by gift or by domestic relations order to a Permitted Transferee, such Award will contain such additional terms and conditions as the Committee deems appropriate and such transfer will be for no consideration. All Awards shall be exercisable: (a) during the Participant’s lifetime only by (i) the Participant, or (ii) the Participant’s guardian or legal representative; (b) after the Participant’s death, by the legal representative of the Participant’s heirs or legatees; and (c) in the case of all awards except ISOs, by a Permitted Transferee.

16.   PRIVILEGES OF STOCK OWNERSHIP; RESTRICTIONS ON SHARES.

16.1.   Voting and Dividends.   No Participant will have any of the rights of a stockholder with respect to any Shares until the Shares are issued to the Participant, except for any Dividend Equivalent Rights permitted by an applicable Award Agreement. Any Dividend Equivalent Rights will be subject to the same vesting or performance conditions as the underlying Award. In addition, the Committee may provide that any Dividend Equivalent Rights permitted by an applicable Award Agreement shall be deemed to have been reinvested in additional Shares or otherwise reinvested. After Shares are issued to the Participant, the Participant will be a stockholder and have all the rights of a stockholder with respect to such Shares, including the right to vote and receive all dividends or other distributions made or paid with respect to such Shares; provided, that if such Shares are Restricted Stock, then any new, additional or different securities the Participant may become entitled to receive with respect to such Shares by virtue of a stock dividend, stock split or any other change in the corporate or capital structure of the Company will be subject to the same restrictions as the Restricted Stock; provided, further, that the Participant will have no right to retain or receive such Dividend Equivalent Rights with respect to Unvested Shares, and any such dividends or stock distributions will be accrued

 

and paid only at such time, if any, as such Unvested Shares become vested Shares. However, the Committee, in its discretion, may provide in the Award Agreement evidencing any Award that the Participant shall be entitled to Dividend Equivalent Rights with respect to the payment of cash dividends on Shares underlying an Award during the period beginning on the date the Award is granted and ending, with respect to each Share subject to the Award, on the earlier of the date on which the Award is exercised or settled or the date on which it is forfeited provided, that no Dividend Equivalent Right will be paid with respect to Unvested Shares, and such dividends or stock distributions will be accrued and paid only at such time, if any, as such Unvested Shares become vested Shares. Such Dividend Equivalent Rights, if any, shall be credited to the Participant in the form of additional whole Shares as of the date of payment of such cash dividends on Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall Dividend Equivalent Rights be paid with respect to Options or SARs.

16.2.   Restrictions on Shares.   At the discretion of the Committee, the Company may reserve to itself and/or its assignee(s) a right to repurchase (a “Right of Repurchase”) a portion of any or all Unvested Shares held by a Participant following such Participant’s termination of Service at any time within ninety (90) days (or such longer or shorter time determined by the Committee) after the later of the date Participant’s Service terminates and the date the Participant purchases Shares under this Plan, for cash and/or cancellation of purchase money indebtedness, at the Participant’s Purchase Price or Exercise Price, as the case may be.

17.   CERTIFICATES.   All Shares or other securities whether or not certificated, delivered under this Plan will be subject to such stock transfer orders, legends and other restrictions as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable, including restrictions under any applicable U.S. federal, state or foreign securities law, or any rules, regulations and other requirements of the SEC or any stock exchange or automated quotation system upon which the Shares may be listed or quoted and any non-U.S. exchange controls or securities law restrictions to which the Shares are subject.

18.   ESCROW; PLEDGE OF SHARES.   To enforce any restrictions on a Participant’s Shares, the Committee may require the Participant to deposit all written or electronic certificate(s) representing Shares, together with stock powers or other instruments of transfer approved by the Committee, appropriately endorsed in blank, with the Company or an agent designated by the Company to hold in escrow until such restrictions have lapsed or terminated, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends referencing such restrictions to be placed on the certificate(s). Any Participant who is permitted to execute a promissory note as partial or full consideration for the purchase of Shares under this Plan will be required to pledge and deposit with the Company all or part of the Shares so purchased as collateral to secure the payment of Participant’s obligation to the Company under the promissory note; provided, however, that the Committee may require or accept other or additional forms of collateral to secure the payment of such obligation and, in any event, the Company will have full recourse against the Participant under the promissory note notwithstanding any pledge of the Participant’s Shares or other collateral. In connection with any pledge of the Shares, Participant will be required to execute and deliver a written pledge agreement in such form as the Committee will from time to time approve. The Shares purchased with the promissory note may be released from the pledge on a pro rata basis as the promissory note is paid.

19.   REPRICING; EXCHANGE AND BUYOUT OF AWARDS.   Without prior stockholder approval, the Committee may (a) reprice Options or SARs (and where such repricing is a reduction in the Exercise Price of outstanding Options or SARs, the consent of the affected Participants is not required provided written notice is provided to them, notwithstanding any adverse tax consequences to them arising from the repricing), and (b) with the consent of the respective Participants (unless not required pursuant to Section 5.9 of the Plan), pay cash or issue new Awards in exchange for the surrender and cancellation of any, or all, outstanding Awards; provided, however, that any such repricing of an Option or SAR will only be done to the extent that it can be done without triggering adverse tax consequences pursuant to Code Section 409A.

20.   SECURITIES LAW AND OTHER REGULATORY COMPLIANCE.   An Award will not be effective unless such Award is in compliance with all applicable U.S. and foreign federal and state securities and exchange control and other laws, rules and regulations of any governmental body, and the requirements of any stock exchange or automated quotation system upon which the Shares may then be listed or quoted, as they are in effect on the date of grant of the Award and also on the date of exercise or other

 

issuance. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Plan, the Company will have no obligation to issue or deliver written or electronic certificates for Shares under this Plan prior to: (a) obtaining any approvals from governmental agencies that the Company determines are necessary or advisable; and/or (b) completion of any registration or other qualification of such Shares under any state or federal or foreign law or ruling of any governmental body that the Company determines to be necessary or advisable. The Company will be under no obligation to register the Shares with the SEC or to effect compliance with the registration, qualification or listing requirements of any foreign, national or state securities laws, exchange control laws, stock exchange or automated quotation system, and the Company will have no liability for any inability or failure to do so.

21.   NO OBLIGATION TO EMPLOY.   Nothing in this Plan or any Award granted under this Plan will confer or be deemed to confer on any Participant any right to continue in the employ of, or to continue any other relationship with, the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate to terminate Participant’s employment or other relationship at any time.

22.   CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS.

22.1.   Assumption or Replacement of Awards by Successor.   In the event that the Company is subject to a Corporate Transaction, outstanding Awards acquired under the Plan shall be subject to the agreement evidencing the Corporate Transaction, which need not treat all outstanding Awards in an identical manner. Such agreement, without the Participant’s consent, shall provide for one or more of the following with respect to all outstanding Awards as of the effective date of such Corporate Transaction:

(a)   The continuation of an outstanding Award by the Company (if the Company is the successor entity).

(b)   The assumption of an outstanding Award by the successor or acquiring entity (if any) of such Corporate Transaction (or by its parents, if any), which assumption, will be binding on all selected Participants; provided that the Exercise Price and the number and nature of shares issuable upon exercise of any such Option or SAR, or any award that is subject to Section 409A of the Code, will be adjusted appropriately pursuant to Section 424(a) of the Code and/or Section 409A of the Code, as applicable.

(c)   The substitution by the successor or acquiring entity in such Corporate Transaction (or by its parents, if any) of equivalent awards with substantially the same terms for such outstanding Awards (except that the Exercise Price and the number and nature of shares issuable upon exercise of any such Option or SAR, or any award that is subject to Section 409A of the Code, will be adjusted appropriately pursuant to Section 424(a) of the Code and/or Section 409A of the Code, as applicable).

(d)   The full or partial acceleration of exercisability or vesting and accelerated expiration of an outstanding Award and lapse of the Company’s right to repurchase or re-acquire shares acquired under an Award or lapse of forfeiture rights with respect to shares acquired under an Award.

(e)   The settlement of the full value of such outstanding Award (whether or not then vested or exercisable) in cash, cash equivalents, or securities of the successor entity (or its parent, if any) with a Fair Market Value equal to the required amount, followed by the cancellation of such Awards; provided however, that such Award may be cancelled if such Award has no value, as determined by the Committee, in its discretion. Subject to Section 409A of the Code, such payment may be made in installments and may be deferred until the date or dates the Award would have become exercisable or vested. Such payment may be subject to vesting based on the Participant’s continued service, provided that the vesting schedule shall not be less favorable to the Participant than the schedule under which the Award would have become vested or exercisable. For purposes of this Section 22.1(e), the Fair Market Value of any security shall be determined without regard to any vesting conditions that may apply to such security.

(f)   The cancellation of outstanding Awards in exchange for no consideration.

 

The Board shall have full power and authority to assign the Company’s right to repurchase or re-acquire or forfeiture rights to such successor or acquiring entity. In addition, in the event such successor or acquiring entity (if any) refuses to assume, convert, replace or substitute Awards, as provided above, pursuant to a Corporate Transaction, the Committee will notify the Participant in writing or electronically that such Award will, if exercisable, be exercisable for a period of time determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, and such Award will terminate upon the expiration of such period. Awards need not be treated similarly in a Corporate Transaction and treatment may vary from Award to Award and/or from Participant to Participant.

22.2.   Assumption/Substitution of Awards by the Company.   The Company, from time to time, also may substitute or assume outstanding awards granted by another company, whether in connection with an acquisition of such other company or otherwise, by either; (a) granting an Award under this Plan in substitution of such other company’s award; or (b) assuming such award as if it had been granted under this Plan if the terms of such assumed award could be applied to an Award granted under this Plan. Such substitution or assumption will be permissible if the holder of the substituted or assumed award would have been eligible to be granted an Award under this Plan if the other company had applied the rules of this Plan to such grant. In the event the Company assumes an award granted by another company, the terms and conditions of such award will remain unchanged (except that the Purchase Price or the Exercise Price, as the case may be, and the number and nature of Shares issuable upon exercise or settlement of any such Award will be adjusted appropriately pursuant to Section 424(a) of the Code and/or Section 409A of the Code, as applicable). In the event the Company elects to grant a new Option in substitution rather than assuming an existing option, such new Option may be granted with a similarly adjusted Exercise Price. Substitute Awards shall not be deducted from the number of Shares authorized for grant under the Plan or authorized for grant to a Participant in a calendar year. At the consummation of the Business Combination, the Company shall substitute all BuzzFeed, Inc. equity awards under the 2015 Plan and the BuzzFeed, Inc. 2008 Stock Plan with Awards under this Plan.

22.3.   Non-Employee Directors’ Awards.   Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary herein, in the event of a Corporate Transaction, the vesting of all Awards granted to Non-Employee Directors shall accelerate and such Awards shall become exercisable (as applicable) in full prior to the consummation of such event at such times and on such conditions as the Committee determines.

23.   ADOPTION AND STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL.   This Plan shall be submitted for the approval of the Company’s stockholders, consistent with applicable laws, within twelve (12) months before or after the date this Plan is adopted by the Board.

24.   TERM OF PLAN/GOVERNING LAW.   Unless earlier terminated as provided herein, this Plan will become effective on the Effective Date and will terminate ten (10) years from the date this Plan is adopted by the Board; provided, however, that such expiration shall not affect Awards then outstanding, and the terms and conditions of the Plan shall continue to apply to such Awards. This Plan and all Awards granted hereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware (excluding its conflict of law rules).

25.   AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION OF PLAN.   The Board may at any time terminate or amend this Plan in any respect, including, without limitation, amendment of any form of Award Agreement or instrument to be executed pursuant to this Plan; provided, however, that the Board will not, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, amend this Plan in any manner that requires such stockholder approval; provided further, that a Participant’s Award shall be governed by the version of this Plan then in effect at the time such Award was granted. No termination or amendment of the Plan shall affect any then-outstanding Award unless expressly provided by the Committee; in any event, no termination or amendment of the Plan or any outstanding Award may materially adversely affect any then outstanding Award without the consent of the Participant, unless such termination or amendment is necessary to comply with applicable law, regulation, securities exchange listing requirement, or rule.

26.   NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF THE PLAN.   Neither the adoption of this Plan by the Board, the submission of this Plan to the stockholders of the Company for approval, nor any provision of this Plan will be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board to adopt such additional compensation arrangements as it may deem desirable, including, without limitation, the granting of stock options and

 

other equity awards and bonuses otherwise than under this Plan, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

27.   INSIDER TRADING POLICY.   Each Participant who receives an Award shall comply with any policy adopted by the Company from time to time covering transactions in the Company’s securities by Employees, officers and/or Directors of the Company, as well as with any applicable insider trading or market abuse laws to which the Participant may be subject.

28.   ALL AWARDS SUBJECT TO COMPANY CLAWBACK OR RECOUPMENT POLICY.   All Awards shall, subject to applicable law, be subject to clawback or recoupment pursuant to any compensation clawback or recoupment policy adopted by the Board or the Committee or required by law during the term of Participant’s employment or other service with the Company that is applicable to executive officers, employees, directors or other service providers of the Company, and in addition to any other remedies available under such policy and applicable law, may require the cancelation of outstanding Awards and the recoupment of any gains realized with respect to Awards. Further, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, to the extent that a Participant receives any amount in excess of the amount that the Participant should otherwise have received under the terms of an Award for any reason (including, without limitation, by reason of a financial restatement, mistake in calculation or other administrative error), the Participant shall promptly, upon notice from the Company of the overpayment, be required to repay to the Company any such excess amount.

29.   DEFINITIONS.   As used in this Plan, and except as elsewhere defined herein, the following terms will have the following meanings:

“Affiliate” means (a) any entity that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by, controls, or is under common control with, the Company, and (b) any entity in which the Company has a significant equity interest, in either case as determined by the Committee, whether now or hereafter existing.

“Award” means any award under the Plan, including any Option, Performance Award, Restricted Stock, Stock Bonus, Stock Appreciation Right, or Restricted Stock Unit.

“Award Agreement” means, with respect to each Award, the written or electronic agreement between the Company and the Participant setting forth the terms and conditions of the Award, and country-specific appendix thereto for grants to non-U.S. Participants, which shall be in substantially a form (which need not be the same for each Participant) that the Committee (or in the case of Award agreements that are not used for Insiders, the Committee’s delegate(s)) has from time to time approved, and will comply with and be subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan.

“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

“Business Combination” means the business combination effected pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement.

“Business Combination Agreement” means the Agreement and Plan of Merger, by and among BuzzFeed, Inc., 890 5^th Avenue Partners, Inc. and certain other parties thereto, as it may be amended from time to time.

“Cause” means Participant’s (a) willful failure substantially to perform his or her duties and responsibilities to the Company or deliberate violation of a Company policy or code of conduct; (b) commission of, or plea of guilty or no contest to, a felony or other crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude or commission of any act of fraud, embezzlement, dishonesty or any other willful misconduct or breach of fiduciary duty that has caused or is reasonably expected to result in material injury to the Company; (c) unauthorized use or disclosure of any proprietary information or trade secrets of the Company or any other party to whom the Participant owes an obligation of nondisclosure as a result of his or her relationship with the Company; (d) misappropriation of a business opportunity of the Company; (e) provision of material aid to a competitor of the Company; or (f) willful breach of any of his or her obligations under any written agreement or covenant with the Company, including with respect to any restrictive covenants. The determination as to whether a Participant’s Service is being terminated for Cause shall be made in good faith by the Company and shall be final and binding on the Participant. The foregoing definition does not in any way limit the Company’s ability to terminate a Participant’s employment or consulting

 

relationship at any time as provided in Section 21 above, and the term “Company” will be interpreted to include any Subsidiary or Parent, as appropriate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the definition of “Cause” may, in part or in whole, be modified or replaced in each individual employment agreement, Award Agreement or other applicable agreement with any Participant, provided that such document supersedes this definition provided in the Plan.

“Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the Treasury Regulations.

“Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board or those persons to whom administration of the Plan, or part of the Plan, has been delegated as permitted by law.

“Company” means BuzzFeed, Inc. or any successor corporation.

“Consultant” means any natural person, including an advisor or independent contractor, engaged by the Company or a Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate to render services to such entity.

“Corporate Transaction” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

(a)   any “Person” ​(as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes the “beneficial owner” ​(as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then-outstanding voting securities; provided, however, that for purposes of this subclause (a) the acquisition of additional securities by any one Person who is considered to own more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the securities of the Company will not be considered a Corporate Transaction;

(b)   the consummation of the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets;

(c)   the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its parent) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity or its parent outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation;

(d)   any other transaction which qualifies as a “corporate transaction” under Section 424(a) of the Code wherein the stockholders of the Company give up all of their equity interest in the Company (except for the acquisition, sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Company) or

(e)   a change in the effective control of the Company that occurs on the date that a majority of members of the Board is replaced during any twelve (12) month period by members of the Board whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board prior to the date of the appointment or election. For purpose of this subclause (e), if any Person is considered to be in effective control of the Company, the acquisition of additional control of the Company by the same Person will not be considered a Corporate Transaction.

For purposes of this definition, Persons will be considered to be acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that any amount constituting deferred compensation (as defined in Section 409A of the Code) would become payable under this Plan by reason of a Corporate Transaction, such amount shall become payable only if the event constituting a Corporate Transaction would also qualify as a change in ownership or effective control of the Company or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company, each as defined within the meaning of Code Section 409A, as it has been and may be amended from time to time, and any proposed or final Treasury Regulations and IRS guidance that has been promulgated or may be promulgated thereunder from time to time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the foregoing definition of “Corporate Transaction”

 

may, in part or in whole, be modified or replaced in each individual employment agreement, Award Agreement, or other applicable agreement with any Participant provided that such document specifically references this definition.

“Director” means a member of the Board.

“Disability” means in the case of ISOs, total and permanent disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code and in the case of other Awards, that the Participant is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.

“Dividend Equivalent Right” means the right of a Participant, granted at the discretion of the Committee or as otherwise provided by the Plan, to receive a credit for the account of such Participant in an amount equal to the cash, stock or other property dividends for each Share represented by an Award held by such Participant.

“Effective Date” shall mean the closing date of the Business Combination, subject to approval of the Plan by the Company’s stockholders.

“Employee” means any person, including officers and Directors, employed by the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate. For the avoidance of doubt, neither service as a Director nor payment of a director’s fee by the Company will be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company and the definition of “Employee” herein shall not include Non-Employee Directors.

“Exchange Act” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“Exchange Program” means a program pursuant to which (a) outstanding Awards are surrendered, cancelled or exchanged for cash, the same type of Award or a different Award (or combination thereof) or (b) the Exercise Price of an outstanding Award is increased or reduced.

“Exercise Price” means, with respect to an Option, the price at which a holder may purchase the Shares issuable upon exercise of an Option and with respect to a SAR, the price at which the SAR is granted to the holder thereof.

“Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of a Share determined as follows:

(a)   if the Shares are publicly traded and are then listed or admitted to trading on a national securities exchange, its closing price on the date of determination on the principal national securities exchange on which the Shares are listed or admitted to trading (or, if no Shares were traded on such date, on the last preceding date on which there was a sale of a Share on the exchange);

(b)   if is the Shares are publicly traded but are neither listed nor admitted to trading on a national securities exchange, the average of the closing bid and asked prices for the Shares on the last preceding date on which there was a sale of a Share on the exchange; or

(c)   if none of the foregoing is applicable, by the Board or the Committee in good faith in a manner intended to satisfy the requirements of Code Section 409A or Code Section 422, if applicable.

“Insider” means an officer or director of the Company or any other person whose transactions in the Company’s common stock are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

“IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

“Non-Employee Director” means a Director who is not an Employee of the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate.

“Nonqualified Stock Option” means an Option that by its terms is designated as such or that otherwise does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

“Option” means an award of an option to purchase Shares pursuant to Section 5 or Section 13.

 

“Parent” means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Company if each of such corporations other than the Company owns stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.

“Participant” means a person who holds an Award under this Plan.

“Performance Award” means an award covering cash, Shares or other property granted pursuant to Section 10 or Section 11 of the Plan.

“Performance Factors” means any of the factors selected by the Committee and specified in an Award Agreement, from among the following objective measures, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, applied to the Company as a whole or any business unit or Subsidiary, either individually, alternatively, or in any combination, on a GAAP or non-GAAP basis, and measured, to the extent applicable on an absolute basis or relative to a pre-established target, to determine whether the performance goals established by the Committee with respect to applicable Awards have been satisfied:

(a)   profit before tax;

(b)   billings;

(c)   revenue;

(d)   net revenue;

(e)   earnings (which may include earnings before interest and taxes, earnings before taxes, net earnings, stock-based compensation expenses, depreciation, and amortization);

(f)   operating income;

(g)   operating margin;

(h)   operating profit;

(i)   controllable operating profit or net operating profit;

(j)   net profit;

(k)   gross margin;

(l)   operating expenses or operating expenses as a percentage of revenue;

(m)   net income;

(n)   earnings per share;

(o)   total stockholder return;

(p)   market share;

(q)   return on assets or net assets;

(r)   the Company’s stock price;

(s)   growth in stockholder value relative to a pre-determined index;

(t)   return on equity;

(u)   return on invested capital;

(v)   cash flow (including free cash flow or operating cash flows);

(w)   cash conversion cycle;

(x)   economic value added;

 

(y)   individual confidential business objectives;

(z)   contract awards or backlog;

(aa)   overhead or other expense reduction;

(bb)   credit rating;

(cc)   strategic plan development and implementation;

(dd)   succession plan development and implementation;

(ee)   improvement in workforce diversity;

(ff)   customer indicators and/or satisfaction;

(gg)   new product invention or innovation;

(hh)   attainment of research and development milestones;

(ii)   improvements in productivity;

(jj)   bookings;

(kk)   attainment of objective operating goals and employee metrics;

(ll)   sales;

(mm)   expenses;

(nn)   balance of cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities;

(oo)   completion of an identified special project;

(pp)   completion of a joint venture or other corporate transaction;

(qq)   employee satisfaction and/or retention;

(rr)   research and development expenses;

(ss)   working capital targets and changes in working capital; and

(tt)   any other metric that is capable of measurement as determined by the Committee.

The Committee may provide for one or more equitable adjustments to the Performance Factors to preserve the Committee’s original intent regarding the Performance Factors at the time of the initial award grant, such as, but not limited to, in recognition of unusual or non-recurring items such as acquisition-related activities or changes in applicable accounting rules. It is within the sole discretion of the Committee to make or not make any such equitable adjustments.

“Performance Period” means one or more periods of time, which may be of varying and overlapping durations, as the Committee may select, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Factors will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant’s right to, and the payment of, a Performance Award.

“Performance Share” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 10 of the Plan, consisting of a unit valued by reference to a designated number of Shares, the value of which may be paid to the Participant by delivery of Shares or, if set forth in the instrument evidencing the Award, of such property as the Committee shall determine, including, without limitation, cash, other property, or any combination thereof, upon the attainment of performance goals, as established by the Committee, and other terms and conditions specified by the Committee.

“Performance Unit” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 10 of the Plan, consisting of a unit valued by reference to a designated amount of property other than Shares, which value may be paid to the

 

Participant by delivery of such property as the Committee shall determine, including, without limitation, cash, Shares, other property, or any combination thereof, upon the attainment of performance goals, as established by the Committee, and other terms and conditions specified by the Committee.

“Permitted Transferee” means any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law (including adoptive relationships) of the Participant, any person sharing the Participant’s household (other than a tenant or employee), a trust in which these persons (or the Participant) have more than 50% of the beneficial interest, a foundation in which these persons (or the Participant) control the management of assets, and any other entity in which these persons (or the Participant) own more than 50% of the voting interests.

“Plan” means this BuzzFeed, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan, as it may be amended from time to time.

“Purchase Price” means the price to be paid for Shares acquired under the Plan, other than Shares acquired upon exercise of an Option or SAR.

“Restricted Stock Award” means an award of Shares pursuant to Section 6 or Section 13 of the Plan, or issued pursuant to the early exercise of an Option.

“Restricted Stock Unit” means an unfunded and unsecured promise, subject to certain restrictions, to deliver Shares (which may consist of Restricted Stock), cash, other securities or other property, granted pursuant to Section 9 or Section 13 of the Plan.

“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Securities Act” means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

“Service” shall mean service as an Employee, Consultant, Director or Non-Employee Director, subject to such further limitations as may be set forth in the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement. An Employee will not be deemed to have ceased to provide Service in the case of any leave of absence approved by the Company. In the case of any Employee on an approved leave of absence or a reduction in hours worked (for illustrative purposes only, a change in schedule from that of full-time to part-time), the Committee may make such provisions respecting suspension of or modification to vesting of the Award while on leave from the employ of the Company or a Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate or during such change in working hours as it may deem appropriate, except that in no event may an Award be exercised after the expiration of the term set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. In the event of military or other protected leave, if required by applicable laws, vesting shall continue for the longest period that vesting continues under any other statutory or Company approved leave of absence and, upon a Participant’s returning from such leave, he or she shall be given vesting credit with respect to Awards to the same extent as would have applied had the Participant continued to provide Service to the Company throughout the leave on the same terms as he or she was providing Service immediately prior to such leave. An employee shall have terminated employment as of the date he or she ceases to provide Service (regardless of whether the termination is in breach of local employment laws or is later found to be invalid) and employment shall not be extended by any notice period or garden leave mandated by local law, provided, however, that a change in status between an Employee, Consultant, Director or Non-Employee Director shall not terminate the service provider’s Service, unless determined by the Committee, in its discretion or to the extent set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. The Committee will have sole discretion to determine whether a Participant has ceased to provide Service and the effective date on which the Participant ceased to provide Service.

“Shares” means shares of the Class A common stock of the Company and the common stock of any successor entity and any stock or other securities into which such Class A common stock may be converted or into which it may be exchanged.

“Stock Appreciation Right” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 8 of the Plan.

“Stock Bonus” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 7 of the Plan.

 

“Subsidiary” means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company if each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.

“Treasury Regulations” means regulations promulgated by the United States Treasury Department.

“Unvested Shares” means Shares that have not yet vested or are subject to a right of repurchase in favor of the Company (or any successor thereto).

30.   CODE SECTION 409A.   This Plan and Awards granted hereunder are intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively, “Section 409A”) to the extent subject thereto, or otherwise be exempt from Section 409A, and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, the Plan shall be interpreted and administered to be in compliance therewith. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company does not guarantee that any payment under the Plan, any Award or Award Agreement hereunder complies with or is exempt from Section 409A. Any payments described in the Plan that are due within the “short-term deferral period” as defined in Section 409A shall not be treated as deferred compensation unless required by applicable law. No payment, benefit or consideration shall be substituted for an Award if such action would result in the imposition of an additional tax under Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or any Award Agreement, if any provision in the Plan or an Award Agreement would result in the imposition of an additional tax under Section 409A, that Plan or Award Agreement provision or Award shall be reformed, to the extent permissible under Section 409A, to avoid the imposition of the additional tax, and no such action shall be deemed to adversely affect the Participant’s rights to an Award. In no event may any Participant, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment to be made under this Plan or any Award Agreement hereunder which constitutes a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A. With respect to any Award that constitutes a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A, references in the Plan or any Award Agreement to “termination of service,” “termination of employment” and “termination of the Participant’s Service” ​(and substantially similar phrases) shall mean “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A. For purposes of Section 409A, each of the payments that may be made in respect of any Award granted under the Plan is designated as a separate payment. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or any Award Agreement to the contrary, to the extent required to avoid accelerated taxation and tax penalties under Section 409A, amounts that would otherwise be payable and benefits that would otherwise be provided pursuant to the Plan or any Award Agreement granted pursuant hereto during the six-month period immediately following the Participant’s termination of Service (the “Deferred Amounts”) shall instead be paid on the first payroll date after the earlier of (i) the six-month anniversary of the Participant’s “separation from service” ​(as defined in Section 409A) or (ii) the Participant’s death (such date, the “Section 409A Payment Date”), with any portion of the Deferred Amounts that would otherwise be payable prior to the Section 409A Payment Date aggregated and paid in a lump sum without interest on the Section 409A Payment Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the Company, or any Parent or Subsidiary, the Committee or any of their respective executives, members, partners, directors, officers or affiliates shall have any obligation to take any action to prevent the assessment of any additional tax or penalty on any Participant under Section 409A and, by accepting an Award granted hereunder, the Participant acknowledges and agrees that none of the Company, the Committee or any of their respective affiliates will have any liability to the Participant for any such tax or penalty. Each Participant is solely responsible and liable for the satisfaction of all taxes and penalties that may be imposed on or in respect of such Participant in connection with the Plan and Award (including taxes and penalties under Section 409A.