Exhibit 10.1


 








EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT


 


This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”),
which is dated September 16, 2014 (the “Effective Date”), is made by and between Ideal Power Inc., a Delaware corporation,
located at 4120 Freidrich Lane, Suite 100, Austin, Texas, 78744 and hereinafter referred to as “Company”, and William
C. Alexander whose address is 1225 Overlook Circle, Spicewood, TX 78669, hereinafter referred to as “Executive.” The
purpose of this Agreement is to confirm the terms of the employment relationship between Company and Executive.


 


RECITALS


 


WHEREAS, Company wishes to retain
the services of Executive, and Executive wishes to render services to Company, as its Chief Technical Officer;


 


WHEREAS, Company and Executive wish
to set forth in this Agreement the duties and responsibilities that Executive has agreed to undertake on behalf of Company, and
the responsibilities that Company will owe to Executive.


 


THEREFORE, in consideration of the
foregoing and of the mutual promises contained in this Agreement, Company and Executive (who are sometimes individually referred
to as a “Party” and collectively referred to as the “Parties”) agree as follows:


 


AGREEMENT


 


		1.	TERM.



 


Company hereby employs Executive as its
Chief Technical Officer pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and Executive hereby accepts employment with Company pursuant to
the terms of this Agreement, which will continue until terminated pursuant to Section 11 or 12 below.


 


		2.	GENERAL DUTIES.



 


Executive shall devote his entire productive
time, ability, and attention to Company’s business during Executive’s employment. Executive shall report to Company’s
Chief Executive Officer and agrees to keep the Company’s CEO and Board of Directors (the “Board”) fully informed
with regard to critical issues affecting the value and reputation of Company. Furthermore, in his capacity as Chief Technical Officer,
Executive shall be primarily responsible for the vision and implementation of technical solutions for the Company. This includes
both product as well as intellectual property development. Executive shall do and perform all services, acts, or things necessary
or advisable to discharge his duties under this Agreement, and such other duties as are commonly performed by an employee of his
rank in a publicly traded corporation or which may, from time to time, be prescribed by the Company through the Chief Executive
Officer and Board of Directors. Executive agrees to cooperate with and work to the best of his ability with Company’s management
team, which includes the Board and the officers and other employees, to continually improve Company’s reputation in its industry
for quality products and performance.


 






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		3.	NONSOLICITATION AND PROPRIETARY PROPERTY AND
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION PROVISIONS.



 


As a condition of his employment with Company,
Executive has executed a Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement, the terms of which are included by reference into this
Agreement.


 


		4.	COMPLIANCE WITH SECURITIES LAWS.



 


Executive acknowledges that he is subject
to the provisions of Sections 10 and 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Executive acknowledges that Sections 10 and 16 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder may prohibit Executive from
selling or transferring his securities in Company. Executive agrees that he will comply with Company’s policies that relate
to securities laws, as stated from time to time.


 


		5.	COMPENSATION.



 


(a)Annual Salary. Company shall pay to
Executive an annual base salary in the amount of $223,267.20. The salary paid during Executive’s employment shall be referred
to in this Agreement as the “Annual Salary”. The Annual Salary shall be subject to any tax withholdings and/or employee
deductions that are applicable. The Annual Salary shall be paid to Executive in equal installments in accordance with the periodic
payroll practices of the Company for its employees. The Annual Salary will be subject to review and adjustment at the discretion
of the Board no less frequently than annually.


 


(b)Bonus. At least annually, Executive
and the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors shall meet to establish (i) performance standards and goals to be met
by Executive and (ii) cash bonus targets based on the performance standards and goals that are achieved. The standards and goals
will support a cash bonus of 50% of Executive’s Annual Salary. The standards and goals and the bonus targets shall be mutually
agreed to by Executive and the CEO as approved by the Compensation Committee. Nothing in this subsection (b) shall prevent Executive
and the CEO, and approved by the Compensation Committee, from mutually agreeing to alternatives to the computation of the bonus
to be paid to Executive in accordance with this subsection (b) (the “Bonus”), which may be implemented and paid to
Executive in place of the Bonus described herein. The Bonus shall be subject to any applicable tax withholdings and/or employee
deductions.


 


(c)Cost of Living Adjustment. Commencing
as of January 1, 2015, and on each January 1st thereafter, the then effective Annual Salary shall be increased (but not decreased)
by an amount which shall reflect the increase, if any, in the cost of living during the previous 12 months by adding to the Annual
Salary an amount computed by multiplying the Annual Salary by the percentage by which the level of the Consumer Price Index for
the Austin Metropolitan Area, as reported on January 1st of the new year by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States
Department of Labor has increased over its level as of January 1st of the prior year.


 


(d)Participation In Employee Benefit Plans.
Executive shall have the same rights, privileges, benefits and opportunities to participate in any of Company’s employee
benefit plans which may now or hereafter be in effect on a general basis for executive officers or employees. During Executive’s
employment, the Company shall provide, at Company’s sole expense, medical, dental and vision benefits for Executive, his
spouse and children. At the discretion of the Board, Company may also provide, at its sole expense (i) disability insurance which,
in the event of Executive’s disability, will replace no less than 60% of the Annual Salary being paid to Executive at the
time the disability occurred and (ii) life insurance in an amount to be agreed upon by the Board and Executive. Irrespective of
the foregoing, Company may change any benefits contractor, or discontinue any benefit without replacement, in its sole discretion,
and any such change or discontinuance will not be a breach of this Agreement. In the event Executive receives payments from the
disability insurer, Company shall have the right to offset such payments against the Annual Salary otherwise payable to Executive
during the period for which such payments are made.


 






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		6.	EQUITY COMPENSATION.



 


During Executive’s
employment and subject always to the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board, Executive will be eligible to receive
additional awards from the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (or any other equity incentive plan adopted by the Board).


 


		7.	REIMBURSEMENT OF BUSINESS EXPENSES.



 


Company shall promptly reimburse Executive
for all reasonable business expenses incurred by Executive in connection with the business of Company. However, each such expenditure
shall be reimbursable only if Executive furnishes to Company adequate records and other documentary evidence required by federal
and state statutes and regulations issued by the appropriate taxing authorities for the substantiation of each such expenditure
as an income tax deduction.


 


		8.	PAID TIME OFF.



 


Executive
shall be entitled to four weeks of paid time off each year; provided, however, failure to use paid time off by the end of
the year in which it is earned will prevent the accumulation of additional paid time off in excess of four weeks. Said four weeks
leave time includes sick leave time, vacation time and personal days off.


 


		9.	INDEMNIFICATION OF LOSSES.



 


So long as Executive’s actions were
taken in good faith and in furtherance of Company’s business and within the scope of Executive’s duties and authority,
Company shall indemnify and hold Executive harmless to the full extent of the law from any and all claims, losses and expenses
sustained by Executive as a result of any action taken by him to discharge his duties under this Agreement, and Company shall defend
Executive, at Company’s expense, in connection with any and all claims by stockholders or third parties.


 


		10.	PERSONAL CONDUCT.



 


Executive agrees promptly and faithfully
to comply with all present and future policies, requirements, directions, requests and rules and regulations of Company in connection
with Company’s business. Executive further agrees to conform to all laws and regulations and not at any time to commit any
act or become involved in any situation or occurrence tending to bring Company into public scandal, ridicule or which will reflect
unfavorably on the reputation of Company.


 






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		11.	TERMINATION FOR CAUSE.



 


The Board may terminate Executive
for cause immediately, without notice, if Company reasonably concludes that Executive has committed fraud, theft, embezzlement,
misappropriation of Company funds or other property, or any felony. The Board may also terminate Executive for cause for any of
the following:


 


(a)Breach by Executive of any material provision of
this Agreement;


 


(b)Violation by Executive of any statutory or common
law duty of loyalty to Company; or


 


(c)A material violation by Executive of Company's employment
policies; or


 


(d)Commission of such acts of dishonesty, gross negligence,
or willful misconduct as would prevent the effective performance of Executive’s duties or which result in material harm to
Company or its business.


 


The Board may terminate this Agreement for cause by
giving written notice of termination to Executive, provided, however, if the Board declares Executive to be in default of this
Agreement under subsection (a) above because Executive fails to substantially perform his material duties and responsibilities
under this Agreement, the Board shall deliver a written demand for substantial performance of such duties and responsibilities
to Executive. Such demand must identify the manner in which the Board believes that Executive has not substantially performed his
duties, and Executive shall have a period of 30 days to correct the deficient performance. Upon termination for cause, the obligations
of Executive and Company under this Agreement shall immediately cease. Such termination shall be without prejudice to any other
remedy to which Company may be entitled either at law, in equity, or under this Agreement. If Executive’s employment is terminated
pursuant to this Section 11, Company shall pay to Executive (i) Executive’s accrued but unpaid Annual Salary and the value
of unused paid time off through the effective date of the termination; (ii) Executive’s accrued but unpaid Bonus, if any;
and (iii) business expenses incurred prior to the effective date of termination. Executive shall not be entitled to continue to
participate in any employee benefit plans except to the extent provided in such plans for terminated participants, or as may be
required by applicable law.


 


		12.	TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE.



 


(a)Death. Executive’s employment
shall terminate upon the death of Executive. Upon such termination, the obligations of Executive and Company under this Agreement
shall immediately cease.


 


(b)Disability. The Board reserves the
right to terminate Executive’s employment upon 30 days written notice if, for a period of 90 days, Executive is prevented
from discharging his substantial or material duties due to any physical or mental disability.


 






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(c)Election By Executive.
Executive’s employment may be terminated at any time by Executive upon not less than 30 days written notice by Executive
to the Board.


 


(d)Election By Company. Executive’s
employment may be terminated at any time by Company upon not less than 30 days written notice by the Board to Executive.


 


(e)Termination Due to a Change in Control.
Executive’s employment may be terminated upon a Change in Control. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Change
in Control” shall mean the sale or disposition by Company to an unrelated third party of substantially all of its business
or assets, or the sale of the capital stock of Company in connection with the sale or transfer of a Controlling Interest in Company
to an unrelated third party, or the merger or consolidation of Company with another corporation as part of a sale or transfer of
a Controlling Interest in Company to an unrelated third party. For purposes of this definition, the term “Controlling Interest”
means the sale or transfer of Company’s securities representing at least 50.1% of the voting power. It will be presumed that
a termination is a termination under this subsection (e) rather than a termination under subsection (d) (Election by Company) if
Executive’s employment is terminated during the period that begins when negotiations for the Change in Control begin and
ends on the six month anniversary of the closing of the Change in Control transaction and such termination is not a termination
for cause pursuant to Section 11 or a termination resulting from Executive’s death, disability or election pursuant to subsections
(a), (b) or (c) of this Section 12.


 


If Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant
to subsections (a), (b), or (c) of this Section 12, Company shall pay to Executive (i) Executive’s accrued but unpaid Annual
Salary and the value of unused paid time off through the effective date of the termination; (ii) Executive’s accrued but
unpaid Bonus, if any; and (iii) business expenses incurred prior to the effective date of termination. Executive shall not be entitled
to continue to participate in any employee benefit plans except to the extent provided in such plans for terminated participants,
or as may be required by applicable law.


 


If Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant
to subsection (d) of this Section 12, Company shall pay to Executive (i) Executive’s accrued but unpaid Annual Salary and
the value of unused paid time off through the effective date of the termination; (ii) Executive’s accrued but unpaid Bonus,
if any; (iii) business expenses incurred prior to the effective date of termination; and (iv) severance (the “Severance Payment”)
consisting of six months of the Annual Salary, less legally required deductions. Company may elect in its sole discretion whether
to pay the Severance Payment in one lump sum or on regular pay days for the six months following termination of Executive’s
employment. For a termination under subsection (d), Executive shall be entitled to continue to participate in employee benefit
plans described in Section 5(d), at Company’s sole expense, for six months following termination of Executive’s employment.


 


If Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant
to subsection (e) of this Section 12, Executive shall be entitled to receive (i) Executive’s accrued but unpaid Annual Salary
and the value of unused paid time off through the effective date of the termination; (ii) Executive’s accrued but unpaid
Bonus, if any; (iii) business expenses incurred prior to the effective date of termination; and (iv) an amount equal to one-half
the Annual Salary. In addition, any equity award that is scheduled to vest any time after the termination of Executive’s
employment will vest immediately upon the termination of Executive’s employment pursuant to subsection (e).


 






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In the event of a termination of Executive’s employment
pursuant to subsections (a), (b), (c) and (d) above, all other rights Executive has under any benefit or stock option plans and
programs shall be determined in accordance with the terms and conditions of such plans and programs.


 


With the exception of the terms of this Section 12 and
any obligations, duties and responsibilities Executive has under the Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement, upon termination
of Executive’s employment the obligations of Executive and Company under this Agreement shall immediately cease.


 


		13.	MISCELLANEOUS.



 


(a)Preparation of Agreement. It is acknowledged
by each Party that such Party either had separate and independent advice of counsel or the opportunity to avail itself or himself
of same. In light of these facts it is acknowledged that no Party shall be construed to be solely responsible for the drafting
hereof, and therefore any ambiguity shall not be construed against any Party as the alleged draftsman of this Agreement.


 


(b)Cooperation. Each Party agrees, without
further consideration, to cooperate and diligently perform any further acts, deeds and things and to execute and deliver any documents
that may from time to time be reasonably necessary or otherwise reasonably required to consummate, evidence, confirm and/or carry
out the intent and provisions of this Agreement, all without undue delay or expense.


 


(c)Interpretation.


 


(i)Entire Agreement/No Collateral Representations.
Each Party expressly acknowledges and agrees that this Agreement, including all exhibits attached hereto: (1) is the final, complete
and exclusive statement of the agreement of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof; (2) supersedes any prior or
contemporaneous agreements, promises, assurances, guarantees, representations, understandings, conduct, proposals, conditions,
commitments, acts, course of dealing, warranties, interpretations or terms of any kind, oral or written (collectively and severally,
the “Prior Agreements”), and that any such prior agreements are of no force or effect except as expressly set forth
herein; and (3) may not be varied, supplemented or contradicted by evidence of Prior Agreements, or by evidence of subsequent oral
agreements. Any agreement hereafter made shall be ineffective to modify, supplement or discharge the terms of this Agreement, in
whole or in part, unless such agreement is in writing and signed by the Party against whom enforcement of the modification or supplement
is sought.


 


(ii)Waiver. No breach of any agreement or provision
herein contained, or of any obligation under this Agreement, may be waived, nor shall any extension of time for performance of
any obligations or acts be deemed an extension of time for performance of any other obligations or acts contained herein, except
by written instrument signed by the Party to be charged or as otherwise expressly authorized herein. No waiver of any breach of
any agreement or provision herein contained shall be deemed a waiver of any preceding or succeeding breach thereof, or a waiver
or relinquishment of any other agreement or provision or right or power herein contained.


 






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(iii)Remedies Cumulative. The remedies of each
Party under this Agreement are cumulative and shall not exclude any other remedies to which such Party may be lawfully entitled.


 


(iv)Severability. If any term or provision of
this Agreement or the application thereof to any person or circumstance shall, to any extent, be determined to be invalid, illegal
or unenforceable under present or future laws effective during the term of this Agreement, then and, in that event: (A) the performance
of the offending term or provision (but only to the extent its application is invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be excused
as if it had never been incorporated into this Agreement, and, in lieu of such excused provision, there shall be added a provision
as similar in terms and amount to such excused provision as may be possible and be legal, valid and enforceable, and (B) the remaining
part of this Agreement (including the application of the offending term or provision to persons or circumstances other than those
as to which it is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not be affected thereby and shall continue in full force and effect
to the fullest extent provided by law.


 


(v)No Third Party Beneficiary. Notwithstanding
anything else herein to the contrary, the parties specifically disavow any desire or intention to create any third party beneficiary
obligations, and specifically declare that no person or entity, other than as set forth in this Agreement, shall have any rights
hereunder or any right of enforcement hereof.


 


(vi)Headings; References; Incorporation; Gender.
The headings used in this Agreement are for convenience and reference purposes only, and shall not be used in construing or interpreting
the scope or intent of this Agreement or any provision hereof. References to this Agreement shall include all amendments or renewals
thereof. Any exhibit referenced in this Agreement shall be construed to be incorporated in this Agreement. As used in this Agreement,
each gender shall be deemed to include the other gender, including neutral genders or genders appropriate for entities, if applicable,
and the singular shall be deemed to include the plural, and vice versa, as the context requires.


 




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		(d)	Enforcement.



 


(i)Applicable Law. This Agreement and the
rights and remedies of each Party arising out of or relating to this Agreement (including, without limitation, equitable remedies)
shall be solely governed by, interpreted under, and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws (without regard to the
conflicts of law principles thereof) of the State of Texas, as if this agreement were made, and as if its obligations are to be
performed, wholly within the State of Texas.


 


(ii)Consent to Jurisdiction and Venue. Any action
or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be filed in and heard and litigated solely before the state courts
of Texas within Travis County.


 


(iii)Attorneys’ Fees. If court proceedings
are required to enforce any provision of this Agreement, the substantially prevailing or successful Party shall be entitled to
an award of the reasonable and necessary expenses of litigation, including reasonable attorneys’ fees.


 


(e)No Assignment of Rights or Delegation of Duties
by Executive. Executive’s rights and benefits under this Agreement are personal to him and therefore (i) no such
right or benefit shall be subject to voluntary or involuntary alienation, assignment or transfer; and (ii) Executive may not delegate
his duties or obligations hereunder.


 


(f)Notices. Unless otherwise specifically
provided in this Agreement, all notices, demands, requests, consents, approvals or other communications (collectively and severally
called “Notices”) required or permitted to be given hereunder, or which are given with respect to this Agreement, shall
be in writing, and shall be given by: (A) personal delivery (which form of Notice shall be deemed to have been given upon delivery),
(B) by private overnight delivery service (which forms of Notice shall be deemed to have been given upon confirmed delivery by
the delivery agency), or (C) by mailing in the United States mail by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage
prepaid (which forms of Notice shall be deemed to have been given upon the 5th business day following the date mailed). Notices
shall be addressed to the address hereinabove set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement, or to such other address
as the receiving Party shall have specified most recently by like Notice, with a copy to the other Parties hereto. Any Notice given
to the estate of a Party shall be sufficient if addressed to the party as provided in this subsection.


 


(g)Counterparts. This Agreement may be
executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument, binding on all parties hereto. Any signature page of this Agreement may be detached from any counterpart of this Agreement
and reattached to any other counterpart of this Agreement identical in form hereto by having attached to it one or more additional
signature pages.


 


(h)Execution by All Parties Required to be
Binding; Electronically Transmitted Documents. This Agreement shall not be construed to be an offer and shall have no force
and effect until this Agreement is fully executed by all Parties hereto. If a copy or counterpart of this Agreement is originally
executed and such copy or counterpart is thereafter transmitted electronically by facsimile or similar device, such facsimile document
shall for all purposes be treated as if manually signed by the Party whose facsimile signature appears.


 






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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement.


 








	 	Company:
	 	IDEAL POWER INC.
	 	 
	 	 
	 	By: /s/ R. Daniel Brdar_____________________
	 	 
	 	Its: Chief Executive Officer
	 	 
	 	 
	 	Executive:
	 	 
	 	/s/ William C. Alexander____________________
	 	 
	 	William C. Alexander


 









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