Form of Equity Incentive Plan
Exhibit 10.2
FATPIPE, INC.
2024 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
1. Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this 2024 Equity Incentive Plan are to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility, to provide additional incentives that align the interests to Employees, Consultants and Directors, with those of the shareholders of the Company, and to promote the success of the Company’s business.
2. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) “Administrator” means the Board or any of its Committees as shall be administering the Plan, in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.
(b) “Applicable Laws” means the requirements relating to the administration of equity compensation plans under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Shares are listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any other country or jurisdiction where Awards are granted under the Plan.
(c) “Award” means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Incentive Stock Options, Nonqualified Stock Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Other Awards, or any combination of the foregoing.
(d) “Award Agreement” means the written or electronic agreement setting forth the terms and conditions applicable to each Award granted under the Plan.
(e) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(f) “Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events, in one or a series of related transactions:
(i) any “person,” as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act, other than the Company, a subsidiary of the Company or a Company employee benefit plan, including any trustee of such plan acting as trustee, is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; or
(ii) a merger or consolidation of the Company or any direct or indirect subsidiary 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) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or
(iii) the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all the Company’s assets; or
(iv) a change in the composition of the Board, as a result of which fewer than a majority of the Directors are Incumbent Directors. “Incumbent Directors” shall mean Directors who either (A) are Directors as of the date this Plan is approved by the Board, or (B) are elected, or nominated for election, to the Board with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the Directors and whose election or nomination was not in connection with any transaction described in (i) or (ii) above or in connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest relating to the election of directors of the Company.
Further, if a Change in Control constitutes a payment event with respect to any Award which provides for the deferral of compensation and is subject to Section 409A, in order to make payment upon such Change in Control, the transaction or event described above with respect to such Award must also constitute a “change in ownership,” a “change in the effective control” or a “change in the ownership of substantial assets” of the Company within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) (or any successor provision), and if it does not, payment of such Award will be made pursuant to the Award’s original payment schedule or, if earlier, upon the death of the Participant, unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement.
(g) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Reference to a specific section of the Code or regulation thereunder shall include such section or regulation, any valid regulation promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such section or regulation.
(h) “Committee” means a Committee appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.
(i) “Common Stock” means the common stock, no par value per share, of the Company.
(j) “Company” means FatPipe Inc., a Utah corporation, or any successor thereto.
(k) “Consultant” means any natural person, including an advisor, who is engaged by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company to render services and is compensated for such services, and any director of the Company whether compensated for such services or not, who satisfies the requirements of subsection (c)(1) of Rule 701 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(l) “Date of Grant” means, with respect to an Award, the date that the Award is granted and its exercise price is set (if applicable), consistent with Applicable Laws and applicable financial accounting rules.
(m) “Director” means a member of the Board.
(n) “Disability” means total and permanent disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, provided, however, that to the extent necessary to comply with Section 409A, “Disability” shall have the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(4) (or any successor provision).
(o) “Earnings Per Share” means, as to any Performance Period, fully diluted earnings per share of the Company, a business unit or an industry group, as defined by generally accepted accounting principles.
(p) “Effective Date” means [___], 2024.
(q) “Employee” means any person employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. An Employee shall not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company, its Parent, any Subsidiary, or any successor. For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such leave may exceed ninety (90) days, unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or contract. If reemployment upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the Company is not so guaranteed, then three (3) months following the 91st day of such leave any Incentive Stock Option held by the Participant shall cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option. The payment by the Company of a director’s fee to a Director shall not be sufficient to constitute “employment” of such Director by the Company.
(r) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Reference to a specific section of the Exchange Act or regulation thereunder shall include such section or regulation, any valid regulation promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such section or regulation.
(s) “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of Common Stock determined as follows:
(i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the Nasdaq National Market of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation (“Nasdaq”) System, the Fair Market Value of a Share of Common Stock shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such system or exchange (or the exchange with the greatest volume of trading in Common Stock) on the day of determination; or
(ii) In the absence of an established market for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the Administrator or shall be the last sold value of the Stock.
(iii) If Fair Market Value is to be determined as of a date which is not a date on which the Common Stock is traded, then the Fair Market Value on such date shall be the Fair Market Value on the next subsequent trading date.
(t) “Fiscal Year” means a fiscal year of the Company.
(u) “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
(v) “Net Income” means, as to any Performance Period, net income for the Performance Period of the Company, a business unit or an industry group, as defined by generally accepted accounting principles.
(w) “Nonqualified Stock Option” means an Option not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
(x) “Notice of Grant” means a written or electronic notice evidencing certain terms and conditions of an individual Award. The Notice of Grant is part of the Award Agreement.
(y) “Operating Margins” means the ratio of Operating Income to Revenue.
(z) “Operating Income” means income from operations of the Company, a business unit or an industry group, as defined by generally accepted accounting principles.
(aa) “Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or Nonqualified Stock Option granted pursuant to the Plan.
(ab) “Other Award” means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 11.
(ac) “Other Award Agreement” means a written document, the form(s) of which shall be approved from time to time by the Administrator, reflecting the terms of Other Awards granted under the Plan and includes any document attached to such agreement.
(ad) “Parent” means a “parent corporation”, whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
(ae) “Participant” means the holder of an outstanding Award granted under the Plan.
(af) “Performance Goals” means the goal(s) (or combined goal(s)) determined by the Administrator (in its discretion) to be applicable to a Participant with respect to Awards of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units. As determined by the Administrator, the Performance Goals applicable to an Award may provide for a targeted level or levels of achievement using one or more of the following measures: (a) Revenue, (b) Earnings Per Share, (c) Net Income, (d) Operating Margins, (e) Total Stockholder Return, (f) recurring revenue (including annualized), (g) bookings, (h) billings, (i) number of customers, (j) objective customer indicators, (k) expenses, (l) cost reduction goals, (m) economic value added, (n) cash flow (including operating cash flow or free cash flow), (o) cash flow per share, and (p) sales or revenue targets, including product or product family targets. The Performance Goals may differ from Participant to Participant and from Award to Award. Any criteria used may be measured, as applicable, (i) on Pro Forma numbers, (ii) in absolute terms, (iii) in relative terms (including, but not limited, the passage of time and/or against other companies or financial metrics), (iv) on a per share and/or share per capita basis, (v) against the performance of the Company as a whole or against particular segments, business units, industry groups or products of the Company and/or (vi) on a pre-tax or after-tax basis. Prior to the date on which such Performance Goals are determined, the Administrator shall stipulate whether any element(s) (for example, but not by way of limitation, the effect of mergers or acquisitions) shall be included in or excluded from the calculation of any Performance Goal with respect to any Participants (notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, whether or not such determinations result in any Performance Goal being measured on a basis other than generally accepted accounting principles). Such stipulation may also be made after the date such Performance Goals are determined in the Administrator’s sole discretion.
(ag) “Performance Period” means any Fiscal Year or such longer period as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion.
(ah) “Period of Restriction” means the period during which the transfer of Shares of Restricted Stock are subject to restrictions and therefore, the Shares are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. As provided in Section 9, such restrictions may be based on the passage of time, the achievement of target levels of performance, or the occurrence of other events as determined by the Administrator, in its discretion.
(ai) “Plan” means this 2024 Equity Incentive Plan, as set forth in this instrument and as hereafter amended from time to time.
(aj) “Pro Forma” means calculation of a Performance Goal in a manner that excludes certain non-recurring, unusual or non-cash expenses or credits, such as restructuring expenses, extraordinary tax events, expenses or credits related to equity compensation or the like, acquisition related expenses and charges, extraordinary items, income or loss from discontinued operations, and/or gains or losses from early extinguishment of debt instead of conforming to generally accepted accounting principles.
(ak) “Qualified Retirement” means a Director’s retirement from the Board after the retiring Director either (i) has attained 62 years of age and has served on the Board for at least five (5) years, or (ii) has served on the Board for at least ten (10) years.
(al) “Restricted Stock” means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 9.
(am) “Restricted Stock Unit” means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 10.
(an) “Revenue” means net sales for the Performance Period of the Company, a business unit or an industry group, as defined by generally accepted accounting principles.
(ao) “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect when discretion is being exercised with respect to the Plan.
(ap) “Section 16(b)” means Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(aq) “Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and any regulations or guidance promulgated thereunder.
(ar) “Share” means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 15 of the Plan.
(as) “Subsidiary” means a “subsidiary corporation”, whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.
(at) “Total Stockholder Return” means the total return (change in share price plus reinvestment of any dividends) of a share of the Company’s common stock.
3. Stock Subject to the Plan.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 15 of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan is equal to two million six hundred thousand (2,600,000) Shares.
(b) Subject to Section 15 relating to Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, and the following sentence regarding the Evergreen Increase, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may initially be issued pursuant to Stock Awards will not exceed two million six hundred thousand (2,600,000) shares (the “Share Reserve”), which number is the sum of 5.2 percent (5.2%) of the total authorized shares of Common Stock of the Company. In addition, the Share Reserve will automatically increase on [___] of each calendar year, for a period of not more than ten (10) years, beginning on [___], 2024 and ending on (and including) March 31st, 2034 (each, an “Evergreen Date”) in an amount equal to three percent (3%) of the total number of shares of Capital Stock outstanding on March 31st immediately preceding the applicable Evergreen Date (the “Evergreen Increase”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may act prior to the Evergreen Date of a given year to provide that there will be no Evergreen Increase for such year, or that the Evergreen Increase for such year will be a lesser number of shares of Common Stock than would otherwise occur pursuant to the preceding sentence.
(c) The Shares may be authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock. Subject to Section 3(c) hereof, if an Award expires or becomes unexercisable without having been exercised in full, or with respect to Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units, is forfeited to or repurchased by the Company, the unpurchased Shares (or for Awards other than Options, the forfeited or repurchased Shares) which were subject thereto will become available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has terminated). Shares that have actually been issued under the Plan under any Award will not be returned to the Plan and will not become available for future distribution under the Plan; provided, however, that if unvested Shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units are repurchased by the Company or are forfeited to the Company, such Shares will become available for future grant under the Plan. Shares used to pay the tax and exercise price of an Award will not become available for future grant or sale under the Plan. Any Shares repurchased by the Company with the proceeds from the exercise of Options will not become available for future grant or sale under the Plan. To the extent an Award under the Plan is paid out in cash rather than Shares, such cash payment will not result in reducing the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing and, subject to adjustment provided in Section 15, the maximum number of Shares that may be issued upon the exercise of Incentive Stock Options shall equal the aggregate Share number stated in Section 3(a), plus, to the extent allowable under Section 422 of the Code, any Shares that become available for issuance under the Plan under this Section 3(b).
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, each Share subject to an Incentive Stock Option or Nonqualified Stock Option shall be counted against the Shares authorized for issuance under the Plan as one Share. Each Share subject to an Award of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units shall be counted against the Shares authorized for issuance under the Plan as Common Shares. Each Share which is subject to an Award of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units granted under the Plan which is forfeited to or repurchased by the Company pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof shall count as having returned Common Shares to the total of number of Shares which are available for future grant or sale under the Plan.
4. Administration of the Plan.
(a) Procedure.
(i) Multiple Administrative Bodies. The Plan may be administered by the Board or different Committees with respect to different groups of Participants.
(ii) Rule 16b-3. To the extent desirable to qualify transactions hereunder as exempt under Rule 16b-3, the transactions contemplated hereunder shall be structured to satisfy the requirements for exemption under Rule 16b-3.
(iii) Other Administration. Other than as provided above, the Plan shall be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a Committee, which committee shall be constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws.
(b) Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, and in the case of a Committee, subject to the specific duties delegated by the Board to such Committee, the Administrator shall have the authority, in its discretion:
(i) to determine the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock, in accordance with Section 2(r) of the Plan;
(ii) to select the eligible persons to whom Awards may be granted hereunder;
(iii) to determine whether and to what extent Awards are granted hereunder;
(iv) to determine the number of Shares to be covered by each Award granted hereunder (other than a cash-based Other Award), and the amount of cash to be covered by each cash-based Other Award granted hereunder;
(v) to approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan;
(vi) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder. With respect to Options, such terms and conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise price, the time or times when Options may be exercised, based in each case on such factors as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine;
(vii) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and Awards granted hereunder;
(viii) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to sub-plans established for the purpose of qualifying for preferred tax treatment under foreign tax laws;
(ix) to modify or amend each Award (not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan), including the discretionary authority to extend the post-termination exercisability period of Options longer than is otherwise provided for in the Plan;
(x) to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Award previously granted by the Administrator;
(xi) to allow Participants to satisfy withholding tax obligations in such manner as may be determined by the Administrator in accordance with the terms of the Plan;
(xii) to determine the terms and restrictions applicable to Awards; and
(xiii) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering the Plan.
(c) Effect of Administrator’s Decision. The Administrator’s decisions, determinations and interpretations shall be final and binding on all Participants and any other holders of Awards and shall be given the maximum deference permitted by law.
5. Eligibility. Nonqualified Stock Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units and Other Awards may be granted to Employees, Consultants and/or Directors, subject to Applicable Laws. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees.
6. No Employment or Service Rights. Neither the Plan nor any Award shall confer upon a Participant any right with respect to continuing the Participant’s employment or service with the Company or its Subsidiaries, nor shall they interfere in any way with the Participant’s right or the Company’s or Subsidiary’s right, as the case may be, to terminate such employment or service at any time, with or without cause or notice.
7. Term of Plan. The Plan shall become effective on [___], 2024 and continue in effect, unless terminated earlier, until [___], 2034.
8. Stock Options.
(a) Grant of Options. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, Options may be granted to eligible persons at any time and from time to time as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine the number of Shares subject to each Option, provided that during any Fiscal Year, no Participant shall be granted Options covering more than a total of 130,000 Shares; provided, however, that such limit shall be 130,000 Shares in the Participant’s first Fiscal Year of Company service. The Administrator may grant Incentive Stock Options, Nonstatutory Stock Options, or a combination thereof.
(b) Term. The term of each Option shall be stated in the Notice of Grant; provided, however, that the term shall be no longer than five (5) years from the Date of Grant. Moreover, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the Incentive Stock Option shall be no longer than five (5) years from the Date of Grant. Subject to the five (5) year limits set forth in the preceding sentence, the Administrator may, after an Option is granted, extend the maximum term of the Option. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, any extension of the term of an Option pursuant to this Section 8(b) shall comply with Section 409A.
(c) Option Exercise Price. The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option shall be determined by the Administrator and shall be no less than 85% of the Fair Market Value per share on the Date of Grant; provided, however, that in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an Employee who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the Date of Grant.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Company or a Subsidiary consummates a transaction described in Section 424(a) of the Code (e.g., the acquisition of property or stock from an unrelated corporation), persons who become Employees on account of such transaction may be granted Options in substitution for options granted by their former employer. If such substitute Options are granted, the Administrator, in its sole discretion and consistent with Section 424(a) of the Code, may determine that such substitute Options shall have an exercise price less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the Date of Grant.
(d) No Repricing. The exercise price for an Option may not be reduced without the consent of the Company’s stockholders. This shall include, without limitation, a repricing of the Option as well as an Option exchange program whereby the Participant agrees to cancel an existing Option in exchange for (a) Awards with a lower exercise price, (b) a different type of Award, (c) cash, or (d) a combination of (a), (b) and/or (c).
(e) Waiting Period and Exercise Dates. At the time an Option is granted, the Administrator shall fix the period within which the Option may be exercised and shall determine any conditions which must be satisfied before the Option may be exercised. In so doing, the Administrator may specify that an Option may not be exercised until the completion of a service period or until performance milestones are satisfied.
(f) Form of Consideration. The Administrator shall determine the acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method of payment. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Administrator shall determine the acceptable form of consideration at the time of grant. Subject to Applicable Laws, such consideration may consist entirely of:
(i) cash;
(ii) check; or
(iii) cashless exercise of the value of the stock minus the Option grant price.
(iii) other Shares which (A) in the case of Shares acquired upon exercise of an option, have been owned by the Participant for more than six months on the date of surrender, and (B) have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said Option shall be exercised;
(iv) delivery to the Company of (A) a properly executed exercise notice together with such other documentation as the Administrator and the broker, if applicable, shall require to effect an exercise of the Option and (B) the sale proceeds required to pay the exercise price;
(v) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment; or
(vi) such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws; provided, however, that in no case will loans be permitted as consideration for exercising an Option hereunder.
(g) Exercise of Option; Rights as a Stockholder. Any Option granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Award Agreement.
An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.
An Option shall be deemed exercised when the Company receives: (i) written or electronic notice of exercise (in accordance with the Award Agreement) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised. Full payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the Administrator and permitted by the Award Agreement and the Plan. Shares issued upon exercise of an Option shall 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 shall exist with respect to the optioned stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such Share promptly after the Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Share is issued, except as provided in Section 15 of the Plan.
Exercising an Option in any manner shall decrease the number of Shares thereafter available for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised.
(h) Termination of Employment or Consulting Relationship. If a Participant ceases to be an Employee or Consultant, other than by reason of the Participant’s death or Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement, to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise it on the date of termination. In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for three (3) months following the date of the Participant’s termination, to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise it on the date of termination; provided, however, that if the Participant is a Director immediately prior to the date of termination and ceases to serve as a Director other than by reason of death, Disability or Qualified Retirement, then the Participant may exercise his or her Option for seven (7) months following the date of such cessation, to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise it on such date; provided, further, that if the Participant ceases to serve as a Director by reason of a Qualified Retirement, then the Participant may exercise his or her Option for three (3) years following the date of such cessation, to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise it on such date.
(i) Disability. If a Participant ceases to be an Employee or Consultant by reason of the Participant’s Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option for twelve (12) months following the date of the Participant’s termination, to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise it on the date of termination.
(j) Death of Participant. If a Participant ceases to be an Employee or Consultant by reason of the Participant’s death, the Option may be exercised for twelve (12) months following the date of the Participant’s death, to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise it on such date, by the Participant’s designated beneficiary, provided such beneficiary has been designated prior to Participant’s death in a form acceptable to the Administrator. If no such beneficiary has been designated by the Participant, then such Option may be exercised by the personal representative of the Participant’s estate or by the person(s) to whom the Option is transferred pursuant to the Participant’s will or in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution.
(k) General. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may the Option be exercised after its term has expired. If, on the date of termination, the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after termination, the Participant (or the Participant’s beneficiary or representative, as the case may be) does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified by the Administrator, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.
(l) ISO $100,000 Rule. Each Option shall be designated in the Notice of Grant as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option. However, notwithstanding such designations, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of Shares subject to a Participant’s Incentive Stock Options granted by the Company, any Parent or Subsidiary, which become exercisable for the first time during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, such excess Options shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 8(l), Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted, and the Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be determined as of the time of grant.
9. Restricted Stock.
(a) Grant of Restricted Stock. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Administrator, at any time and from time to time, may grant Shares of Restricted Stock to eligible persons as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine the number of Shares to be granted to each Participant, provided that during any Fiscal Year, no Participant shall receive more than a total of 130,000 Shares of Restricted Stock (and/or Restricted Stock Units); provided, however, that such limit shall be 130,000 Shares in the Participant’s first Fiscal Year of Company service.
(b) Restricted Stock Agreement. Each Award of Restricted Stock shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Period of Restriction, the number of Shares granted, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine. Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, Shares of Restricted Stock shall be held by the Company as escrow agent until the restrictions on such Shares have lapsed.
(c) Transferability. Except as provided in this Section 9, Shares of Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated until the end of the applicable Period of Restriction.
(d) Other Restrictions. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may impose such other restrictions on Shares of Restricted Stock as it may deem advisable or appropriate, in accordance with this Section 9(d).
(i) General Restrictions. The Administrator may set restrictions based upon continued employment or service with the Company and its affiliates, the achievement of specific performance objectives (Company-wide, departmental, or individual), the achievement of Performance Goals, applicable federal or state securities laws, other Applicable Laws, or any other basis determined by the Administrator in its discretion.
(ii) Legend. The Administrator, in its discretion, may legend the Shares representing Restricted Stock to give appropriate notice of such restrictions.
(e) Removal of Restrictions. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 9, Shares of Restricted Stock covered by each Restricted Stock grant made under the Plan shall be released from escrow as soon as practicable after the last day of the Period of Restriction. The Administrator, in its discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions shall lapse or be removed. After the restrictions have lapsed, the Participant shall be entitled to have any legend or legends under Section 9(d)(iii) removed from his or her Share, and the Shares shall be freely transferable by the Participant. The Administrator (in its discretion) may establish procedures regarding the release of Shares from escrow and the removal of legends, as necessary or appropriate to minimize administrative burdens on the Company.
(f) Voting Rights. During the Period of Restriction, Participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares, unless the Administrator determines otherwise.
(g) Dividends and Other Distributions. During the Period of Restriction, Participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock shall be entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such Shares unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement. Any such dividends or distribution shall be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid, unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement.
(h) Return of Restricted Stock to the Company. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, the Restricted Stock for which restrictions have not lapsed shall revert to the Company and again shall become available for grant under the Plan.
10. Restricted Stock Units.
(a) Grant of Restricted Stock Units. Restricted Stock Units may be granted to eligible persons at any time and from time to time, as shall be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion. The Administrator shall have complete discretion in determining the number of Restricted Stock Units granted to each Participant, provided that during any Fiscal Year, no Participant shall receive more than a total of 130,000 Restricted Stock Units (and/or Shares of Restricted Stock); provided, however, that such limit shall be 130,000 Restricted Stock Units in the Participant’s first Fiscal Year of Company service.
(b) Value of Restricted Stock Units. Each Restricted Stock Unit shall have an initial value equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date.
(c) Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. Each Award of Restricted Stock Units shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify any vesting conditions, the number of Restricted Stock Units granted, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine.
(d) Performance Objectives and Other Terms. The Administrator, in its discretion, shall set performance objectives or other vesting criteria which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the number or value of Restricted Stock Units that will be paid out to the Participants. Each Award of Restricted Stock Units shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Performance Period, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine.
(i) General Performance Objectives, Performance Goals or Vesting Criteria. The Administrator may set performance objectives or vesting criteria based upon the achievement of Company-wide, departmental, or individual goals, Performance Goals, applicable federal or state securities laws, or any other basis determined by the Administrator in its discretion (for example, but not by way of limitation, continuous service as an Employee or Consultant).
(e) Earning of Restricted Stock Units. After the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of Restricted Stock Units shall be entitled to receive a payout of the number of Restricted Stock Units earned by the Participant over the Performance Period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding performance objectives have been achieved. After the grant of a Restricted Stock Unit, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any performance objectives for such Restricted Stock Unit.
(f) Dividend Equivalents. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, grant dividend equivalents in connection with an Award of Restricted Stock Units. Such dividend equivalents shall be converted to cash or additional Shares, or some combination thereof, by such formula and at such time and subject to such limitations as may be determined by the Administrator. Notwithstanding the foregoing, dividend equivalents shall accrue and only be paid to the extent the Award of Restricted Stock Units becomes vested.
(g) Form and Timing of Payment of Restricted Stock Units. Payment of vested Restricted Stock Units shall be made as soon as practicable after vesting (subject to any deferral permitted under Section 20). The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may pay Restricted Stock Units in the form of cash, in Shares or in a combination thereof.
(h) Cancellation of Restricted Stock Units. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, all unvested Restricted Stock Units shall be forfeited to the Company and, except as otherwise determined by the Administrator, again shall be available for grant under the Plan.
11. Other Awards
(a) General. The Administrator may from time to time grant cash-based, equity-based or equity-related awards not otherwise described herein to eligible persons in such amounts and on such terms as it shall determine, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan. Without limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, each such Other Award may (i) involve the transfer of actual Shares to Participants, either at the time of grant or thereafter, or payment in cash or otherwise, (ii) be subject to performance-based vesting conditions and/or multipliers and/or service-based vesting conditions, (iii) be in the form of cash, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock, performance shares, deferred share units, share-denominated performance units or other similar awards and (iv) be designed to comply with Applicable Laws of jurisdictions other than the United States; provided, however, that each cash-based Other Award shall be denominated in cash and each equity-based or equity-related Other Award shall be denominated in, or shall have a value determined by reference to, a number of Shares, in each case that is specified (or will be determined using a formula that is specified) at the time of the grant of such Other Award.
(b) Award Terms. When Other Awards are granted under the Plan, the Company shall advise the recipient in writing of the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to the Other Award. The offer to receive Other Awards shall be accepted by execution of an Other Award Agreement in the form determined by the Administrator.
(c) Vesting, Settlement and Payment. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, set vesting criteria for the Other Award that must be met in order to be eligible to receive a payout pursuant to the Award (note that the Administrator may specify additional conditions which must also be met in order to receive a payout pursuant to the Award). Any such vesting criteria may be based upon the achievement of Company-wide, business unit, or individual goals (including, but not limited to, Continuous Service Status), or any other basis determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time after the grant of the Other Award, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any applicable vesting criteria.
(d) Form and Timing of Settlement or Payment. Settlement or payment of earned Other Awards will be made upon the date(s) determined by the Administrator and may be subject to additional conditions, if any, each as set forth in the Other Award Agreement. The Administrator will settle earned cash-based Other Awards solely in cash but, in its sole discretion, may settle earned equity-based or equity related Other Awards in cash, Shares, or a combination of both.
(e) Other Provisions. The Other Award Agreement shall contain such other terms, provisions and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion. The provisions of Other Award Agreements need not be the same with respect to each Participant.
(f) Rights as a Stockholder. Until the issuance of the Shares (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company) (if any), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a holder of capital stock shall exist with respect to the equity-based or equity-related Other Awards. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date of issuance, except as provided in Section 15 of the Plan.
12. Limitation on Grants to Non-Employee Directors. The maximum number of Shares subject to Awards (and of cash subject to cash-based Other Awards) granted under the Plan or otherwise during any one Fiscal Year to any Director (other than a Director who is also an Employee) for service on the Board, taken together with any cash fees paid by the Company to such Director during such Fiscal Year for service on the Board, will not exceed $500,000 in total value (calculating the value of any such Awards based on the grant date fair value of such Awards for financial reporting purposes).
13. Leaves of Absence. Unless the Administrator provides otherwise or except as otherwise required by Applicable Laws, vesting of Awards granted hereunder shall continue during any leave of absence approved by the Administrator.
14. Non-Transferability of Awards. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, 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 may be exercised, during the lifetime of the recipient, only by the recipient. If the Administrator makes an Award transferable, such Award shall contain such additional terms and conditions as the Administrator deems appropriate; provided, however, that such Award shall in no event be transferable for value. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Participant may, if the Administrator (in its discretion) so permits, transfer an Award to an individual or entity other than the Company. Any such transfer shall be made in accordance with such procedures as the Administrator may specify from time to time.
15. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization.
(a) Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company, the number of Shares covered by each outstanding Award, the number of Shares which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Awards have yet been granted or which have been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an Award, as well as the price per Share of Common Stock covered by each such outstanding Award, shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number or value of issued Shares resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the number or value of issued Shares effected without receipt of consideration by the Company (excluding a regular cash dividend); provided, however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been “effected without receipt of consideration.” Such adjustment shall be made by the Compensation Committee, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of shares of Common Stock subject to an Award.
(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator shall notify each Participant as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction. The Administrator in its discretion may provide for a Participant to have the right to exercise his or her Award until ten (10) days prior to such transaction as to all of the Shares covered thereby, including Shares as to which the Award would not otherwise be exercisable. In addition, the Administrator may provide that any Company repurchase option or forfeiture rights applicable to any Award shall lapse 100%, and that any Award vesting shall accelerate 100%, provided the proposed dissolution or liquidation takes place at the time and in the manner contemplated. To the extent it has not been previously exercised, an Award will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.
(c) Change of Control. In the event of a Change of Control, each outstanding Award shall be assumed or an equivalent Award substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation.
In the event that the successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the Award, the Participant shall fully vest in and have the right to exercise all of his or her outstanding Options, including Shares as to which such Awards would not otherwise be vested or exercisable, all restrictions on Restricted Stock will lapse, and all Restricted Stock Units and Other Awards shall become fully vested; provided, however, that, with respect to Awards with performance-based vesting, including but not limited to Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units and Other Awards, all performance goals or other vesting criteria will be deemed achieved at one hundred percent (100%) of target levels and all other terms and conditions met. In addition, if an Option is not assumed or substituted in the event of a Change of Control, the Administrator shall notify the Participant in writing or electronically that the Option shall be fully vested and exercisable for a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of such notice, and the Option shall terminate upon the expiration of such period.
For the purposes of this paragraph, an Award shall be considered assumed if, following the Change of Control, the Award confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Award immediately prior to the Change of Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the Change of Control by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the Change of Control is not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may, with the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of an Option, or upon the payout of the Restricted Stock Unit Award or Other Award, for each Share subject to the Award, to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the Change of Control.
Notwithstanding anything in this Section 15(c) to the contrary, an Award that vests, is earned or paid-out upon the satisfaction of one or more performance goals will not be considered assumed if the Company or its successor modifies any of such performance goals without the Participant’s consent; provided, however, a modification to such performance goals only to reflect the successor corporation’s post-Change of Control corporate structure will not be deemed to invalidate an otherwise valid Award assumption.
16. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.
(a) Amendment and Termination. Subject to Section 8(d) hereof, the Board may at any time amend, alter, suspend or terminate the Plan; provided, however, that to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with any Applicable Law, the Company shall obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment in such a manner and to such a degree as required.
(b) Effect of Amendment or Termination. No amendment, alteration, suspension or termination of the Plan shall impair the rights of any Participant, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Participant and the Administrator, which agreement must be in writing (or electronic format) and signed by the Participant and the Company.
17. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.
(a) Legal Compliance. Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Award unless the exercise of such Award and the issuance and delivery of such Shares shall comply with Applicable Laws and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.
(b) Investment Representations. As a condition to the exercise or receipt of Shares pursuant to an Award, the Company may require the person exercising or receiving Shares pursuant to an Award to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise or receipt that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required.
18. Liability of Company.
(a) Inability to Obtain Authority. The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.
(b) Grants Exceeding Allotted Shares. If the Shares covered by an Award exceed, as of the Date of Grant, the number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan without additional stockholder approval, such Award shall be void with respect to such excess Shares, unless stockholder approval of an amendment sufficiently increasing the number of Shares subject to the Plan is timely obtained in accordance with Section 16(a) of the Plan.
19. Reservation of Shares. The Company, during the term of this Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.
20. Deferrals. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may permit or require a Participant to defer receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of Shares that would otherwise be due to such Participant under an Award. Any such deferral elections shall be subject to such rules and procedures as shall be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion.
21. Participation. No Employee, Consultant or Director shall have the right to be selected to receive an Award under this Plan, or, having been so selected, to be selected to receive a future Award.
22. No Rights as Stockholder. Except to the limited extent provided in Sections 9(f) or 9(g), no Participant (nor any beneficiary) shall have any of the rights or privileges of a stockholder of the Company with respect to any Shares issuable pursuant to an Award (or exercise thereof), unless and until Shares shall have been issued, recorded on the records of the Company or its transfer agents or registrars, and delivered to the Participant (or beneficiary).
23. Withholding Requirements. Prior to the delivery of any Shares or cash pursuant to an Award (or exercise thereof), the Company shall have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local and foreign taxes (including the Participant’s FICA obligation) required to be withheld with respect to such Award (or exercise thereof). Notwithstanding any contrary provision of the Plan, if a Participant fails to remit to the Company such withholding amount within the time period specified by the Administrator (in its discretion), the Participant’s Award may, in the Administrator’s discretion, be forfeited and in such case the Participant shall not receive any of the Shares subject to such Award. For avoidance of doubt, the Administrator may determine the fair market value of the Shares for tax purposes upon settlement of an Award using such methodology as may be required by Applicable Laws or as appropriate for administrative reasons.
24. Recoupment. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or in any Award Agreement to the contrary, the Company will be entitled to the extent permitted or required by Applicable Laws, Company policy and/or the requirements of a stock exchange on which the Shares are listed for trading, in each case, as in effect from time to time, to recoup compensation of whatever kind paid by the Company at any time to a Participant under this Plan. No such recoupment of compensation will be an event giving rise to a right to resign for “good reason” or “constructive termination” (or similar term) under any agreement between any Participant and the Company.
25. Section 409A. The Plan as well as payments and benefits under the Plan are intended to be exempt from, or to the extent subject thereto, to comply with Section 409A and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, the Plan shall be interpreted in accordance therewith. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, to the extent required in order to avoid accelerated taxation and/or tax penalties under Section 409A, a Participant shall not be considered to have terminated employment or service with the Company (or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company) for purposes of the Plan and no payment shall be due to the Participant under the Plan or any Award until the Participant would be considered to have incurred a “separation from service” from the Company (or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company) within the meaning of 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 Applicable Laws require otherwise. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, to the extent that any Awards are payable upon a separation from service and such payment would result in the imposition of any individual tax and penalty interest charges imposed under Section 409A, the settlement and payment of such awards (or other amounts) shall instead be made on the first business day after the date that is six (6) months following such separation from service (or death, if earlier). Each amount to be paid or benefit to be provided under this Plan shall be construed as a separate identified payment for purposes of Section 409A. The Company makes no representation that any or all of the payments or benefits described in this Plan will be exempt from or comply with Section 409A and makes no undertaking to preclude Section 409A from applying to any such payment. The Participant shall be solely responsible for the payment of any taxes and penalties incurred under Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or any Award, if and to the extent the Administrator shall determine that the terms of any Award may result in the failure of such Award to comply with or be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A, the Administrator shall have authority to take such action to amend, modify, cancel or terminate the Plan or any Award as it deems necessary or advisable to bring such Award into compliance with or maintain an exemption from Section 409A.
26. Withholding Arrangements. The Administrator, in its sole discretion and pursuant to such procedures as it may specify from time to time, may permit or require a Participant to satisfy all or part of the tax withholding obligations in connection with an Award by (a) having the Company withhold otherwise deliverable Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value that does not exceed the amount required to be withheld, (b) delivering to the Company already-owned Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value sufficient to satisfy the amount required to be withheld, or (c) such other method as may be approved by the Administrator and set forth in an Award Agreement. The number of Shares withheld under subsection (a) shall be determined using rates up to, but not exceeding, the maximum tax rates applicable in a particular jurisdiction on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. The Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld or delivered shall be determined as of the date that the amount of the tax to be withheld is determined.
27. Indemnification. Each person who is or shall have been a member of the Committee, or of the Board, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from (a) any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under the Plan or any Award Agreement, and (b) from any and all amounts paid by him or her in settlement thereof, with the Company’s approval, or paid by him or her in satisfaction of any judgment in any such claim, action, suit, or proceeding against him or her, provided he or she shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, by contract, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or under any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.
28. Successors. All obligations of the Company under the Plan, with respect to Awards granted hereunder, shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company.
29. Gender and Number. Except where otherwise indicated by the context, any masculine term used herein also shall include the feminine; the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural.
30. Severability. In the event any provision of the Plan shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included.
31. Governing Law. The Plan and all Award Agreements shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Utah (with the exception of its conflict of laws provisions).
32. Captions. Captions are provided herein for convenience only, and shall not serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of the Plan.
