Description of Capital Stock
Exhibit 4.1
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
The following discussion summarizes the material terms of our common stock and preferred stock. This discussion does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our certificate of incorporation, as amended (“Certificate of Incorporation”), and our amended and restated bylaws (“Bylaws”), each as may be amended from time to time.
General
Our authorized capital stock consists of 10,000,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and 50,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of which 200,000 have been designated as Series A Preferred Stock.
As of November 27, 2024, there were 43,942,924 shares of common stock outstanding and 58,415 shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding.
Common Stock
Voting
Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share on all matters submitted to a stockholder vote. Our common stock does not have cumulative voting rights. Holders of our common stock representing a majority of the voting power of our capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, are necessary to constitute a quorum at any meeting of our stockholders. A vote by the holders of a majority of our outstanding shares is required to effectuate certain fundamental corporate changes such as liquidation, merger or an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation. Although there are no provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws that may delay, defer or prevent a change in control, our board of directors is authorized, without stockholder approval, to issue shares of preferred stock that may contain rights or restrictions that could have this effect. Holders of common stock are entitled to share in all dividends that the board, in its discretion, declares from legally available funds. In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up, each outstanding share entitles its holder to participate pro rata in all assets that remain after payment of liabilities and after providing for each class of stock, if any, having preference over the common stock. Holders of our common stock have no pre-emptive rights and no conversion rights, and there are no redemption provisions applicable to our common stock.
Election of Directors
The holders of shares of common stock shall appoint the members of our board of directors. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote.
Dividends
Since inception we have not paid any dividends on our common stock. We currently do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future on our common stock. Although we intend to retain our earnings, if any, to finance the exploration and growth of our business, our board of directors will have the discretion to declare and pay dividends in the future. Payment of dividends in the future will depend upon our earnings, capital requirements, and other factors, which our board of directors may deem relevant.
Series A Preferred Stock
Each share of Series A Preferred Stock is initially convertible into 1,000 shares of common stock at the election of the holder at any time. On any matter submitted to the holders of common stock for a vote or on which the holders of common stock have a right to vote, each share of Series A Preferred Stock will have a number of votes equal to the number of shares of common stock into which the Series A Preferred Stock is convertible and the Series A Preferred Stock will vote together with the common stock as one class.
The Series A Preferred Stock will participate in any dividends, distributions or payments to the holders of the common stock on an as-converted basis. Series A Preferred Stock is not entitled to receive any distribution of our assets or surplus funds upon a liquidation, merger or similar event.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”) and our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
Provisions of the DGCL and our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws could make it more difficult to acquire us by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise, or to remove incumbent officers and directors. These provisions, summarized below, are expected to discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and takeover bids that our board of directors may consider inadequate and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of our ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging takeover or acquisition proposals because, among other things, negotiation of these proposals could result in improved terms for our stockholders.
Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute
We are subject to Section 203 of the DGCL. Subject to certain exceptions, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for three years following the date the person became an interested stockholder, unless the interested stockholder attained such status with the approval of our board of directors or unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner.
Section 203 of the DGCL generally defines a “business combination” to include, among other things, any merger or consolidation involving us and the interested stockholder and the sale of more than 10% of our assets.
In general, an “interested stockholder” is any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of our voting stock or any entity or person associated or affiliated with or controlling or controlled by such entity or person.
Exclusive Forum Provision
Our Bylaws provide that, unless the Company consents in writing, the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Company to the Company or the Company’s stockholders, (iii) an action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be a state or federal court located with the State of Delaware, in all cases subject to the court’s having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants. We believe this provision benefits us by providing increased consistency in the application of Delaware law by chancellors particularly experienced in resolving corporate disputes, efficient administration of cases on a more expedited schedule relative to other forums and protection against the burdens of multi-forum litigation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the exclusive forum provision will not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or any claim for which the federal courts have exclusive or concurrent jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the exclusive forum provision will not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Exchange Act, the Securities Act, or any claim for which the federal courts have exclusive or concurrent jurisdiction.
Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the forum provisions in our Bylaws. This choice of forum provision may limit or make more costly a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or any of our directors, officers, other employees or stockholders, which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims. Alternatively, if a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in our Bylaws to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could harm our business, operating results and financial condition.
The exclusive forum provision contained in our Bylaws may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors, officers, other employees or stockholders.
Amendments to Our Certificate of Incorporation
Under the DGCL, the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon and a majority of the outstanding stock of each class entitled to vote thereon is required to amend a corporation’s certificate of incorporation. Under the DGCL, the holders of the outstanding shares of a class of our capital stock shall be entitled to vote as a class upon a proposed amendment, whether or not entitled to vote thereon by the certificate of incorporation, if the amendment would:
● | increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of such class; | |
● | increase or decrease the par value of the shares of such class; or | |
● | alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the shares of such class so as to affect them adversely. |
If any proposed amendment would alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of one or more series of any class of our capital stock so as to affect them adversely, but shall not so affect the entire class, then only the shares of the series so affected by the amendment shall be considered a separate class for the purposes of this provision.
Vacancies in the Board of Directors
Our Bylaws provide that, subject to limitations, any vacancy occurring in our board of directors for any reason may be filled by a majority of the remaining members of our board of directors then in office, even if such majority is less than a quorum. Each director so elected shall hold office until the expiration of the term and until his successor shall be duly chosen.
Special Meetings of Stockholders
Under our Bylaws, a special meeting of stockholders (other than a special meeting for the election of directors), unless otherwise prescribed by statute, may only be called by the board and may be called at any time by the board. At any special meeting, only such business may be transacted as is related to the purpose(s) of such meeting set forth in the notice thereof given pursuant to the terms of the Bylaws or in any waiver of notice thereof, each pursuant to the terms of the Bylaws. Under the DGCL, written notice of any special meeting must be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the special meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting.
No Cumulative Voting
The DGCL provides that stockholders are denied the right to cumulate votes in the election of directors unless our Certificate of Incorporation provides otherwise. Our Certificate of Incorporation does not provide for cumulative voting.
Limitations on Directors’ Liability; Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws contain provisions indemnifying our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law. In addition, as permitted by Delaware law, our Certificate of Incorporation provides that no director will be liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of certain fiduciary duties as a director. The effect of this provision is to restrict our rights and the rights of our stockholders in derivative suits to recover monetary damages against a director for breach of certain fiduciary duties as a director, except that a director will be personally liable for:
● | any breach of his or her duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders; | |
● | acts or omissions not in good faith which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; | |
● | the payment of dividends or the redemption or purchase of stock in violation of Delaware law; or | |
● | any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. |
This provision does not affect a director’s liability under the federal securities laws.
Our Bylaws provide that we shall indemnify our directors, officers, employees and agents to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we understand that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.