EX-10.1.5



 Exhibit 10.1.5 
  

			
	NQSO-[    ]	  	[            ] Shares

 Aspen Aerogels, Inc. 

2001 Equity Incentive Plan 
 (as
amended through December 18, 2013) 
 Non-Qualified Stock Option Certificate 

Aspen Aerogels, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby grants to the person named below (the
“Optionee”) an option (the “Option”) to purchase shares of its Common Stock (the “Shares”) under and for the purposes set forth in the Company’s 2001 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended through
December 18, 2013 (the “Plan”), exerciseable on the following terms and conditions and those set forth in the Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (the “Agreement”) attached to this Non-Qualified Stock Option
Certificate (this “Certificate”). 
  

					
	Name of Optionee:	 	  
	 	
			
	Address:	 	  
	 	
			
	Social Security Number:	 	  
	 	
			
	Number of Shares:	 	  
	 	
		
	Purchase Price:	 	$[    ] per share
		
	Date of Grant:	 	                , 201[    ]
		
	Exercisability Schedule:	 	The Options shall vest and become exercisable in accordance with the following vesting schedule:
		
		 	25% of the Shares will vest and become exercisable on the first anniversary of the Date of Grant, and the remaining 75% of the Shares shall vest and become exercisable in equal monthly installments over the 36 months
following the first anniversary of the Date of Grant; provided that in the event of a Change in Control 12 months of this vesting schedule shall be accelerated.
		
	Expiration Date:	 	10 year anniversary of Date of Grant








 By acceptance of this Option, the Optionee agrees to the terms and conditions set forth in this Certificate, the
Agreement, and the Plan. This Certificate shall serve as the signature page of the Optionee and the Company to the Agreement. 
  

							
	OPTIONEE	 		 	ASPEN AEROGELS, INC.
				
	  
	 		 	By:	 	  

	Name:	 		 	Name:
		 		 	Title:


  
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 NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT 

ASPEN AEROGELS, INC. 

AGREEMENT made as of the Date of Grant (as defined in the Non-Qualified Stock Option Certificate to which this
Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement is attached (the “Certificate”)) between Aspen Aerogels, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the Optionee (as defined in the
Certificate). 
 WHEREAS, the Company desires to grant to the Optionee an option (the “Option”) to purchase shares of its
Common Stock (the “Shares”), under and for the purposes set forth in the Company’s 2001 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended through December 18, 2013 (the “Plan”) (the “Plan”); and 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Optionee understand and agree that any terms used and not defined herein have the same meanings as in the Plan;
and 
 WHEREAS, the Company and the Optionee each intend that the Option granted herein shall be a Non-Qualified Stock Option. 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the parties
hereto agree as follows: 
 1. GRANT OF OPTION; TERMINATION OF PRIOR OPTIONS. The Company hereby grants to the Optionee the right and
option to purchase all or any part of that number of Shares set forth in the Certificate, on the terms and conditions and subject to all the limitations set forth herein and in the Certificate and the Plan, which are incorporated herein by
reference. The Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Certificate and the Plan. 
 2. PURCHASE PRICE. The purchase price of
the Shares covered by the Option is set forth in the Certificate. Payment shall be made in accordance with Section 3c of the Plan. 

3. EXERCISABILITY OF OPTION. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan, the Option granted hereby
shall become exercisable only with respect to Shares that have vested as set forth in the Certificate. 
 4. TERM OF OPTION. The
Option shall terminate on the ten year anniversary from the Date of Grant (as defined in the Certificate), but shall be subject to earlier termination as provided herein or in the Plan. If the Optionee ceases to be an employee of the Company or of
an Affiliate (for any reason other than the death or Disability of the Optionee or termination by the Optionee’s employer for Cause), the Option may be exercised to the extent then vested at termination, if it has not previously terminated,
within ninety (90) days after the date the Optionee ceases to be an employee of the Company or an Affiliate, at such time as may be specified by the Board at or after the time of grant or within the originally prescribed term of the Option,
whichever is earlier, but may not be exercised thereafter 

  
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 In the event the Optionee’s employment is terminated by the Optionee’s employer for
Cause, the Optionee’s right to exercise any unexercised portion of this Option shall cease as of such termination, and this Option shall thereupon terminate. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if subsequent to the Optionee’s
termination as an employee, but prior to the exercise of the Option, the Board determines that, either prior or subsequent to the Optionee’s termination, the Optionee engaged in conduct which would constitute Cause, then the Optionee shall
immediately cease to have any right to exercise the Option and this Option shall thereupon terminate. 
 In the event of the Disability of
the Optionee, as determined in accordance with the Plan, or if the Optionee is determined to be disabled under the Company’s long-term disability plan, the Option shall be exercisable to the extent then vested at Disability within one
(1) year after the termination of Optionee’s employment or, if earlier, within the term originally prescribed by the Option. 
 In
the event of the death of the Optionee while an employee of the Company or of an Affiliate, the Option shall be exercisable to the extent vested at death by the Optionee’s Survivors within one (1) year after the date of death of the
Optionee or, if earlier, within the originally prescribed term of the Option. 
 5. METHOD OF EXERCISING OPTION. 

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Option may be exercised by written notice to the Company at its principal
executive office in substantially the form of Exhibit A attached hereto. Such notice shall state the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised and shall be signed by the person so exercising the Option. Payment of
the purchase price for such Shares shall be made in accordance with Section 5d of the Plan. The Company shall deliver a certificate or certificates representing such Shares to the Escrow Agent as set forth below as soon as practicable
after the notice shall be received, provided, however, that the Company may delay issuance of such Shares until completion of any action or obtaining of any consent, which the Company deems necessary under any applicable law (including, without
limitation, state securities or “blue sky” laws). The certificate or certificates for the Shares as to which the Option shall have been so exercised shall be registered in the name of the person or persons so exercising the Option (or, if
the Option shall be exercised by the Optionee and if the Optionee shall so request in the notice exercising the Option, shall be registered in the name of the Optionee and another person jointly, with right of survivorship) and shall be delivered to
the Escrow Agent as provided below. In the event the Option shall be exercised, pursuant to Section 5 hereof, by any person or persons other than the Optionee, such notice shall be accompanied by appropriate proof of the right of such
person or persons to exercise the Option. All Shares that shall be purchased upon the exercise of the Option as provided herein shall be fully paid and nonassessable. 

(b) As security for the faithful performance of the terms of this Agreement and to insure the availability for delivery of the Optionee’s
Shares pursuant to this Agreement, the Optionee agrees to deliver to and deposit with the Secretary of the Company, or such other person designated by the Company, as escrow agent (the “Escrow Agent”), a stock assignment


  
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duly endorsed (with date and number of Shares in blank) in the form prescribed by the Escrow Agent together with any certificate or certificates evidencing Shares. The Escrow Agent shall hold
such documents in escrow pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including without limitation this Section 5(b). 
 6.
PARTIAL EXERCISE. Exercise of this Option to the extent above stated may be made in part at any time and from time to time within the above limits, except that no fractional share shall be issued pursuant to this Option. 

7. NON-ASSIGNABILITY. The Option shall not be transferable by the Optionee other than
(i) by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, (ii) to such Optionee’s spouse or children (or step-children) or to a trust the sole beneficiaries of which are the Optionee’s spouse and/or children (or step-children),
provided that all voting rights with respect to any Shares remain with the Optionee, or (iii) to irrevocable trusts or other estate planning entities for tax or estate planning purposes; provided that in each case the transferee(s) shall hold
the Option or any Shares subject to the same restrictions applicable hereunder to the Optionee and shall agree in writing to be bound by the terms of the Stockholders’ Agreement. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, the Option shall be
exercisable, during the Optionee’s lifetime, only by the Optionee (or, in the event of legal incapacity or incompetency, by the Optionee’s guardian or representative) and shall not be assigned, pledged or hypothecated in any way (whether
by operation of law or otherwise) and shall not be subject to execution, attachment or similar process. Any attempted transfer, assignment, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition of the Option or of any rights granted hereunder contrary to the
provisions of this Section 7, or the levy of any attachment or similar process upon the Option shall be null and void. 
 8.
NO RIGHTS AS STOCKHOLDER UNTIL EXERCISE. The Optionee shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to Shares subject to this Agreement until registration of the Shares in the Company’s share register in the name of the Optionee.
Except as is expressly provided in the Plan with respect to certain changes in the capitalization of the Company, no adjustment shall be made for dividends or similar rights for which the record date is prior to the date of such registration. 

9. CAPITAL CHANGES AND BUSINESS SUCCESSIONS. The Plan contains provisions covering the treatment of Options in a number of
contingencies such as stock splits and mergers. Provisions in the Plan for adjustment with respect to stock subject to Options and the related provisions with respect to successors to the business of the Company are hereby made applicable hereunder
and are incorporated herein by reference. 
 10. TAXES. The Optionee acknowledges that upon exercise of the Option the
Optionee will be deemed to have taxable income measured by the difference between the then fair market value of the Shares received upon exercise and the price paid for such Shares pursuant to this Agreement. The Optionee acknowledges that any
income or other taxes due from him or her with respect to this Option or the Shares issuable pursuant to this Option shall be the Optionee’s responsibility. In the event the Option is exercised, the Company may withhold from the Optionee’s
remuneration, if any, the minimum required federal, state and local withholding taxes attributable to such amount that is considered compensation includable in such 

  
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person’s gross income. At the Company’s discretion, the amount required to be withheld may be withheld in cash from such remuneration, or in kind from the Shares otherwise deliverable
to the Optionee on exercise of the Option. The Optionee further agrees that, if the Company does not withhold an amount from the Optionee’s remuneration sufficient to satisfy the Company’s income tax withholding obligation, the Optionee
will reimburse the Company on demand, in cash, for the amount under-withheld. 
 11. PURCHASE FOR INVESTMENT. Unless the offering and
sale of the Shares to be issued upon the particular exercise of the Option shall have been effectively registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as now in force or hereafter amended (the “1933 Act”), the Company shall be under no
obligation to issue the Shares covered by such exercise unless and until the following conditions have been fulfilled: 
 (a) The person(s)
who exercise the Option shall warrant to the Company, at the time of such exercise, that such person(s) are acquiring such Shares for their own respective accounts, for investment, and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, the
distribution of any such Shares, in which event the person(s) acquiring such Shares shall be bound by the provisions of the following legend which shall be endorsed upon the certificate(s) evidencing the Shares issued pursuant to such exercise: 

“THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE BEEN TAKEN FOR INVESTMENT AND THEY MAY NOT BE SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED BY ANY
PERSON, INCLUDING A PLEDGEE, UNLESS (1) EITHER (A) A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WITH RESPECT TO SUCH SHARES SHALL BE EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR (B) THE COMPANY SHALL HAVE RECEIVED AN OPINION OF COUNSEL
SATISFACTORY TO IT THAT AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SUCH ACT IS THEN AVAILABLE, AND (2) THERE SHALL HAVE BEEN COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS;” and 

(b) If the Company so requires, the Company shall have received an opinion of its counsel that the Shares may be issued upon such particular
exercise in compliance with the 1933 Act without registration thereunder. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company may delay issuance of the Shares until completion of any action or obtaining of any consent, which the Company
deems necessary under any applicable law (including without limitation state securities or “blue sky” laws). 
 12. NO
OBLIGATION TO EMPLOY. The Company is not by the Plan or this Option obligated to continue the Optionee as an employee of the Company. 

13. OPTION IS INTENDED TO BE A NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION. The parties each intend that the Option be a
Non-Qualified Stock Option. The Optionee understands that neither the Company nor any Affiliate is responsible to compensate him or her or otherwise make up for the treatment of the Option as a Non-qualified Stock Option and not as an Incentive Stock Option. The Optionee should consult with the Optionee’s own tax advisors regarding the tax effects of the Option. 

  
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 14. HOLDBACK AGREEMENT. The Optionee agrees, if so requested by the managing underwriter
in each underwritten registration of the Company’s capital stock or other securities, not to effect (except as part of such underwritten registration if included therein) any sale, distribution, short sale, loan, grant of options for the
purchase of, or otherwise dispose of, any Shares for such period as such underwriter requests, such period in no event to commence earlier than ten (10) days prior to, or to end more than 180 days after, the effective date of such registration.
If the managing underwriter advises the Company that, in its opinion, no sale, distribution, short sale, loan, grant of options for the purchase of, or after disposition of, any shares of the Company’s common stock should be effected for a
period of not more than 180 days after the effective date of such underwritten registration in order to complete the sale and distribution of the securities included therein and the Company gives notice to such effect to the Optionee, the Optionee
shall not (except as part of such underwritten registration if included therein) effect any sale, distribution, short sale, loan, grant of options for the purchase of or otherwise dispose of shares of the Company’s common stock for such period
as such managing underwriter advises, such period in no event to commence earlier than ten (10) days prior to, or to end more than 180 days after, the effective date of such registration. The Optionee further agrees that the Company may
instruct its transfer agent to place stop transfer notations in its records to enforce the provisions of this Section 14. 
 15.
NOTICES. Any notices required or permitted by the terms of this Agreement or the Plan shall be given by recognized courier service, facsimile, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed as follows: 

 

					
	If to the Company:	 	Aspen Aerogels, Inc.
		 	30 Forbes Road, Bldg B
		 	Northborough, MA 01532
		 	Telephone:	 	(508) 691-1111
		 	Facsimile:	 	(508) 691-1200
		 	Attention:	 	Chief Financial Officer
		
	If to the Optionee:	 	At the address of the Optionee as set forth in the records of the Company

 or to such other address or addresses of which notice in the same manner has previously been given. Any such notice shall be
deemed to have been given upon the earlier of receipt, one business day following delivery to a recognized courier service or five (5) business days following mailing by registered or certified mail. 

16. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the law of the State of Delaware, without
giving effect to the conflict of law principles thereof. 

  
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 17. BENEFIT OF AGREEMENT. Subject to the provisions of the Plan and the other provisions
hereof, this Agreement shall be for the benefit of and shall be binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns of the parties hereto. 

18. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, together with the Plan, embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the parties
hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior oral or written agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof. No statement, representation, warranty, covenant or agreement not expressly set forth in
this Agreement shall affect or be used to interpret, change or restrict, the express terms and provisions of this Agreement, provided, however, in any event, this Agreement shall be subject to and governed by the Plan. 

19. MODIFICATIONS AND AMENDMENTS. The terms and provisions of this Agreement may be modified or amended as provided in the Plan or in
Section 20 below. 
 20. WAIVERS AND CONSENTS. Except as provided in the Plan, the terms and provisions of this Agreement
may be waived, or consent for the departure therefrom granted, only by written document executed by the party entitled to the benefits of such terms or provisions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding sentence, holders
representing a majority of the Shares subject to an Option under the Plan may waive or grant a consent to the departure from the provisions of this Agreement so long as such waiver or consent applies to all holders of Shares subject to an Option
under the Plan in the same fashion. No such waiver or consent shall be deemed to be or shall constitute a waiver or consent with respect to any other terms or provisions of this Agreement, whether or not similar. Each such waiver or consent shall be
effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which it was given, and shall not constitute a continuing waiver or consent. 

[remainder of page intentionally left blank] 

  
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 EXHIBIT A 

NOTICE OF EXERCISE OF NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION 

[Form For Unregistered Shares] 
  

			
	To:	 	Aspen Aerogels, Inc.
		 	30 Forbes Road, Bldg B
		 	Northborough, MA 01532
		 	Attention: Chief Financial Officer

 Ladies and Gentlemen: 

I hereby exercise my Non-Qualified Stock Option to purchase             shares
(the “Shares”) of the common stock, par value $.00001 per share, of Aspen Aerogels, Inc. (the “Company”) at the exercise price of $[            ]
per share, pursuant to and subject to the terms of that certain Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement between the undersigned and the Company dated as of
                , 201[    ]. 
 I am
aware that the Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), or any state securities laws. I understand that the reliance by the Company on exemptions under the 1933 Act is predicated
in part upon the truth and accuracy of the statements by me in this Notice of Exercise. 
 I hereby represent and warrant that (1) I
have been furnished with all information which I deem necessary to evaluate the merits and risks of the purchase of the Shares; (2) I have had the opportunity to ask questions concerning the Shares and the Company and all questions posed have
been answered to my satisfaction; (3) I have been given the opportunity to obtain any additional information I deem necessary to verify the accuracy of any information obtained concerning the Shares and the Company; and (4) I have such
knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that I am able to evaluate the merits and risks of purchasing the Shares and to make an informed investment decision relating thereto. 

I hereby represent and warrant that I am purchasing the Shares for my own personal account for investment and not with a view to the sale or
distribution of all or any part of the Shares. I understand that because the Shares have not been registered under the 1933 Act, I must continue to bear the economic risk of the investment for an indefinite time and the Shares cannot be sold unless
the Shares are subsequently registered under applicable federal and state securities laws or an exemption from such registration requirements is available. 

I agree that I will in no event sell or distribute or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Shares unless (1) there is an effective
registration statement under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws covering any such transaction involving the Shares or (2) the Company receives an opinion of my legal counsel (concurred in by legal counsel for the Company) stating
that such transaction is exempt from registration or the Company otherwise satisfies itself that such transaction is exempt from registration. 

  
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 I consent to the placing of a legend on my certificate for the Shares stating that the Shares
have not been registered and setting forth the restriction on transfer contemplated hereby and to the placing of a stop transfer order on the books of the Company and with any transfer agents against the Shares until the Shares may be legally resold
or distributed without restriction. I understand that at the present time Rule 144 of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) may not be relied on for the resale or distribution of the Shares by me. I understand that the
Company has no obligation to me to register the sale of the Shares with the SEC and has not represented to me that it will register the sale of the Shares. I consent to the placing of a legend on my certificate for the Shares referring to such
restrictions and the placing of stop transfer orders until the Shares may be transferred in accordance with the terms of such restrictions. 

I have considered the Federal, state and local income tax implications of the exercise of my Option and the purchase and subsequent sale of
the Shares. 
 I am paying the option exercise price for the Shares as follows:
                             

Please issue the stock certificate for the Shares in the name of
                            , and deliver to the Escrow Agent. 

My mailing address for shareholder communications
is:                            . 

 

	
	Very truly yours,
	
	  

	Optionee (signature)
	
	  

	Print Name
	
	  

	Date
	
	  

	Social Security Number



  
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