# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0001699838
**File Stem:** 0001104659-26-029071
**Filing Date:** 2026-3
**Character Count:** 97933
**Document Hash:** 763e709475faab65215b3bf700b267a6
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001104659-26-029071.hdr.sgml**: 20260317

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001104659-26-029071

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 8-K

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 15

**CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT**: 20260316

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Triggering Events That Accelerate or Increase a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Notice of Delisting or Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard; Transfer of Listing

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Material Modifications to Rights of Security Holders

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Changes in Control of Registrant

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers: Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Other Events

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Financial Statements and Exhibits

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20260317

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20260317

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** Confluent, Inc.
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001699838
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** SERVICES-PREPACKAGED SOFTWARE [7372]
- **ORGANIZATION NAME:** 06 Technology
- **EIN:** 471824387
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** DE
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 8-K
- **SEC ACT:** 1934 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 001-40526
- **FILM NUMBER:** 26759347

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 899 W. EVELYN AVENUE
- **CITY:** MOUNTAIN VIEW
- **STATE:** CA
- **ZIP:** 94041
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 800-439-3207

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 899 W. EVELYN AVENUE
- **CITY:** MOUNTAIN VIEW
- **STATE:** CA
- **ZIP:** 94041

?xml version='1.0' encoding='ASCII'?

**UNITED STATES**

**SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION**

**WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549**

**FORM 8-K**

**CURRENT REPORT**

**Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934**

**Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 16, 2026**

**CONFLUENT, INC.**

**(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)**

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Delaware** | **001-40526** | **47-1824387** |
| **(State or Other Jurisdiction<br> of Incorporation)** | **(Commission<br> File Number)** | **(IRS Employer<br> Identification No.)** |

---

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **899 W. Evelyn Avenue**<br> **Mountain View, California** | **94041** |
| **(Address of Principal Executive Offices)** | **(Zip Code)** |

---

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **(800) 439-3207**

(**Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)**

**Not Applicable**

**(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)**

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instructions A.2. below):

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Title of each class** | **Trading<br> Symbol(s)** | **Name of each exchange<br> on which registered** |
| Class A Common Stock, par value $0.00001 per share | CFLT | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC<br> (Nasdaq Global Select Market) |

---

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ◻

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ◻

**Introductory Note**

This Current Report on Form 8-K is being filed in connection with the consummation on March 17, 2026 (the "Closing Date") of the transaction contemplated by that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated December 7, 2025 (the "Merger Agreement"), by and among International Business Machines Corporation, a New York corporation ("IBM"), Corvo Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of IBM ("Sub"), and Confluent, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Confluent").

On the Closing Date, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Sub merged with and into Confluent (the "Merger"), with Confluent surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of IBM (the "Surviving Corporation").

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger (the "Effective Time"), which time occurred on the Closing Date, each share of Confluent's Class A common stock (the "Class A Common Stock") and Class B common stock (the "Class B Common Stock" and, together with the Class A Common Stock, the "Common Stock") issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (subject to certain customary exceptions specified in the Merger Agreement) was automatically canceled and converted into the right to receive $31.00 in cash, without interest (the "Per Share Price"), subject to applicable withholding taxes.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Item 1.01** | **Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.** |

---

The information set forth in the Introductory Note of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01.

On the Closing Date, Confluent and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (as successor in interest to U.S. Bank National Association), as trustee (the "Trustee"), entered into the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of the Closing Date (the "First Supplemental Indenture"), to the Indenture, dated as of December 13, 2021, by and between Confluent and the Trustee (the "Original Indenture" and, together with the First Supplemental Indenture, the "Indenture"), relating to Confluent's 0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027 (the "Notes"). As of the Closing Date, $1,100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Notes were outstanding.

As a result of the Merger, and pursuant to the First Supplemental Indenture, at and after the Effective Time, the right to convert each $1,000 principal amount of Notes was changed to a right to convert such principal amount of Notes into solely a number of units of Reference Property (as defined in the Indenture) in an aggregate amount equal to the conversion rate of the Notes in effect on the relevant conversion date (subject to any adjustments pursuant to the terms of the Indenture), with each unit of Reference Property consisting of $31.00 in cash, which is equal to the Per Share Price.

The consummation of the Merger constitutes a Fundamental Change, a Make-Whole Fundamental Change and a Share Exchange Event (each as defined in the Indenture) under the Indenture. The effective date of the Share Exchange Event, Fundamental Change and Make-Whole Fundamental Change in respect of the Notes is March 17, 2026, which is the Closing Date.

As a result of the Fundamental Change, each holder of the Notes will have the right to require Confluent to repurchase its Notes pursuant to the terms and procedures set forth in the Indenture on the fundamental change repurchase date for a cash repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus any accrued and unpaid special interest thereon to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date.

The foregoing descriptions of the Indenture and the transactions contemplated thereby are subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Indenture. A copy of the Original Indenture was filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Confluent with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on December 14, 2021. A copy of the First Supplemental Indenture is filed as Exhibit 4.1 hereto. The Original Indenture and the First Supplemental Indenture are incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01. This Current Report on Form 8-K does not constitute an offer to tender for, or purchase, or a solicitation of an offer to tender for, or purchase, any of the Notes or any other security.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Item 2.01** | **Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.** |

---

The information set forth in the Introductory Note of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.01.

At the Effective Time, Confluent's equity awards were treated as follows:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· Each
 option to purchase shares of Common Stock (each, a "Confluent Option") (whether
 vested or unvested) that was outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and that
 had a per share exercise price less than the Per Share Price was canceled in exchange for
 the right to receive an amount in cash, subject to applicable withholding taxes, equal to
 the product of (1) the total number of shares of Common Stock covered by such Confluent
 Option immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by (2) the excess of (A) the
 Per Share Price over (B) the per share exercise price of such Confluent Option.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· Each
 Confluent Option outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time that had a per share
 exercise price equal to or greater than the Per Share Price was canceled for no consideration.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· Each
 restricted stock unit covering shares of Common Stock subject to only service-based vesting
 conditions (each, a "Confluent RSU") that was (A) held by any person who,
 as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, was a non-employee director, consultant or
 independent contractor of Confluent or any of its subsidiaries (whether or not such Confluent
 RSU was vested or unvested) or (B) outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
 (to the extent that such Confluent RSU was vested and unsettled), in each case, was canceled
 in exchange for the right to receive an amount in cash, subject to applicable withholding
 taxes, equal to the product of (1) the Per Share Price multiplied by (2) the total
 number of shares of Class A Common Stock covered by such Confluent RSU. The Confluent
 RSUs contemplated by this bullet are each referred to as a "Cashed-Out Confluent RSU."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· Each
 outstanding Confluent RSU that was not a Cashed-Out Confluent RSU (each, a "Rollover
 Confluent RSU") was converted into an IBM restricted stock unit (an "IBM RSU")
 representing a number of shares of IBM common stock (rounded down to the nearest whole share)
 determined by multiplying (1) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock subject
 to such Rollover Confluent RSU immediately prior to the Effective Time by (2) the Exchange
 Ratio (as defined in the Merger Agreement). Such IBM RSUs are subject to substantially the
 same terms and conditions (including the same vesting and acceleration terms, as applicable)
 as were applicable to the Rollover Confluent RSUs.

The foregoing description of the Merger and the Merger Agreement contained in this Item 2.01 does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Merger Agreement, a copy of which was filed as Exhibit 2.1 to Confluent's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed by Confluent with the SEC on December 8, 2025. Such exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Item 2.04** | **Triggering Events That Accelerate or Increase a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off- Balance Sheet Arrangement.** |

---

The information set forth in the Introductory Note and Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.04.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Item 3.01** | **Notice of Delisting or Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard; Transfer of Listing.** |

---

The information set forth in the Introductory Note of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.01.

On the Closing Date, the Surviving Corporation notified The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC ("Nasdaq") of the consummation of the Merger and requested that Nasdaq delist the Class A Common Stock on the Closing Date. As a result, trading of the Class A Common Stock on Nasdaq was suspended prior to the opening of trading on Nasdaq on the Closing Date. On the Closing Date, the Surviving Corporation also requested that Nasdaq file a notification of removal from listing and registration on Form 25 with the SEC to effect the delisting of the Class A Common Stock from Nasdaq and the deregistration of the Class A Common Stock pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act").

Following the effectiveness of the Form 25, the Surviving Corporation intends to file with the SEC a certification and notice of termination on Form 15 to terminate the registration of the Class A Common Stock under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act and suspend Confluent's reporting obligations under Section 13 and Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act with respect to the Class A Common Stock. As a result, the Class A Common Stock will no longer be listed on Nasdaq.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Item 3.03** | **Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.** |

---

The information set forth in the Introductory Note, Item 2.01 and Item 5.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.03.

At the Effective Time, the holders of shares of Common Stock ceased to have any rights as stockholders of Confluent, other than the right to receive the Per Share Price.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Item** **5.01** | **Change in Control of Registrant.** |

---

The information set forth in the Introductory Note, Item 5.02 and Item 5.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.01.

As a result of the consummation of the Merger, at the Effective Time, a change in control of Confluent occurred and Sub has been merged with and into Confluent, with Confluent continuing as the surviving corporation and as a direct wholly owned subsidiary of IBM.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Item 5.02** | **Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.** |

---

On March 16, 2026, Ryan Mac Ban, the Chief Revenue Officer of Confluent, informed Confluent that he will be resigning from Confluent, effective immediately.

The information set forth in the Introductory Note of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.02.

At the Effective Time, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Edward Jay Kreps, Neha Narkhede, Matthew Miller, Michelangelo Volpi, Eric Vishria, Jonathan Chadwick, Greg Schott, Lara Caimi and Alyssa Henry, each of whom was a director of Confluent as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, ceased to be a director of Confluent and a member of any committee of Confluent's Board of Directors.

At the Effective Time, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Edward Jay Kreps, Rohan Sivaram, Kong Phan and Stephanie Buscemi, each of whom was an officer of Confluent as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, ceased to be an officer of Confluent.

From and after the Effective Time, until the earlier of their resignation or removal or until successors are duly elected and qualified in accordance with applicable law, (1) the directors of Sub at the Effective Time shall be the directors of the Surviving Corporation and (2) the officers of Sub at the Effective Time shall be the officers of the Surviving Corporation.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Item 5.03** | **Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.** |

---

The information set forth in the Introductory Note of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.03.

Effective upon completion of the Merger, the certificate of incorporation of Confluent, as in effect immediately prior to the Merger, was amended and restated to be in the form of the certificate of incorporation filed herewith as Exhibit 3.1. Such exhibit is incorporated by reference.

Effective upon completion of the Merger, the bylaws of Confluent, as in effect immediately prior to the Merger, were amended and restated to be in the form of the bylaws filed herewith as Exhibit 3.2. Such exhibit is incorporated by reference.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Item 8.01** | **Other Events.** |

---

On the Closing Date, IBM issued a press release announcing the closing of the Merger. A copy of the press release is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Item 9.01** | **Financial Statements and Exhibits.** |

---

(d) Exhibits.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Exhibit No.** | **Description** |
| [2.1](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1699838/000110465925119081/tm2532777d2_ex2-1.htm) | [Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated December 7, 2025, by and among International Business Machines Corporation, Corvo Merger Sub, Inc. and Confluent, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Confluent's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 8, 2025)\*](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1699838/000110465925119081/tm2532777d2_ex2-1.htm) |
| [3.1](tm268826d6_ex3-1.htm) | [Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Confluent, Inc.](tm268826d6_ex3-1.htm) |
| [3.2](tm268826d6_ex3-2.htm) | [Amended and Restated Bylaws of Confluent, Inc.](tm268826d6_ex3-2.htm) |
| [4.1](tm268826d6_ex4-1.htm) | [First Supplemental Indenture, dated March 17, 2026, to the Indenture, dated December 13, 2021, by and between Confluent, Inc. and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (as successor in interest to U.S. Bank National Association)](tm268826d6_ex4-1.htm) |
| [99.1](tm268826d6_ex99-1.htm) | [Press Release, dated March 17, 2026](tm268826d6_ex99-1.htm) |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |

---

\* Schedules and exhibits omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. Confluent will furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit to the SEC upon request. Confluent may request confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Exchange Act for any schedules or exhibits so furnished.

**SIGNATURES**

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **CONFLUENT, INC.** | **CONFLUENT, INC.** |
|  | By: | /s/ Mark Hobbert |
| Dated: March 17, 2026 |  | Mark Hobbert |
|  |  | Treasurer |

---

## Exhibit 3.1

***Exhibit 3.1***

**AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION**

**of**

**CONFLUENT, INC.**

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1. <u>Name</u>. The name of the corporation is Confluent, Inc. (the "<u>Corporation</u>").

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2. <u>Address; Registered Office and Agent</u>. The name and address of the Corporation's registered agent is Corporation Service Company, 251 Little Falls Drive, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19808.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3. <u>Purpose</u>. The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "<u>DGCL</u>").

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4. <u>Number of Shares</u>. The total number of shares of stock that the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 10,000, all of which shall be designated shares of Common Stock with the par value of $0.001 per share.

The Corporation may issue fractional shares of Common Stock. The holders of fractional shares shall be entitled to all rights as stockholders of the Corporation to the extent provided herein and under applicable law in respect of such fractional shares.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5. <u>Election of Directors</u>. Unless and except to the extent that the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Corporation (the "<u>Bylaws</u>") shall so require, the election of directors of the Corporation need not be by written ballot.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6. <u>Limitation of Liability</u>. To the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended or modified from time to time, no director of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the Corporation or any of its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended. If the DGCL is amended hereafter to authorize the further elimination or limitation of the liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as so amended. Any repeal, modification or elimination of this Section 6 shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal, modification or elimination with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to such repeal, modification or elimination.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7. <u>Indemnification</u>.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7.1 <u>Indemnification of Corporate Agents</u>. The Corporation shall indemnify and is authorized to provide advancement of expenses, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any person who was or is a party to or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all expenses, liabilities, and losses (including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any proceeding mentioned in this Section 7.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7.2 <u>Repeal or Modification</u>. Neither any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7, nor the adoption of any provision of the Corporation's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with this Section 7, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Section 7 in respect of any matter occurring, or any action or proceeding accruing or arising or that, but for this Section 7, would accrue or arise, prior to such amendment, repeal, modification or adoption of an inconsistent provision.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;8. <u>Adoption, Amendment or Repeal of Bylaws</u>. In furtherance of and in limitation to the powers conferred by statute, the board of directors of the Corporation is expressly authorized to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9. <u>Meetings of Stockholders</u>. Meetings of stockholders may be held within or without the State of Delaware, as the Bylaws may provide. The books of the Corporation may be kept outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may be designated from time to time by the board of directors of the Corporation or in the Bylaws.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;10. <u>Certificate Amendments</u>. The Corporation reserves the right at any time, and from time to time, to amend or repeal any provision contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and add other provisions authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware at the time in force, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by applicable law; and all rights, preferences and privileges of whatsoever nature conferred upon stockholders, directors or any other persons whomsoever by and pursuant to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (as amended) are granted subject to the rights reserved in this Section 10.

## Exhibit 3.2

***Exhibit 3.2***

**AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS**

**OF**

**CONFLUENT, INC.**

**(The "<u>Corporation</u>")**

ARTICLE I

<u>Meetings of Stockholders: Stockholders'<br> Consent in Lieu of Meeting</u>

Section 1.01. <u>Annual Meeting</u>. The annual meeting of the stockholders for the election of directors, and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting, shall be held at such place, date and hour as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the "<u>Board of Directors</u>") and designated in the notice or waiver of notice thereof; except that no annual meeting need be held if all actions, including the election of directors, required by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "<u>DGCL</u>") to be taken at a stockholders' annual meeting are taken by written consent in lieu of meeting pursuant to Section 1.03 of this Article.

Section 1.02. <u>Special Meetings</u>. A special meeting of the stockholders for any purpose or purposes may be called by the Board of Directors, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, the President or the Secretary of the Corporation or a stockholder or stockholders holding of record at least a majority of the shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Corporation ("<u>Common Stock</u>") issued and outstanding, such meeting to be held at such place, date and hour as shall be designated in the notice or waiver of notice thereof.

Section 1.03. <u>Stockholders' Consent in Lieu of Meeting</u>.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) Any action required by the laws of the State of Delaware to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of such stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding shares having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing and who, if the action had been taken at a meeting, would have been entitled to notice of the meeting if the record date for such meeting had been the date that written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take the action were delivered to the Corporation as provided in Section 228 of the DGCL. In the event that the action which is consented to is such as would have required the filing of a certificate under any provision of the DGCL if such action had been voted on by stockholders at a meeting thereof, the certificate filed under such provision shall state, in lieu of any statement required by such provision concerning any vote of stockholders, that written consent has been given in accordance with Section 228 of the DGCL.

Section 1.04. <u>Quorum and Adjournment</u>. Except as otherwise provided by law, by the amended and restated certificate of incorporation (as it may be amended, supplemented, modified or restated from time to time, the "<u>Certificate of Incorporation</u>") of the Corporation or by these Bylaws, the presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the aggregate voting power of the stock issued and outstanding, entitled to vote thereat, shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of stockholders. If, however, such a quorum is not present or represented at any meeting of stockholders, then either (i) the chairperson of the meeting or (ii) the stockholders present at the meeting, although less than a quorum, shall have the power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present or represented.

Section 1.05. <u>Required Vote</u>. When a quorum is present at any meeting of stockholders: (a) at all meetings of stockholders for the election of directors, a plurality of the votes cast shall be sufficient to elect, and (b) for all other elections and questions, the affirmative vote of the majority of the aggregate voting power of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall constitute the act of the stockholders, unless by express provision of law, the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation or these Bylaws a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control.

Section 1.06. <u>Manner of Voting</u>. At each meeting of stockholders, each shareholder having the right to vote shall be entitled to vote in person or by proxy. Proxies need not be filed with the Secretary of the Corporation until the meeting is called to order, but shall be filed before being voted. Each shareholder shall be entitled to vote each share of stock having voting power registered in his or her name on the books of the Corporation on the record date fixed, as provided in Section 6.07 of Article VI hereof, for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting, with a proportionate vote for any fractional share. No election of directors need be by written ballot.

ARTICLE II

<u>Board of Directors</u>

Section 2.01. <u>General Powers</u>. The management of the affairs of the Corporation shall be vested in the Board of Directors, which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.

Section 2.02. <u>Number and Term of Office</u>. The number of directors which shall constitute the whole Board of Directors shall be fixed from time to time by a vote of a majority of the whole Board of Directors. The term "<u>whole Board of Directors</u>" is used herein to refer to the total number of directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies. Directors need not be stockholders. Each director shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death or resignation or removal in the manner hereinafter provided. No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director before that director's term of office expires.

Section 2.03. <u>Resignation, Removal and Vacancies</u>. Any director may resign at any time by giving written notice of his or her resignation to the Board of Directors, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, the President or the Secretary of the Corporation. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if the time be not specified, upon receipt thereof; and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

Any director or the whole Board of Directors may be removed, with or without cause, at any time by the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors or by written consent of the stockholders pursuant to Section 1.03 of Article I hereof.

Vacancies in the Board of Directors and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director.

If at any time, by reason of death or resignation or other cause, the Corporation shall have no directors in office, then any officer or any shareholder or an executor, administrator, trustee or guardian of a shareholder, or other fiduciary entrusted with like responsibility for the person or estate of a shareholder, may call a special meeting in accordance with the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation or these Bylaws, or may apply to the Court of Chancery for a decree summarily ordering an election as provided in Section 211 of the DGCL.

Section 2.04. <u>Meetings</u>.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) <u>Annual Meeting</u>. As soon as practicable after each annual election of directors, the Board of Directors shall meet for the purpose of organization and the transaction of other business, unless it shall have transacted all such business by written consent pursuant to Section 2.05 of this Article.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) <u>Other Meetings</u>. Other meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such times and places as the Board of Directors, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors or the President shall from time to time determine.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) <u>Notice of Meetings</u>. The Secretary of the Corporation shall give notice to each director of each meeting, including the time, place and purpose of such meeting. Notice of each such meeting shall be mailed to each director, addressed to him or her at his or her residence or usual place of business, at least two days before the day on which such meeting is to be held, or shall be sent to him or her at such place by telegraph, cable, wireless or other form of recorded communication, or be delivered personally or by telephone not later than the day before the day on which such meeting is to be held, but notice need not be given to any director who shall attend such meeting. A written waiver of notice, signed by the person entitled thereto, whether before or after the time of the meeting stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) <u>Place of Meetings</u>. The Board of Directors may hold its meetings at such place or places within or without the State of Delaware as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine, or as shall be designated in the respective notices or waivers of notice thereof.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e) <u>Quorum and Manner of Acting</u>. One third of the total number of directors then in office (but not less than two) shall be present in person at any meeting of the Board of Directors in order to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at such meeting, and the vote of a majority of those directors present at any such meeting at which a quorum is present shall be necessary for the passage of any resolution or act of the Board of Directors, except as otherwise expressly required by law or these Bylaws. In the absence of a quorum for any such meeting, a majority of the directors present thereat may adjourn such meeting from time to time until a quorum shall be present.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(f) <u>Organization</u>. At each meeting of the Board of Directors, one of the following shall act as chairperson of the meeting and preside, in the following order of precedence:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) the Chairperson of the Board of Directors;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) the President (if the President shall be a member of the Board of Directors at such time); and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii) any director chosen by a majority of the directors present.

The Secretary of the Corporation or, in the case of his or her absence, any person (who shall be an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation, if an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation is present) whom the Chairperson of the Board of Directors shall appoint shall act as secretary of such meeting and keep the minutes thereof.

Section 2.05. <u>Directors' Consent in Lieu of Meeting</u>. Action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes or the proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee.

Section 2.06. <u>Action by Means of Conference Telephone or Similar Communications Equipment</u>. Any one or more members of the Board of Directors, or any committee designated by the Board of Directors, may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or any such committee by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

ARTICLE III

<u>Committees of the Board</u>

Section 3.01. <u>Appointment of Executive Committee</u>. The Board of Directors may from time to time by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board of Directors designate from its members an Executive Committee to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. The Chairperson of the Executive Committee shall be designated by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of the Executive Committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member or members at any meeting of the Executive Committee. The Board of Directors shall have power at any time to change the membership of the Executive Committee, to fill all vacancies in it and to discharge it, either with or without cause.

Section 3.02. <u>Procedures of Executive Committee</u>. The Executive Committee, by a vote of a majority of its members, shall fix by whom its meetings may be called and the manner of calling and holding its meetings, shall determine the number of its members requisite to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and shall prescribe its own rules of procedure, no change in which shall be made except by a majority vote of its members or by the Board of Directors.

Section 3.03. <u>Powers of Executive Committee</u>. During the intervals between the meetings of the Board of Directors, unless otherwise determined from time to time by resolution passed by the whole Board of Directors, the Executive Committee shall possess and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management and direction of the business and affairs of the Corporation to the extent permitted by the DGCL, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it, except that the Executive Committee shall not have power or authority in reference to:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) amending the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) adopting an agreement of merger or consolidation;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) recommending to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the Corporation's property and assets;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) recommending to the stockholders a dissolution of the Corporation or a revocation of a dissolution;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e) submitting to stockholders of the Corporation any action which pursuant to the DGCL requires shareholder approval;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(f) creating or filling vacancies in the Board of Directors or in any committee or fixing compensation of members of the Board of Directors for serving on the Board of Directors or on any committee;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(g) amending or repealing these Bylaws;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(h) declaring a dividend or authorizing the issuance of stock; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) amending or repealing any resolution of the Board of Directors which by its terms is not so amendable or repealable.

Section 3.04. <u>Reports of Executive Committee</u>. The Executive Committee shall keep regular minutes of its proceedings, and all action by the Executive Committee shall be reported promptly to the Board of Directors. Such action shall be subject to review by the Board of Directors; <u>provided</u>, that no rights of third parties shall be affected by such review.

Section 3.05. <u>Other Committees</u>. The Board of Directors, by resolution adopted by a majority of the whole Board of Directors, may designate from among its members one or more other committees, each of which shall have such authority of the Board of Directors as may be specified in the resolution of the Board of Directors designating such committee; <u>provided</u>, <u>however</u>, that any such committee so designated shall not have any powers not allowed to the Executive Committee under Section 3.03 of this Article. The Board of Directors shall have power at any time to change the members of any such committee, designate alternate members of any such committee and fill vacancies therein; and any such committee shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE IV

<u>Officers</u>

Section 4.01. <u>Executive Officers</u>. The executive officers of the Corporation shall be a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer and may include a Chairperson of the Board of Directors, one or more Vice Presidents and one or more Assistant Secretaries or Assistant Treasurers. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person.

Section 4.02. <u>Authority and Duties</u>. All officers, as between themselves and the Corporation, shall have such authority and perform such duties in the management of the Corporation as may be provided in these Bylaws or, to the extent not so provided, by the Board of Directors.

Section 4.03. <u>Subordinate Officers</u>. The Board of Directors may appoint, or empower the Chief Executive Officer or the President to appoint, such other officers and agents as the business of the Corporation may require. Each of such officers and agents shall hold office for such period, have such authority and perform such duties as are provided in these Bylaws or as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.

Section 4.04. <u>Term of Office, Resignation and Removal</u>. All officers shall be elected or appointed by the Board of Directors and shall hold office for such term as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors. The Chairperson of the Board of Directors, if any, shall be elected or appointed from among the members of the Board of Directors. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor has been elected or appointed and qualified or his or her earlier death or resignation or removal in the manner hereinafter provided. The Board of Directors may require any officer to give security for the faithful performance of his or her duties.

Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the President or the Secretary of the Corporation, and such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if the time when it shall become effective is not specified therein, at the time it is accepted by action of the Board of Directors. Except as aforesaid, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

All officers and agents elected or appointed by the Board of Directors shall be subject to removal at any time by the Board of Directors with or without cause.

Section 4.05. <u>Vacancies</u>. If an office becomes vacant for any reason, the Board of Directors shall fill such vacancy or as set forth in Section 4.04. Any officer so appointed or elected by the Board of Directors shall serve only until such time as the unexpired term of his or her predecessor shall have expired unless reelected or reappointed by the Board of Directors.

Section 4.06. <u>Chairperson of the Board of Directors</u>. If there shall be a Chairperson of the Board of Directors, he or she shall preside at meetings of the Board of Directors and of the stockholders at which he or she is present, and shall give counsel and advice to the Board of Directors and the officers of the Corporation on all subjects touching the welfare of the Corporation and the conduct of its business. He or she shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. Except as otherwise provided by resolution of the Board of Directors he or she shall be ex officio a member of all committees of the Board of Directors.

Section 4.07. <u>The President</u>. The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation and, unless the Chairperson of the Board of Directors be present or the Board of Directors has provided otherwise by resolution, he or she shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and the stockholders at which he or she is present except, in the case of a meeting of the Board of Directors, if the President is not a member of the Board of Directors at such time. He or she shall have general and active management and control of the business and affairs of the Corporation subject to the control of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, if any, and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, if any, are carried into effect.

Section 4.08. <u>Vice Presidents</u>. The Vice President of the Corporation, if any, or if there be more than one, the Vice Presidents in the order of their seniority or in any other order determined by the Board of Directors; shall, in the absence or disability of the President, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President, and shall generally assist the President and perform such other duties as the Board of Directors or the President shall prescribe.

Section 4.09. <u>The Secretary</u>. The Secretary of the Corporation shall, to the extent practicable, attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and all meetings of the stockholders and shall record all votes and the minutes of all proceedings in a book to be kept for that purpose, and shall perform like duties for the standing committees when required. He or she shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the President, under whose supervision he or she shall perform such duties. He or she shall keep in safe custody the seal of the Corporation and affix the same to any duly authorized instrument requiring it and, when so affixed, it shall be attested by his or her signature or by the signature of the Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary or Assistant Treasurer. He or she shall keep in safe custody the certificate books and shareholder records and such other books and records as the Board of Directors may direct and shall perform all other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, the President or the Board of Directors.

Section 4.10. <u>Assistant Secretaries</u>. The Assistant Secretary of the Corporation, if any, or if there be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in order of their seniority or in any other order determined by the Board of Directors shall, in the absence or disability of the Secretary of the Corporation, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors or the Secretary of the Corporation shall prescribe.

Section 4.11. <u>The Treasurer</u>. The Treasurer shall have the care and custody of the corporate funds and other valuable effects, including securities, and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation, and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects to the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the President and directors, at the regular meetings of the Board of Directors, or whenever they may require it, an account of all his or her transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation; and, in general, perform all the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the President or the Board of Directors.

Section 4.12. <u>Assistant Treasurers</u>. The Assistant Treasurer of the Corporation, if any, or if there be more than one, the Assistant Treasurers in the order of their seniority or in any other order determined by the Board of Directors, shall in the absence or disability of the Treasurer perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Treasurer and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors or the Treasurer shall prescribe.

ARTICLE V

<u>Contracts, Checks, Drafts, Bank Accounts, etc.</u>

Section 5.01. <u>Execution of Documents</u>. The Board of Directors shall designate the officers, employees and agents of the Corporation who shall have power to execute and deliver deeds, contracts, mortgages, bonds, debentures, checks, drafts and other orders for the payment of money and other documents for and in the name of the Corporation, and may authorize such officers, employees and agents to delegate such power (including authority to redelegate) by written instrument to other officers, employees or agents of the Corporation; and, unless so designated or expressly authorized by these Bylaws, no officer or agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the Corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable pecuniarily for any purpose or to any amount.

Section 5.02. <u>Deposits</u>. All funds of the Corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Corporation or otherwise as the Board of Directors or Treasurer or any other officer of the Corporation to whom power in this respect shall have been given by the Board of Directors shall select.

Section 5.03. <u>Proxies in Respect of Stock or Other Securities of Other Corporations</u>. The Board of Directors shall designate the officers of the Corporation who shall have authority from time to time to appoint an agent or agents of the Corporation to exercise in the name and on behalf of the Corporation the powers and rights which the Corporation may have as the holder of stock or other securities in any other corporation, and to vote or consent in respect of such stock or securities; such designated officers may instruct the person or persons so appointed as to the manner of exercising such powers and rights; and such designated officers may execute or cause to be executed in the name and on behalf of the Corporation and under its corporate seal, or otherwise, such written proxies, powers of attorney or other instruments as they may deem necessary or proper in order that the Corporation may exercise its said powers and rights.

ARTICLE VI

<u>Shares and Their Transfer; Fixing Record Date</u>

Section 6.01. <u>Certificates for Shares</u>. Every owner of stock of the Corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate certifying the number and class of shares or fraction thereof owned by him or her in the Corporation; <u>provided,</u> that the Board of Directors may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock shall be uncertificated shares that may be evidenced by a book-entry system maintained by the Secretary of the Corporation. If shares are represented by certificates, such certificates (if any) shall otherwise be in such form as prescribed by the Board of Directors. Certificates of each class (if any) shall be issued in consecutive order and shall be numbered in the order of their issue, and shall be signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, the President or a Vice President and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation.

Section 6.02. <u>Record</u>. A record (herein called the "<u>stock record</u>") in one or more counterparts shall be kept of the name of the person, firm or corporation owning the shares represented by each certificate or book entry for stock of the Corporation issued, the number of shares represented by each such certificate, the date thereof and, in the case of cancelation, the date of cancelation. Except as otherwise expressly required by law, the person in whose name shares of stock stand on the stock record of the Corporation shall be deemed the owner thereof for all purposes as regards the Corporation.

Section 6.03. <u>Registration of Stock</u>. Registration of transfers of shares of the Corporation shall be made only on the books of the Corporation upon request of the registered holder thereof, or of his or her attorney thereunto authorized by power of attorney duly executed and filed with the Secretary of the Corporation, and, if such shares are certificated, upon the surrender of the certificate or certificates for such shares properly endorsed or accompanied by a stock power duly executed.

Section 6.04. <u>Addresses of Stockholders</u>. Each shareholder shall designate to the Secretary of the Corporation an address at which notices of meetings and all other corporate notices may be served or mailed to him or her, and, if any shareholder shall fail to designate such address, corporate notices may be served upon him or her by mail directed to him or her at his or her post office address, if any, as the same appears on the share record books of the Corporation or at his or her last known post office address.

Section 6.05. <u>Lost, Destroyed and Mutilated Certificates</u>. The Board of Directors or a committee designated thereby with power so to act may, in its discretion, cause to be issued a new certificate or certificates for stock of the Corporation in place of any certificate issued by it and reported to have been lost, destroyed or mutilated, upon the surrender of the mutilated certificates or, in the case of loss or destruction of the certificate, upon satisfactory proof of such loss or destruction, and the Board of Directors or such committee may, in its discretion, require the owner of the lost or destroyed certificate or his or her legal representative to give the Corporation a bond in such sum and with such surety or sureties as it may direct to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss or destruction of any such certificate.

Section 6.06. <u>Regulations</u>. The Board of Directors may make such rules and regulations as it may deem expedient, not inconsistent with these Bylaws, concerning the issue, transfer and registration of certificates for stock of the Corporation.

Section 6.07. <u>Fixing Date for Determination of Stockholders of Record</u>. In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than 50 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting, nor more than 50 days prior to any other action. A determination of stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; <u>provided</u>, <u>however</u>, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

ARTICLE VII

<u>Fiscal Year</u>

The fiscal year of the Corporation shall end on the 31st day of December in each year unless changed by resolution of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VIII

<u>Indemnification</u>

Section 8.01. <u>Indemnification of Directors, Executive Officers, Employees and Other Agents</u>.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) <u>Directors and Executive Officers</u>. The Corporation shall indemnify its directors and executive officers (for the purposes of this Article VIII, "<u>executive officers</u>" shall have the meaning defined in Rule 3b-7 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder) to the extent not prohibited by the DGCL or any other applicable law; <u>provided</u>, <u>however</u>, that the Corporation may modify the extent of such indemnification by individual contracts with its directors and executive officers; and, <u>provided</u>, <u>further</u>, that the Corporation shall not be required to indemnify any director or executive officer in connection with any proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person unless (i) such indemnification is expressly required to be made by law, (ii) the proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, (iii) such indemnification is provided by the Corporation, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Corporation under the DGCL or any other applicable law or (iv) such indemnification is required to be made under subsection (d).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) <u>Other Officers, Employees and Other Agents</u>. The Corporation shall have power to indemnify its other officers, employees and other agents as set forth in the DGCL or any other applicable law. The Board of Directors shall have the power to delegate the determination of whether indemnification shall be given to any such person except executive officers to such officers or other persons as the Board of Directors shall determine.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) <u>Expenses</u>. The Corporation shall advance to any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or executive officer, of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or executive officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, prior to the final disposition of the proceeding, promptly following request therefor, all expenses incurred by any director or executive officer in connection with such proceeding; <u>provided</u>, <u>however</u>, that if the DGCL requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by a director or executive officer in his or her capacity as a director or executive officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking (hereinafter an "<u>undertaking</u>"), by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a "<u>final adjudication</u>") that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Article VIII or otherwise.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise determined pursuant to paragraph (e) of this section, no advance shall be made by the Corporation to an executive officer of the Corporation (except by reason of the fact that such executive officer is or was a director of the Corporation in which event this paragraph shall not apply) in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, if a determination is reasonably and promptly made (i) by a majority vote of directors who were not parties to the proceeding, even if not a quorum, or (ii) by a committee of such directors designated by a majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (iii) if there are no such directors, or such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, that the facts known to the decision-making party at the time such determination is made demonstrate clearly and convincingly that such person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) <u>Enforcement</u>. Without the necessity of entering into an express contract, all rights to indemnification and advances to directors and executive officers under this Article VIII shall be deemed to be contractual rights and be effective to the same extent and as if provided for in a contract between the Corporation and the director or executive officer. Any right to indemnification or advances granted by this Article VIII to a director or executive officer shall be enforceable by or on behalf of the person holding such right in any court of competent jurisdiction if (i) the claim for indemnification or advances is denied, in whole or in part, or (ii) no disposition of such claim is made within ninety (90) days of request therefor. To the extent permitted by law, the claimant in such enforcement action, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting the claim to the fullest extent permitted by law. In connection with any claim for indemnification, the Corporation shall be entitled to raise as a defense to any such action that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct that make it permissible under the DGCL or any other applicable law for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed. In connection with any claim by an executive officer of the Corporation (except in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such executive officer is or was a director of the Corporation) for advances, the Corporation shall be entitled to raise a defense as to any such action clear and convincing evidence that such person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, or with respect to any criminal action or proceeding that such person acted without reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was lawful. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL or any other applicable law, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct. In any suit brought by a director or executive officer to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, the burden of proving that the director or executive officer is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this Article VIII or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e) <u>Non-Exclusivity of Rights</u>. The rights conferred on any person by this Article VIII shall not be exclusive of any other right which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any applicable statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his or her official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding office. The Corporation is specifically authorized to enter into individual contracts with any or all of its directors, officers, employees or agents respecting indemnification and advances, to the fullest extent not prohibited by the DGCL, or by any other applicable law.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(f) <u>Survival of Rights</u>. The rights conferred on any person by this Article VIII shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or executive officer or officer, employee or other agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(g) <u>Insurance.</u> To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL or any other applicable law, the Corporation, upon approval by the Board of Directors, may purchase insurance on behalf of any person required or permitted to be indemnified pursuant to this Article VIII.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(h) <u>Amendments</u>. Any repeal or modification of this Article VIII shall only be prospective and shall not affect the rights under this Article VIII in effect at the time of the alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that is the cause of any proceeding against any agent of the Corporation.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) <u>Saving Clause</u>. If this Article VIII or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each director and executive officer to the full extent not prohibited by any applicable portion of this Article VIII that shall not have been invalidated, or by any other applicable law. If this Article VIII shall be invalid due to the application of the indemnification provisions of another jurisdiction, then the Corporation shall indemnify each director and executive officer to the full extent under any other applicable law.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(j) <u>Certain Definitions</u>. For the purposes of this Article VIII, the following definitions shall apply:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) The term "proceeding" shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, the investigation, preparation, prosecution, defense, settlement, arbitration and appeal of, and the giving of testimony in, any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) The term "expenses" shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, court costs, attorneys' fees, witness fees, fines, amounts paid in settlement or judgment and any other costs and expenses of any nature or kind incurred in connection with any proceeding.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii) The term the "corporation" (including as applied to the Corporation) shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Article VIII with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he or she would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iv) References to a "director," "executive officer," "officer," "employee," or "agent" of the Corporation shall include, without limitation, situations where such person is serving at the request of the Corporation as, respectively, a director, executive officer, officer, employee, trustee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(v) References to "other enterprises" shall include employee benefit plans; references to "fines" shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to "serving at the request of the Corporation" shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner "not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation" as referred to in this Article VIII.

ARTICLE IX

<u>Waiver of Notice</u>

Whenever any notice is required to be given by these Bylaws or the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation or the laws of the State of Delaware, the person entitled thereto may, in person or by attorney thereunto authorized, in writing or by telegraph, cable or other form of recorded communication, waive such notice, whether before or after the meeting or other matter in respect of which such notice is given, and in such event such notice need not be given to such person and such waiver shall be deemed equivalent to such notice.

ARTICLE X

<u>Amendments</u>

These Bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed by the stockholders entitled to vote. Any Bylaw (including these Bylaws) may be adopted, amended or repealed by the Board of Directors in any manner not inconsistent with the laws of the State of Delaware or the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation. The fact that such power has been granted to the directors shall not divest the stockholders of their power, nor limit their power to adopt, amend or repeal these Bylaws.

## Exhibit 4.1

***Exhibit 4.1***

 ****

**EXECUTION VERSION**

**FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE**

FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of March 17, 2026 (this "**Supplemental Indenture**"), by and between CONFLUENT, INC., a Delaware corporation, as issuer (the "**Company**"), and U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (as successor in interest to U.S. Bank National Association), as trustee (the "**Trustee**"), supplements the Indenture, dated as of December 13, 2021 (the "**Indenture**"), between the Company and the Trustee.

**WITNESSETH:**

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Indenture, the Company issued $1,100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027 (the "**Notes**");

WHEREAS, the Company is a party to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 7, 2025 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the "**Merger Agreement**"), by and among International Business Machines Corporation, a New York corporation ("**Parent**"), the Company and Corvo Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent ("**Sub**"), pursuant to which, each share of Common Stock of the Company (a "**Share**") issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger (as defined below) (other than certain Shares as set forth in the Merger Agreement) will be converted into the right to receive $31.00 in cash, without interest (the "**Merger Consideration**"), subject to applicable withholding taxes;

WHEREAS, the merger of Sub with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving entity and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (the "**Merger**"), has been consummated on the date hereof in accordance with the Merger Agreement, substantially concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 14.07(a) of the Indenture, the Merger constitutes a Share Exchange Event, and the Company and the Trustee are required to enter into a supplemental indenture providing that from and after the Effective Time the right to convert each $1,000 principal amount of Notes shall be changed into a right to convert such principal amount of Notes into the units of Reference Property;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement and Section 14.07(a) of the Indenture, each unit of Reference Property consists of $31.00 in cash;

WHEREAS, Section 10.01(g) of the Indenture provides that the Company and the Trustee may enter into a supplemental indenture, without the consent of the Holders of any of the Notes at the time outstanding, in connection with any Share Exchange Event to provide that the Notes are convertible into Reference Property, subject to the provisions of Section 14.02 of the Indenture, and to make related changes to the terms of the Notes to the extent expressly required by Section 14.07 of the Indenture;

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors has duly adopted resolutions authorizing the Company to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture;

WHEREAS, the Company has requested that the Trustee execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture; and

WHEREAS, all conditions precedent provided for in the Indenture relating to the execution of this Supplemental Indenture have been complied with.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto mutually covenant and agree for the equal and proportionate benefit of the Holders as follows:

ARTICLE I<br> TERMS

Section 1.01 *Definitions*. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Indenture. In accordance with Section 14.07 of the Indenture and pursuant to the terms of the Merger,

"**Daily VWAP**" shall mean $31.00;

"**Last Reported Sale Price**" shall mean $31.00;

"**Reference Property**" shall mean cash;

"**Stock Price**" shall mean $31.00; and

"**unit of Reference Property**" shall mean $31.00 in cash.

ARTICLE II<br> EFFECT OF MERGER

Section 2.01  *Conversion Right*. Pursuant to Section 14.07(a) of the Indenture, from and after the date of this Supplemental Indenture, the right to convert each $1,000 principal amount of Notes shall be changed into a right to convert such principal amount of Notes into the kind and amount of shares of stock, other securities or other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) that a holder of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate immediately prior to the Merger would have owned or been entitled to receive upon the Merger, which shall be a number of units of Reference Property equal to the applicable Conversion Rate. The provisions of the Indenture, as modified herein, shall continue to apply, *mutatis mutandis*, to the Holders' right to convert the Notes and the Conversion Obligation due upon any conversion of any Note, and the conditions to any such conversion, shall be determined in the same manner as if each reference to any number of shares of Common Stock in Article 14 of the Indenture (or in any related definitions) were instead a reference to the same number of units of Reference Property.

ARTICLE III<br> ACCEPTANCE OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

Section 3.01 *Trustee's Acceptance*. The Trustee hereby accepts this Supplemental Indenture and agrees to perform the same under the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture.

ARTICLE IV<br> MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 4.01  *Governing Law; Waiver of Trial by Jury*. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 4.02  *Effectiveness; Construction*. This Supplemental Indenture shall become effective upon its execution and delivery by the Company and the Trustee as of the date hereof. Upon the execution of this Supplemental Indenture pursuant to Article 10 and Section 10.01(g) of the Indenture, the Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitation of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under the Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and the Holders shall hereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments and all the terms and conditions of the Supplemental Indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of the Indenture for any and all purposes. The Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture shall henceforth be read and construed together.

Section 4.03  *Benefits of Supplemental Indenture*. Nothing in this Supplemental Indenture, expressed or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the Holders, the parties hereto, any Paying Agent, any Conversion Agent, any authenticating agent, any Note Registrar and their successors hereunder, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Supplemental Indenture.

Section 4.04  *Execution in Counterparts*. This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. The exchange of copies of this Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Supplemental Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

Section 4.05 *Ratification of Indenture*. The Indenture, as supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture, is in all respects ratified and confirmed, and this Supplemental Indenture shall be deemed part of the Indenture in the manner and to the extent herein provided.

Section 4.06 *The Trustee*. The recitals in this Supplemental Indenture are made by the Company only and not by the Trustee, and all of the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits afforded to the Trustee under the Indenture are deemed to be incorporated herein, and shall be enforceable by the Trustee hereunder, in each of its capacities hereunder as if set forth herein in full. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture. The Trustee is not charged with any knowledge of the Merger Agreement or any of the terms thereof.

Section 4.07 *Effect on Successors and Assigns*. Notwithstanding Section 17.08 of the Indenture, all agreements of the Company, the Trustee, the Note Registrar, the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent in this Supplemental Indenture will bind their respective successors.

Section 4.08 *Headings, Etc*. The titles and headings of the articles and sections of this Supplemental Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 4.09  *Severability*. In the event any provision of this Supplemental Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, then (to the extent permitted by law) the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired.

[*Signature Pages Follow*]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| CONFLUENT, INC. | CONFLUENT, INC. |
| By: | /s/ Mark Hobbert |
|  | Name: Mark Hobbert |
|  | Title: Treasurer |

---

[Signature Page to Supplemental Indenture]

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, | U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, |
| as Trustee | as Trustee |
| By: | /s/ Bradley E. Scarbrough |
|  | Name: Bradley E. Scarbrough |
|  | Title: Vice President |

---

[Signature Page to Supplemental Indenture]

## Exhibit 99.1

**Exhibit 99.1**

**IBM Completes Acquisition of Confluent, Making Real Time Data the Engine of Enterprise AI and Agents**

*Day-one integrations include IBM watsonx.data, IBM MQ, IBM webMethods Hybrid Integration,* 

*and IBM Z* 

**ARMONK, N.Y., March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — IBM (NYSE: IBM)** today completed its acquisition of Confluent, Inc., the data streaming platform that more than 6,500 enterprises, including 40% of the Fortune 500, rely on to power real-time operations. Together, IBM and Confluent deliver a smart data platform that gives every AI model, agent, and automated workflow the real-time, trusted data needed to operate across on-premises and hybrid cloud environments at scale.

As enterprises move from AI experimentation to production, the critical barrier to success is the data — clean, governed, continuously refreshed —and delivered at the speed and scale AI demands. Yet in most enterprises today, data remains siloed across systems and environments, arriving hours or days after it is generated. Together IBM and Confluent provide the fabric through which AI agents can access the information they need, with the controls, governance, and real-time velocity to put information to work safely and at scale.

IDC estimates that more than one billion new logical applications will emerge by 2028 [1], driven by a new generation of AI that will only deliver value if the data behind it is live, trusted, and continuously flowing. That scale of demand requires a new kind of data foundation, and IBM and Confluent address that challenge directly, giving enterprises a single, governed platform where AI models and agents can operate with context, in real time, across every environment.

"Transactions happen in milliseconds, and AI decisions need to happen just as fast. With Confluent, we are giving clients the ability to move trusted data continuously across their entire operation so their AI models and agents can act on what is happening right now, not on data that is hours old" said **Rob Thomas, Senior Vice President, IBM Software and Chief Commercial Officer**. "Together, IBM and Confluent give enterprises the foundation for a new operating model - one where AI runs on live data, drives decisions in real time, and delivers value at scale."

Built on Apache Kafka®, the standard for data streaming, Confluent is already embedded in the operational fabric of the world's largest enterprises, with a customer base that spans industries from financial services and healthcare to manufacturing and retail.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· **Michelin** relies
 on Confluent to manage real-time inventory across a supply chain spanning 170 countries —
 achieving 35% cost savings without sacrificing visibility or control [2].

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· **L'Oréal** uses Confluent to stream real-time product and inventory updates across internal systems
 and third-party applications, helping the company respond faster to changing consumer demand
 [3].

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· **BMW Group** streams
 IoT data from 30+ production sites and its global sales network in real time, connecting
 factory floor systems and cloud applications across the organization [4].

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· **Ticketmaster** streams
 ticket inventory, sales, and customer activity in real time across hundreds of systems, reducing
 development friction and powering machine learning at scale [5].

"Since our founding, Confluent's mission has been to set the world's data in motion, making data streaming as foundational to the enterprise as the database. Joining IBM allows us to accelerate that mission at a much greater scale," said **Jay Kreps, CEO and Co-founder of Confluent**. "IBM's global reach and deep enterprise relationships will help us go further, faster. As enterprises move from experimenting with AI to running their business on it, helping data flow continuously across the business has never mattered more. I'm excited to see what we'll build together."

**IBM and Confluent Product Synergies**

Today's announcement brings immediate integrations across the IBM portfolio, including:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· **AI-Ready, Real-Time Data.** Enterprise AI technologies need current context, not yesterday's data. Confluent
 streams live operational events directly into watsonx.data – ensuring every model,
 agent, and workflow runs on continuously updated enterprise data, with lineage, policy enforcement,
 and quality controls included.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· **Activate the modernized mainframe in the AI era.** The most critical business transactions in the world have long
 run on IBM Z. With IBM Z and Confluent, organizations can identify and drive real-time events
 at the transaction source as well as stream transactional data directly for real-time analytics,
 automation, and AI workflows. This enables mission-critical transaction processing to integrate
 tightly with the rest of the business in real-time, at enterprise scale.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· **Event-Driven Automation Across Hybrid Environments.** IBM MQ and IBM webMethods Hybrid Integration form
 the foundation of enterprise event-driven automation, combining trusted transactional messaging
 with modern integration and orchestration across hybrid environments. Confluent extends this
 platform with high-scale event streaming, enabling applications, APIs, and AI agents to sense
 and act on business events in real time. <br>

With Confluent, IBM Consulting and IBM partners, will help clients build the data foundation their AI needs — live, governed, and continuously flowing across every system and environment.

"The shift from AI experimentation to production deployment has exposed a critical gap in enterprise data architecture: the inability to deliver trusted, real-time data to the systems that need it most. AI agents and automated workflows don't operate on historical data; they require live operational signals, continuously flowing across the enterprise as events occur," said **Sanjeev Mohan, Principal Analyst, SanjMo**. "IBM has made significant progress assembling a portfolio that addresses both sides of this equation: governance and infrastructure for data at rest, and a platform for data in motion. For enterprises whose architecture and priorities align with this approach, it is a compelling stack worth evaluating."

Under the terms of the agreement, IBM has acquired all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Confluent for $31 per share in cash, representing an enterprise value of approximately $11 billion.

For more information about today's news, please visit <u>https://www.ibm.com/products/confluent</u>

**[1] \*Source:** IDC, 1 Billion New Logical Applications: More Background, doc #US51953724, April 2024

**[2 -5] \*Source:** Confluent Case Studies & Testimonials https://www.confluent.io/customers/michelin/

<u>https://www.confluent.io/customers/loreal/</u>

<u>https://www.confluent.io/customers/bmw-group/</u>

<u>https://www.confluent.io/customers/ticketmaster/</u>

**###**

**About IBM** 

IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Thousands of government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's legendary commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service. Visit <u>www.ibm.com</u> for more information.

**Press Contact**

Sarah Benchaita<br> <u>IBM Software Communications</u><br> sarah.benchaita@ibm.com

**Forward-Looking Statements**<br> Certain statements contained in this communication may be characterized as forward-looking under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Forward-looking statements in this press release may include statements regarding the expected benefits of the transaction, the impact of the transaction on IBM's and the acquired business's operations and financial results, and expectations following the completion of the transaction. There can be no assurance that the anticipated benefits of the transaction will be realized. All forward-looking statements are based on information available to IBM as of the date of this press release. Additional risks and uncertainties are described in IBM's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. IBM undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements, except as required by law.