Document:

Exhibit 4.4

SENDGRID, INC.

 

Amended and Restated 2009 Equity Incentive Plan

 

Effective Date: April 19, 2010

 

Approved by the Board of Directors on April 19, 2010

 

Approved by the Stockholders on April 19, 2010

 

 

Table of Contents

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
Page
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE I
    	
INTRODUCTION
    	
1
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
1.1
    	
Amendment of Plan
    	
1
    
	
1.2
    	
Establishment
    	
1
    
	
1.3
    	
Purpose
    	
1
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE II
    	
DEFINITIONS
    	
1
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
2.1
    	
Definitions
    	
1
    
	
2.2
    	
Gender and Number
    	
5
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE III
    	
PLAN ADMINISTRATION
    	
5
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
3.1
    	
General
    	
5
    
	
3.2
    	
Delegation by Committee
    	
6
    
	
3.3
    	
Contractual Limitations
    	
6
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE IV
    	
STOCK SUBJECT TO THE   PLAN
    	
6
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
4.1
    	
Number of Shares
    	
6
    
	
4.2
    	
Limit on Options
    	
7
    
	
4.3
    	
Other Shares of Stock
    	
7
    
	
4.4
    	
Adjustments for Stock   Split, Stock Dividend, Etc.
    	
7
    
	
4.5
    	
Other Distributions and   Changes in the Stock
    	
7
    
	
4.6
    	
General Adjustment   Rules
    	
8
    
	
4.7
    	
Determination by the   Committee, Etc.
    	
8
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE V
    	
CORPORATE   REORGANIZATION; CHANGE IN CONTROL
    	
8
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
5.1
    	
Default Provisions
    	
8
    
	
5.2
    	
Assumption or   Substitution of Options
    	
9
    
	
5.3
    	
Provisions Applicable   at the Discretion of the Committee
    	
9
    
	
5.4
    	
Company Actions
    	
11
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE VI
    	
PARTICIPATION
    	
11
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE VII
    	
OPTIONS
    	
12
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
7.1
    	
Grant of Options
    	
12
    
	
7.2
    	
Stock Option Agreements
    	
12
    
	
7.3
    	
Restrictions on   Incentive Options
    	
15
    
	
7.4
    	
Transferability
    	
15
    
				

 

i

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
Page
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
7.5
    	
Stockholder Privileges
    	
16
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE VIII
    	
RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS
    	
16
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
8.1
    	
Grant of Restricted   Stock Awards
    	
16
    
	
8.2
    	
Restrictions
    	
16
    
	
8.3
    	
Privileges of a   Stockholder, Transferability
    	
17
    
	
8.4
    	
Enforcement of   Restrictions
    	
17
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE IX
    	
OTHER GRANTS
    	
17
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE X
    	
RIGHTS OF PARTICIPANTS
    	
17
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
10.1
    	
Employment or Service
    	
17
    
	
10.2
    	
Nontransferability of   Awards
    	
17
    
	
10.3
    	
No Plan Funding
    	
18
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE XI
    	
GENERAL RESTRICTIONS
    	
18
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
11.1
    	
Investment   Representations
    	
18
    
	
11.2
    	
Compliance with   Securities Laws
    	
18
    
	
11.3
    	
Changes in Accounting   or Tax Rules
    	
18
    
	
11.4
    	
Stockholder Agreements
    	
19
    
	
 
    
	
ARTICLE XII
    	
PLAN AMENDMENT,   MODIFICATION AND TERMINATION
    	
19
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE XIII
    	
WITHHOLDING
    	
19
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
13.1
    	
Withholding Requirement
    	
19
    
	
13.2
    	
Withholding With Stock
    	
19
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE XIV
    	
REQUIREMENTS OF LAW
    	
20
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
14.1
    	
Requirements of Law
    	
20
    
	
14.2
    	
Federal Securities Law   Requirements
    	
20
    
	
14.3
    	
Section 409A
    	
20
    
	
14.4
    	
Governing Law
    	
21
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE XV
    	
DURATION OF THE PLAN
    	
21
    
				

 

ii

 

SENDGRID, INC.

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED 2009 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

ARTICLE I
 INTRODUCTION

 

1.1                               Amendment of Plan. This Amended and Restated 2009 Equity Incentive Plan amends and restates the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan originally adopted on November 12, 2009 by SendGrid, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”).

 

1.2                               Establishment. The Company adopts this Amended and Restated 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) effective as of the Effective Date. The Plan is established for selected employees, consultants and advisors and non-employee directors of the Company and its Affiliates. The Plan permits the grant of incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, non-qualified stock options, restricted stock awards, and other stock grants to selected employees, to consultants and advisors and non-employee directors of the Company and its Affiliates.

 

1.3                               Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to provide financial incentives for selected employees, consultants and advisors, and non-employee directors of the Company and its Affiliates, thereby promoting the long-term growth and financial success of the Company by (a) attracting and retaining the most qualified officers, directors, key employees, and other persons, (b) strengthening the capability of the Company and its Affiliates to develop, maintain and direct a competent management team, (c) providing an effective means for selected employees, consultants and advisors and non-employee directors to acquire and maintain a direct proprietary interest in the operations and future success of the Company, (d) motivating employees to achieve long-range performance goals and objectives, and (e) providing incentive compensation opportunities competitive with those of other organizations.

 

ARTICLE II
 DEFINITIONS

 

2.1                               Definitions. The following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

 

(a)                                 “Affiliate” means, with respect to the Company, (i) any Subsidiary of the Company, and (ii) any other corporation or entity that is affiliated with the Company through stock ownership or otherwise and is designated as an “Affiliate” by the Board, provided, however, that for purposes of Incentive Options granted pursuant to the Plan, an “Affiliate” means any parent or subsidiary of the Company as defined in Section 424 of the Code.

 

(b)                                 “Award” means an Option, a Restricted Stock Award, grants of Stock pursuant to Article IX or other issuances of Stock hereunder.

 

(c)                                  “Award Agreement” means an Option Agreement, Restricted Stock Agreement or a written agreement evidencing any other Award under this Plan.

 

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

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO SENDGRID, INC. AMENDED AND RESTATED 2009 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

 

(e)                                  “Change in Control” means the following:

 

(i)                                    Merger; Reorganization. Any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other corporation or other entity or person, or any other corporate reorganization, in which the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such consolidation, merger or reorganization, own less than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of the surviving or successor entity immediately after such consolidation, merger or reorganization, or any transaction or series of related transactions to which the Company is a party in which in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the Company’s voting power is transferred, excluding (A) any consolidation or merger effected exclusively to change the domicile of the Company and (B) any transaction or series of transactions principally for bona fide equity financing purposes (including, but not limited to, the sale of securities pursuant to an effective registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) in which cash is received by the Company or any successor or indebtedness of the Company is cancelled or converted or a combination thereof; or

 

(ii)                                Other Transactions. A sale, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.

 

(f)                                   “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it may be amended from time to time.

 

(g)                                 “Committee” means the Board, or if so delegated by the Board, a committee consisting of not less than two members of the Board who are empowered hereunder to take actions in the administration of the Plan. If applicable, the Committee shall be so constituted at all times as to permit the Plan to comply with Rule 16b-3 or any successor rule promulgated under the Exchange Act. Except as provided in Section 3.2, the Committee shall select Participants from Eligible Employees, Eligible Consultants and Eligible Non-Employee Directors of the Company and its Affiliates and shall determine the Awards to be made pursuant to the Plan and the terms and conditions thereof.

 

(h)                                 “Disabled” or “Disability” means total and permanent disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

 

(i)                                    “Domestic Relations Order” means any judgment, decree, or order (including approval of a property settlement agreement) that is made pursuant to a state domestic relations law and that relates to the provision of child support, alimony payments, or marital property rights to a spouse, former spouse, child, or other dependent of a Participant.

 

(j)                                    “Effective Date” means the effective date of the Plan, April 19, 2010.

 

(k)                                 “Eligible Consultants” means those consultants and advisors to the Company or an Affiliate who are determined, by the Committee, to be individuals (i) whose services are important to the Company or an Affiliate and who are eligible to receive Awards, other than Incentive Options, under the Plan, and (ii) who meet the conditions for eligibility under Rule 701 promulgated under the Securities Act or such other exemptions from registration under the Securities Act as may be applicable.

 

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(l)                                    “Eligible Employees” means those employees (including, without limitation, officers and directors who are also employees) of the Company or any Affiliate, upon whose judgment, initiative and efforts the Company is, or will become, largely dependent for the successful conduct of its business. For purposes of the Plan, an employee is any individual who provides services to the Company or any Affiliate as a common law employee and whose remuneration is subject to the withholding of federal income tax pursuant to Section 3401 of the Code. The term “Eligible Employee” shall not include any individual (A) who provides services to the Company or an Affiliate under an agreement, contract, or any other arrangement pursuant to which the individual is initially classified as an independent contractor or (B) whose remuneration for services has not been treated initially as subject to the withholding of federal income tax pursuant to Section 3401 of the Code even if the individual is subsequently reclassified as a common law employee as a result of a final decree of a court of competent jurisdiction or the settlement of an administrative or judicial proceeding. Leased employees shall not be treated as employees under this Plan.

 

(m)                             “Eligible Non -Employee Director” means any person serving on the Board who is not an employee of the Company or any Affiliate.

 

(n)                                 “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as it may be amended from time to time.

 

(o)                                 “Fair Market Value” means, as of a given date, (i) the closing price of a Share on the principal stock exchange on which the Stock is then trading, if any (or as reported on any composite index that includes such principal exchange) on such date, or if Shares were not traded on such date, then on the next preceding date on which a trade occurred; or (ii) if the Stock is not traded on an exchange but is quoted on NASDAQ or a successor quotation system, the mean between the closing representative bid and asked prices for the Stock on such date as reported by NASDAQ or such successor quotation system; or (iii) if the Stock is not publicly traded on an exchange and not quoted on NASDAQ or a successor quotation system, the Fair Market Value of a Share shall be determined by the Committee acting in good faith.

 

(p)                                 “Forfeiture Restrictions” shall have the meaning given to that term in Section 8.2 hereof.

 

(q)                                 “Incentive Option” means an Option designated as such and granted in accordance with Section 422 of the Code.

 

(r)                                  “Involuntary Termination” means, unless explicitly provided otherwise in an Award Agreement, the termination of the Service of any individual which occurs by reason of:

 

(i)                                    such individual’s involuntary dismissal or discharge by the Company or the Successor for reasons other than Misconduct, or (ii)                                       such individual’s voluntary resignation following (A) a change in his or her position with the Company or the Successor which materially reduces his or her duties and responsibilities or the level of management to which he or she reports, (B) (1) a reduction of 10% or more of his or her base salary or (2) a material reduction in his or her level of compensation (including base salary,

 

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fringe benefits and target bonus under any corporate-performance based bonus or incentive programs) or (C) a relocation of such individual’s place of employment by more than fifty (50) miles, provided and only if such change, reduction or relocation is effected without the individual’s consent.

 

(s)                                   “Misconduct” means the commission of any act of fraud, embezzlement or dishonesty by the Participant, any material unauthorized use or disclosure by such person of confidential information or trade secrets of the Company or the Successor, or any other intentional misconduct by such person adversely affecting the business or affairs of the Company (or the Successor) in a material manner. The foregoing definition shall not in any way preclude or restrict the right of the Company or any Affiliate (or its respective Successor) to discharge or dismiss the Participant from the Service of the Company or any Affiliate (or its respective Successor) for any other acts or omissions, but such other acts or omissions shall not be deemed, for purposes of the Plan, to constitute grounds for termination for Misconduct.

 

(t)                                    “Non-Qualified Option” means any Option other than an Incentive Option.

 

(u)                                 “Option” means a right to purchase Stock at a stated or formula price for a specified period of time. Options granted under the Plan shall be either Incentive Options or Non-Qualified Options.

 

(v)                                 “Option Agreement” shall have the meaning given to that term in Section 7.2 hereof.

 

(w)                               “Option Holder” means a Participant who has been granted one or more Options under the Plan.

 

(x)                                 “Option Period” means the period of time, determined by the Committee, during which an Option may be exercised by the Option Holder.

 

(y)                                 “Option Price” shall have the meaning given to that term in Section 7.2(b) hereof.

 

(z)                                  “Participant” means an Eligible Employee, Eligible Consultant, or Eligible Non-Employee Director designated by the Committee from time to time during the term of the Plan to receive one or more of the Awards available under the Plan.

 

(aa)                          “Repurchase Rights” shall have the meaning given to that term in Section 7.2(c) hereof.

 

(bb)                          “Restricted Stock Agreement” shall have the meaning given to that term in Section 8.1 hereof.

 

(cc)                            “Restricted Stock Award” means an award of Stock granted to a Participant pursuant to ARTICLE VIII that is subject to certain restrictions imposed in accordance with the provisions of such Section.

 

4

 

(dd)                          “Section 16” shall have the meaning given to that term in Section 13.2(c) hereof.

 

(ee)                            “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as it may be amended from time to time.

 

(ff)                              “Service” means service to the Company or an Affiliate as an employee, a non-employee director or a consultant or advisor, except to the extent otherwise specifically provided in an Award Agreement. The Committee determines which leaves of absence count toward Service, and when Service terminates for all purposes under the Plan. Further, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, a Participant’s Service shall not be deemed to have terminated merely because of a change in capacity in which the Participant provides Service to the Company or an Affiliate or a transfer between the Company and its Affiliates; provided there is no interruption or other termination of Service.

 

(gg)                          “Share” means one whole share of Stock.

 

(hh)                          “Stock” means the common stock of the Company.

 

(ii)                                “Subsidiary” means any corporation more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of which are owned by the Company or any other Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, or a partnership or limited liability company in which the Company or any Subsidiary is a general partner or manager or holds interests entitling it to receive more than 50% of the profits or losses of the partnership or limited liability company.

 

(jj)                                “Successor” shall have the meaning given to that term in Section 5.1(a) hereof.

 

(kk)                          “Tax Date” shall have the meaning given to that term in Section 13.2 hereof.

 

2.2                               Gender and Number. Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the masculine gender shall also include the feminine gender, and the definition of any term herein in the singular shall also include the plural.

 

ARTICLE III
 PLAN ADMINISTRATION

 

3.1                               General. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. In accordance with the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall, in its sole discretion, select the Participants from among the Eligible Employees, Eligible Consultants and Eligible Non-Employee Directors, determine the Awards to be made pursuant to the Plan, or shares of Stock to be issued thereunder and the time at which such Awards are to be made, fix the Option Price, period and manner in which an Option becomes exercisable, establish the duration and nature of Restricted Stock Award restrictions, establish the terms and conditions applicable to, and establish such other terms and requirements of the various compensation incentives under the Plan as the Committee may deem necessary or desirable, and consistent with the terms of the Plan. The Committee shall determine the form or forms of the agreements with Participants that shall evidence the particular 

 

5

 

provisions, terms, conditions, rights and duties of the Company and the Participants with respect to Awards granted pursuant to the Plan, which provisions need not be identical except as may be provided herein; provided, however, that Eligible Consultants and Eligible Non-Employee Directors shall not be eligible to receive Incentive Options. The Committee may from time to time adopt such rules and regulations for carrying out the purposes of the Plan as it may deem proper and in the best interests of the Company. The Committee may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or in any agreement entered into hereunder in the manner and to the extent it shall deem expedient and it shall be the sole and final judge of such expediency. The Committee and each member thereof, and any person acting pursuant to authority delegated by the Committee, shall be entitled, in good faith, to rely or act upon any report or other information furnished by any executive officer, other officer or employee of the Company or its Affiliates or the Company’s auditors, consultants or any other agents assisting in the administration of the Plan. Members of the Committee, any person acting pursuant to authority delegated by the Committee, and any officer or employee of the Company or its Affiliates acting at the direction or on behalf of the Committee shall not be personally liable for any action or determination taken or made in good faith with respect to the Plan, and shall, to the extent permitted by law, be fully indemnified and protected by the Company with respect to any such action or determination. The determinations, interpretations and other actions of the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be binding and conclusive for all purposes and on all persons.

 

3.2                               Delegation by Committee. The Committee may, from time to time, delegate, to specified officers of the Company, the power and authority to grant Awards under the Plan to specified groups of Eligible Employees, Eligible Consultants and Eligible Non-Employee Directors, subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, may impose. The delegation shall be as broad or as narrow as the Committee shall determine. To the extent that the Committee has delegated the authority to determine certain terms and conditions of an Award, all references in the Plan to the Committee’s exercise of authority in determining such terms and conditions shall be construed to include the officer or officers to whom the Committee has delegated the power and authority to make such determination. The power and authority to grant Awards to any Eligible Employee, Eligible Consultant or Eligible Non-Employee Director who is covered by Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act shall not be delegated by the Committee.

 

3.3                               Contractual Limitations. The Committee shall in exercising its discretion under the Plan comply with all contractual obligations of the Company in effect from time to time, whether contained in the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, By-laws or other binding contract.

 

ARTICLE IV
 STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

 

4.1                               Number of Shares. The maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan pursuant to Awards is Nine Hundred Thirty One Thousand Eight Hundred Twenty Five (931,825) Shares. Upon exercise of an option (whether granted under this Plan or otherwise), the Shares issued upon exercise of such option shall no longer be considered to be subject to an outstanding Award or option for purposes of the immediately preceding sentence.

 

6

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no Award granted hereunder shall become void or otherwise be adversely affected solely because of a change in the number of Shares of the Company that are issued and outstanding from time to time, provided that changes to the issued and outstanding Shares may result in adjustments to outstanding Awards in accordance with the provisions of this ARTICLE IV. The maximum number of Shares that may be issued under Incentive Options is Nine Hundred Thirty One Thousand Eight Hundred Twenty Five (931,825) Shares. The Shares may be either authorized and unissued Shares or previously issued Shares acquired by the Company. The maximum numbers may be increased from time to time by approval of the Board and by the stockholders of the Company if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, stockholder approval is required. The Company shall at all times during the term of the Plan and while any Options are outstanding retain as authorized and unissued Stock at least the number of Shares from time to time required under the provisions of the Plan, or otherwise assure itself of its ability to perform its obligations hereunder.

 

4.2                               Limit on Options. The maximum number of Shares with respect to which a Participant may receive Options under the Plan during the terms of the Plan is Nine Hundred Thirty One Thousand Eight Hundred Twenty Five (931,825) Shares. The maximum number may be increased from time to time by approval of the Board and by the stockholders of the Company if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, stockholder approval is required. Stockholder approval shall not be required for increases solely pursuant to Section 4.4 below.

 

4.3                               Other Shares of Stock. Any Shares that are subject to an Option that expires or for any reason is terminated unexercised, any Shares that are subject to an Award (other than an Option) and that are forfeited, and any Shares withheld for the payment of taxes or received by the Company as payment of the exercise price of an Option shall automatically become available for use under the Plan.

 

4.4                               Adjustments for Stock Split, Stock Dividend, Etc. If the Company shall at any time increase or decrease the number of its outstanding Shares or change in any way the rights and privileges of such Shares by means of the payment of a stock dividend or any other distribution upon such Shares payable in Stock, or through a stock split, subdivision, consolidation, combination, reclassification or recapitalization involving the Stock, then in relation to the Stock that is affected by one or more of the above events, the numbers, exercise price, rights and privileges of the following shall be increased, decreased or changed in like manner as if they had been issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable at the time of such occurrence: (i) the Shares as to which Awards may be granted under the Plan, (ii) the Shares then included in each outstanding Award granted hereunder, (iii) the maximum number of Shares available for grant to any one person pursuant to Section 4.2, (iv) the maximum number of Shares available for grant pursuant to Incentive Options, and (v) the number of Shares subject to a delegation of authority under Section 3.2 of this Plan.

 

4.5                               Other Distributions and Changes in the Stock.

 

(a)                                 If the Company shall at any time distribute with respect to the Stock assets or securities of persons other than the Company (excluding (i) cash or (ii) distributions referred to in Section 4.4), or

 

7

 

(b)                                 if the Company shall at any time grant to the holders of its Stock rights to subscribe pro rata for additional shares thereof or for any other securities of the Company, or

 

(c)                                  if there shall be any other change (except as described in Section 4.4) in the number or kind of outstanding Shares or of any stock or other securities into which the Stock shall be changed or for which it shall have been exchanged; and if the Committee shall in its discretion determine that the event described in subsection (a) or (b) above equitably requires an adjustment in the number or kind of Shares subject to an Option or other Award, an adjustment in the Option Price or the taking of any other action by the Committee, including without limitation, the setting aside of any property for delivery to the Participant upon the exercise of an Option or the full vesting of an Award, then such adjustments shall be made, or other action shall be taken, by the Committee and shall be effective for all purposes of the Plan and on each outstanding Option or Award that involves the particular type of stock for which a change was effected. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.5, pursuant to Section 8.3 below, a Participant holding Stock received as a Restricted Stock Award shall have the right to receive all amounts, including cash and property of any kind, distributed with respect to the Stock after such Restricted Stock Award was granted upon the Participant’s becoming a holder of record of the Stock.

 

4.6                               General Adjustment Rules. No adjustment or substitution provided for in this ARTICLE IV shall require the Company to sell a fractional Share under any Option, or otherwise issue a fractional Share, and the total substitution or adjustment with respect to each Option and other Award shall be limited by deleting any fractional Share. In the case of any such substitution or adjustment, the aggregate Option Price for the total number of Shares then subject to an Option shall remain unchanged but the Option Price per Share under each such Option shall be equitably adjusted by the Committee to reflect the greater or lesser number of Shares or other securities into which the Stock subject to the Option may have been changed, and appropriate adjustments shall be made to other Awards to reflect any such substitution or adjustment.

 

4.7                               Determination by the Committee, Etc. Adjustments under this ARTICLE IV shall be made by the Committee, whose determinations with regard thereto shall be final and binding upon all parties thereto.

 

ARTICLE V
 CORPORATE REORGANIZATION; CHANGE IN CONTROL

 

5.1                               Default Provisions. Unless explicitly provided otherwise in an Award Agreement and subject to Section 5.3 below:

 

(a)                                 The Shares subject to each Option outstanding under the Plan at the time of a Change in Control shall automatically vest in full so that each such Option shall, immediately prior to the Change in Control, become exercisable for all of the Shares at the time subject to that Option and may be exercised for any or all of those Shares as fully-vested Shares of Stock. However, the Shares subject to an outstanding Option shall not vest in full on such an accelerated basis if and to the extent: (i) such Option is assumed by the successor corporation or other successor entity (or a parent thereof) (the “Successor”) or otherwise continued in full force and effect pursuant to the terms of the Change in Control transaction and any repurchase rights 

 

8

 

of the Company with respect to the unvested Shares subject to such Option are concurrently assigned to such Successor or otherwise continued in effect, or (ii) such Option is to be replaced with a cash incentive program of the Company or any Successor which preserves the spread between the Option Price and the Fair Market Value of the unvested Shares subject to such Option at the time of the Change in Control and provides for subsequent payout of that spread in accordance with the vesting schedule applicable to those unvested Shares, or (iii) the acceleration of such Option is subject to other limitations imposed by the Committee at the time of the Option grant.

 

(b)                                 All outstanding Repurchase Rights with respect to unvested Shares purchased pursuant to any Option shall also automatically terminate, and the Shares subject to those terminated rights shall immediately vest in full, immediately prior to the Change in Control, except to the extent: (i) any of the Repurchase Rights are assigned to the Successor or otherwise continued in full force and effect pursuant to the terms of the Change in Control transaction or (ii) such accelerated vesting is precluded by other limitations imposed by the Committee at the time the Repurchase Right is issued.

 

(c)                                  All outstanding Forfeiture Restrictions with respect to Restricted Stock Awards shall also automatically terminate, and the Shares of Stock subject to those terminated Forfeiture Restrictions shall immediately vest in full, immediately prior to the Change in Control, except to the extent: (i) the Forfeiture Restrictions are maintained by the Successor and continued in full force and effect pursuant to the terms of the Change in Control transaction, or (ii) such accelerated vesting is precluded by other limitations imposed by the Committee at the time the Restricted Stock Award is issued.

 

(d)                                 Unless explicitly provided otherwise in an Option Agreement and subject to Section 5.1 and Section 5.3, upon the consummation of a Change in Control, all outstanding unvested Options (and to the extent not exercised prior to or in connection with such Change in Control, all outstanding vested Options) that are not assumed by the Successor or otherwise continued in effect pursuant to the terms of the Change in Control transaction shall automatically be forfeited and cease to be outstanding.

 

5.2                               Assumption or Substitution of Options. To the extent any Option is assumed in connection with a Change in Control or otherwise continued in effect, such Option shall be appropriately adjusted, immediately after such Change in Control, to apply to the number and class of securities which would have been issuable to the Option Holder in consummation of such Change in Control, had the Option been exercised immediately prior to such Change in Control. Appropriate adjustments shall also be made to (i) the number and class of securities available for issuance under the Option following the consummation of such Change in Control and (ii) the exercise price payable per Share under each outstanding Option, provided the aggregate exercise price payable for such securities shall remain the same. To the extent the actual holders of the Company’s outstanding Stock receive cash consideration for their Stock in consummation of the Change in Control, the Successor may, in connection with the assumption of the outstanding Options under this Plan, substitute one or more shares of its own common stock with a Fair Market Value equivalent to the cash consideration paid per Share of Stock in such Change in Control.

 

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5.3                               Provisions Applicable at the Discretion of the Committee.

 

(a)                                 The Committee shall have the discretion, exercisable either at the time an Award is granted or issued or at any time while the Award remains outstanding, to structure the Award so that it shall automatically accelerate and vest in full or in part upon the occurrence of a Change in Control (and any Forfeiture Restrictions or Repurchase Rights of the Company with respect to unvested Shares received pursuant to the Award shall immediately terminate), whether or not the Award is to be assumed in the Change in Control or the Forfeiture Restrictions or Repurchase Rights of the Company would otherwise continue in effect pursuant to the Change in Control.

 

(b)                                 The Committee shall also have full power and authority, exercisable either at the time an Option is granted or at any time while the Option remains outstanding, to structure such Option so that all or a portion of the Shares subject to such Option will automatically vest on an accelerated basis should the Option Holder’s Service terminate by reason of an Involuntary Termination within a designated period (not to exceed eighteen (18) months) following any Change in Control in which the Option is assumed or otherwise continued in effect and the Repurchase Rights applicable to the Shares subject to such Option do not otherwise terminate. Any Option so accelerated shall remain exercisable for the fully-vested Shares subject to such Option until the expiration or sooner termination of the Option Period. In addition, the Committee may provide that one or more of the Company’s outstanding Repurchase Rights with respect to Shares held by the Option Holder at the time of such Involuntary Termination shall immediately terminate on an accelerated basis, and the Shares subject to those terminated rights shall accordingly vest at that time.

 

(c)                                  The Committee shall also have full power and authority, exercisable either at the time the Restricted Stock Award is issued or at any time while the Restricted Stock Award remains outstanding, to provide that all or a portion of the Forfeiture Restrictions with respect to such Restricted Stock Award shall automatically terminate on an accelerated basis, and the Shares subject to those terminated Forfeiture Restrictions shall immediately vest, in the event the Participant’s Service should terminate by reason of an Involuntary Termination within a designated period (not to exceed eighteen (18) months) following any Change in Control in which those Forfeiture Restrictions are assigned to the Successor or otherwise continued in full force and effect.

 

(d)                                 The Committee shall also have full power and authority, exercisable at the time an Option is granted or at any time while an Option remains outstanding, to provide that the Option shall be deemed automatically exercised on a net basis immediately prior to a Change in Control if (i) the Option Price is less than the then-current Fair Market Value per Share, and (ii) the Shares subject to the Option are vested (including vesting by reason of the Change in Control). Upon such net exercise, the Option Holder shall be entitled to a number of Shares computed using the following formula:

 

	
X =
    	
Y   (A–B)
    	
 
    
	
A
    	
 
    

 

Where:                                 X =                       the number of Shares to be issued to the Option Holder;

 

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Y =                       the number of Shares purchasable under the Option immediately prior to the Change in Control;

 

A =                       the then-current Fair Market Value of one Share of Stock; and

 

B =                       the per-Share Option Price of the Option.

 

In no event shall the Committee be required to issue any fractional Shares.

 

(e)                                  The Committee shall also have full power and authority, exercisable at the time an Option is granted or at any time while an Option remains outstanding, to provide that the Option, if outstanding immediately prior to a Change in Control and then having an Option Price less than the current Fair Market Value per Share, shall be automatically cancelled at such time in exchange for a cash payment equal to the product of (i) the number of vested Shares then subject to the Option (including Shares that become vested as a result of the Change in Control) multiplied by (ii) the excess of the (x) Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of the Change in Control over (y) the Option Price.

 

(f)                                   Notwithstanding any other provision in this ARTICLE V, the Committee shall have full power and authority, exercisable at the time an Award is granted or at any time while the Award remains outstanding, to provide for or take any other Change in Control related action with respect to an Award as the Committee deems appropriate. The Committee need not take the same action with respect to all outstanding Awards or to all outstanding Awards of the same type.

 

5.4                               Company Actions. The grant of Awards under the Plan shall in no way affect the right of the Company or any Affiliate to adjust, reclassify, reorganize or otherwise change its capital or business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, liquidate or sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets.

 

ARTICLE VI
 PARTICIPATION

 

Participants in the Plan shall be those Eligible Employees who, in the judgment of the Committee, are performing, or during the term of their incentive arrangement will perform, vital services in the management, operation and development of the Company and its Affiliates, and significantly contribute, or are expected to significantly contribute, to the achievement of long-term economic objectives. Eligible Consultants shall be selected from those non-employee consultants and advisors to the Company and its Affiliates who have performed or are performing services important to the operation and growth of the Company and its Affiliates. All Eligible Non-Employee Directors selected by the Board may participate in the Plan. Participants may be granted from time to time one or more Awards; provided, however, that the grant of each such Award shall be separately approved by the Committee and receipt of one such Award shall not result in automatic receipt of any other Award. Upon determination by the Committee that an Award is to be granted to a Participant, written notice shall be given to such person, specifying the terms, conditions, rights and duties related thereto. Each Participant shall, if required by the Committee, enter into an agreement with the Company, in such form as the Committee shall determine and which is consistent with the provisions of the Plan, specifying such terms, 

 

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conditions, rights and duties. Awards shall be deemed to be granted as of the date specified in the grant resolution of the Committee, which date shall be the date of any related agreement with the Participant. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of the Plan and any such agreement entered into hereunder, the provisions of the Plan shall govern.

 

ARTICLE VII
 OPTIONS

 

7.1                               Grant of Options. Coincident with or following designation for participation in the Plan, a Participant may be granted one or more Options. The Committee in its sole discretion shall designate whether an Option is an Incentive Option or a Non-Qualified Option; provided, however, that only Non-Qualified Options may be granted to Eligible Consultants and Eligible Non-Employee Directors. The Committee may grant both an Incentive Option and a Non-Qualified Option to an Eligible Employee at the same time or at different times. Incentive Options and Non-Qualified Options, whether granted at the same time or at different times, shall be deemed to have been awarded in separate grants and shall be clearly identified, and in no event shall the exercise of one Option affect the right to exercise any other Option or affect the number of Shares for which any other Option may be exercised. An Option shall be considered as having been granted on the date specified in the grant resolution of the Committee.

 

7.2                               Stock Option Agreements. Each Option granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by a written stock option agreement (an “Option Agreement”). An Option Agreement shall be issued by the Company in the name of the Participant to whom the Option is granted (the “Option Holder”) and in such form as may be approved by the Committee. The Option Agreement shall incorporate and conform to the conditions set forth in this Section 7.2 as well as such other terms and conditions that are not inconsistent as the Committee may consider appropriate in each case.

 

(a)                                 Number of Shares. Each Option Agreement shall state that it covers a specified number of Shares, as determined by the Committee.

 

(b)                                 Price. The price at which each Share covered by an Option may be purchased (the “Option Price”) shall be determined in each case by the Committee and set forth in the Option Agreement, but in no event shall the price be less than 100 percent of the Fair Market Value of one Share of Stock on the date the Option is granted.

 

(c)                                  Duration of Options; Vesting. Each Option Agreement shall state the Option Period applicable to the Option, which must end, in all cases, not more than ten years from the date the Option is granted. Each Option Holder shall become vested in the Shares underlying the Option in such installments and over such period or periods of time, if any, or upon such events, as are determined by the Committee in its discretion and set forth in the Option Agreement.

 

The Option shall generally become exercisable, in whole or in part, at the same time or times as the Shares underlying the Option vest; provided, however, that the Committee may grant Options that are immediately exercisable in whole or in part. Any unvested Shares 

 

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received by the Option Holder upon early exercise of the Option in accordance with the preceding sentence shall be subject to the Company’s right of repurchase, as follows.

 

Should the Option Holder cease Service while holding unvested Shares, the Company shall have such right to repurchase any or all of those unvested Shares at a price per share equal to the Option Price (the “Repurchase Rights”). The Company shall be entitled to exercise its right to repurchase such unvested Shares by written notice to the Option Holder sent within ninety (90) days after the time of Option Holder’s cessation of Service, or (if later) during the ninety (90)-day period following the execution date of any written stock purchase agreement executed by the Company and the Option Holder. The notice shall indicate the number of unvested Shares to be repurchased, the repurchase price to be paid per share (which shall be a price per share equal to the Option Price) and the date on which the repurchase is to be effected, such date to be not more than thirty (30) days after the date of such notice.

 

(d)                                 Termination of Services, Death, Disability, Etc. The Committee may specify the period, if any, during which an Option may be exercised following termination of the Option Holder’s Service. The effect of this subsection 7.2(d) shall be limited to determining the consequences of a termination and nothing in this subsection 7.2(d) shall restrict or otherwise interfere with the Company’s discretion with respect to the termination of any individual’s Service. If the Committee does not otherwise specify, the following shall apply:

 

(i)                                    If the Service of the Option Holder is terminated within the Option Period for Misconduct, the Option shall thereafter be void for all purposes.

 

(ii)                                If the Option Holder becomes Disabled while still in Service of the Company or an Affiliate, the Option may be exercised by the Option Holder within one year following the Option Holder’s termination of Service on account of Disability (provided that such exercise must occur within the Option Period), but not thereafter. In any such case, the Option may be exercised only as to the Shares that had become vested on or before the date of the Option Holder’s termination of Service because of Disability.

 

(iii)                            If the Option Holder dies during the Option Period while still in Service of the Company or an Affiliate or within the one year period referred to in (ii) above or the three-month period referred to in (iv) below, the Option may be exercised by those entitled to do so under the Option Holder’s will or by the laws of descent and distribution within one year following the Option Holder’s death (provided that such exercise must occur within the Option Period), but not thereafter. In any such case, the Option may be exercised only as to the Shares that had become vested on or before the date of the Option Holder’s death.

 

(iv)                             If the Service of the Option Holder is terminated within the Option Period for any reason other than Misconduct, Disability, or death, the Option may be exercised by the Option Holder within three (3) months following the date of such termination (provided that such exercise must occur within the Option Period), but not thereafter. In any such case, the Option may be exercised only as to the Shares that had become vested on or before the date of termination of Service.

 

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(e)                                  No Employment Right. Nothing in this paragraph shall limit or impair the right of the Company or any Affiliate to terminate the employment of any employee or to terminate the consulting or advisory services of any consultant or advisor.

 

(f)                                   Exercise, Payments, Etc.

 

(i)                                    Manner of Exercise. The method for exercising each Option granted hereunder shall be by delivery to the Company of written notice on any business day specifying the number of Shares with respect to which such Option is exercised. The purchase of such Shares shall take place at the principal offices of the Company within thirty (30) days following delivery of such notice, at which time the Option Price of the Shares shall be paid in full by any of the methods set forth below or a combination thereof. The Option shall be exercised when the Option Price for the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised is paid to the Company in full. A properly executed certificate or certificates representing the Shares shall be delivered to or at the direction of the Option Holder upon payment therefor. If Options on less than all Shares evidenced by an Option Agreement are exercised, the Company shall deliver a new Option Agreement evidencing the Option on the remaining Shares upon delivery of the Option Agreement for the Option being exercised.

 

(ii)                                The exercise price shall be paid by any of the following methods or any combination of the following methods at the election of the Option Holder, or by any other method approved by the Committee:

 

(1)                                 in cash;

 

(2)                                 by certified check, cashier’s check or other check acceptable to the Company, payable to the order of the Company;

 

(3)                                 if expressly permitted by a resolution of the Committee applicable to the Option at the time of exercise (whether such resolution is applicable solely to the Option being exercised or is generally applicable to some or all Options outstanding under the Plan), by delivery to the Company of certificates representing the number of Shares then owned by the Option Holder, the Fair Market Value of which equals the purchase price of the Shares purchased pursuant to the Option, properly endorsed for transfer to the Company; provided however, that no Option may be exercised by delivery to the Company of certificates representing Shares, unless such Shares have been held by the Option Holder for more than six (6) months (or such other period of time as the Committee determines is necessary to avoid adverse financial accounting treatment); for purposes of this Plan, the Fair Market Value of any Shares delivered in payment of the purchase price upon exercise of the Option shall be the Fair Market Value as of the exercise date, and the exercise date shall be the day of delivery of the certificates for the Shares used as payment of the Option Price.

 

(g)                                 Date of Grant. An Option shall be considered as having been granted on the date specified in the grant resolution of the Committee.

 

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(h)                                 Withholding.

 

(i)                                    Non-Qualified Options. Upon exercise of an Option, the Option Holder shall make appropriate arrangements with the Company to provide for the amount of additional withholding required by Sections 3102 and 3402 of the Code and applicable state income tax laws, including payment of such taxes through delivery of Shares of Stock or by withholding Shares to be issued under the Option, as provided in ARTICLE XIII.

 

(ii)                                Incentive Options. If an Option Holder makes a disposition (as defined in Section 424(c) of the Code) of any Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Option prior to the expiration of two years from the date on which the Incentive Option was granted or prior to the expiration of one year from the date on which the Option was exercised, the Option Holder shall send written notice to the Company at the Company’s principal place of business of the date of such disposition, the number of Shares disposed of, the amount of proceeds received from such disposition and any other information relating to such disposition as the Company may reasonably request. The Option Holder shall, in the event of such a disposition, make appropriate arrangements with the Company to provide for the amount of additional withholding, if any, required by Sections 3102 and 3402 of the Code and applicable state income tax laws.

 

(iii)                            Lock-Up Period. The Award Agreement may, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, include a provision requiring that, if requested by the Company or any Affiliate or the representative of the underwriters of Stock (or other securities) of the Company or any Affiliate, the Participant shall not directly or indirectly sell, offer to sell, contract to sell, pledge, transfer or otherwise dispose of, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase or sale of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale of, any Stock (or other securities) of the Company or any Affiliate held by such Participant (other than those included for sale in the registration) for a period specified by the representative of the underwriters of Stock (or other securities) of the Company or any such Affiliate not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company or any Affiliate filed under the Securities Act. If requested by the Company or any Affiliate or the representative of the underwriters of Stock (or other securities) of the Company or any Affiliate, the Participant would be required to enter into an agreement regarding his or her compliance with this requirement that will survive the term of the Award Agreement.

 

7.3                               Restrictions on Incentive Options.

 

(a)                                 $100,000 Per Year Limitation. The aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Options are exercisable for the first time by an Option Holder in any calendar year, under the Plan or otherwise, shall not exceed $100,000 (or such higher amount as may at the time of grant be applicable under Section 422(d) (or any successor provision) of the Code). For this purpose, the Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be determined as of the date of grant of the Option and Incentive Options shall be taken into account in the order granted. The portion of any Incentive Option accelerated in connection with a Change in Control shall remain exercisable as an Incentive Option only to the extent the above 

 

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limitation is not exceeded. To the extent such dollar limitation is exceeded, the accelerated portion of such Incentive Option shall thereafter be exercisable as a Non-Qualified Option.

 

(b)                                 Ten Percent Stockholders. Incentive Options granted to an Option Holder who is the holder of record of 10% or more of the outstanding stock of the Company shall have an Option Price equal to 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of grant of the Option and the Option Period for any such Option shall not exceed five years.

 

7.4                               Transferability.

 

(a)                                 General Rule: No Lifetime Transfers. An Option shall not be transferable by the Option Holder except (i) by will or pursuant to the laws of descent and distribution or (ii) or to the Option Holder’s former spouse, to the extent such assignment is pursuant to a Domestic Relations Order (provided that if the Option being assigned pursuant to a Domestic Relations Order is an Incentive Option, such Incentive Option shall cease being an Incentive Option, and shall automatically convert to a Non-Qualified Option, upon such assignment). Except as otherwise provided by the terms of a Domestic Relations Order, an Option shall be exercisable during the Option Holder’s lifetime only by him or her, or in the event of Disability or incapacity, by his or her guardian or legal representative. The Option Holder’s guardian or legal representative shall have all of the rights of the Option Holder under this Plan.

 

(b)                                 No Assignment. No right or interest of any Option Holder in an Option granted pursuant to the Plan shall be assignable or transferable during the lifetime of the Option Holder, either voluntarily or involuntarily, or be subjected to any lien, directly or indirectly, by operation of law, or otherwise, including execution, levy, garnishment, attachment, pledge or bankruptcy, except as set forth above. In the event the Option is assigned or transferred in any manner contrary to terms of this Plan, then all Options transferred or assigned shall immediately terminate.

 

7.5                               Stockholder Privileges. No Option Holder shall have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any Shares covered by an Option until the Option Holder becomes the holder of record of such Shares, and no adjustments shall be made for dividends or other distributions or other rights as to which there is a record date preceding the date such Option Holder becomes the holder of record of such Shares, except as provided in ARTICLE IV.

 

ARTICLE VIII
 RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS

 

8.1                               Grant of Restricted Stock Awards. Coincident with or following designation for participation in the Plan, the Committee may grant a Participant one or more Restricted Stock Awards consisting of Shares of Stock. The number of Shares granted as a Restricted Stock Award shall be determined by the Committee. Each Restricted Stock Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by a written restricted stock agreement (a “Restricted Stock Agreement”). The Restricted Stock Agreement shall incorporate and conform to the conditions set forth in this ARTICLE VIII as well as such other terms and conditions that are not inconsistent as the Committee may consider appropriate in each case.

 

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8.2                               Restrictions. A Participant’s right to retain a Restricted Stock Award granted to him or her under Section 8.1 shall be subject to such restrictions, including but not limited to his or her continuous Service for the Company or an Affiliate for a restriction period specified by the Committee or the attainment of specified performance goals and objectives, as may be established by the Committee with respect to such Award (such restrictions as established by the Committee shall be known as the “Forfeiture Restrictions”). The Committee may in its sole discretion provide for different Forfeiture Restrictions or no Forfeiture Restrictions with respect to different Participants, to different Restricted Stock Awards or to separate, designated portions of the Shares constituting a Restricted Stock Award. The Committee may in its sole discretion provide for the earlier lapse of any Forfeiture Restrictions in the event of a Change in Control in accordance with Article V of this Plan. Unless explicitly provided for otherwise in an Award Agreement, if a Participant’s Service terminates for any reason, any Shares as to which the Forfeiture Restrictions have not been satisfied (or waived or accelerated as provided herein) shall be forfeited, and all Shares related thereto shall be immediately returned to the Company.

 

8.3                               Privileges of a Stockholder, Transferability. A Participant shall have all voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights with respect to Stock in accordance with its terms received by him or her as a Restricted Stock Award under this ARTICLE VIII upon his or her becoming the holder of record of such Stock; provided, however, that the Participant’s right to sell, encumber, or otherwise transfer such Stock shall be subject to the limitations of Sections 10.2 and 12.1 and ARTICLE XI.

 

8.4                               Enforcement of Restrictions. The Committee shall cause a legend to be placed on the Stock certificates issued pursuant to each Restricted Stock Award referring to the restrictions provided by Sections 8.2 and 8.3 and, in addition, may in its sole discretion require one or more of the following methods of enforcing the restrictions referred to in Sections 8.2 and 8.3:

 

(a)                                 Requiring the Participant to keep the Stock certificates, duly endorsed, in the custody of the Company while the restrictions remain in effect; or

 

(b)                                 Requiring that the Stock certificates, duly endorsed, be held in the custody of a third party while the restrictions remain in effect.

 

ARTICLE IX
 OTHER GRANTS

 

From time to time during the duration of this Plan, the Board may, in its sole discretion, adopt one or more incentive compensation arrangements for Participants pursuant to which the Participants may acquire Shares, whether by purchase, outright grant, or otherwise. Any arrangement shall be subject to the general provisions of this Plan and all Shares issued pursuant to such arrangements shall be issued under this Plan.

 

ARTICLE X
 RIGHTS OF PARTICIPANTS

 

10.1                        Employment or Service. Nothing contained in the Plan or in any Option, or other Award granted under the Plan shall confer upon any Participant any right with respect to the

 

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continuation of his employment by, or consulting relationship with, or Service with the Company or any Affiliate, or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Affiliate, subject to the terms of any separate employment agreement or other contract to the contrary, at any time to terminate such employment, consulting relationship or Service or to increase or decrease the compensation of the Participant from the rate in existence at the time of the grant of an Award. Whether an authorized leave of absence, or absence in military or government service, shall constitute a termination of Service shall be determined by the Committee at that time.

 

10.2        Nontransferability of Awards. Except as provided otherwise at the time of grant or thereafter, or except as otherwise provided in a Domestic Relations Order, no right or interest of any Participant in a Restricted Stock Award (prior to the completion of the restriction period applicable thereto), or other Award (excluding Options) granted pursuant to the Plan, shall be assignable or transferable during the lifetime of the Participant, either voluntarily or involuntarily, or subjected to any lien, directly or indirectly, by operation of law, or otherwise, including execution, levy, garnishment, attachment, pledge or bankruptcy. In the event of a Participant’s death, a Participant’s rights and interests in Options, Restricted Stock Awards, and other Awards, shall, to the extent provided in ARTICLE VII, ARTICLE VIII, and ARTICLE IX be transferable by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and payment of any amounts due under the Plan shall be made to, and exercise of any Options may be made by, the Participant’s legal representatives, heirs or legatees. However, a Participant’s rights and interests in Options, Restricted Stock Awards, and other Awards shall be transferable to an Option Holder’s former spouse, to the extent such assignment is pursuant to a Domestic Relations Order (provided that if the Option being assigned pursuant to a Domestic Relations Order is an Incentive Option, such Incentive Option shall cease being an Incentive Option, and shall automatically convert to a Non-Qualified Option, upon such assignment). If in the opinion of the Committee a person entitled to payments or to exercise rights with respect to the Plan is disabled from caring for his affairs because of mental condition, physical condition or age, payment due such person may be made to, and such rights shall be exercised by, such person’s guardian, conservator or other legal personal representative upon furnishing the Committee with evidence satisfactory to the Committee of such status.

 

10.3        No Plan Funding. Obligations to Participants under the Plan will not be funded, trusted, insured or secured in any manner. The Participants under the Plan shall have no security interest in any assets of the Company or any Affiliate, and shall be only general creditors of the Company.

 

ARTICLE XI
 GENERAL RESTRICTIONS

 

11.1        Investment Representations. The Company may require any person to whom an Option, Restricted Stock Award, or other Award, is granted, as a condition of exercising such Option, receiving such Restricted Stock Award, or such other Award to give written assurances in substance and form satisfactory to the Company and its counsel to the effect that such person is acquiring the Stock for his own account for investment and not with any present intention of selling or otherwise distributing the same, and to such other effects as the Company or its counsel deems necessary or appropriate in order to comply with Federal and applicable state securities laws. Legends evidencing such restrictions may be placed on the Stock certificates.

 

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11.2        Compliance with Securities Laws. Each Option, Restricted Stock Award grant, or other Award shall be subject to the requirement that, if at any time counsel to the Company shall determine that the listing, registration or qualification of the shares subject to such Option, Restricted Stock Award, or other Award grant upon any securities exchange or under any state or federal law, or the consent or approval of any governmental or regulatory body, is necessary as a condition of, or in connection with, the issuance or purchase of shares thereunder, such Option, Restricted Stock Award or other Award may not be accepted or exercised in whole or in part unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval shall have been effected or obtained on conditions acceptable to the Committee. Nothing herein shall be deemed to require the Company to apply for or to obtain such listing, registration or qualification.

 

11.3        Changes in Accounting or Tax Rules. Except as provided otherwise at the time an Award is granted, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, if, during the term of the Plan, any changes in the financial or tax accounting rules applicable to Options, Restricted Stock Awards, or other Awards shall occur which, in the sole judgment of the Committee, may have a material adverse effect on the reported earnings, assets or liabilities of the Company, the Committee shall have the right and power to modify as necessary, any then outstanding and unexercised Options, outstanding Restricted Stock Awards and other outstanding Awards as to which the applicable services or other restrictions have not been satisfied.

 

11.4        Stockholder Agreements. If the Company has one or more stockholder agreements in effect at the time of grant or exercise of an Award under the Plan, then the Committee shall, if the Company is contractually obligated to, and may, in its discretion, condition the grant or exercise (as applicable) of any such Award upon execution by the Participant of such stockholder agreement(s), such that the Participant shall become a party to such stockholder agreements(s) concurrently with such grant or exercise (as applicable) of any such Award.

 

ARTICLE XII
 PLAN AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION AND TERMINATION

 

The Board may at any time or from time to time, with or without prior notice, amend, modify, suspend or terminate the Plan provided, however, that no amendment or modification may become effective without approval of the amendment or modification by the stockholders if stockholder approval is required to enable the Plan to satisfy any applicable statutory or regulatory requirements, or if the Company, on the advice of counsel, determines that stockholder approval is otherwise necessary or desirable. No amendment, modification or termination of the Plan shall in any manner adversely affect any Options, Restricted Stock Awards, or other Award theretofore granted under the Plan, without the consent of the Participant holding such Options, Restricted Stock Awards, or other Awards. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary in this Plan, the Board may amend or modify the terms of the Plan or an Award Agreement, retroactively or prospectively, as permitted under Section 11.3 (Changes in Accounting or Tax Rules) or Section 14.3 (Section 409A) hereof with or without the consent of the Participant.

 

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ARTICLE XIII
 WITHHOLDING

 

13.1        Withholding Requirement. The Company or any Affiliate, as the case may be, shall have the right to deduct from payments of any kind otherwise due to a Participant, or to condition the Company’s obligations to deliver Shares upon the exercise of any Option, the vesting of any Restricted Stock Award or lapse of Forfeiture Restrictions or Repurchase Rights, or the grant of Stock upon the payment by the Participant of, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes of any kind required by law with respect to the grant or issuance of, or the vesting of or other lapse of restrictions applicable to, the applicable Award or the Shares subject to, or issuable upon exercise of, such Award. At the time of such grant, issuance, vesting or lapse, the Participant shall pay to the Company or Affiliate, as the case may be, any amount that the Company or Affiliate may reasonably determine to be necessary to satisfy such withholding obligation.

 

13.2        Withholding With Stock. At the time the Committee grants an Option, Restricted Stock Award, other Award, or Stock or at any time thereafter, it may, in its sole discretion, grant the Participant an election to pay all such amounts of tax withholding, or any part thereof, by electing (a) to have the Company withhold from shares otherwise issuable to the Participant, shares of Stock having a value equal to the amount required to be withheld or such lesser amount as may be elected by the Participant; provided however, that the amount of Stock so withheld shall not exceed the minimum amount required to be withheld under the method of withholding that results in the smallest amount of withholding, or (b) to transfer to the Company a number of shares of Stock that were acquired by the Participant more than six months prior to the transfer to the Company and that have a value equal to the amount required to be withheld or such lesser amount as may be elected by the Participant. All elections shall be subject to the approval or disapproval of the Committee. The value of shares of Stock to be withheld shall be based on the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined (the “Tax Date”). Any such elections by Participants to have shares of Stock withheld for this purpose will be subject to the following restrictions:

 

(a)           All elections must be made prior to the Tax Date.

 

(b)           All elections shall be irrevocable.

 

(c)           If the Participant is an officer or director of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act (“Section 16”), the Participant must satisfy the requirements of such Section 16 and any applicable Rules thereunder with respect to the use of Stock to satisfy such tax withholding obligation.

 

ARTICLE XIV
 REQUIREMENTS OF LAW

 

14.1        Requirements of Law. The issuance of Stock and the payment of cash pursuant to the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations.

 

14.2        Federal Securities Law Requirements. If a Participant is an officer or director of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, Awards granted 

 

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hereunder shall be subject to all conditions required under Rule 16b-3, or any successor rule promulgated under the Exchange Act, to qualify the Award for any exception from the provisions of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act available under that Rule. Such conditions shall be set forth in the agreement with the Participant which describes the Award or other document evidencing or accompanying the Award.

 

14.3        Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, the Plan and Awards made under the Plan are intended to comply with the requirements imposed by Section 409A of the Code. If any Plan provision or Award would result in the imposition of an additional tax under Section 409A of the Code, the Company and the Participant intend that the Plan provision or Award will be reformed to avoid imposition, to the extent possible, of the applicable tax and no action taken to comply with Section 409A of the Code shall be deemed to adversely affect the Participant’s rights to an Award. The Participant further agrees that the Committee, in the exercise of its sole discretion and without the consent of the Participant, may amend or modify an Award in any manner and delay the payment of any amounts payable pursuant to an Award to the minimum extent necessary to meet the requirements of Section 409A of the Code as the Committee deems appropriate or desirable.

 

14.4        Governing Law. The Plan and all agreements hereunder shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware excluding its conflict of laws rules.

 

ARTICLE XV
 DURATION OF THE PLAN

 

Unless sooner terminated by the Board, the Plan shall terminate at the close of business on the day immediately following the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date and no Option, Restricted Stock Award, other Award or Stock shall be granted, or offer to purchase Stock made, after such termination. Options, Restricted Stock Awards, and other Awards outstanding at the time of the Plan termination may continue to vest, be exercised, or otherwise become free of restrictions, or be paid, in accordance with their terms.

 

21Exhibit 4.5

 

SENDGRID, INC.

 

2012 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: MARCH 5, 2012
 APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: DECEMBER 10, 2012

 

AMENDED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: SEPTEMBER 11, 2012
 AMENDED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: DECEMBER 10, 2012

 

AMENDED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: DECEMBER 16, 2013
 AMENDED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: DECEMBER 16, 2013

 

AMENDED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: OCTOBER 13, 2014
 AMENDED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: OCTOBER 13, 2014

 

AMENDED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: OCTOBER 14, 2015
 AMENDED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: OCTOBER 19, 2015

 

TERMINATION DATE: MARCH 4, 2022

 

1.             GENERAL.

 

(a)           Successor to and Continuation of Prior Plans. The Plan is intended as the successor to and continuation of the Company’s Amended and Restated 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Prior Plan”). Following the Effective Date, no additional stock awards shall be granted under the Prior Plan. Any shares remaining available for issuance pursuant to the exercise of options or settlement of stock awards under the Prior Plan as of the Effective Date (the “Prior Plan’s Available Reserve”) shall become available for issuance pursuant to Stock Awards granted hereunder. From and after the Effective Date, all outstanding stock awards granted under the Prior Plan shall remain subject to the terms of the Prior Plan; provided, however, any shares subject to outstanding stock awards granted under the Prior Plan that expire or terminate for any reason prior to exercise or settlement (the “Returning Shares”) shall become available for issuance pursuant to Stock Awards granted hereunder. All Stock Awards granted on or after the Effective Date of this Plan shall be subject to the terms of this Plan.

 

(b)           Eligible Stock Award Recipients. Employees, Directors and Consultants are eligible to receive Stock Awards.

 

(c)           Available Stock Awards. The Plan provides for the grant of the following types of Stock Awards: (i) Incentive Stock Options, (ii) Nonstatutory Stock Options, (iii) Stock Appreciation Rights, (iv) Restricted Stock Awards, (v) Restricted Stock Unit Awards and (vi) Other Stock Awards.

 

(d)           Purpose. The Plan, through the granting of Stock Awards, is intended to help the Company secure and retain the services of eligible award recipients, provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and any Affiliate and provide

 

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a means by which the eligible recipients may benefit from increases in value of the Common Stock.

 

2.             ADMINISTRATION.

 

(a)           Administration by Board. The Board will administer the Plan. The Board may delegate administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees, as provided in Section 2(c).

 

(b)           Powers of Board. The Board will have the power, subject to, and within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:

 

(i)            To determine (A) who will be granted Stock Awards; (B) when and how each Stock Award will be granted; (C) what type of Stock Award will be granted; (D) the provisions of each Stock Award (which need not be identical), including when a person will be permitted to exercise or otherwise receive cash or Common Stock under the Stock Award; (E) the number of shares of Common Stock subject to a Stock Award; and (F) the Fair Market Value applicable to a Stock Award.

 

(ii)           To construe and interpret the Plan and Stock Awards granted under it, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for administration of the Plan and Stock Awards. The Board, in the exercise of these powers, may correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan or in any Stock Award Agreement, in a manner and to the extent it will deem necessary or expedient to make the Plan or Stock Award fully effective.

 

(iii)         To settle all controversies regarding the Plan and Stock Awards granted under it.

 

(iv)          To accelerate, in whole or in part, the time at which a Stock Award may be exercised or vest (or at which cash or shares of Common Stock may be issued).

 

(v)           To suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or a Stock Award Agreement, suspension or termination of the Plan will not impair a Participant’s rights under his or her then-outstanding Stock Award without his or her written consent except as provided in subsection (viii) below.

 

(vi)          To amend the Plan in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable, including, without limitation, by adopting amendments relating to Incentive Stock Options and certain nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code and/or to make the Plan or Stock Awards granted under the Plan exempt from or compliant with the requirements for Incentive Stock Options or nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code, subject to the limitations, if any, of applicable law. However, if required by applicable law, and except as provided in Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the Company will seek stockholder approval of any amendment of the Plan that (A) materially increases the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan, (B) materially expands the class of individuals eligible to receive Stock Awards under the Plan, (C) materially increases the benefits accruing to Participants under the Plan, (D) materially reduces the price at which shares of Common Stock may be issued or purchased under the Plan, (E) materially extends the term of the Plan, or (F) materially expands the types of Stock Awards available for

 

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issuance under the Plan. Except as provided in the Plan (including subsection (viii) below) or a Stock Award Agreement, no amendment of the Plan will impair a Participant’s rights under an outstanding Stock Award without his or her written consent.

 

(vii)        To submit any amendment to the Plan for stockholder approval, including, but not limited to, amendments to the Plan intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Code regarding Incentive Stock Options.

 

(viii)       To approve forms of Stock Award Agreements for use under the Plan and to amend the terms of any one or more Stock Awards, including, but not limited to, amendments to provide terms more favorable to the Participant than previously provided in the Stock Award Agreement, subject to any specified limits in the Plan that are not subject to Board discretion; provided however, that a Participant’s rights under any Stock Award will not be impaired by any such amendment unless (A) the Company requests the consent of the affected Participant, and (B) such Participant consents in writing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) a Participant’s rights will not be deemed to have been impaired by any such amendment if the Board, in its sole discretion, determines that the amendment, taken as a whole, does not materially impair the Participant’s rights, and (2) subject to the limitations of applicable law, if any, the Board may amend the terms of any one or more Stock Awards without the affected Participant’s consent (A) to maintain the qualified status of the Stock Award as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code; (B) to change the terms of an Incentive Stock Option, if such change results in impairment of the Award solely because it impairs the qualified status of the Award as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code; (C) to clarify the manner of exemption from, or to bring the Stock Award into compliance with, Section 409A of the Code; or (D) to comply with other applicable laws.

 

(ix)          Generally, to exercise such powers and to perform such acts as the Board deems necessary or expedient to promote the best interests of the Company and that are not in conflict with the provisions of the Plan or Stock Awards.

 

(x)           To adopt such procedures and sub-plans as are necessary or appropriate to permit participation in the Plan by Employees, Directors or Consultants who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States (provided that Board approval will not be necessary for immaterial modifications to the Plan or any Stock Award Agreement that are required for compliance with the laws of the relevant foreign jurisdiction).

 

(xi)          To effect, with the consent of any adversely affected Participant, (A) the reduction of the exercise, purchase or strike price of any outstanding Stock Award; (B) the cancellation of any outstanding Stock Award and the grant in substitution therefor of a new (1) Option or SAR, (2) Restricted Stock Award, (3) Restricted Stock Unit Award, (4) Other Stock Award, (5) cash and/or (6) other valuable consideration determined by the Board, in its sole discretion, with any such substituted award (x) covering the same or a different number of shares of Common Stock as the cancelled Stock Award and (y) granted under the Plan or another equity or compensatory plan of the Company; or (C) any other action that is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles.

 

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(c)           Delegation to Committee. The Board may delegate some or all of the administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees. If administration of the Plan is delegated to a Committee, the Committee will have, in connection with the administration of the Plan, the powers theretofore possessed by the Board that have been delegated to the Committee, including the power to delegate to a subcommittee of the Committee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan to the Board will thereafter be to the Committee or subcommittee). Any delegation of administrative powers will be reflected in resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, adopted from time to time by the Board or Committee (as applicable). The Committee may, at any time, abolish the subcommittee and/or revest in the Committee any powers delegated to the subcommittee. The Board may retain the authority to concurrently administer the Plan with the Committee and may, at any time, revest in the Board some or all of the powers previously delegated.

 

(d)           Delegation to an Officer. The Board may delegate to one or more Officers the authority to do one or both of the following (i) designate Employees who are not Officers to be recipients of Options and SARs (and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, other Stock Awards) and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the terms of such rights and options, and (ii) determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be subject to such Stock Awards granted to such Employees; provided, however, that the Board resolutions regarding such delegation will specify the total number of shares of Common Stock that may be subject to the Stock Awards granted by such Officer and that such Officer may not grant a Stock Award to himself or herself. Any such Stock Awards will be granted on the form of Stock Award Agreement most recently approved for use by the Committee or the Board, unless otherwise provided in the resolutions approving the delegation authority. The Board may not delegate authority to an Officer who is acting solely in the capacity of an Officer (and not also as a Director) to determine the Fair Market Value pursuant to Section 13(t) below.

 

(e)           Effect of Board’s Decision. All determinations, interpretations and constructions made by the Board in good faith will not be subject to review by any person and will be final, binding and conclusive on all persons.

 

3.             SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.

 

(a)           Share Reserve. Subject to Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Stock Awards from and after the Effective Date shall not exceed 12,793,718 shares (the “Share Reserve”), which number is the sum of (i) 1,265,267 shares subject to the Prior Plan’s Available Reserve, plus (ii) an additional number of shares in an amount not to exceed 11,528,451 shares (which number includes in part the Returning Shares, if any, as such shares become available from time to time).

 

(b)           Reversion of Shares to the Share Reserve. If a Stock Award or any portion thereof (i) expires or otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by such Stock Award having been issued, or (ii) is settled in cash (i.e., the Participant receives cash rather than stock), such expiration, termination or settlement will not reduce (or otherwise offset) the number of shares of Common Stock that may be available for issuance under the Plan. If any shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to a Stock Award are forfeited back to or repurchased by the

 

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Company because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required to vest such shares in the Participant, then the shares that are forfeited or repurchased will revert to and again become available for issuance under the Plan. Any shares reacquired by the Company in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations on a Stock Award or as consideration for the exercise or purchase price of a Stock Award will again become available for issuance under the Plan.

 

(c)           Incentive Stock Option Limit. Subject to Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options will be 12,793,718 shares of Common Stock.

 

(d)           Source of Shares. The stock issuable under the Plan will be shares of authorized but unissued or reacquired Common Stock, including shares repurchased by the Company on the open market or otherwise.

 

4.             ELIGIBILITY.

 

(a)           Eligibility for Specific Stock Awards. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the Company or a “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” thereof (as such terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and 424(f) of the Code). Stock Awards other than Incentive Stock Options may be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants; provided, however, that Stock Awards may not be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants who are providing Continuous Service only to any “parent” of the Company, as such term is defined in Rule 405, unless (i) the stock underlying such Stock Awards is treated as “service recipient stock” under Section 409A of the Code (for example, because the Stock Awards are granted pursuant to a corporate transaction such as a spin off transaction), or (ii) the Company, in consultation with its legal counsel, has determined that such Stock Awards are otherwise exempt from or alternatively comply with the distribution requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

 

(b)           Ten Percent Stockholders. A Ten Percent Stockholder will not be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless the exercise price of such Option is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant and the Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date of grant.

 

(c)           Consultants. A Consultant will not be eligible for the grant of a Stock Award if, at the time of grant, either the offer or sale of the Company’s securities to such Consultant is not exempt under Rule 701 because of the nature of the services that the Consultant is providing to the Company, because the Consultant is not a natural person, or because of any other provision of Rule 701, unless the Company determines that such grant need not comply with the requirements of Rule 701 and will satisfy another exemption under the Securities Act as well as comply with the securities laws of all other relevant jurisdictions.

 

5.             PROVISIONS RELATING TO OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.

 

Each Option or SAR will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board deems appropriate. All Options will be separately designated Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options at the time of grant, and, if certificates are issued, a separate certificate or certificates will be issued for shares of Common Stock purchased on exercise of each type of Option. If an Option is not specifically designated as an Incentive 

 

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Stock Option, or if an Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option but some portion or all of the Option fails to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under the applicable rules, then the Option (or portion thereof) will be a Nonstatutory Stock Option. The provisions of separate Options or SARs need not be identical; provided, however, that each Stock Award Agreement will conform to (through incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in the applicable Stock Award Agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

 

(a)           Term. Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, no Option or SAR will be exercisable after the expiration of 10 years from the date of its grant or such shorter period specified in the Stock Award Agreement.

 

(b)           Exercise Price. Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, the exercise or strike price of each Option or SAR will be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option or SAR on the date the Award is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option or SAR may be granted with an exercise or strike price lower than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Award if such Award is granted pursuant to an assumption of or substitution for another option or stock appreciation right pursuant to a Corporate Transaction and in a manner consistent with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code and, if applicable, Section 424(a) of the Code. Each SAR will be denominated in shares of Common Stock equivalents.

 

(c)           Purchase Price for Options. The purchase price of Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option may be paid, to the extent permitted by applicable law and as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, by any combination of the methods of payment set forth below. The Board will have the authority to grant Options that do not permit all of the following methods of payment (or otherwise restrict the ability to use certain methods) and to grant Options that require the consent of the Company to use a particular method of payment. The permitted methods of payment are as follows:

 

(i)            by cash, check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company;

 

(ii)           pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board that, prior to the issuance of the stock subject to the Option, results in either the receipt of cash (or check) by the Company or the receipt of irrevocable instructions to pay the aggregate exercise price to the Company from the sales proceeds;

 

(iii)         by delivery to the Company (either by actual delivery or attestation) of shares of Common Stock;

 

(iv)          if an Option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price; provided, however, that the Company will accept a cash or other payment from the Participant to the extent of any remaining balance of the aggregate exercise price not satisfied by such reduction in the number of whole shares to be issued. Shares of Common Stock will no longer be subject to an Option and will not be exercisable thereafter to

 

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the extent that (A) shares issuable upon exercise are used to pay the exercise price pursuant to the “net exercise,” (B) shares are delivered to the Participant as a result of such exercise, and (C) shares are withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations;

 

(v)           according to a deferred payment or similar arrangement with the Optionholder; provided, however, that interest will compound at least annually and will be charged at the minimum rate of interest necessary to avoid (A) the imputation of interest income to the Company and compensation income to the Optionholder under any applicable provisions of the Code, and (B) the classification of the Option as a liability for financial accounting purposes; or

 

(vi)          in any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board and specified in the applicable Stock Award Agreement.

 

(d)           Exercise and Payment of a SAR. To exercise any outstanding SAR, the Participant must provide written notice of exercise to the Company in compliance with the provisions of the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement evidencing such SAR. The appreciation distribution payable on the exercise of a SAR will be not greater than an amount equal to the excess of (A) the aggregate Fair Market Value (on the date of the exercise of the SAR) of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Common Stock equivalents in which the Participant is vested under such SAR, and with respect to which the Participant is exercising the SAR on such date, over (B) the strike price. The appreciation distribution may be paid in Common Stock, in cash, in any combination of the two or in any other form of consideration, as determined by the Board and contained in the Stock Award Agreement evidencing such SAR.

 

(e)           Transferability of Options and SARs. The Board may, in its sole discretion, impose such limitations on the transferability of Options and SARs as the Board will determine. In the absence of such a determination by the Board to the contrary, the following restrictions on the transferability of Options and SARs will apply:

 

(i)            Restrictions on Transfer. An Option or SAR will not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution (or pursuant to subsections (ii) and (iii) below), and will be exercisable during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant. The Board may permit transfer of the Option or SAR in a manner that is not prohibited by applicable tax and securities laws. Except as explicitly provided herein, neither an Option nor a SAR may be transferred for consideration.

 

(ii)           Domestic Relations Orders. Subject to the approval of the Board or a duly authorized Officer, an Option or SAR may be transferred pursuant to the terms of a domestic relations order, official marital settlement agreement or other divorce or separation instrument as permitted by Treasury Regulation 1.421-1(b)(2). If an Option is an Incentive Stock Option, such Option may be deemed to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option as a result of such transfer.

 

(iii)         Beneficiary Designation. Subject to the approval of the Board or a duly authorized Officer, a Participant may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form approved by the Company (or the designated broker), designate a third party who, on the death

 

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of the Participant, will thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option or SAR and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise. In the absence of such a designation, the executor or administrator of the Participant’s estate will be entitled to exercise the Option or SAR and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise. However, the Company may prohibit designation of a beneficiary at any time, including due to any conclusion by the Company that such designation would be inconsistent with the provisions of applicable laws.

 

(f)            Vesting Generally. The total number of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option or SAR may vest and therefore become exercisable in periodic installments that may or may not be equal. The Option or SAR may be subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may or may not be exercised (which may be based on the satisfaction of performance goals or other criteria) as the Board may deem appropriate. The vesting provisions of individual Options or SARs may vary. The provisions of this Section 5(f) are subject to any Option or SAR provisions governing the minimum number of shares of Common Stock as to which an Option or SAR may be exercised.

 

(g)           Termination of Continuous Service. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Stock Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates (other than for Cause and other than upon the Participant’s death or Disability), the Participant may exercise his or her Option or SAR (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Stock Award as of the date of termination of Continuous Service) within the period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date three months following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the applicable Stock Award Agreement, which period will not be less than 30 days if necessary to comply with applicable laws unless such termination is for Cause) and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the Stock Award Agreement. If, after termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option or SAR within the applicable time frame, the Option or SAR will terminate.

 

(h)           Extension of Termination Date. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Stock Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, if the exercise of an Option or SAR following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (other than for Cause and other than upon the Participant’s death or Disability) would be prohibited at any time solely because the issuance of shares of Common Stock would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act, then the Option or SAR will terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of a total period of three months (that need not be consecutive) after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service during which the exercise of the Option or SAR would not be in violation of such registration requirements, or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the applicable Stock Award Agreement. In addition, unless otherwise provided in a Participant’s Stock Award Agreement, if the sale of any Common Stock received upon exercise of an Option or SAR following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (other than for Cause) would violate the Company’s insider trading policy, then the Option or SAR will terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of a period of months (that need not be consecutive) equal to the applicable post-termination exercise period after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service during which the sale of the Common Stock received upon exercise of the Option or SAR would not be in violation of the Company’s insider

 

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trading policy, or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the applicable Stock Award Agreement.

 

(i)            Disability of Participant. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Stock Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option or SAR (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option or SAR as of the date of termination of Continuous Service), but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date 12 months following such termination of Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Stock Award Agreement, which period will not be less than six months if necessary to comply with applicable laws), and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the Stock Award Agreement. If, after termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option or SAR within the applicable time frame, the Option or SAR (as applicable) will terminate.

 

(j)            Death of Participant. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Stock Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, if (i) a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s death, or (ii) the Participant dies within the period (if any) specified in the Stock Award Agreement for exercisability after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (for a reason other than death), then the Option or SAR may be exercised (to the extent the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option or SAR as of the date of death) by the Participant’s estate, by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option or SAR by bequest or inheritance or by a person designated to exercise the Option or SAR upon the Participant’s death, but only within the period ending on the earlier of (i) the date 18 months following the date of death (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Stock Award Agreement, which period will not be less than six months if necessary to comply with applicable laws), and (ii) the expiration of the term of such Option or SAR as set forth in the Stock Award Agreement. If, after the Participant’s death, the Option or SAR is not exercised within the applicable time frame, the Option or SAR will terminate.

 

(k)           Termination for Cause. Except as explicitly provided otherwise in a Participant’s Stock Award Agreement or other individual written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant, if a Participant’s Continuous Service is terminated for Cause, the Option or SAR will terminate immediately upon such Participant’s termination of Continuous Service, and the Participant will be prohibited from exercising his or her Option or SAR from and after the time of such termination of Continuous Service.

 

(l)            Non-Exempt Employees. If an Option or SAR is granted to an Employee who is a non-exempt employee for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, the Option or SAR will not be first exercisable for any shares of Common Stock until at least six months following the date of grant of the Option or SAR (although the Stock Award may vest prior to such date). Consistent with the provisions of the Worker Economic Opportunity Act, (i) if such non-exempt Employee dies or suffers a Disability, (ii) upon a Corporate Transaction in which such Option or SAR is not assumed, continued, or substituted, (iii) upon a Change in Control, or (iv) upon the Participant’s retirement (as such term may be defined in the

 

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Participant’s Stock Award Agreement in another agreement between the Participant and the Company, or, if no such definition, in accordance with the Company’s then current employment policies and guidelines), the vested portion of any Options and SARs may be exercised earlier than six months following the date of grant. The foregoing provision is intended to operate so that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise or vesting of an Option or SAR will be exempt from his or her regular rate of pay. To the extent permitted and/or required for compliance with the Worker Economic Opportunity Act to ensure that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise, vesting or issuance of any shares under any other Stock Award will be exempt from the employee’s regular rate of pay, the provisions of this Section 5(l) will apply to all Stock Awards and are hereby incorporated by reference into such Stock Award Agreements.

 

(m)          Early Exercise of Options. An Option may, but need not, include a provision whereby the Optionholder may elect at any time before the Optionholder’s Continuous Service terminates to exercise the Option as to any part or all of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option prior to the full vesting of the Option. Subject to the “Repurchase Limitation” in Section 8(m), any unvested shares of Common Stock so purchased may be subject to a repurchase right in favor of the Company or to any other restriction the Board determines to be appropriate. Provided that the “Repurchase Limitation” in Section 8(m) is not violated, the Company will not be required to exercise its repurchase right until at least six months (or such longer or shorter period of time required to avoid classification of the Option as a liability for financial accounting purposes) have elapsed following exercise of the Option unless the Board otherwise specifically provides in the Option Agreement.

 

(n)           Right of Repurchase. Subject to the “Repurchase Limitation” in Section 8(m), the Option or SAR may include a provision whereby the Company may elect to repurchase all or any part of the vested shares of Common Stock acquired by the Participant pursuant to the exercise of the Option or SAR.

 

(o)           Right of First Refusal. The Option or SAR may include a provision whereby the Company may elect to exercise a right of first refusal following receipt of notice from the Participant of the intent to transfer all or any part of the shares of Common Stock received upon the exercise of the Option or SAR. Such right of first refusal will be subject to the “Repurchase Limitation” in Section 8(m). Except as expressly provided in this Section 5(o) or in the Stock Award Agreement, such right of first refusal will otherwise comply with any applicable provisions of the bylaws of the Company.

 

6.             PROVISIONS OF STOCK AWARDS OTHER THAN OPTIONS AND SARS.

 

(a)           Restricted Stock Awards. Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board deems appropriate. To the extent consistent with the Company’s bylaws, at the Board’s election, shares of Common Stock may be (i) held in book entry form subject to the Company’s instructions until any restrictions relating to the Restricted Stock Award lapse; or (ii) evidenced by a certificate, which certificate will be held in such form and manner as determined by the Board. The terms and conditions of Restricted Stock Award Agreements may change from time to time, and the terms and conditions of separate Restricted Stock Award Agreements need not be identical. Each Restricted Stock

 

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Award Agreement will conform to (through incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

 

(i)            Consideration. A Restricted Stock Award may be awarded in consideration for (A) cash, check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company, (B) past services to the Company or an Affiliate, or (C) any other form of legal consideration (including future services) that may be acceptable to the Board, in its sole discretion, and permissible under applicable law.

 

(ii)           Vesting. Subject to the “Repurchase Limitation” in Section 8(m), shares of Common Stock awarded under the Restricted Stock Award Agreement may be subject to forfeiture to the Company in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by the Board.

 

(iii)         Termination of Participant’s Continuous Service. If a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates, the Company may receive through a forfeiture condition or a repurchase right, any or all of the shares of Common Stock held by the Participant that have not vested as of the date of termination of Continuous Service under the terms of the Restricted Stock Award Agreement.

 

(iv)          Transferability. Rights to acquire shares of Common Stock under the Restricted Stock Award Agreement will be transferable by the Participant only upon such terms and conditions as are set forth in the Restricted Stock Award Agreement, as the Board will determine in its sole discretion, so long as Common Stock awarded under the Restricted Stock Award Agreement remains subject to the terms of the Restricted Stock Award Agreement.

 

(v)           Dividends. A Restricted Stock Award Agreement may provide that any dividends paid on Restricted Stock will be subject to the same vesting and forfeiture restrictions as apply to the shares subject to the Restricted Stock Award to which they relate.

 

(b)           Restricted Stock Unit Awards. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board deems appropriate. The terms and conditions of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreements may change from time to time, and the terms and conditions of separate Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreements need not be identical. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement will conform to (through incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the Agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

 

(i)            Consideration. At the time of grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board will determine the consideration, if any, to be paid by the Participant upon delivery of each share of Common Stock subject to the Restricted Stock Unit Award. The consideration to be paid (if any) by the Participant for each share of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award may be paid in any form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board in its sole discretion and permissible under applicable law.

 

(ii)           Vesting. At the time of the grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board may impose such restrictions on or conditions to the vesting of the Restricted Stock Unit Award as it, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate.

 

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(iii)         Payment. A Restricted Stock Unit Award may be settled by the delivery of shares of Common Stock, their cash equivalent, any combination thereof or in any other form of consideration, as determined by the Board and contained in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement.

 

(iv)          Additional Restrictions. At the time of the grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board, as it deems appropriate, may impose such restrictions or conditions that delay the delivery of the shares of Common Stock (or their cash equivalent) subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award to a time after the vesting of such Restricted Stock Unit Award.

 

(v)           Dividend Equivalents. Dividend equivalents may be credited in respect of shares of Common Stock covered by a Restricted Stock Unit Award, as determined by the Board and contained in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement. At the sole discretion of the Board, such dividend equivalents may be converted into additional shares of Common Stock covered by the Restricted Stock Unit Award in such manner as determined by the Board. Any additional shares covered by the Restricted Stock Unit Award credited by reason of such dividend equivalents will be subject to all of the same terms and conditions of the underlying Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement to which they relate.

 

(vi)          Termination of Participant’s Continuous Service. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, such portion of the Restricted Stock Unit Award that has not vested will be forfeited upon the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service.

 

(vii)        Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, any Restricted Stock Unit Award granted under the Plan that is not exempt from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code shall contain such provisions so that such Restricted Stock Unit Award will comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. Such restrictions, if any, shall be determined by the Board and contained in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement evidencing such Restricted Stock Unit Award. For example, such restrictions may include, without limitation, a requirement that any Common Stock that is to be issued in a year following the year in which the Restricted Stock Unit Award vests must be issued in accordance with a fixed pre-determined schedule.

 

(c)           Other Stock Awards. Other forms of Stock Awards valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, Common Stock, including the appreciation in value thereof (e.g., options or stock rights with an exercise price or strike price less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the time of grant) may be granted either alone or in addition to Stock Awards provided for under Section 5 and the preceding provisions of this Section 6. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board will have sole and complete authority to determine the persons to whom and the time or times at which such Other Stock Awards will be granted, the number of shares of Common Stock (or the cash equivalent thereof) to be granted pursuant to such Other Stock Awards and all other terms and conditions of such Other Stock Awards.

 

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7.             COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.

 

(a)           Availability of Shares. The Company will keep available at all times the number of shares of Common Stock reasonably required to satisfy then-outstanding Stock Awards.

 

(b)           Securities Law Compliance. The Company will seek to obtain from each regulatory commission or agency having jurisdiction over the Plan such authority as may be required to grant Stock Awards and to issue and sell shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Stock Awards; provided, however, that this undertaking will not require the Company to register under the Securities Act the Plan, any Stock Award or any Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to any such Stock Award. If, after reasonable efforts and at a reasonable cost, the Company is unable to obtain from any such regulatory commission or agency the authority that counsel for the Company deems necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of Common Stock under the Plan, the Company will be relieved from any liability for failure to issue and sell Common Stock upon exercise of such Stock Awards unless and until such authority is obtained. A Participant will not be eligible for the grant of a Stock Award or the subsequent issuance of cash or Common Stock pursuant to the Stock Award if such grant or issuance would be in violation of any applicable securities law.

 

(c)           No Obligation to Notify or Minimize Taxes. The Company will have no duty or obligation to any Participant to advise such holder as to the time or manner of exercising such Stock Award. Furthermore, the Company will have no duty or obligation to warn or otherwise advise such holder of a pending termination or expiration of a Stock Award or a possible period in which the Stock Award may not be exercised. The Company has no duty or obligation to minimize the tax consequences of a Stock Award to the holder of such Stock Award.

 

8.             MISCELLANEOUS.

 

(a)           Use of Proceeds from Sales of Common Stock. Proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock pursuant to Stock Awards will constitute general funds of the Company.

 

(b)           Corporate Action Constituting Grant of Stock Awards. Corporate action constituting a grant by the Company of a Stock Award to any Participant will be deemed completed as of the date of such corporate action, unless otherwise determined by the Board, regardless of when the instrument, certificate, or letter evidencing the Stock Award is communicated to, or actually received or accepted by, the Participant. In the event that the corporate records (e.g., Board consents, resolutions or minutes) documenting the corporate action constituting the grant contain terms (e.g., exercise price, vesting schedule or number of shares) that are inconsistent with those in the Stock Award Agreement as a result of a clerical error in the papering of the Stock Award Agreement, the corporate records will control and the Participant will have no legally binding right to the incorrect term in the Stock Award Agreement.

 

(c)           Stockholder Rights. No Participant will be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares of Common Stock subject to a Stock Award unless and until (i) such Participant has satisfied all requirements for exercise of, or the issuance of shares of Common Stock under, the Stock Award pursuant to its terms, and (ii) the issuance of the Common Stock subject to the Stock Award has been entered into the books and records of the Company.

 

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(d)           No Employment or Other Service Rights. Nothing in the Plan, any Stock Award Agreement or any other instrument executed thereunder or in connection with any Stock Award granted pursuant thereto will confer upon any Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate in the capacity in effect at the time the Stock Award was granted or will affect the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate (i) the employment of an Employee with or without notice and with or without cause, (ii) the service of a Consultant pursuant to the terms of such Consultant’s agreement with the Company or an Affiliate, or (iii) the service of a Director pursuant to the bylaws of the Company or an Affiliate, and any applicable provisions of the corporate law of the state in which the Company or the Affiliate is incorporated, as the case may be.

 

(e)           Change in Time Commitment. In the event a Participant’s regular level of time commitment in the performance of his or her services for the Company and any Affiliates is reduced (for example, and without limitation, if the Participant is an Employee of the Company and the Employee has a change in status from a full-time Employee to a part-time Employee) after the date of grant of any Stock Award to the Participant, the Board has the right in its sole discretion to (x) make a corresponding reduction in the number of shares subject to any portion of such Stock Award that is scheduled to vest or become payable after the date of such change in time commitment, and (y) in lieu of or in combination with such a reduction, extend the vesting or payment schedule applicable to such Stock Award. In the event of any such reduction, the Participant will have no right with respect to any portion of the Stock Award that is so reduced or extended.

 

(f)            Incentive Stock Option Limitations. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Optionholder during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Affiliates) exceeds $100,000 (or such other limit established in the Code) or otherwise does not comply with the rules governing Incentive Stock Options, the Options or portions thereof that exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) or otherwise do not comply with such rules will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options, notwithstanding any contrary provision of the applicable Option Agreement(s).

 

(g)           Investment Assurances; Execution of Shareholders Agreement. The Company may require a Participant, as a condition of exercising or acquiring Common Stock under any Stock Award, (i) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company as to the Participant’s knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and/or to employ a purchaser representative reasonably satisfactory to the Company who is knowledgeable and experienced in financial and business matters and that he or she is capable of evaluating, alone or together with the purchaser representative, the merits and risks of exercising the Stock Award; and (ii) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company stating that the Participant is acquiring Common Stock subject to the Stock Award for the Participant’s own account and not with any present intention of selling or otherwise distributing the Common Stock, and (iii) to execute the Shareholders Agreement or any similar or successor agreement among the Company’s stockholders. The foregoing requirements, and any assurances given pursuant to such requirements, will be inoperative if (A) the issuance of the shares upon the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under the Stock Award has been registered under a then currently

 

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effective registration statement under the Securities Act, or (B) as to any particular requirement, a determination is made by counsel for the Company that such requirement need not be met in the circumstances under the then applicable securities laws. The Company may, upon advice of counsel to the Company, place legends on stock certificates issued under the Plan as such counsel deems necessary or appropriate in order to comply with applicable securities laws, including, but not limited to, legends restricting the transfer of the Common Stock.

 

(h)           Withholding Obligations. Unless prohibited by the terms of a Stock Award Agreement, the Company may, in its sole discretion, satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding obligation relating to a Stock Award by any of the following means (in addition to the Company’s right to withhold from any compensation paid to the Participant by the Company) or by a combination of such means: (i) causing the Participant to tender a cash payment; (ii) withholding shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock issued or otherwise issuable to the Participant in connection with the Stock Award; provided, however, that no shares of Common Stock are withheld with a value exceeding the minimum amount of tax required to be withheld by law (or such lesser amount as may be necessary to avoid classification of the Stock Award as a liability for financial accounting purposes); (iii) withholding cash from a Stock Award settled in cash; (iv) withholding payment from any amounts otherwise payable to the Participant; or (v) by such other method as may be set forth in the Stock Award Agreement.

 

(i)            Electronic Delivery. Any reference herein to a “written” agreement or document will include any agreement or document delivered electronically or posted on the Company’s intranet (or other shared electronic medium controlled by the Company to which the Participant has access).

 

(j)            Deferrals. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board, in its sole discretion, may determine that the delivery of Common Stock or the payment of cash, upon the exercise, vesting or settlement of all or a portion of any Stock Award may be deferred and may establish programs and procedures for deferral elections to be made by Participants. Deferrals by Participants will be made in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. Consistent with Section 409A of the Code, the Board may provide for distributions while a Participant is still an employee or otherwise providing services to the Company. The Board is authorized to make deferrals of Stock Awards and determine when, and in what annual percentages, Participants may receive payments, including lump sum payments, following the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service, and implement such other terms and conditions consistent with the provisions of the Plan and in accordance with applicable law.

 

(k)           Compliance with Section 409A. To the extent that the Board determines that any Stock Award granted hereunder is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Stock Award Agreement evidencing such Stock Award shall incorporate the terms and conditions necessary to avoid the consequences specified in Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code. To the extent applicable, the Plan and Stock Award Agreements shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code.

 

(l)            Compliance with Exemption Provided by Rule 12h-1(f). If at the end of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal year: (i) the aggregate of the number of persons who hold outstanding compensatory employee stock options to purchase shares of Common Stock

 

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granted pursuant to the Plan or otherwise (such persons, “Holders of Options”) equals or exceeds 500, and (ii) the Company’s assets exceed $10 million, then the following restrictions will apply during any period during which the Company does not have a class of its securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act and is not required to file reports under Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act: (A) the Options and, prior to exercise, the shares of Common Stock to be issued on exercise of the Options may not be transferred until the Company is no longer relying on the exemption provided by Rule 12h-1(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act (“Rule 12h-1(f)”), except: (1) as permitted by Rule 701(c) promulgated under the Securities Act, (2) to a guardian upon the disability of the Holder of Options, or (3) to an executor upon the death of the Holder of Options (collectively, the “Permitted Transferees”); provided, however, the following transfers are permitted: (i) transfers by Holders of Options to the Company, and (ii) transfers in connection with a change of control or other acquisition involving the Company, if following such transaction, the Options no longer remain outstanding and the Company is no longer relying on the exemption provided by Rule 12h-1(f); provided further, that any Permitted Transferees may not further transfer the Options; (B) except as otherwise provided in (A) above, the Options and shares of Common Stock issuable on exercise of the Options are restricted as to any pledge, hypothecation, or other transfer, including any short position, any “put equivalent position” as defined by Rule 16a-1(h) promulgated under the Exchange Act, or any “call equivalent position” as defined by Rule 16a-1(b) promulgated under the Exchange Act by Holders of Options prior to exercise of an Option until the Company is no longer relying on the exemption provided by Rule 12h-1(f); and (C) at any time that the Company is relying on the exemption provided by Rule 12h-1(f), the Company will deliver to Holders of Options (whether by physical or electronic delivery or written notice of the availability of the information on an internet site) the information required by Rule 701(e)(3), (4), and (5) promulgated under the Securities Act every six months, including financial statements that are not more than 180 days old; provided, however, that the Company may condition the delivery of such information upon the Holder of Options’ agreement to maintain its confidentiality.

 

(m)          Repurchase Limitation. The terms of any repurchase right will be specified in the Stock Award Agreement. The repurchase price for vested shares of Common Stock will be the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock on the date of repurchase. The repurchase price for unvested shares of Common Stock will be the lower of (i) the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock on the date of repurchase or (ii) their original purchase price. However, the Company will not exercise its repurchase right until at least six months (or such longer or shorter period of time necessary to avoid classification of the Stock Award as a liability for financial accounting purposes) have elapsed following delivery of shares of Common Stock subject to the Stock Award, unless otherwise specifically provided by the Board.

 

9.             ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN COMMON STOCK; OTHER CORPORATE EVENTS.

 

(a)           Capitalization Adjustments. In the event of a Capitalization Adjustment, the Board will appropriately and proportionately adjust: (i) the class(es) and maximum number of securities subject to the Plan pursuant to Section 3(a), (ii) the class(es) and maximum number of securities that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options pursuant to Section 3(c), and (iii) the class(es) and number of securities and price per share of stock subject to outstanding Stock Awards. The Board will make such adjustments, and its determination will be final, binding and conclusive.

 

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(b)           Dissolution or Liquidation. Except as otherwise provided in the Stock Award Agreement, in the event of a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, all outstanding Stock Awards (other than Stock Awards consisting of vested and outstanding shares of Common Stock not subject to a forfeiture condition or the Company’s right of repurchase) will terminate immediately prior to the completion of such dissolution or liquidation, and the shares of Common Stock subject to the Company’s repurchase rights or subject to a forfeiture condition may be repurchased or reacquired by the Company notwithstanding the fact that the holder of such Stock Award is providing Continuous Service, provided, however, that the Board may, in its sole discretion, cause some or all Stock Awards to become fully vested, exercisable and/or no longer subject to repurchase or forfeiture (to the extent such Stock Awards have not previously expired or terminated) before the dissolution or liquidation is completed but contingent on its completion.

 

(c)           Corporate Transaction. The following provisions will apply to Stock Awards in the event of a Corporate Transaction unless otherwise provided in the instrument evidencing the Stock Award or any other written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant or unless otherwise expressly provided by the Board at the time of grant of a Stock Award. In the event of a Corporate Transaction, then, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Board may take one or more of the following actions with respect to Stock Awards, contingent upon the closing or completion of the Corporate Transaction:

 

(i)            arrange for the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company) to assume or continue the Stock Award or to substitute a similar stock award for the Stock Award (including, but not limited to, an award to acquire the same consideration paid to the stockholders of the Company pursuant to the Corporate Transaction), provided, however, that with regard to Options, any right to early- exercise an Option may be removed from such Option so that after the Corporate Transaction the Option may only be exercised for vested shares;

 

(ii)           arrange for the assignment of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company in respect of Common Stock issued pursuant to the Stock Award to the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company);

 

(iii)         accelerate the vesting, in whole or in part, of the Stock Award (and, if applicable, the time at which the Stock Award may be exercised, even if the vesting is not accelerated) to a date prior to the effective time of such Corporate Transaction as the Board determines (or, if the Board does not determine such a date, to the date that is five days prior to the effective date of the Corporate Transaction), with such Stock Award terminating if not exercised (if applicable) at or prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction; provided, however, that the Board may require Participants to complete and deliver to the Company a notice of exercise before the effective date of a Corporate Transaction, which exercise is contingent upon the effectiveness of such Corporate Transaction;

 

(iv)          arrange for the lapse, in whole or in part, of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to the Stock Award;

 

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(v)           cancel or arrange for the cancellation of the Stock Award, to the extent not vested or not exercised (even if vested) prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction, in exchange for such cash consideration, if any, as the Board, in its sole discretion, may consider appropriate, which cash consideration, if any, may be subject, in the discretion of the Board, to the same conditions (including but not limited to any escrow arrangement, holdback, indemnity obligation, or earn-out) on payment to the same extent and in the same manner as such conditions apply to all other holders of Company Common Stock; and 

 

(vi)          make a payment, in such form as may be determined by the Board equal to the excess, if any, of (A) the value of the property the Participant would have received upon the exercise of the Stock Award immediately prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction, over (B) any exercise price payable by such holder in connection with such exercise. For clarity, this payment may be $0 if the value of the property is equal to or less than the exercise price. Payments under this provision may be delayed to the same extent that payment of consideration to the holders of the Company’s Common Stock in connection with the Corporate Transaction is delayed as a result of escrows, earn outs, holdbacks or any other contingencies.

 

The Board need not take the same action or actions with respect to all Stock Awards or portions thereof or with respect to all Participants. The Board may take different actions with respect to the vested and unvested portions of a Stock Award.

 

(d)           Change in Control. A Stock Award may be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability upon or after a Change in Control as may be provided in the Stock Award Agreement for such Stock Award or as may be provided in any other written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant, but in the absence of such provision, no such acceleration will occur.

 

10.          PLAN TERM; EARLIER TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF THE PLAN.

 

(a)           Plan Term. The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Unless terminated sooner by the Board, the Plan will automatically terminate on the day before the 10th anniversary of the earlier of (i) the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, or (ii) the date the Plan is approved by the stockholders of the Company. No Stock Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.

 

(b)           No Impairment of Rights. Suspension or termination of the Plan will not impair rights and obligations under any Stock Award granted while the Plan is in effect except with the written consent of the affected Participant or as otherwise permitted in the Plan.

 

11.          EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN.

 

This Plan will become effective on the Effective Date.

 

12.          CHOICE OF LAW.

 

The law of the State of Delaware will govern all questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Plan, without regard to that state’s conflict of laws rules.

 

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13.          DEFINITIONS. As used in the Plan, the following definitions will apply to the capitalized terms indicated below:

 

(a)           “Affiliate” means, at the time of determination, any “parent” or “majority-owned subsidiary” of the Company, as such terms are defined in Rule 405. The Board will have the authority to determine the time or times at which “parent” or “majority-owned subsidiary” status is determined within the foregoing definition.

 

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

 

(c)           “Capitalization Adjustment” means any change that is made in, or other events that occur with respect to, the Common Stock subject to the Plan or subject to any Stock Award after the Effective Date without the receipt of consideration by the Company through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, large nonrecurring cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure, or any similar equity restructuring transaction, as that term is used in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (or any successor thereto). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the conversion of any convertible securities of the Company will not be treated as a Capitalization Adjustment.

 

(d)           “Cause” will have the meaning ascribed to such term in any written agreement between the Participant and the Company defining such term and, in the absence of such agreement, such term means, with respect to a Participant, the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) such Participant’s commission of any felony or any crime involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude under the laws of the United States or any state thereof; (ii) such Participant’s attempted commission of, or participation in, a fraud or act of dishonesty against the Company; (iii) such Participant’s intentional, material violation of any contract or agreement between the Participant and the Company or of any statutory duty owed to the Company; (iv) such Participant’s unauthorized use or disclosure of the Company’s confidential information or trade secrets; or (v) such Participant’s gross misconduct. The determination that a termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service is either for Cause or without Cause will be made by the Company, in its sole discretion. Any determination by the Company that the Continuous Service of a Participant was terminated with or without Cause for the purposes of outstanding Stock Awards held by such Participant will have no effect upon any determination of the rights or obligations of the Company or such Participant for any other purpose.

 

(e)           “Change in Control” means the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:

 

(i)            any Exchange Act Person becomes the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities other than by virtue of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control will not be deemed to occur (A) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company directly from the Company, (B) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company by an investor, any affiliate thereof or any other Exchange Act Person that acquires the Company’s securities in a transaction

 

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or series of related transactions the primary purpose of which is to obtain financing for the Company through the issuance of equity securities or (C) solely because the level of Ownership held by any Exchange Act Person (the “Subject Person”) exceeds the designated percentage threshold of the outstanding voting securities as a result of a repurchase or other acquisition of voting securities by the Company reducing the number of shares outstanding, provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of voting securities by the Company, and after such share acquisition, the Subject Person becomes the Owner of any additional voting securities that, assuming the repurchase or other acquisition had not occurred, increases the percentage of the then outstanding voting securities Owned by the Subject Person over the designated percentage threshold, then a Change in Control will be deemed to occur;

 

(ii)           there is consummated a merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving (directly or indirectly) the Company and, immediately after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, the stockholders of the Company immediately prior thereto do not Own, directly or indirectly, either (A) outstanding voting securities representing more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting power of the surviving Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction or (B) more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting power of the parent of the surviving Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, in each case in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such transaction;

 

(iii)         there is consummated a sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, other than a sale, lease, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries to an Entity, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are Owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such sale, lease, license or other disposition; or

 

(iv)          individuals who, on the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, are members of the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board; provided, however, that if the appointment or election (or nomination for election) of any new Board member was approved or recommended by a majority vote of the members of the Incumbent Board then still in office, such new member will, for purposes of this Plan, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing definition or any other provision of this Plan, (A) the term Change in Control will not include a sale of assets, merger or other transaction effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the domicile of the Company, and (B) the definition of Change in Control (or any analogous term) in an individual written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant will supersede the foregoing definition with respect to Stock Awards subject to such agreement; provided, however, that if no definition of Change in Control or any analogous term is set forth in such an individual written agreement, the foregoing definition will apply.

 

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(f)            “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including any applicable regulations and guidance thereunder.

 

(g)           “Committee” means a committee of one or more Directors to whom authority has been delegated by the Board in accordance with Section 2(c).

 

(h)           “Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company.

 

(i)            “Company” means SendGrid, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

(j)            “Consultant” means any person, including an advisor, who is (i) engaged by the Company or an Affiliate to render consulting or advisory services and is compensated for such services, or (ii) serving as a member of the board of directors of an Affiliate and is compensated for such services. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such service, will not cause a Director to be considered a “Consultant” for purposes of the Plan.

 

(k)           “Continuous Service” means that the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, whether as an Employee, Director or Consultant, is not interrupted or terminated. A change in the capacity in which the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee, Consultant or Director or a change in the Entity for which the Participant renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, will not terminate a Participant’s Continuous Service; provided, however, that if the Entity for which a Participant is rendering services ceases to qualify as an Affiliate, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, such Participant’s Continuous Service will be considered to have terminated on the date such Entity ceases to qualify as an Affiliate. For example, a change in status from an Employee of the Company to a Consultant of an Affiliate or to a Director will not constitute an interruption of Continuous Service. To the extent permitted by law, the Board or the chief executive officer of the Company, in that party’s sole discretion, may determine whether Continuous Service will be considered interrupted in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Board or chief executive officer, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal leave, or (ii) transfers between the Company, an Affiliate, or their successors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a leave of absence will be treated as Continuous Service for purposes of vesting in a Stock Award only to such extent as may be provided in the Company’s leave of absence policy, in the written terms of any leave of absence agreement or policy applicable to the Participant, or as otherwise required by law.

 

(l)            “Corporate Transaction” means the consummation, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:

 

(i)            a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries;

 

(ii)           a sale or other disposition of at least 90% of the outstanding securities of the Company;

 

(iii)         a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is not the surviving corporation; or

 

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(iv)          a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is the surviving corporation but the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger, consolidation or similar transaction are converted or exchanged by virtue of the merger, consolidation or similar transaction into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise.

 

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

 

(n)           “Disability” means, with respect to a Participant, the inability of such Participant to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months as provided in Sections 22(e)(3) and 409A(a)(2)(c)(i) of the Code, and will be determined by the Board on the basis of such medical evidence as the Board deems warranted under the circumstances.

 

(o)           “Effective Date” means the effective date of this Plan, which is the earlier of (i) the date that this Plan is first approved by the Company’s stockholders, and (ii) the date this Plan is adopted by the Board.

 

(p)           “Employee” means any person employed by the Company or an Affiliate. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such services, will not cause a Director to be considered an “Employee” for purposes of the Plan.

 

(q)           “Entity” means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity.

 

(r)           “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(s)            “Exchange Act Person” means any natural person, Entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act), except that “Exchange Act Person” will not include (i) the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (ii) any employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, (iv) an Entity Owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of stock of the Company; or (v) any natural person, Entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act) that, as of the Effective Date, is the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities.

 

(t)            “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of the Common Stock determined by the Board in compliance with Section 409A of the Code or, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, in compliance with Section 422 of the Code.

 

(u)           “Incentive Stock Option” means an option granted pursuant to Section 5 of the Plan that is intended to be, and that qualifies as, an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

 

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(v)           “Nonstatutory Stock Option” means any option granted pursuant to Section 5 of the Plan that does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

 

(w)          “Officer” means any person designated by the Company as an officer.

 

(x)           “Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to the Plan.

 

(y)           “Option Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and an Optionholder evidencing the terms and conditions of an Option grant. Each Option Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(z)           “Optionholder” means a person to whom an Option is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Option.

 

(aa)         “Other Stock Award” means an award based in whole or in part by reference to the Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(c).

 

(bb)         “Other Stock Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of an Other Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of an Other Stock Award grant. Each Other Stock Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(cc)         “Own,” “Owned,” “Owner,” “Ownership” A person or Entity will be deemed to “Own,” to have “Owned,” to be the “Owner” of, or to have acquired “Ownership” of securities if such person or Entity, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting, with respect to such securities.

 

(dd)         “Participant” means a person to whom a Stock Award is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Stock Award.

 

(ee)         “Plan” means this SendGrid, Inc. 2012 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

(ff)          “Restricted Stock Award” means an award of shares of Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(a).

 

(gg)         “Restricted Stock Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Restricted Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Award grant. Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(hh)         “Restricted Stock Unit Award” means a right to receive shares of Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(b).

 

(ii)           “Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Restricted Stock Unit Award evidencing the terms and conditions

 

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of a Restricted Stock Unit Award grant. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(jj)           “Rule 405” means Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

(kk)         “Rule 701” means Rule 701 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

(ll)           “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

(mm)      “Shareholders Agreement” means the Company’s Second Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement, dated January 10, 2012, as may be amended from time to time.

 

(nn)         “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means a right to receive the appreciation on Common Stock that is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 5.

 

(oo)         “Stock Appreciation Right Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Stock Appreciation Right evidencing the terms and conditions of a Stock Appreciation Right grant. Each Stock Appreciation Right Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(pp)         “Stock Award” means any right to receive Common Stock granted under the Plan, including an Incentive Stock Option, a Nonstatutory Stock Option, a Restricted Stock Award, a Restricted Stock Unit Award, a Stock Appreciation Right or any Other Stock Award.

 

(qq)         “Stock Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of a Stock Award grant. Each Stock Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(rr)         “Subsidiary” means, with respect to the Company, (i) any corporation of which more than 50% of the outstanding capital stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether, at the time, stock of any other class or classes of such corporation will have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time, directly or indirectly, Owned by the Company, and (ii) any partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which the Company has a direct or indirect interest (whether in the form of voting or participation in profits or capital contribution) of more than 50% .

 

(ss)          “Ten Percent Stockholder” means a person who Owns (or is deemed to Own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Affiliate.

 

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