EX-3.1 2 d171804dex31.htm EX-3.1 EX-3.1

Exhibit 3.1

Page 1

Delaware

The First State

I, JEFFREY W. BULLOCK, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THE ATTACHED IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF “23ANDME HOLDING CO.” FILED IN THIS OFFICE ON THE SIXTEENTH DAY OF JUNE, A.D. 2021, AT 2:30 O`CLOCK P.M.

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION IS THE SIXTEENTH DAY OF JUNE, A.D. 2021 AT 4:04 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

/s/ Jeffrey W. Bullock

Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State

 

6006171    8100D

SR# 20212467978

   LOGO   

Authentication: 203463409

Date: 06-16-21

  

You may verify this certificate online at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml


CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

23ANDME HOLDING CO.

JUNE 16, 2021

The undersigned, in order to form a corporation pursuant to Section 102 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify:

ARTICLE I

NAME AND EFFECTIVE TIME

The name of the corporation is 23andMe Holding Co. (the “Corporation”). This Certificate of Incorporation shall be effective as of 4:04 pm, eastern time, on the date of filing of this Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

ARTICLE II

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporate Law of the State of Delaware as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (the “DGCL”). In addition to the powers and privileges conferred upon the Corporation by law and those incidental thereto, the Corporation shall possess and may exercise all the powers and privileges that are necessary or convenient to the conduct, promotion or attainment of the business or purposes of the Corporation.

ARTICLE III

INCORPORATOR AND REGISTERED AGENT

The name and mailing address of the Incorporator is James Cahillane, 65 Bleecker Street, 6th Floor, New York, New York 10012. The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 3500 South DuPont Highway, City of Dover, County of Kent, Delaware 19901. The name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address is Incorporating Services, Ltd.

ARTICLE IV

CAPITALIZATION

Section 4.1    Authorized Capital Stock. The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock, each with a par value of $0.0001 per share, which the Corporation is authorized to issue is 1,500,000,000 shares, including (a) 1,490,000,000 shares of common stock, of which (i) 1,140,000,000 shares are designated Class A Common Stock (the “Class A Common Stock”) (ii) 350,000,000 shares are designated Class B Common Stock (the “Class B Common Stock” and, together with the Class A Common Stock, the “Common Stock”), and (b) 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock (the “Preferred Stock”).

 

State of Delaware

Secretary of State

Division of Corporations

Delivered 02:30 PM 06/16/2021

FILED 02:30 PM 06/16/2021

SR 20212467978 - File Number 6006171


Section 4.2    Preferred Stock. The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) is hereby expressly authorized to provide for the issuance of shares of the Preferred Stock in one or more series and to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series and to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights, if any, of each such series and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, as shall be stated in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board providing for the issuance of such series and included in a certificate of designation (a “Preferred Stock Designation”) filed pursuant to the DGCL, and the Board is hereby expressly vested with the authority to the full extent provided by law, now or hereafter, to adopt any such resolution or resolutions.

Section 4.3    Common Stock.

(a)    Voting.

(i)    The holders of shares of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each such share on each matter, including the election of directors, properly submitted to the stockholders on which the holders of the Class A Common Stock are entitled to vote.

(ii)    The holders of shares of Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to 10 votes for each such share on each matter, including the election of directors, properly submitted to the stockholders on which the holders of the Class B Common Stock are entitled to vote.

(iii)    Except as otherwise required by law or this Certificate of Incorporation (or any Preferred Stock Designation made hereunder), at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, the holders of the Class A Common Stock and the holders of the Class B Common Stock, voting together as a single class, shall have the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and on all other matters properly submitted to a vote of the stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise required by law or this Certificate of Incorporation (or any Preferred Stock Designation made hereunder), the holders of the Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation (or any Preferred Stock Designation made hereunder) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of the Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series of Preferred Stock are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation (or any Preferred Stock Designation made hereunder) or the DGCL.

(b)    Dividends. Subject to applicable law and the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock, the holders of the shares of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends and other distributions (payable in cash, property or capital stock of the Corporation) when, as and if declared thereon by the Board from time to time out of any assets or funds of the Corporation legally available therefor, and shall share equally on a per share basis in such dividends and distributions; provided, however, that (A) no dividend shall

 

2


be declared or paid on shares of any class of Common Stock unless the same dividend with the same record date and payment date shall be declared and paid on the shares of all classes of Common Stock; (B) in the event of dividends declared and paid in the form of shares of Common Stock or rights to acquire shares of Common Stock, (1) the holders of Class A Common Stock shall only receive a dividend in the form of shares of Class A Common Stock or rights to acquire shares of Class A Common Stock (as the case may be), and (2) the holders of Class B Common Stock shall only receive a dividend in the form of shares of Class B Common Stock or rights to acquire shares of Class B Common Stock (as the case may be); provided, however, that the holders of Class B Common Stock may receive a dividend in the form of shares of Class A Common Stock, or rights to acquire shares of Class A Common Stock (as the case may be), if such dividend is received by the holders of all Common Stock.

(c)    Liquidations. Subject to applicable law and the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock, in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation, the holders of the shares of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders, ratably in proportion to the number of shares of the Common Stock held by them.

(d)    Class B Common Stock Conversions.

(i)    Optional Conversion. At the option of the holder thereof, each share of Class B Common Stock shall be convertible, at any time or from time to time, into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock as provided herein. Each holder of Class B Common Stock who elects to convert the same into shares of Class A Common Stock shall surrender the certificate or certificates, or notice or notices of issuance (if held in book-entry form), therefor, duly endorsed, at the office of the Corporation or any transfer agent for the Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, and shall give written notice to the Corporation at such office that such holder elects to convert the same and shall state therein the number of shares of Class B Common Stock being converted. Thereupon the Corporation shall promptly issue and deliver at such office to such holder a certificate or certificates, or a notice or notices of issuance (if held in book-entry form), for the number of shares of Class A Common Stock to which such holder is entitled upon such conversion and a certificate or notice of issuance (if held in book-entry form) for the number (if any) of the shares of Class B Common Stock represented by the surrendered certificate or notice of issuance that were not converted into Class A Common Stock. Such conversion shall be deemed to have been made immediately prior to the close of business on the date of such surrender of the certificate or certificates representing, or the notice or notices of issuance (if held in book-entry form) of, the shares of Class B Common Stock to be converted, and the person entitled to receive the shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder of such shares of Class A Common Stock on such date.

(ii)    Automatic Conversion. Each share of Class B Common Stock shall automatically, without further action, be converted into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock as provided herein upon the Transfer (as defined below) of such share; provided, however, that a Transfer of Class B Common Stock by a Class B

 

3


Common Stockholder (as defined below) or such Class B Common Stockholder’s Permitted Entities (as defined below) to another Class B Common Stockholder or such other Class B Common Stockholder’s Permitted Entities shall not trigger such automatic conversion; provided further, that a Transfer by a Class B Common Stockholder to any of the following Permitted Entities, or from any of the following Permitted Entities back to such Class B Common Stockholder or to any other Permitted Entity by or for such Class B Common Stockholder shall not trigger such automatic conversion:

(1)    a trust for the benefit of such Class B Common Stockholder and for the benefit of no other person, provided such Transfer does not involve any payment of cash, securities, property or other consideration (other than an interest in such trust) to such Class B Common Stockholder (a “Clause (i) Permitted Trust”); provided, that in the event and at such time as such Class B Common Stockholder is no longer the exclusive beneficiary of such trust, each share of Class B Common Stock then held by such trust shall automatically convert into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock;

(2)    a trust for the benefit of persons other than such Class B Common Stockholder so long as such Class B Common Stockholder has sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control (as defined below) with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such trust, provided such Transfer does not involve any payment of cash, securities, property, or other consideration (other than an interest in such trust) to such Class B Common Stockholder (a “Clause (ii) Permitted Trust”); provided, that in the event and at such time as such Class B Common Stockholder no longer has sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such trust, each share of Class B Common Stock then held by such trust shall automatically convert into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock;

(3)    a trust under the terms of which such Class B Common Stockholder has retained a “qualified interest” within the meaning of §2702(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) or a reversionary interest so long as such Class B Common Stockholder has sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such trust (a “Clause (iii) Permitted Trust”); provided, that in the event and at such time as such holder of Class B Common Stock no longer has sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such trust, each share of Class B Common Stock then held by such trust shall automatically convert into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock;

(4)    an Individual Retirement Account, as defined in Section 408(a) of the Code, or a pension, profit sharing, stock bonus, or other type of plan or trust of which such Class B Common Stockholder is a participant or beneficiary and which satisfies the requirements for qualification under Section 401 of the Code; provided that in each case such Class B Common Stockholder has sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held in such account, plan or trust (each, a “Permitted IRA”); provided, that in the event and at such time as such

 

4


Class B Common Stockholder no longer has sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such account, plan or trust, each share of Class B Common Stock then held by or in such Individual Retirement Account, pension, profit sharing, stock bonus, or other type of plan or trust shall automatically convert into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock;

(5)    a corporation in which such holder of Class B Common Stock directly, or indirectly through one or more Permitted Entities, owns shares with sufficient Voting Control in the corporation, or otherwise has legally enforceable rights, such that such Class B Common Stockholder retains sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such corporation (a “Permitted Corporation”); provided that in the event and at such time as such Class B Common Stockholder no longer has sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such corporation, each share of Class B Common Stock then held by such corporation shall automatically convert into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock;

(6)    a partnership in which such Class B Common Stockholder directly, or indirectly through one or more Permitted Entities, owns partnership interests with sufficient Voting Control in the partnership, or otherwise has legally enforceable rights, such that such Class B Common Stockholder retains sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such partnership (a “Permitted Partnership”); provided that in the event and at such time as the Class B Common Stockholder no longer has sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such partnership, each share of Class B Common Stock then held by such partnership shall automatically convert into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock;

(7)    a limited liability company in which such Class B Common Stockholder directly, or indirectly through one or more Permitted Entities, owns membership interests with sufficient Voting Control in the limited liability company, or otherwise has legally enforceable rights, such that such Class B Common Stockholder retains sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such limited liability company (a “Permitted LLC”); provided that in the event and at such time as such Class B Common Stockholder no longer has sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such limited liability company, each share of Class B Common Stock then held by such limited liability company shall automatically convert into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock; or

(8)    if such Class B Common Stockholder is not a natural person, a natural person who has sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such Class B Common Stockholder at the time of the Transfer thereof (a “Permitted Owner”).

 

5


Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the shares of Class B Common Stock held by a Clause (ii) Permitted Trust or a Clause (iii) Permitted Trust would constitute stock of a “controlled corporation” (as defined in Section 2036(b)(2) of the Code), then such shares of Class B Common Stock will not automatically convert into Class A Common Stock if such Class B Common Stockholder does not directly or indirectly retain Voting Control over such shares until such time as the shares of Class B Common Stock would no longer constitute stock of a “controlled corporation” pursuant to the Code (such time is referred to as the “Voting Shift”). If a Class B Common Stockholder does not, within thirty (30) business days following the Voting Shift, directly or indirectly assume sole exclusive Voting Control with respect to such shares of Class B Common Stock, each such share of Class B Common Stock shall automatically convert into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock.

(iii)    Administration. The Corporation may, from time to time, establish such policies and procedures, not in violation of applicable law or the other provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation, relating to the conversion of the Class B Common Stock into Class A Common Stock as provided in this Section 4.3(d) and the dual class common stock structure provided for in this Certificate of Incorporation, including, without limitation, the issuance of stock certificates or notices of issuance (if held in book-entry form) in connection with any such conversion, as it may deem necessary or advisable. If the Corporation has reason to believe that a Transfer giving rise to a conversion of shares of Class B Common Stock into Class A Common Stock has occurred but has not theretofore been made on the books of the Corporation, the Corporation may request that the holder of such shares furnish affidavits or other evidence to the Corporation as it reasonably deems necessary to determine whether a conversion of shares of Class B Common Stock into Class A Common Stock has occurred, and if such holder does not within ten (10) days after the date of such request furnish sufficient evidence to the Corporation (in the manner provided in the request) to enable the Corporation to determine that no such conversion has occurred, any such shares of Class B Common Stock, to the extent not previously converted, shall be immediately and automatically converted into shares of Class A Common Stock and the same shall thereupon be registered on the books and records of the Corporation. In connection with any action of stockholders taken at a meeting or by written consent, the stock ledger of the Corporation shall be the exclusive evidence of the stockholders entitled to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders or in connection with any written consent and the classes and series of shares held by each such stockholder and the number of shares of each class held by such stockholder. Each share of Class B Common Stock that is converted pursuant to this Section 4.3(d) shall be retired by the Corporation and shall not be reissued.

(iv)    Reservation of Stock Issuable Upon Conversion. The Corporation shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the shares of Class B Common Stock, such number of its shares of Class A Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock; and if at any time the number of authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock shall not be sufficient to effect the conversion of all then outstanding shares of the Class B Common Stock, the Corporation will take such corporate action as

 

6


may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary to increase its authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock to such number of shares as shall be sufficient for such purpose.

(v)    Definitions. For purposes of this Section 4.3(d):

(1)    “Class B Common Stockholder” shall mean any holder of Class B Common Stock which was issued to such holder by the Corporation, and any Permitted Entity.

(2)    “Permitted Entity” shall mean, with respect to any Class B Common Stockholder, any Clause (i) Permitted Trust, Clause (ii) Permitted Trust, Clause (iii) Permitted Trust, Permitted IRA, Permitted Corporation, Permitted Partnership, Permitted LLC or Permitted Owner.

(3)    “Transfer” shall mean, with respect to a share of Class B Common Stock, any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, hypothecation, grant of a security interest, gift or other transfer or disposition of such share or any legal or beneficial interest in such share, whether or not for value and whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law, including without limitation the transfer of, or entering into a binding agreement with respect to, Voting Control over such share by proxy or otherwise; provided, however, that the following shall not be considered a “Transfer”: (a) the grant of a proxy to officers or directors of the Corporation at the request of the Board in connection with actions to be taken at an annual or special meeting of stockholders; (b) the pledge of shares of Class B Common Stock that creates a mere security interest in such shares pursuant to a bona fide loan or indebtedness transaction so long as the holder of such Class B Common Stock making the pledge continues to exercise Voting Control over such pledged shares; provided, however, that a foreclosure on such shares of Class B Common Stock or other similar action by the pledge shall constitute a “Transfer”; or (c) the fact that the spouse of any holder of Class B Common Stock possesses or obtains an interest in such holder’s shares of Class B Common Stock arising solely by reason of the application of the community property laws of any jurisdiction, so long as no other event or circumstance shall exist or have occurred that constitutes a “Transfer” of such shares of Class B Common Stock.

(4)    “Voting Control” shall mean, with respect to a share of Class B Common Stock, the power to vote or direct the voting of such share by proxy, voting agreement or otherwise.

(e)    Equal Status. Except as expressly set forth in this Section 4, each class of Common Stock shall have the same rights and powers of, rank equally to, share ratably with, and be identical in all respects and as to all matters to, one another. If the Corporation in any manner subdivides or combines the outstanding shares of any class of Common Stock, then the outstanding shares of the other classes of Common Stock will be subdivided or combined in the same proportion and manner.

 

7


(f)    No Preemptive or Subscription Rights. No holder of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to preemptive or subscription rights.

Section 4.4    Rights and Options. The Corporation has the authority to create and issue rights, warrants and options entitling the holders thereof to purchase shares of any class or series of the Corporation’s capital stock or other securities of the Corporation, and such rights, warrants and options shall be evidenced by or in instrument(s) approved by the Board. The Board is empowered to set the exercise price, duration, times for exercise and other terms and conditions of such rights, warrants or options; provided, however, that the consideration to be received for any shares of capital stock subject thereto may not be less than the par value thereof.

Section 4.5    No Class Vote on Changes in Authorized Number of Shares of Stock. Subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock, the number of authorized shares of any class or classes of stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (66.7%) of the voting power of the stock entitled to vote thereon irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL.

ARTICLE V

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 5.1    Board Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by, or under the direction of, the Board. In addition to the powers and authority expressly conferred upon the Board by statute, this Certificate of Incorporation or the current Bylaws of the Corporation (the “Bylaws”), the Board is hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation, subject, nevertheless, to the provisions of the DGCL and this Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws.

Section 5.2    Number, Election and Term.

(a)    Subject to Section 5.5, the number of directors of the Corporation shall be fixed from time to time exclusively by the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board.

(b)    Other than those directors, if any, elected by the holders of the Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 5.5, the Board shall be and is divided into three classes: Class I, Class II and Class III. In case of any increase or decrease, from time to time, such classes shall be as nearly equal in number of directors as possible. Except for the terms of such additional directors, if any, as elected by the holders of the Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 5.5, each director shall serve for a term ending on the third annual meeting of stockholders following the annual meeting of stockholders at which such director was elected; provided, however that the directors first elected to Class I shall serve for a term ending on the Corporation’s first annual meeting of stockholders following the effective date of this Certificate of Incorporation, the directors first elected to Class II shall serve for a term ending on the Corporation’s second annual meeting of stockholders following the effective date of this Certificate of Incorporation and the directors first elected to Class III shall serve for a term ending on the Corporation’s third annual meeting of stockholders following the effective date of this Certificate of Incorporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing,

 

8


each director shall hold office until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until such director’s prior death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or other removal. At each annual election, directors chosen to succeed those whose terms then expire shall be of the same class as the directors they succeed unless, by reason of any intervening changes in the authorized number of directors, the Board of Directors shall designate one or more directorships whose term then expires as directorships of another class in order more nearly to achieve equality of number of directors among the classes.

(c)    Unless and except to the extent that the Bylaws shall so require, the election of directors need not be by written ballot. The holders of shares of Common Stock shall not have cumulative voting rights.

Section 5.3    Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies. Subject to Section 5.5 and notwithstanding the requirement that the three classes shall be as nearly equal in number of directors as possible, newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors and any vacancies on the Board resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal or other cause may be filled solely and exclusively by a majority vote of the remaining directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director (and not by stockholders), and any director so chosen shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the director to which the new directorship was added or in which the vacancy occurred and until his or her successor has been elected and qualified, subject, however, to such director’s earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal. No decrease in the authorized number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director. If any newly created directorship may, consistently with the rule that the three classes shall be as nearly equal in number of directors as possible, be allocated to more than one class, the Board shall allocate such directorship to that of the available class whose term of office is due to expire at the earliest date following such allocation.

Section 5.4    Removal. Subject to Section 5.5 hereof and except as otherwise provided for by this Certificate of Incorporation, any or all of the directors may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of holders of at least two-thirds (67%) of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation then entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or class of directors, voting together as a single class.

Section 5.5    Preferred Stock - Directors. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article V, and except as otherwise required by law, whenever the holders of one or more series of the Preferred Stock shall have the right, voting separately by class or series, to elect one or more directors, the term of office, the filling of vacancies, the removal from office and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of such series of the Preferred Stock as set forth in or permitted by this Certificate of Incorporation (or in an applicable Preferred Stock Designation made hereunder) and such directors shall not be included in any of the classes created pursuant to this Article V unless expressly provided by such terms.

 

9


ARTICLE VI

BYLAWS

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred upon it by law, the Board shall have the power and is expressly authorized to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws. The affirmative vote of a majority of the Board shall be required to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws. The Bylaws also may be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders of the Corporation; provided, however, that in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by law or by this Certificate of Incorporation (or in an applicable Preferred Stock Designation made hereunder), the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (66.7%) of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the stockholders of the Corporation to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws; and provided further, however, that no Bylaws hereafter adopted by the stockholders of the Corporation shall invalidate any prior act of the Board that would have been valid if such Bylaws had not been adopted.

ARTICLE VII

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS; ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT

Section 7.1    Meetings. Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock, and to the requirements of applicable law, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, or the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board, and the ability of the stockholders of the Corporation to call a special meeting is hereby specifically denied.

Section 7.2    Advance Notice. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws.

Section 7.3    Action by Written Consent. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected by a duly called annual or special meeting of such holders and may not be effected by written consent of the stockholders of the Corporation.

ARTICLE VIII

LIMITED LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION

Section 8.1    Limitation of Director Liability. A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended. Any amendment, modification or repeal of the foregoing sentence shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation hereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment, modification or repeal.

Section 8.2    Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses.

 

10


(a)    To the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, the Corporation shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless each person who is or was made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, investigation, arbitration or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “proceeding”) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries or, while a director or officer of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent, or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes, and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such indemnitee in connection with such proceeding. The Corporation shall to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law pay as incurred the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an indemnitee in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding in advance of its final disposition (including by making payment directly to applicable third parties if requested by the indemnitee); provided, however, that, to the extent required by applicable law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking, by or on behalf of the indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section 8.2 or otherwise. The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred by this Section 8.2 shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 8.2(a), except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses (which are, for the avoidance of doubt, indemnified proceedings and expenses), the Corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to an indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was, or is, authorized by the Board.

(b)    The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred on any indemnitee by this Section 8.2 shall not be exclusive of any other rights that any indemnitee may have or hereafter acquire under law, this Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, an agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.

(c)    Any repeal or amendment of this Section 8.2 by the stockholders of the Corporation or by changes in law, or the adoption of any other provision of this Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with this Section 8.2, shall, unless otherwise required by law, be prospective only (except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis than permitted prior thereto), and shall not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing at the time of such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision in respect of any proceeding (regardless of when such proceeding is first threatened, commenced or completed) arising out of, or related to, any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision.

 

11


(d)    This Section 8.2 shall not limit the right of the Corporation, to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than indemnitees.

ARTICLE IX

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

Section 9.1    Opt Out of DGCL 203. The Corporation expressly elects not to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL.

Section 9.2    Limitations on Business Combinations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall not engage in any business combination, at any point in time at which the Common Stock is registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, with any interested stockholder for a period of three (3) years following the time that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:

(a)    prior to such time, the Board approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; or

(b)    upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the Corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned by: (i) persons who are directors and also officers; or (ii) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

(c)    at or subsequent to such time, the business combination is approved by the Board and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least two thirds of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation which is not owned by the interested stockholder.

Section 9.3    Definitions. For purposes of this Article IX, the term:

(a)    “Affiliate” means, with respect to any person, any other person that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such person.

(b)    “associate,” when used to indicate a relationship with any person, means: (i) any corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity of which such person is a director, officer or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the owner of 20% or more of any class of voting stock; (ii) any trust or other estate in which such person has at least a 20% beneficial interest or as to which such person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and (iii) any relative or spouse of such person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same residence as such person.

 

12


(c)    “business combination,” when used in reference to the Corporation and any interested stockholder of the Corporation, means:

(i)    any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation: (A) with the interested stockholder; or (B) with any other corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity if the merger or consolidation is caused by the interested stockholder and as a result of such merger or consolidation Section 9.2 is not applicable to the surviving entity;

(ii)    any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions), except proportionately as a stockholder of the Corporation, to or with the interested stockholder, whether as part of a dissolution or otherwise, of assets of the Corporation or of any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation which assets have an aggregate market value equal to 10% or more of either the aggregate market value of all the assets of the Corporation determined on a consolidated basis or the aggregate market value of all the outstanding stock of the Corporation;

(iii)    any transaction which results in the issuance or transfer by the Corporation or by any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation of any stock of the Corporation or of such subsidiary to the interested stockholder, except: (A) pursuant to the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into stock of the Corporation or any such subsidiary which securities were outstanding prior to the time that the interested stockholder became such; (B) pursuant to a merger under Section 251(g) of the DGCL; (C) pursuant to a dividend or distribution paid or made, or the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into stock of the Corporation or any such subsidiary which security is distributed, pro rata to all holders of a class or series of stock of the Corporation subsequent to the time the interested stockholder became such; (D) pursuant to an exchange offer by the Corporation to purchase stock made on the same terms to all holders of said stock; or (E) any issuance or transfer of stock by the Corporation; provided, however, that in no case under items (C) – (E) of this subsection (iii) shall there be an increase in the interested stockholder’s proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the Corporation or of the voting stock of the Corporation (except as a result of immaterial changes due to fractional share adjustments);

(iv)    any transaction involving the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series, or securities convertible into the stock of any class or series, of the Corporation or of any such subsidiary which is owned by the interested stockholder, except as a result of immaterial changes due to fractional share adjustments or as a result of any purchase or redemption of any shares of stock not caused, directly or indirectly, by the interested stockholder; or

(v)    any receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit, directly or indirectly (except proportionately as a stockholder of the Corporation), of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges, or other financial benefits (other than those expressly

 

13


permitted in subsections (i)-(iv) above) provided by or through the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary.

(d)    “control,” including the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with,” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting stock, by contract, or otherwise. A person who is the owner of 20% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity shall be presumed to have control of such entity, in the absence of proof by a preponderance of the evidence to the contrary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a presumption of control shall not apply where such person holds voting stock, in good faith and not for the purpose of circumventing this Article IX, as an agent, bank, broker, nominee, custodian or trustee for one or more owners who do not individually or as a group have control of such entity.

(e)    “interested stockholder” means any person (other than the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation) that: (i) is the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation; or (ii) is an Affiliate or associate of the Corporation and was the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation at any time within the three (3) year period immediately prior to the date on which it is sought to be determined whether such person is an interested stockholder; or (iii) an Affiliate or associate of any such person described in clauses (i) and (ii); provided, however, that the term “interested stockholder” shall not include any person whose ownership of shares in excess of the 15% limitation set forth herein is the result of any action taken solely by the Corporation; provided, that such person specified in this proviso shall be an interested stockholder if thereafter such person acquires additional shares of voting stock of the Corporation, except as a result of further corporate action not caused, directly or indirectly, by such person. For the purpose of determining whether a person is an interested stockholder, the voting stock of the Corporation deemed to be outstanding shall include stock deemed to be owned by the person through application of the definition of “owner” below but shall not include any other unissued stock of the Corporation which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options, or otherwise.

(f)    “owner,” including the terms “own” and “owned,” when used with respect to any stock, means a person that individually or with or through any of its Affiliates or associates:

(i)    beneficially owns such stock, directly or indirectly; or

(ii)    has: (A) the right to acquire such stock (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a person shall not be deemed the owner of stock tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by such person or any of such person’s Affiliates or associates until such tendered stock is accepted for purchase or exchange; or (B) the right to vote such stock pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding; provided, however, that a person shall not be deemed the owner of any stock because of such person’s right to vote such stock if the agreement, arrangement or

 

14


understanding to vote such stock arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent given in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made to 10 or more persons; or

(iii)    has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except voting pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent as described in item (B) of subsection (ii) above), or disposing of such stock with any other person that beneficially owns, or whose Affiliates or associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, such stock.

(g)    “person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity.

(h)    “stock” means, with respect to any corporation, capital stock and, with respect to any other entity, any equity interest.

(i)    “voting stock” means stock of any class or series entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.

ARTICLE X

AMENDMENT OF AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

The Corporation reserves the right to at any time and from time to time amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation (or any Preferred Stock Designation made hereunder), and other provisions authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware at the time in force that may be added or inserted, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by this Certificate of Incorporation and the DGCL; and, except as may otherwise be explicitly set forth in this Certificate of Incorporation, all rights, preferences and privileges of whatever nature herein conferred upon stockholders, directors or any other persons by and pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation in its present form or as hereafter amended are granted subject to the right reserved in this Article X. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, and notwithstanding that a lesser percentage may be permitted from time to time by applicable law, no provision of this Certificate of Incorporation may be altered, amended or repealed in any respect, nor may any provision or bylaw inconsistent therewith be adopted, unless, in addition to any other vote required by this Certificate of Incorporation or otherwise required by law, such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (67%) of the voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

ARTICLE XI

EXCLUSIVE FORUM FOR CERTAIN LAWSUITS

Section 11.1    Forum. Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for any stockholder (including a beneficial owner) to bring (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the

 

15


Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation, its directors, officers or employees arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or this Certificate of Incorporation or the By-Laws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation, its directors, officers or employees governed by the internal affairs doctrine, except for, as to each of (i) through (iv) above, any claim as to which the Court of Chancery determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery within ten days following such determination), which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than the Court of Chancery, or for which the Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction.

Section 11.2    Consent to Jurisdiction. If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of Section 11.1 immediately above is filed in a court other than a court located within the State of Delaware (a “Foreign Action”) in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to (i) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce Section 11.1 immediately above (an “FSC Enforcement Action”) and (ii) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such FSC Enforcement Action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder.

Section 11.3    Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Article XI shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any person or entity or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Article XI (including, without limitation, each portion of any sentence of this Article XI containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) and the application of such provision to other persons or entities and circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article XI.

 

16


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of Incorporation this 16th day of June, 2021.

 

/s/ JAMES CAHILLANE

JAMES CAHILLANE, Incorporator

Signature Page – Certificate of Incorporation