EX-4.27



 Exhibit 4.27 
  

					
	



	 		 	 SMART Technologies ULC

3636 Research Road NW

Calgary, AB T2L 1Y1

CANADA
  

Phone 403.245.0333
 Fax
403.228.2500
 info@smarttech.com www.smarttech.com


 January 21, 2016 
 Dear
Steve: 
 Re. Executive Retention Award - Steve Winkelmann 

As part of continuing efforts by SMART Technologies Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively “SMART”) to retain critical talent during the
course of the ongoing strategic review, SMART has approved your participation in the Executive Retention Award (“ERA”) on the terms set out herein. This letter references your current employment agreement with SMART Technologies ULC
(effective December 15, 2014, as amended effective November 5, 2015, and November 20, 2015) (the “Employment Agreement”). This letter is effective as of December 9, 2015, and this letter and your entitlement to
an executive retention award shall terminate and be forfeited on the earlier of: 
  

	 	(a)	the date you resign or your employment is terminated for cause; 

  

	 	(b)	the Payment Date (as defined below) immediately following the payment to you of the retention award; or 

  

	 	(c)	December 31, 2016, if SMART Technologies Inc. has not, on or before December 31, 2016 undergone a Significant Event (as defined below), or entered into a binding letter of intent or a definitive agreement or
similar document with respect to a transaction or series of transactions that upon closing shall be a Significant Event, or a press release has been issued in respect of same by SMART Technologies Inc. 


In the event SMART Technologies Inc. undergoes a Change of Control or Going Private Transaction (for the purposes of this letter each a “Significant
Event”), as such terms are defined in your Employment Agreement, then you shall be paid an amount equal to $150,000CAD (the “Retention Payment”) on the earlier of: 

 

	 	A.	If you remain employed by SMART Technologies ULC or its successors, three months following the closing date of the Significant Event; 


 

	 	B.	If you are terminated without cause, on the closing date of the Significant Event, or if such termination is after the closing date of the Significant Event, on the date of such termination; or 


 

	 	C.	If you have Good Reason, as such term is defined in your Employment Agreement, on the closing date of the Significant Event, or if the date of Good Reason is after the closing date, on the date such Good Reason arises.









 



 
 The earlier of such dates shall be the “Payment Date”. 

All claims to the Retention Payment shall be automatically forfeited in the event your employment with SMART Technologies ULC is terminated prior to the
Payment Date: (i) voluntarily by you, (ii) for cause, or (iii) pursuant to the provisions of sections 4.1, 4.2 or 4.3 of your Employment Agreement. 

The Retention Payment calculation is based on your salary as Acting Vice President, Finance and Acting Chief Financial Officer. Should you cease to hold such
office at any time prior to termination of the ERA and retain your previous position with SMART, your Retention Payment shall be pro-rated by the number of days you held each position and based on the salary associated with each position from the
effective date of this letter to the Payment Date. 
 The Retention Payment shall be less required withholdings. 

We thank you for your ongoing contributions. Please confirm your agreement with the terms of this award letter by indicating so in the space below. 

Sincerely, 
 SMART Technologies ULC 

 

			
	Per:	 	




		 	  
 Neil Gaydon, Chief Executive
Officer


  
  

I have read and agree to the terms of the Executive Retention Award letter effective December 9, 2015: 

 

	
	 /s/ Steve Winkelmann

	Steve Winkelmann