EX-10.7 4 d904406dex107.htm EX-10.7 EX-10.7

Exhibit 10.7

PALANTIR TECHNOLOGIES INC.

2020 EXECUTIVE EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

1. Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this Plan are:

 

   

to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility,

 

   

to provide additional incentive to Employees, Directors and Consultants, and

 

   

to promote the success of the Company’s business.

The Plan permits the grant of Nonstatutory Stock Options, and Restricted Stock Units.

2. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions will apply:

(a) “Administrator” means the Board or any of its Committees as will be administering the Plan, in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan. Unless the Board determines otherwise, the Company’s 2020 Special Compensation Committee will have all authority as Administrator (which authority shall be non-exclusive) until immediately prior to the effectiveness of the S-1 Registration Statement for the Direct Listing.

(b) “Applicable Laws” means the legal and regulatory requirements relating to the administration of equity-based awards, including but not limited to the related issuance of shares of Common Stock, including but not limited to, under U.S. federal and state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any non-U.S. country or jurisdiction where Awards are, or will be, granted under the Plan.

(c) “Award” means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Options or Restricted Stock Units.

(d) “Award Agreement” means the written or electronic notice and/or agreement setting forth the terms and provisions the Administrator, pursuant to its authority under the Plan, has determined to be applicable to the relevant Award granted under the Plan. The Award Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, except to the extent the Award Agreement explicitly provides otherwise.

(e) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

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(f) “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events, unless specifically provided otherwise under the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement between the Participant and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Parents, as applicable:

(i) Change in Ownership of the Company. A change in the ownership of the Company which occurs on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (“Person”), acquires ownership of the stock of the Company that, together with the stock held by such Person, constitutes more than 50% of the total voting power of the stock of the Company; provided, that for this subsection, the acquisition of additional stock by any one Person, who prior to such acquisition is considered to own more than 50% of the total voting power of the stock of the Company will not be considered a Change in Control and provided, further, that any change in the ownership of the stock of the Company as a result of a private financing of the Company that is approved by the Board also will not be considered a Change in Control. Further, if the stockholders of the Company immediately before such change in ownership continue to retain immediately after the change in ownership, in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company’s voting stock immediately prior to the change in ownership, direct or indirect beneficial ownership of 50% or more of the total voting power of the stock of the Company or of the ultimate parent entity of the Company, such event shall not be considered a Change in Control under this Section 2(f)(i) For this purpose, indirect beneficial ownership shall include, without limitation, an interest resulting from ownership of the voting securities of one or more corporations or other business entities which own the Company, as the case may be, either directly or through one or more subsidiary corporations or other business entities. For purposes of this subsection 2(f)(i), the following will not be considered a Change in Control: (A) the acquisition of additional securities of the Company or voting power with respect to the stock of the Company by any or some combination of the Specified Stockholders (as defined below); (B) the entry into or operation of a voting arrangement or agreement or proxy (in each case with respect to the stock of the Company) by any or some combination of the Specified Stockholders; (C) any change in the Specified Stockholders’ ownership of the stock of the Company resulting from a repurchase, redemption, retirement or other similar acquisition of stock of the Company by the Company or (D) any change in the Specified Stockholders’ voting power of the stock of the Company resulting from a conversion of shares of stock of the Company reducing the number of shares or votes outstanding; or

(ii) Change in Effective Control of the Company. If the Company has a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, the replacement of a majority of members of the Board during any twelve (12) month period by Directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board prior to the date of the appointment or election; provided that if any Person or any or some combination of the Specified Stockholders exercises more than 50% of the total voting power of the stock of the Company, the election of Directors by such party or parties will not be considered a Change in Control. Further, for purposes of this Section 2(f)(ii), if any Person is considered to be in effective control of the Company, the acquisition of additional control of the Company by the same Person will not be considered a Change in Control; or

 

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(iii) Change in Ownership of a Substantial Portion of the Company’s Assets. A change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets which occurs on the date that any Person acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such Person or Persons) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 50% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions; provided, that for this Section 2(f)(iii), the following will not constitute a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets:

(1) a transfer to an entity controlled by the Company’s stockholders immediately after the transfer, or

(2) a transfer of assets by the Company to:

(A) a stockholder of the Company (immediately before the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to the Company’s stock,

(B) an entity, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company,

(C) a Person, that owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of all the outstanding stock of the Company, or

(D) an entity, at least 50% of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a Person described in Section 2(f)(iii)(2)(A) to Section 2(f)(iii)(2)(C).

For purposes of this subsection 2(f)(iii), gross fair market value means the value of the assets of the Company, or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such assets.

For purposes of this Section 2(f) definition of “Change in Control”:

Specified Stockholder” shall mean, individually or collectively (in any combination thereof), Alexander Karp, Stephen Cohen or Peter Thiel, or a Permitted Entity of any such individuals.

Permitted Entity” shall mean: (i) a Permitted Trust of such Specified Stockholder; (ii) any general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, corporation, charitable organization or other entity exclusively owned, whether directly or indirectly, by such Specified Stockholder; or (iii) an Individual Retirement Account, pension, profit sharing, stock bonus or other type of plan or trust of which such Specified Stockholder is a participant or beneficiary and which satisfies the requirements for qualification under Section 401 or 408 of the Code; provided in each case that such Specified Stockholder (A) has sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Company stock held in such account, plan or trust; (B) shares dispositive power and Voting Control with respect to the shares of Company stock held in such account, plan or trust with persons constituting a Family Member of such Specified Stockholder or a professional that provides trustee services, including, without limitation, attorneys, private professional fiduciaries, trust companies and bank trust departments; or (C) shares Voting Control with respect to the shares of Company stock held in such account, plan or trust with another Specified Stockholder.

 

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Permitted Trust” shall mean with respect to a Specified Stockholder (i) a bona fide trust primarily for the benefit of such Specified Stockholder, such Specified Stockholder’s Family Member and/or a charitable organization, foundation or similar entity or (ii) a trust under the terms of which such Specified Stockholder has retained a “qualified interest” within the meaning of §2702(b)(1) of the Code or a reversionary interest, but in the case of both (i) and (ii) only so long as such Specified Stockholder (A) has sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of stock of the Company held in such trust; (B) shares dispositive power and Voting Control with respect to the shares of stock of the Company held in such trust with such Specified Stockholder’s Family Member or a professional that provides trustee services, including, without limitation, attorneys, private professional fiduciaries, trust companies and bank trust departments; or (C) shares Voting Control with respect to the shares of Company stock held in such trust with another Specified Stockholder.

Family Member” means, with respect to a Specified Stockholder, whether related by blood or marriage, (i) such Specified Stockholder’s spouse, ex-spouse or domestic partner; (ii) such Specified Stockholder’s parents and grandparents; (iii) such Specified Stockholder’s siblings; (iv) such Specified Stockholder’s children and other lineal descendants; and (v) the lineal descendants of such Specified Stockholder’s siblings. Lineal descendants shall include adopted persons, but only if they are adopted during minority, and step-children.

Voting Control” shall mean, with respect to a share of stock, the power to vote or direct the voting of such share by proxy, voting agreement or otherwise.

For purposes of this Section 2(f), persons will be considered to be acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company shall not be considered “Persons” for purposes of this Section 2(f).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed a Change in Control unless the transaction qualifies as a change in control event within the meaning of Code Section 409A, as it has been and may be amended from time to time, and any applicable Treasury Regulations and formal, effective Internal Revenue Service guidance of either general applicability or direct applicability that has been promulgated or may be promulgated thereunder from time to time.

Further and for the avoidance of doubt, a transaction will not constitute a Change in Control if: (i) its primary purpose is to change the jurisdiction of the Company’s incorporation, or (ii) its primary purpose is to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction.

(g) “Class A Common Stock” means the Class A Common Stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share.

(h) “Class B Common Stock” means the Class B Common Stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share.

 

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(i) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Reference to a specific section of the Code or U.S. Treasury Regulation thereunder will include such section or regulation, any valid regulation or other official applicable guidance of general or direct applicability promulgated under such section or regulation, and any comparable provision of any future legislation, regulation or official guidance of general or direct applicability amending, supplementing or superseding such section or regulation.

(j) “Committee” means a committee of Directors or of other individuals satisfying Applicable Laws appointed by the Board, or by a duly authorized committee of the Board, in accordance with Section 4 hereof.

(k) “Common Stock” means shares of the Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock Commnon Stock, as applicable.

(l) “Company” means Palantir Technologies Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor thereto.

(m) “Consultant” means any natural person, including an advisor, engaged by the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary to render bona fide services to such entity, provided the services (i) are not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction, and (ii) do not directly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities, in each case, within the meaning of Form S-8 promulgated under the Securities Act.

(n) “Direct Listing” means the registration, qualification, authorization, offering and sale to the public by certain of the Company’s stockholders (collectively, the “Registered Stockholders”) of shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock held by the Registered Stockholders in a direct listing.

(o) “Director” means a member of the Board.

(p) “Disability” means total and permanent disability as defined in Code Section 22(e)(3), provided that the Administrator in its discretion may determine whether a permanent and total disability exists in accordance with uniform and non-discriminatory standards adopted by the Administrator from time to time.

(q) “Employee” means any person, including officers and Directors, employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director’s fee by the Company will be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company.

(r) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(s) “Exchange Program” means a program under which (i) outstanding awards are surrendered or cancelled in exchange for Awards of the same type (which may have higher or lower exercise prices and different terms), Awards of a different type, and/or cash, (ii) Participants would have the opportunity to transfer any outstanding Awards to a financial institution or other person or entity selected by the Administrator, and/or (iii) the exercise price of an outstanding Award is reduced.

 

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(t) “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of a share of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, as applicable, determined as follows:

(i) If the applicable Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Nasdaq Global Market or the Nasdaq Capital Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market, its Fair Market Value will be the closing sales price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system on the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;

(ii) If the applicable Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value of a Share will be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Common Stock on the day of determination (or, if no bids and asks were reported on that date, as applicable, on the last trading date such bids and asks were reported), as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; or

(iii) In the absence of an established market for the applicable Common Stock, the Fair Market Value will be determined in good faith by the Administrator.

(u) “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option that by its terms qualifies and is otherwise intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Code Section 422 and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

(v) “Nonstatutory Stock Option” means an Option that by its terms does not qualify or is not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

(w) “Option” means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.

(x) “Parent” means a “parent corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Code Section 424(e).

(y) “Participant” means the holder of an outstanding Award.

(z) “Plan” means this 2020 Executive Equity Incentive Plan.

(aa) “Restricted Stock Unit” means a bookkeeping entry representing an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of one Share, granted pursuant to Section 7. Each Restricted Stock Unit represents an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company.

(bb) “Section 409A” or “Code Section 409A” means Code Section 409A and the applicable Treasury Regulations and formal, effective guidance of either general applicability or direct applicability thereunder, and any applicable state law equivalent, as each may be promulgated, amended or modified from time to time.

(cc) “Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

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(dd) “Service Provider” means an Employee, Director or Consultant.

(ee) “Share” means a share of the Class B Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 11 of the Plan.

(ff) “Subsidiary” means a “subsidiary corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Code Section 424(f).

3. Stock Subject to the Plan.

(a) Stock Subject to the Plan. Subject to the provisions of Section 11 of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be subject to Awards and granted or sold under the Plan is one hundred sixty-five million nine hundred thousand (165,900,000) Shares of Class B Common Stock. The Shares may be authorized but unissued or reacquired Class B Common Stock.

(b) Share Reserve. The Company, during the term of this Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as will be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

4. Administration of the Plan.

(a) Procedure.

(i) Multiple Administrative Bodies. Different Committees with respect to different groups of Service Providers may administer the Plan.

(ii) Other Administration. Other than as provided above, the Plan will be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a Committee, which Committee will 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 will have the authority, in its discretion:

(i) to determine the Fair Market Value;

(ii) to select the Service Providers to whom Awards may be granted hereunder;

(iii) to determine the number and class of Shares to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;

(iv) to approve forms of Award Agreements for use under the Plan;

 

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(v) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder. Such terms and conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise price, the time or times when Awards may vest and/or be exercised (either of which may be based on performance criteria), any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, and any restriction or limitation regarding any Award or the Shares relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Administrator will determine;

(vi) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and Awards granted pursuant to the Plan, including but not limited to determining whether and when a Change in Control has occurred;

(vii) 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 satisfying applicable foreign laws or for qualifying for favorable tax treatment under applicable foreign laws;

(viii) to modify or amend each Award (subject to Section 16(c) of the Plan), including but not limited to the discretionary authority to extend the post-termination exercisability period of Awards and to extend the maximum term of an Option;

(ix) to allow Participants to satisfy withholding tax obligations in a manner prescribed in Section 12;

(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 a Participant to defer the receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of Shares that otherwise would be due to such Participant under an Award; and

(xii) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering the Plan.

(c) No Exchange Programs Permitted. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no Exchange Program may be instituted under this Plan.

(d) Effect of Administrator’s Decision. The Administrator’s decisions, determinations and interpretations will be final and binding on all Participants and any other holders of Awards.

5. Eligibility. Nonstatutory Stock Options and Restricted Stock Units may be granted to Service Providers.

6. Stock Options.

(a) Grant of Options. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Administrator, at any time and from time to time, may grant Options in such amounts and for the class of Shares as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.

(b) Option Agreement. Each Award of an Option will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the exercise price, the term of the Option, the number and class of Shares subject to the Option, the exercise restrictions, if any, applicable to the Option, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.

 

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(c) Limitations. Each Option will be a Nonstatutory Stock Option.

(d) Term of Option. The term of each Option will be determined by the Administrator and stated in the Award Agreement.

(e) Option Exercise Price and Consideration.

(i) Exercise Price. The per Share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option will be determined by the Administrator, but will be no less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the applicable Shares per Share on the date of grant.

(ii) Waiting Period and Exercise Dates. At the time an Option is granted, the Administrator will fix the period within which the Option may be exercised and will determine any conditions that must be satisfied before the Option may be exercised.

(iii) Form of Consideration. The Administrator will determine the acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method of payment. Such consideration may consist entirely of: (1) cash; (2) check; (3) wire transfer; (4) promissory note, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws; (5) other Shares, provided that such Shares have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which such Option will be exercised and provided further that accepting such Shares will not result in any adverse accounting consequences to the Company, as the Administrator determines in its sole discretion; (6) consideration received by the Company under a cashless exercise program (whether through a broker or otherwise) implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan; however, for purposes of clarity, the satisfaction of the exercise price of an Option through the Company’s retention of proceeds from Participant’s sale of Shares to the Company or a third party, whether such sale is through a Company or third-party tender offer or other liquidity program, is not a cashless exercise program under the Plan; (7) by net exercise; (8) such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws; or (9) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment. In making its determination as to the type of consideration to accept, the Administrator will consider if acceptance of such consideration may be reasonably expected to benefit the Company.

(f) Exercise of Option.

(i) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Stockholder. Any Option granted hereunder will 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 will be deemed exercised when the Company receives: (i) notice of exercise (in such form as the Administrator may specify from time to time) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised (together with applicable tax withholding). Full payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the Administrator and permitted by the Award Agreement and the Plan. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrator may, in its sole discretion, accept exercises that are contingent on specified time(s), events(s) and/or condition(s).

 

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Shares issued upon exercise of an Option will be issued in the name of the Participant or, if requested by the Participant, in the name of the Participant and his or her spouse. Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder will exist with respect to the Shares subject to an Option, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company will issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares promptly after the Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 11 of the Plan.

Exercising an Option in any manner will decrease the number of Shares thereafter available, both for purposes of the Plan and for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised.

(ii) Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider. If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider, other than upon the Participant’s termination as the result of the Participant’s death or Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within thirty (30) days of termination, or such longer period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement or in writing by the Administrator (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement) to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of termination. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, 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 will revert to the Plan. If after termination the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified by the Administrator, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.

(iii) Disability of Participant. If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of the Participant’s Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within six (6) months of termination, or such longer period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement) to the extent the Option is vested on the date of termination. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, 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 will revert to the Plan. If after termination the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.

(iv) Death of Participant. If a Participant dies while a Service Provider, the Option may be exercised within six (6) months following the Participant’s death, or within such longer period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement) to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of death, by the Participant’s designated beneficiary, provided such beneficiary has been designated prior to the Participant’s death in a form (if any) 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. If the Option is exercised pursuant to this Section 6(f)(iv), Participant’s designated beneficiary or personal representative shall be subject to the terms of this Plan and the

 

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Award Agreement, including but not limited to the restrictions on transferability and forfeitability applicable to the Service Provider. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if at the time of death Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will immediately revert to the Plan. If the Option is not so exercised within the time specified herein, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.

7. Restricted Stock Units.

(a) Grant. Restricted Stock Units may be granted at any time and from time to time as determined by the Administrator. After the Administrator determines that it will grant Restricted Stock Units, it will advise the Participant in an Award Agreement of the terms, conditions, and restrictions related to the grant, including the number of Restricted Stock Units.

(b) Vesting Criteria and Other Terms. The Administrator will set vesting or other criteria or requirements in its discretion, which, depending on the extent to which the criteria and requirements are met, will determine the number of Restricted Stock Units that will settle and the class of Shares subject to such Restricted Stock Units. The Administrator may set vesting or other criteria or requirements based upon the achievement of Company-wide, business unit, or individual goals (including, but not limited to, continued employment or service), or any other basis determined by the Administrator in its discretion.

(c) Earning Restricted Stock Units. Upon meeting the applicable vesting and any other applicable criteria or requirements, the Participant will be entitled to receive a payout as determined by the Administrator. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time after the grant of Restricted Stock Units, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any vesting or other criteria or requirements that must be met to receive a payout.

(d) Form and Timing of Payment. Payment of earned Restricted Stock Units will be made as soon as practicable after the date(s) determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Award Agreement. The Administrator, in its sole discretion and as the Administrator may set forth in the Award Agreement, may settle earned Restricted Stock Units in cash, Shares, or a combination of both.

(e) Cancellation. At the time or upon the events or conditions set forth in the Award Agreement, all unearned Restricted Stock Units will be forfeited to the Company and the Shares underlying such Award again will become available for grant under the Plan.

8. Compliance With Code Section 409A. Awards will be designed and operated in such a manner that they are either exempt or excepted from the application of, or comply with, the requirements of Code Section 409A such that the grant, payment, settlement or deferral will not be subject to the additional tax or interest applicable under Section 409A, except as otherwise determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator. The Plan and each Award Agreement under the Plan is intended to meet the requirements of Code Section 409A so as to be either exempt or excepted from or comply with Section 409A and will be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent, except as otherwise determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator. To the extent that an Award or payment, or the settlement or deferral thereof, is subject to Code

 

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Section 409A the Award will be granted, paid, settled or deferred in a manner that will meet the requirements of Code Section 409A, such that the grant, payment, settlement or deferral will not be subject to the additional tax or interest applicable under Code Section 409A. In no event will the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary have any obligation under the terms of this Plan to reimburse a Participant for any taxes or other costs that may be imposed on Participant as a result of Section 409A.

9. Leaves of Absence/Reduced or Part-time Work Schedule/Transfer Between Locations. Unless the Administrator provides otherwise or as otherwise required by Applicable Laws, vesting of Awards granted hereunder will be adjusted or suspended during any leave of absence in accordance with the Company’s leave of absence policy in effect at the time of such leave. In addition, unless the Administrator provides otherwise or as otherwise required by Applicable Laws, if, after the date of grant of a Participant’s Award, the Participant commences working on a part-time or reduced work schedule basis, the vesting of such Award will be adjusted in accordance with the Company’s reduced work schedule/ part-time policy then in effect. Adjustments or suspensions of vesting pursuant to this Section shall be accomplished in a manner that is exempt from or complies with the requirements of Code Section 409A and the regulations and guidance thereunder. A Participant will 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, or any Subsidiary.

10. Limited Transferability of Awards.

(a) Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, Awards may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, or otherwise transferred in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution (which, for purposes of clarification, shall be deemed to include through a beneficiary designation if available in accordance with Section 6(f)), and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Participant, only by the Participant. If the Administrator makes an Award transferable, such Award may only be transferred (i) by will, (ii) by the laws of descent and distribution, or (iii) as permitted by Rule 701 of the Securities Act.

(b) Further, during the period the Company is relying upon the exemption from registration provided in Rule 12h-1(f)(1) promulgated under the Exchange Act (the “Rule 12h-1(f) Exemption”) until the Company either (i) becomes subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or (ii) is no longer relying upon the Rule 12h-1(f) Exemption, an Option, or prior to exercise, the Shares subject to the Option, may not be pledged, hypothecated or otherwise transferred or disposed of, in any manner, including by entering into any short position, any “put equivalent position” or any “call equivalent position” (as defined in Rule 16a-1(h) and Rule 16a-1(b) of the Exchange Act, respectively), other than to (x) persons who are “family members” (as defined in Rule 701(c)(3) of the Securities Act) through gifts or domestic relations orders, or (y) to an executor or guardian of the Participant upon the death or disability of the Participant, in each case, to the extent required for continued reliance on the Rule 12h-1(f) Exemption. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may determine to permit transfers to the Company or in connection with a Change in Control or other acquisition transactions involving the Company to the extent permitted by Rule 12h-1(f) or, if the Company is not relying on the Rule 12h-1(f) Exemption, to the extent permitted by the Plan.

 

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11. Adjustments; Dissolution or Liquidation; Merger or Change in Control.

(a) Adjustments. In the event that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, other securities, or other property, but excluding ordinary course cash dividends or cash distributions), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, or other change in the corporate structure of the Company affecting the Shares occurs, the Administrator, in order to prevent diminution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, will adjust the number and class of shares of stock that may be delivered under the Plan and/or the number, class, and price of shares of stock covered by each outstanding Award.

(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator will notify each Participant as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction. To the extent it has not been previously exercised, an Award will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.

(c) Merger or Change in Control. In the event of a merger of the Company with or into another corporation or other entity or a Change in Control, each outstanding Award will be treated as the Administrator determines (subject to the provisions of the following paragraph) without a Participant’s consent, including, without limitation, that (i) Awards will be assumed, or substantially equivalent awards will be substituted, by the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof) with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and prices; (ii) upon written notice to a Participant, that the Participant’s Awards will terminate upon or immediately prior to the consummation of such merger or Change in Control; (iii) outstanding Awards will vest and become exercisable, realizable, or payable, or restrictions applicable to an Award will lapse, in whole or in part prior to or upon consummation of such merger or Change in Control, and, to the extent the Administrator determines, terminate upon or immediately prior to the effectiveness of such merger or Change in Control; (iv) (A) the termination of an Award in exchange for an amount of cash and/or property, if any, equal to the amount that would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights as of the date of the occurrence of the transaction (and, for the avoidance of doubt, if as of the date of the occurrence of the transaction the Administrator determines in good faith that no amount would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights, then such Award may be terminated by the Company without payment), or (B) the replacement of such Award with other rights or property selected by the Administrator in its sole discretion; or (v) any combination of the foregoing. In taking any of the actions permitted under this subsection 11(c), the Administrator will not be obligated to treat all Awards, all Awards held by a Participant, or all Awards of the same type, similarly. For purposes of clarity, if the Company or a Parent of the Company continues after a merger or Change in Control, the Administrator may determine that such entity is the acquiring or succeeding corporation for purposes of this subsection, and/or for purposes of Section 11 of the Plan generally.

 

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Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, in the event that the successor corporation does not assume or substitute for an Award (or portion thereof) in the event of a merger or Change in Control, the unvested Award (or portion thereof) will terminate as of immediately prior to such merger or Change in Control, and the Administrator will notify the Participant in writing or electronically that each of the Participant’s vested Option (or vested portion of an Option) will be exercisable for a period of time determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion, and such vested Option (or vested portion of an Option, as applicable) will terminate upon the expiration of such period, in each case without consideration to the Participant.

For the purposes of this subsection 11(c), an Award will be considered assumed if, following the merger or Change in Control, the Award confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Award immediately prior to the merger or Change in Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the merger or Change in 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 merger or Change in 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 a Restricted Stock Unit, for each Share subject to such 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 merger or Change in Control.

Notwithstanding anything in this Section 11(c) to the contrary, and unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, if an Award that vests, is earned or paid-out under an Award Agreement is subject to Code Section 409A and if the change in control definition contained in the Award Agreement does not comply with the definition of “change of control” for purposes of a distribution under Code Section 409A, then any payment of an amount that is otherwise accelerated under this Section will be delayed until the earliest time that such payment would be permissible under Code Section 409A without triggering any penalties applicable under Code Section 409A.

12. Tax Withholding.

(a) Withholding Requirements. Prior to the delivery of any Shares or cash pursuant to an Award (or exercise thereof), the Company will 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, foreign or other taxes (including the Participant’s FICA obligation) required to be withheld with respect to such Award (or exercise thereof).

(b) Withholding Arrangements. The Administrator, in its sole discretion and pursuant to such procedures as it may specify from time to time, may permit a Participant to satisfy such tax withholding obligation, in whole or in part by (without limitation) (i) paying cash, (ii) electing to have the Company withhold otherwise deliverable Shares having a fair market value equal to the minimum statutory amount required to be withheld, (iii) delivering to the Company already-owned Shares having a fair market value equal to the statutory amount required to be withheld, provided the delivery of such Shares will not result in any adverse accounting consequences, as the Administrator determines in its sole discretion, (iv) selling a sufficient number of Shares otherwise deliverable to the Participant through such means as the Administrator may determine in its sole discretion (whether through a broker or otherwise) equal to the amount

 

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required to be withheld, (v) such other consideration and method of payment for the meeting of tax withholding obligations as the Administrator may determine, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws or (vi) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment. The amount of the withholding requirement will be deemed to include any amount which the Administrator agrees may be withheld at the time the election is made, not to exceed the amount determined by using the maximum federal, state or local marginal income tax rates applicable to the Participant with respect to the Award 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 will be determined as of the date that the taxes are required to be withheld.

13. No Effect on Employment or Service. Neither the Plan nor any Award will confer upon a Participant any right with respect to continuing the Participant’s relationship as a Service Provider with the Company or its Subsidiaries or Parents, as applicable, nor will they interfere in any way with the Participant’s right or the right of the Company and its Subsidiaries or Parents, as applicable, to terminate such relationship at any time, with or without cause, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.

14. Date of Grant. The date of grant of an Award will be, for all purposes, the date on which the Administrator makes the determination granting such Award, or such other later date as is determined by the Administrator. Notice of the determination will be provided to each Participant within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.

15. Term of Plan. The Plan will become effective upon its adoption by the Board. Unless sooner terminated under Section 16, it will continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years from the effective date of the Plan.

16. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

(a) Amendment and Termination. The Board may at any time amend, alter, suspend or terminate the Plan.

(b) Stockholder Approval of Plan Amendments. The Company will obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Applicable Laws.

(c) Effect of Amendment or Termination. No amendment, alteration, suspension or termination of the Plan will impair the rights of any Participant, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Participant and the Administrator, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Participant and the Company. Termination of the Plan will not affect the Administrator’s ability to exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Awards granted under the Plan prior to the date of such termination.

17. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.

(a) Legal Compliance. Shares will not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Award unless the exercise of such Award and the issuance and delivery of such Shares will comply with Applicable Laws and will be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.

 

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(b) Investment Representations. As a condition to the exercise of an Award, the Company may require the person exercising such Award to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise 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. Inability to Obtain Authority. The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction or to complete or comply with the requirements of any registration or other qualification of the Shares under any state, federal or non-U.S. law or under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the stock exchange on which Shares of the same class are then listed, or any other governmental or regulatory body, which authority, registration, qualification or rule compliance is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary or advisable for the issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, will relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority, registration, qualification or rule compliance will not have been obtained.

19. Information to Participants. If and as required (i) pursuant to Rule 701 of the Securities Act, if the Company is relying on the exemption from registration provided pursuant to Rule 701 of the Securities Act with respect to the applicable Award, and/or (ii) pursuant to Rule 12h-1(f) of the Exchange Act, to the extent the Company is relying on the Rule 12h-1(f) Exemption, then during the period of reliance on the applicable exemption and in each case of (i) and (ii) until such time as the Company becomes subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall provide to each Participant the information described in paragraphs (e)(3), (4), and (5) of Rule 701 under the Securities Act not less frequently than every six (6) months with the financial statements being not more than 180 days old and with such information provided either by physical or electronic delivery to the Participants or by written notice to the Participants of the availability of the information on an Internet site that may be password-protected and of any password needed to access the information. The Company may request that Participants agree to keep the information to be provided pursuant to this section confidential. If a Participant does not agree to keep the information to be provided pursuant to this section confidential, then the Company will not be required to provide the information unless otherwise required pursuant to Rule 12h-1(f)(1) under the Exchange Act (if the Company is relying on the Rule 12h-1(f) Exemption) or Rule 701 of the Securities Act (if the Company is relying on the exemption pursuant to Rule 701 of the Securities Act).

20. Forfeiture Events. All Awards granted under the Plan will be subject to recoupment under any clawback policy that the Company is required to adopt pursuant to the listing standards of any national securities exchange or association on which the Company’s securities are listed or as is otherwise required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or other Applicable Laws. Unless this Section 20 is specifically mentioned and waived in an Award Agreement or other document, no recovery of compensation under a clawback policy or otherwise will be an event that triggers or contributes to any right of a Participant to resign for “good reason” or “constructive termination” (or similar term) under any agreement with the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.

 

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