Document:

Exhibit 10.31

 

 

 

November
2, 2020

 

Dear
Stephen,

 

On
behalf of Markforged, Inc. (the “Company”), I am pleased to offer you the position of General Counsel. If you accept
this position, your employment will begin on Friday, October 30th, 2020 (the “Start Date”).

 

Your
initial base salary rate will be $250,000 per year (salary). You will be eligible for a $50,000 bonus on an annual basis (prorated
for current calendar year, based on your start date). You must be an active employee of Markforged, Inc. at the time of payout
to receive any portion of your annual bonus. Your salary and bonus will be subject to tax and other withholdings as required by
law. In addition, during your employment, you will be eligible to participate in the employee benefit plans made generally available
by the Company from time to time to its employees, subject to plan terms and generally applicable Company policies.

 

Subject
to the approval of the Board of Directors of the Company, the Company may grant you an incentive stock option (the “Option”)
under the Company’s 2013 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) for the purchase of 300,000 shares of common stock
at a price per share equal to the fair market value established at the time of Board approval. Your Option will vest 25% of the
shares subject to such award on the first anniversary of your Start Date and in 36 equal monthly installments thereafter over
a total vesting period of four years, provided you remain an employee of the Company. The Option shall be subject to all terms
of a stock option agreement to be proposed by the Company (the “Stock Option Agreement”).

 

This
letter shall not be construed as an agreement, either expressed or implied, to employ you for any stated term, and shall in no
way alter the Company’s policy of employment at will, under which both you and the Company remain free to terminate the
employment relationship, with or without cause, at any time, with or without notice. Similarly, nothing in this letter shall be
construed as an agreement, either express or implied, to pay you any compensation or grant you any benefit beyond the end of your
employment with the Company.

 

Like
all Company employees, you will be required, as a condition of your employment with the Company, to sign the Company’s standard
Nondisclosure, Inventions, Nonsolicitation and Noncompetition Agreement, a copy of which is enclosed with this letter.

 

You
represent that you are not bound by any employment contract, restrictive covenant or other restriction preventing you from entering
into employment with or carrying out your responsibilities for the Company, or which is in any way inconsistent with the terms
of this offer letter. While you render services to the Company, you agree that you will not engage in any other employment, consulting
or other business activity without the written consent of the Company.

     

     

    

If
you accept our offer, you must provide proof of authorization to work in the United States within three business days from your
date of hire. Please bring these documents with you on your start date. This requirement is in accordance with the Immigration
Reform and Control Act of 1986, and applies to U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens, alike.

 

The
foregoing terms supersede any prior discussions, oral or written, which we have had relating to your employment and the other
matters discussed in this letter. Additionally, it is understood that from time to time, the Company reviews its benefits, policies
and practices and may modify or terminate any of them at its discretion.

 

We
hope that you will accept our offer to join the Company. You may indicate your agreement with these terms and accept this offer
by signing, dating and returning the electronic copy of this offer letter.

 

As
required by law, your employment with the Company is contingent upon your providing legal proof of your identity and authorization
to work in the United States.

 

This
offer of employment is contingent upon the Company’s satisfaction with the results of your reference and background checks.

 

We
look forward to your participation in the success of the Company. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact
me.

 

Sincerely,

 

	/s/
    Dorit Liberman	 
	Dorit Liberman	 
	Chief Human Resources Officer	 
	Markforged, Inc.	 

 

I
accept the foregoing offer of employment:

 

	/s/
    Stephen Karp	 
	NAME: Stephen Karp	 

     

     

    

This
is an important legal document. It contains provisions that restrict your activities after you employment with the company ends.
Please note that you have the right to confer with counsel before signing this document.

 

NONDISCLOSURE,
INVENTIONS, NONSOLICITATION AND NONCOMPETITION 

AGREEMENT
FOR MASSACHUSETTS EMPLOYEES

 

In
consideration and as a condition of my employment or engagement, whether as an employee, consultant, advisor or otherwise with
Markforged, Inc. and/or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries and parent companies (together, the “Company”),
my receipt of compensation from the Company, and for other mutually agreed upon consideration set out below, the receipt and sufficiency
of which is hereby acknowledged, I enter into this Nondisclosure, Inventions, Nonsolicitation and Noncompetition Agreement (the
 “Agreement”) and agree with the Company as set forth below.

 

1.
 Confidential Information.

 

(a)
 I shall not at any time, directly or indirectly, disclose or divulge any Confidential Information (as defined below),
except (i) as reasonably required in connection with the performance of my job duties for the Company in furtherance of the Company’s
interests, and (ii) to the extent required by law (but only after I have provided the Company with reasonable written notice and
opportunity to take action against any legally required disclosure).

 

(b)
 I shall make no use whatsoever, directly or indirectly, of any Confidential Information at any time, except as reasonably
required in connection with the performance of my job duties for the Company in furtherance of the Company’s interests.

 

(c)
 I shall not remove any Confidential Information from the Company’s premises or make copies of any Confidential
Information, except to the extent reasonably required to perform my job duties in furtherance of the Company’s interests.
I shall take reasonable steps to protect all Confidential Information in my possession or control.

 

(d)
 Upon the termination of my employment or engagement or upon the Company’s written request at any time, I shall
immediately deliver to the Company all materials (including all copies in any form or medium) in my possession or control that
contain or relate to Confidential Information and all other Company property in my possession or control. If requested by the
Company, I shall confirm in writing that I have complied fully with the provisions of this Agreement.

 

(e)  I
understand that pursuant to the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, I shall not be held criminally or civilly liable
under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (i) is made (A) in confidence to a
federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (B) solely for the
purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (ii) is made in a complaint or other document filed in
a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to conflict with the
federal Defend Trade Secrets Act or create liability for disclosures of trade secrets that are expressly allowed by that Act.
I further understand that nothing contained in this Agreement limits my ability to (i) communicate with any federal, state or
local governmental agency or commission, including to provide documents or other information, without notice to the Company,
or (ii) share compensation information concerning myself or others, except that this does not permit me to disclose
compensation information concerning others that I obtain because my job responsibilities require or allow access to such
information.

     

     

    

(f)
As used herein, “Confidential Information” means all trade secrets and all other non-public information
of any kind relating to the Company or its business including (i) all Business Partners (as defined below) and prospective Business
Partners, financial information, proprietary information, know-how, pricing policies, operational methods, manufacturing methods,
methods of doing business, technical processes, formulae, designs, inventions, computer hardware, product hardware, software programs,
business plans and projects pertaining to the Company and (ii) all information of others that the Company has agreed or is legally
required to keep confidential, in each case under clauses (i) and (ii), whether oral, written or electronic or any other medium.

 

(g)
 I also recognize and agree that I have no expectation of privacy with respect to Company’s telecommunications,
networking or information processing systems (including, without limitation, stored computer files, email messages and voice messages)
and that my activity and any files or messages on or using any of those systems may be monitored at any time without notice. I
hereby authorize the Company to notify others, including but not limited to customers of the Company and any of my future employers
or prospective business associates, of the terms and existence of this Agreement and my continuing obligations to the Company
hereunder.

 

 2.  Assignment of Developments.

 

(a)
 All inventions (whether or not patentable), modifications, discoveries, designs, developments, improvements, processes,
software programs, works of authorship, documentation, formulae, data, techniques, know-how, secrets or intellectual property
rights or any interest therein made by me, either alone or in conjunction with others, at any time or at any place during my employment
or engagement with the Company, whether or not reduced to writing or practice during such period of employment or engagement,
that (i) relate to the business in which Company is engaged or planning to engage during my employment or engagement with the
Company, (ii) are created or improved in whole or in part by using any Company resources (including Confidential Information and
intellectual property rights), facilities or equipment, or (iii) are created or improved within the scope of my employment or
engagement with the Company (collectively, the “Developments”), shall be and hereby
are the exclusive property of the Company without any further compensation to me. In particular, and without limiting any of the
foregoing, all copyrightable work by me eligible to be “work made for hire” as defined in Section 101 of the Copyright
Act of 1976, as amended, shall be the property of the Company pursuant to such Act.

 

(b)  I
shall promptly disclose in writing all Developments to the Company. I agree that all work performed by me is on a “work
for hire” basis. If any Development is not the property of the Company by operation of law, this Agreement
or otherwise, I will, and hereby do, assign to the Company all right, title and interest in such Developments without further
consideration, and shall assist the Company and its nominees in every way, at the Company’s expense, to secure,
maintain and defend the Company’s rights in such Developments. I shall sign all instruments necessary for the filing
and prosecution of any applications for, or extension or renewals of, letters patent (or other intellectual property
registrations or filings, including but not limited to copyright, trademark or domain name registrations or filings) of the
United States or any foreign country which the Company desires to file and relates to any Development. I irrevocably
designate and appoint the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as my agent and attorney-in-fact (which
designation and appointment shall be deemed coupled with an interest and shall survive my death or incapacity), to act for
and on my behalf to execute and file any applications, extensions or renewals and to do all other lawfully permitted acts in
connection with the prosecution and issuance of letters patent and other intellectual property registrations or filings or
such other similar documents with respect to the Developments with the same legal force and effect as if executed by me. To
the extent I retain any moral rights under applicable law, I shall not assert such moral rights in any manner inconsistent
with this Agreement.

    2 

     

    

(c)
 I represent and warrant that the intellectual property, inventions and developments, if any, identified on Exhibit
A attached hereto comprise all of the intellectual property, inventions and developments that I have made or conceived prior to
my employment or engagement by the Company or in which I have an interest (collectively, “Prior Inventions”).
If Exhibit A is left blank, I represent, warrant and agree that I have no Prior Inventions to disclose. If I wish to clarify that
something created by me prior to my employment that relates to Company’s actual or proposed business is not within the scope
of the foregoing assignment, I have listed it on Exhibit A in a manner that does not violate any third-party rights or disclose
any confidential information. If, when acting within the scope of my employment or engagement or otherwise on behalf of Company,
I use or (except pursuant to this Section 2) disclose my own or any third party’s confidential information or intellectual
property (or if any Development cannot be fully made, used, reproduced, distributed and otherwise exploited without using or violating
the foregoing), Company will have and I hereby grant Company a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide royalty-free, non exclusive,
sub licensable right and license to exploit and exercise all such confidential information and intellectual property rights.

 

3.  Noncompetition.
THIS SECTION 3 DOES NOT APPLY TO HOURLY EMPLOYEES, ANY OTHER EMPLOYEES ELIGIBLE TO EARN OVERTIME PAY, STUDENTS
OR INTERNS

 

(a)
 While I am employed or otherwise engaged by the Company and for twelve (12) months after my employment or engagement
terminates because I have resigned or because I have been terminated by the Company for “cause,” as defined below,
, I shall not, directly or indirectly, individually or as a stockholder, partner, member, lender, investor, manager, director,
officer, employee, consultant, representative, advisor or other owner or participant in any person, enterprise or entity, other
than the Company (except as the holder of not more than 0.1% of the outstanding stock of a publicly held company), be employed
by or otherwise engage in or assist any other person, enterprise or entity to engage in any business which competes with any business
in which the Company is engaging or in which the Company plans to engage, during or at the time of termination of my employment
or engagement, in the United States or any other country in the world where the Company does business .

 

(b)
 If I breach any fiduciary duty owed to the Company, or if I take property or Proprietary Information that belongs to
the Company, whether physically or electronically, without written permission, the twelve (12) month noncompetition period will
be extended to two (2 ) years from the date of cessation of employment.

    3 

     

    

(c)
If I resign or are I am terminated for “Cause,” the Company will pay me on a pro-rata basis during the twelve
(12) month noncompetition restriction period mutually agreed upon consideration as follows: (i) if I resign the Company will
pay thirty (30) percent of my highest annualized base salary paid by the Company within the two (2) years preceding the
cessation of my employment; and (ii) if I terminated for “Cause” the Company will pay twenty-five(25) percent of
my highest annualized base salary paid by the Company within the two (2) years preceding the cessation of my employment
(i.e., Section 3(c)(i) and (ii) are the mutually agreed upon “Non-Compete Leave Payments”). The Non-Compete Leave
Payments, less all legally required and authorized deductions, shall be paid consistent with how I was paid during my
employment for the duration of the twelve (12) month restriction period. If the restriction period is increased because of my
activity described in Section 3(a) above, the Company will not pay me any No-Compete Leave Payments during such
extension.

 

(d)
The Company will not be obligated to make Non Compete Leave Payments if (i) it chooses to waive in writing the noncompetition
restriction set out in Section 3(a) above prior to midnight on the date my employment terminates;( ii) I am terminated without
 “Cause” or laid off; and/or (iii) Section 3(a) is otherwise not enforceable against me. The Company may also discontinue
Non-Compete Leave Payments in the event of a breach by me of Section 3(a). Notwithstanding the above, if you terminate your employment
without notifying the Company, the Company shall have five (5) business days to exercise its right to waive the noncompetition
restriction set out in Section 3(a) above.

 

(e)
For purposes of this Section 3, “Cause” means: (a) a material breach by me of any of material obligations under
this Agreement or any other agreement with the Company; (b) my conviction of or entering a plea of guilty or nolo contendere
to, or admission to facts sufficient for a finding of guilt for, any crime constituting a felony, or any crime constituting a
misdemeanor involving fraud, dishonesty and/or moral turpitude, under federal, state, local or foreign law; (c) my neglect,
refusal, or failure to meet the performance expectations for my position, to discharge my duties (other than due to being
physically or mentally incapacitated) commensurate with my title and function, or my failure to comply with a lawful
direction of the Company; (d) the commission of any act or omission involving dishonesty, disloyalty or fraud with respect to
the Company; (e) my breach of a statutory or common law duty of loyalty or other fiduciary duty owed to the Company; (f) my
violation of a policy or procedure when performing services on behalf of the Company; (g) my violation of any federal or
state securities laws; (h) my violation of any product safety laws or any other laws applicable to the products developed,
licensed or sold by the Company; (i) any other willful misconduct by me which is or intends to be materially injurious to the
financial condition or business reputation of, or is otherwise materially injurious to, the Company; or (j) any other reason
recognized as “cause” under the common law for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

 

(f)
The noncompetition restriction in Section 3(a) will remain enforceable, and I will remain bound by its terms, even if there
are material changes to the terms and conditions of my employment after I sign this Agreement. No changes in my compensation,
title or duties or any other terms or conditions of my employment, shall affect the enforceability of Section 3(a) or any
other provision of this Agreement

    4 

     

    

4.
Nonsolicitation of Business Partners. While I am employed or otherwise engaged by the Company and for twelve (12) months after
my employment or engagement terminates for any reason, I shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit, divert or take away, or attempt
to solicit, divert or take away, or otherwise interfere with, the business or relationship of the Company with any of its customers,
prospective customers, distributors, dealers, referral sources, business partners, suppliers, vendors, service providers, consultants,
lenders, investors, landlords, licensors or agents or any other person or entity with whom the Company does business (collectively,
“Business Partners”), including, but not limited to Business Partners contacted, solicited, or engaged
by the Company at the time of my employment or engagement with the Company, and Business Partners contacted, solicited or engaged
by the Company during the 24-month period prior to the termination of my employment or engagement by the Company with whom I had
contact while employed by the Company or about whom I had access to Confidential Information while employed by the Company. I
also shall not, directly or indirectly, assist any person, enterprise or entity in performing any activity prohibited by this
Section.

 

5.
 Nonsolicitation of Employees.  While I am employed by the Company and for twelve (12) months after my
employment or engagement terminates for any reason, I shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit, recruit, hire or engage, or
otherwise interfere with the business relationship of the Company with any current or former employee of the Company, other than
any person who ceased to be employed by the Company for a period of at least 12 continuous months, with whom I had contact with
employed by the Company or about whom I had access to Confidential Information while employed by the Company. I also shall not,
directly or indirectly, assist any person, enterprise or entity in performing any activity prohibited by this Section.

 

6.
 Publicity.  I consent to all uses and displays by the Company of my name, voice, likeness, image, appearance
and biographical information in connection with any advertising or other legitimate business purpose of the Company for no additional
compensation.

 

7.
 Remedies.  I agree that restrictions contained in this Agreement are necessary for the protection of the
business and goodwill of the Company and I consider them to be reasonable for such purpose. Without limiting the remedies available
to the Company, I agree that a breach of any of the terms of this Agreement would result in irreparable injury to the Company
for which there may be no adequate remedy at law, and that, in the event of such a breach or threat thereof, the Company shall
be entitled to obtain a temporary restraining order and/or a preliminary injunction and a permanent injunction restraining me
from engaging in any activities prohibited by this Agreement or such other equitable relief as may be required to specifically
enforce any of the terms of this Agreement, without the necessity of posting a bond or other security. Such relief shall be in
addition to, and not as an alternative to, any other remedies available to the Company at law or in equity. In the event of any
injunction action concerning any breach or threatened breach of this Agreement, the non-prevailing party shall be obligated to
pay all reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and other expenses incurred by the prevailing party in connection with and in
preparation for such action. If I violate any restrictive covenant in this Agreement, the temporal period applicable to such covenant
shall be extended by the period of time during which such violation occurred. In the event that I breach any of the terms in this
Agreement, in addition to any other remedies available to the Company, the Company shall be entitled to require me to account
for and pay over to the Company all compensation, profits, monies, accruals and other benefits derived or received by me, or any
entity on behalf of which I was engaging in the activities constituting such breach, as the result of such breach.

    5 

     

    

8.
 Acknowledgements.  I understand, accept and agree to the objectives and goals of this Agreement and acknowledge
the important and valuable interests of the Company to be protected by this Agreement. I agree and acknowledge that (a) the duration,
geographical scope and subject matter of the restrictions in this Agreement are reasonable and necessary to protect the goodwill,
customer relationships, legitimate business interests and Confidential Information of the Company, (b) I shall be able to earn
a satisfactory livelihood without violating this Agreement, (c) this Agreement is assignable by the Company and shall inure to
the benefit of its successors and assigns and (d) no change in my compensation, duties or other terms and conditions of employment
or engagement after the date of this Agreement shall be considered to affect the continuation of my employment for purposes of
this Agreement or otherwise alter or change my obligations under this Agreement. This Agreement is in addition to, and not a replacement
for, any similar restrictions contained in any other agreement with the Company to which I am a party. In the event of any conflict
between the provisions of this Agreement and such other restrictions, the provisions most favorable to the Company shall control.
The restrictions in this Agreement explicitly cover all active and passive forms of oral, written and electronic communications
(including through social media).

 

9.
 No Conflicting Obligations.  I am not a party to any agreement, commitment or obligation that could conflict
with my obligations under this Agreement, be violated by my employment or engagement with the Company or limit my ability to perform
my duties for the Company. I shall not use or misappropriate any intellectual property, trade secrets or confidential information
belonging to former employers or others in connection with the performance of any services on behalf of the Company.

 

10.
 Notice of New Business Activity.  In the event that I am no longer an employee or contractor of the Company,
I consent to notification by the Company to my new employer or contracting party or its agents regarding my rights and obligations
under this Agreement. During the twelve (12) months following termination of my employment or engagement, I shall give written
notice to the Company of each new employer or, alternatively, if I am engaged as a consultant or independent contractor, any business
activity I plan to undertake, at least ten (10) business days prior to beginning any such activity. Such notice shall state the
name and address of the person, corporation, association or other entity or organization (each, an “Entity”)
for whom I am employed or for whom I am performing the business activity and the nature of my business relationship or position
with the Entity. I shall also provide the Company with other pertinent information concerning such employment or business activity
as the Company may reasonably request in order to determine my continued compliance with my obligations under this Agreement.

 

11.
 No Employment Rights.  I agree that my employment or engagement with the Company is at-will, meaning that
either I or the Company may terminate the relationship at any time and for any reason, with or without cause or notice.

    6 

     

    

12.  Choice
of Law; Forum.  This Agreement and any dispute arising under or relating to this Agreement, shall in all respects
be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal substantive and procedural laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts without regard to any conflicts of laws principles. The parties irrevocably and unconditionally (a) submit
to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state (i.e., the Business Law Section of the Suffolk County Superior Court) and federal
courts located within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (the “Courts”) for the
purpose of any suit, action or other proceeding arising under or relating to this Agreement, (b) agree not to commence any
suit, action or other proceeding arising under or relating to this Agreement except in the Courts, and (c) waive, and agree
not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense, counterclaim or otherwise, in any such suit, action or proceeding, any claim
that such party is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the Courts, that its property is exempt or immune from
attachment or execution, that the suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the suit,
action or proceeding is improper or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by the Courts.
Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted
by law.

 

13.
 Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall be binding on and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto
and their respective heirs, executors and administrators, successors and assigns, except that my rights and obligations hereunder
are personal and may not be assigned without the Company’s prior written consent.

 

14.
 Severability.  This Agreement shall be interpreted so as to be effective and valid under applicable law,
but if any provision is prohibited or invalid under such law, such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent it is prohibited
or invalid, without invalidating or nullifying the remainder of such provision or any other provision of this Agreement. If any
one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall for any reason be held to be excessively broad as to duration,
geographical scope, activity, subject or otherwise, such provisions shall be construed by limiting and reducing it so as to be
enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law. If any restriction set forth herein is found by any court of competent
jurisdiction to be unenforceable because it extends for too long a period of time or over too great a range of activities or in
too broad a geographic area, it shall be interpreted to extend only over the maximum period of time, range of activities or geographic
area as to which it may be enforceable.

 

15.
Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER OR OTHERWISE RELATE TO THIS AGREEMENT
OR WHICH OTHERWISE MAY RELATE TO THE EMPLOYMENT OR OTHER RELATIONSHIP OF THE PARTIES, INCLUDING ANY TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT OR
CONTRACTING OR THE TERMINATION OF SUCH EMPLOYMENT OR OTHER RELATIONSHIP (ANY OF THE FOREGOING, A “COVERED
DISPUTE”) IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND EACH PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES
ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO
THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER COVERED DISPUTE.

 

16.
 Amendments.  The provisions of this Agreement shall not be modified, amended or waived at any time except
by a writing signed by the parties.

    7 

     

    

17.
 Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof and the matters covered hereby and supersedes all prior discussions, understandings and agreements concerning
such matters.

 

18.
No Waivers; Nonexclusive Remedies. No failure or delay in exercising any right, power or remedy shall operate as a waiver
thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof
or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. The rights and remedies under this Agreement are in addition to and not in
substitution for any other rights and remedies available at law or in equity or otherwise.

 

19.
 Term. The term of my employment or engagement with the Company, for purposes of this Agreement, shall be deemed to include
any relationship of service to the Company that I may have had prior to actually becoming an employee, consultant, or advisor,
and the present Agreement confirms and memorializes the agreement the Company and I have had since the commencement of my employment
or engagement.

 

20.
 Employment or Engagement at Will. I understand that this Agreement does not create an obligation on the Company or any other
person to continue my employment or engagement with the Company. I acknowledge that, unless otherwise agreed in a formal written
agreement signed on behalf of the Company by an authorized officer, my employment or engagement with the Company is at will and
therefore may be terminated by the Company or me at any time and for any reason, with or without cause.

 

21. 
 Survival. The provisions of this Agreement shall survive the termination of my employment or engagement for any reason.

 

22.
Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, and with counterpart signature pages, each of which
shall be an original, but both of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement, binding on both of the parties hereto
notwithstanding that both such parties have not signed the same counterpart. Counterpart signature pages to this Agreement transmitted
by electronic mail in “portable document format” (“.pdf ”) form, or by any other electronic
means intended to preserve the original graphic and pictorial appearance of a document, will have the same effect as physical
delivery of the paper document bearing an original signature.

 

23.
 Construction of Agreement.

 

(a)
 Headings.  The headings of articles and sections herein are inserted for convenience of reference only
and shall be ignored in the construction or interpretation hereof.

 

(b)
References to this Agreement. The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereto,”
 “hereunder,” “hereby” and other similar expressions refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any
particular section or portion of it.

 

(c)
Including. Where the word “including” or the word “includes” is used in this Agreement, it means
 “including (or includes) without limitation.”

 

SIGNATURE
PAGE FOLLOWS

    8 

     

    

	Signed: 	/s/ Stephen Karp	 
	 	 
	Name: Stephen Karp	 
	 	 
	Agreed to and Accepted:	 
	 	 
	MARKFORGED, INC.	 
	 	 
	By:	 
	 	 
	/s/ Shai
    Terem	 
	Name: Shai Terem	 
	 	 
	Title: President & CEO	 

    9Exhibit 10.32

 

 

 

October 5, 2020

 

Greg Mark (via e-mail)

 

Dear Greg:

 

Consistent with previous discussions with
you, the investor directors and the independent directors of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Markforged, Inc.
(“Markforged” or the “Company”) will be transitioning your role from Chief Executive Officer to Chairman
(“Chairman”). The Board believes that you are indispensable and integral to building a highly valuable Company, and
in your new role as Chairman you will continue to spearhead the success of the Company in the years to come. We have prepared the
following offer with this intent and we ask for your whole-hearted commitment to next phase of the Company you created and all
of us want to see enormously successful.

 

Effective on a date to be determined by
the Board after consultation with you (the “Transition Date”), you will be deemed to have resigned as Chief Executive
Officer of the Company and transition to the role of Chairman. The public announcement regarding such transition will happen in
the near term on a date that is determined by the Board. You agree not to communicate about this decision to anyone other than
the Board, your professional advisors and/or your immediate family until after the public announcement has been made.

 

The Board values your significant contributions
to the Company’s growth and is excited to continue working with you in this new role. The terms and conditions of your continued
employment with the Company are set forth below in this offer letter.

 

1.             Position: As of the Transition Date, you will continue to be a W-2 employee of the Company. In your role as Chairman,
your responsibilities are anticipated to include those that are typical of a Chairman of a late-stage venture or public company
Chairman of the Board in addition to being an important driver of the Company’s strategic vision, public messaging, investor
relations and related activities. You will be required to work cooperatively with the Company’s executives, including the
new Chief Executive Officer (the “New CEO”). Your responsibilities and duties may change over time in the Board’s
discretion. This is a full-time, exempt at-will position and you will report to the Board. While you render services to the Company,
you agree that you will not engage in any other employment, consulting or other business activity without the written consent of
the Board.

 

2.             Cash Compensation: Your initial target annual compensation will be $700,000.00 per year, split between base salary and
bonus. Your base salary will initially be paid at the rate of $500,000 per year, and your target annual bonus will be $200,000;
provided, however, that the Board may elect to change the division between your base salary and target annual bonus; provided further,
that any such change must be consistent with changes made to the New CEO’s compensation with respect to the division of base
salary and target bonus.

     

     

    

 

 

Your base salary in effect at any given
time is referred to herein as “Base Salary.” The Base Salary shall be payable in a manner that is consistent with the
Company’s usual payroll practices for executive officers.

 

The target annual bonus in effect at any
given time is referred to herein as the “Target Bonus.” The actual amount of the annual bonus, if any, shall be determined
in the sole discretion of the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board, subject to the terms of any applicable incentive
compensation plan that may be in effect from time to time. Except as provided in Section 5(b) below or as may be provided by the
Board or the Compensation Committee, you must be employed by the Company on the date the bonus is paid in order to earn or receive
any bonus. Any bonus related to work performed in 2020 shall be paid on a prorated basis according to the terms of your employment
in effect prior to the Transition Date and the new Base Salary and Target Bonus that become effective on the Transition Date.

 

3.            Stock Option: Subject to customary approval by the Board, the Company shall grant you a stock option under the Company’s
2013 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to purchase 421,972 shares of common stock (currently 0.25% of the fully-diluted
shares outstanding) at a price per share equal to the fair market value established at the time of Board approval (the “Option”).
The Option will be an incentive stock option subject to IRS limitations. 25% of the shares underlying the Option will vest on the
first anniversary of the Transition Date, and the remaining shares will vest in 36 equal monthly installments thereafter over a
total vesting period of four years, provided that you remain an employee of the Company on each such vesting date. The Option will
be subject to the terms of the Plan and subject to and contingent upon your execution of a stock option agreement (the “Stock
Option Agreement”, together with the Plan, the “Equity Documents”). The Stock Option Agreement shall expressly
provide that, following the termination of your employment for any reason other than for Cause (as defined below), the shares underlying
the Option may be exercised, to the extent then vested, for a period of one year following the date of termination (but no later
than the expiration date of the Option). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Equity Documents, if after the consummation
of a Change of Control Transaction (as defined below), you are terminated without Cause (as defined below), then 100% of the then
unvested shares underlying the Option shall become vested.

 

4.            Stock Repurchase and Sale: The Company will repurchase 526,061 of our common shares at a price per share of $4.7523.
The repurchase will follow the schedule below:

 

		(a)	The Company will repurchase 263,031 shares within two weeks of the execution of this agreement;
and,

 

		(b)	The Company will repurchase the remaining shares 263,030 shares within two weeks of executing of
a letter of intent with the sponsor to the possible acquisition of the Company by a special purpose entity (the “SPAC Transaction”).

 

You will also be permitted to sell up to
an additional 315,637 shares of Markforged common stock to a third-party buyer at a price per share of $4.7523. The Company and
preferred investors agree to waive relevant rights (rights of first refusal, tag-along, etc.) in order to facilitate this sale
for you.

     

     

    

 

 

5.            Severance Upon a Qualifying Termination: If you have a Qualifying Termination and you satisfy the Release Requirement,
the Company shall pay or otherwise provide the following to you:

 

		(a)	The Company shall pay you on regular payroll dates for the Severance Period at the rate of your
Base Salary on the date of termination (the “Severance Pay”); provided that (i) the Company may commence payments of
Severance Pay at any time within 60 days after the date of termination; (ii) if such sixty (60) day period crosses two calendar
years, payments of the Severance Pay shall commence in the second calendar year; and (iii) the initial payment of the Severance
Pay shall include a catch-up payment for the period between the date of termination and the beginning of the payroll period applicable
to the first payroll date. You shall promptly notify the Company if you secure Other Employment and you shall respond fully to
any reasonable inquiries by the Company that relate to its rights to cease Severance Pay in the event you commence Other Employment.
The Severance Pay will be subject to tax and other withholdings as required by law. Each payment pursuant to this Agreement is
intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2).

 

		(b)	If your Qualifying Termination occurs between the end of a calendar year and the date of payouts
of bonuses for such calendar year, the Company shall pay you the bonus for such recently completed calendar year. If the Company
has determined such bonus level before the Qualifying Termination, the bonus shall be paid in such amount. If the Company has not
determined such bonus level before the Qualifying Termination, the Company shall determine such bonus level in good faith and pay
such amount upon determination.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, each of the
foregoing is subject to your satisfaction of the Release Requirement.

 

6.            Liquidity: We understand achieving liquidity in the SPAC Transaction is something you would like to seek. The Board
will reasonably support your effort to sell up to 10.0% of your holdings in the SPAC Transaction but note that the sponsor of the
SPAC Transaction and key investors of the SPAC Transaction will dictate the possibility of this occurring.

 

7.            Definitions:

 

(a)           “Cause” means any of the following: (i) conduct by you constituting an act of misconduct in connection with
the performance of your duties, including, without limitation, misappropriation of funds or property of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or affiliates other than the occasional, customary and de minimis use of Company property for personal purposes; (ii)
the commission by you of (A) any felony or (B) a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, deceit, dishonesty or fraud; (iii) any
conduct by you that would reasonably be expected to result in injury or reputational harm to the Company or any of its subsidiaries
and affiliates if you were retained in your position; (iv) continued non-performance by you of your duties hereunder (other than
by reason of your physical or mental illness, incapacity or disability) which has continued for more than 30 days following written
notice of such non-performance from the Board; (v) a breach by you of any of the provisions of the Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation
Agreement between you and the Company dated November 1, 2013 (the “Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement”)
or the Confidentiality and Intellectual Property Assignment Agreement dated November 1, 2013 (the “Confidentiality Agreement”);
(vi) a violation by you of the Company’s written employment policies; or (vii) failure to cooperate with a bona fide internal investigation
or an investigation by regulatory or law enforcement authorities, after being instructed by the Company to cooperate, or the destruction
or failure to preserve documents or other materials known to be relevant to such investigation or the inducement of others to fail
to cooperate or to produce documents or other materials in connection with such investigation.

     

     

    

 

 

(b)           “Change in Control Transaction” means (i) the consolidation or merger of the Company into or with any other
entity or entities (except a consolidation or merger into a subsidiary or merger in which the Company is the surviving corporation
and the holders of the Company’s voting stock outstanding immediately prior to the transaction constitute not less than the holders
of a majority of the voting stock of the surviving, successor or parent entity (as applicable) outstanding immediately following
the transaction); (ii) the sale, transfer or exclusive license by the Company of all or substantially all of its assets; or (iii)
the sale, exchange or transfer by the Company’s stockholders, in a single transaction or series of related transactions, of capital
stock representing a majority of the voting power at elections of directors of the Company (other than a transaction or series
of transactions in which the Company is the surviving entity and the holders of the Company’s voting stock outstanding immediately
prior to such transaction or series of transactions constitute the holders of a majority of the voting stock outstanding immediately
following such transaction or series of transactions and specifically excluding a direct issuance of the securities by the Company
where the principal business purpose is financing).

 

(c)            “Continuing Obligations” means your obligations pursuant to the Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement,
the Confidentiality Agreement and any other agreement relating to confidentiality, assignment of inventions, or other restrictive
covenants.

 

(d)            “Good Reason” means that you have complied with the Good Reason Process (hereinafter defined) following the
occurrence of any of the following events: (i) a material diminution in your Base Salary except for across-the-board salary reductions
based on the Company’s financial performance similarly affecting all or substantially all senior management employees of the Company;
(ii) a material change in the principal geographic location at which you are required to provide services to the Company; or (iv)
the material breach of this Agreement by the Company.

 

(e)            “Good Reason Process” means that (i) you reasonably determine in good faith that a “Good Reason” condition
has occurred; (ii) you notify the Company in writing of the first occurrence of the Good Reason condition within 30 days of the
first occurrence of such condition; (iii) you cooperate in good faith with the Company’s efforts, for a period not less than 30
days following such notice (the “Cure Period”), to remedy the condition; (iv) notwithstanding such efforts, the Good
Reason condition continues to exist; and (v) you terminate your employment within 60 days after the end of the Cure Period. If
the Company cures the Good Reason condition during the Cure Period, Good Reason shall be deemed not to have occurred.

     

     

    

 

 

(f)             “Other Employment” means employment on a more than half-time basis. For these purposes, any service as an “employee”
within the meaning of M.G.L. c. 149, § 148B shall be considered to be “employment.”

 

(g)            “Qualifying Termination” means a termination of your employment by the Company without Cause or a resignation
by you for Good Reason.

 

(h)            “Release Requirement” means the requirement that, as a condition of receiving the payments set forth in Section
5 following a Qualifying Termination, (i) you sign a separation agreement in the form proposed by the Company that will include,
without limitation, a release of legal claims and a non-disparagement obligation and will provide that all payments of Severance
Pay shall immediately cease if you breach any of your Continuing Obligations, and (ii) the separation agreement becomes irrevocable
within 60 days after the date of termination or such short period as set forth in the separation agreement.

 

(i)             “Severance Period” means the period immediately following the date of termination of employment until the earlier
of (i) twelve months from the date of termination or (ii) the date immediately before you commence Other Employment.

 

8.             Section 409A: Each payment pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be considered a separate payment for purposes
of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A (“Section 409A”). A termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred
for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of any amount or benefit upon or following a termination
of employment unless such termination is also a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A and, for
purposes of this Agreement, references to a “termination,” “termination of employment” or like terms shall
mean “separation from service.” Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if you are a “specified
employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A) on the date of your separation from service, then any payments or benefits
that otherwise would be payable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement within the first six (6) months following your separation
from service (the “409A Suspension Period”), shall instead be paid in a lump sum within 14 days after the end of the
six (6) month period following your separation from service, or your death, if sooner, but only to the extent that such payments
or benefits provide for the “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A, after application of the exemptions
provided in Sections 1.409A-1(b)(4) and 1.409A-1(b)(9)(ii)-(v) thereof. After the 409A Suspension Period, you will receive any
remaining payments and benefits due in accordance with the terms of this letter (as if there had not been any suspension beforehand).
The Company will cooperate with you in making any amendments to this letter that you reasonably request to avoid the imposition
of taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code provided that such changes do not provide you with additional benefits (other
than de minimis benefits) under this terms of this letter.

     

     

    

 

 

9.             Cooperation: During and after your employment, you shall cooperate with the Company in (i) the defense or prosecution
of any claims or actions now in existence or which may be brought in the future against or on behalf of the Company which relate
to events or occurrences that transpired while you were employed by the Company, provided the Board will make reasonable good faith
efforts to limit your future involvement in litigation matters to the extent it is able to do so consistent with its fiduciary
duties to the Company; and (ii) the investigation, whether internal or external, of any matters about which the Company believes
you may have knowledge or information; or (iii) any other matters that the Board reasonably determines you have knowledge or information
about based on your employment with the Company.

 

10.           Withholding; Tax Effect: All payments made by the Company to you under this Agreement shall be net of any tax or other
amounts required to be withheld by the Company under applicable law. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to require the
Company to make any payments to compensate you for any adverse tax effect associated with any payments or benefits or for any deduction
or withholding from any payment or benefit.

 

11.           Legal Fees Reimbursement: We will reimburse your out of pocket legal fees as it relates to your transition to the Chairman
role up to $20,000.00. This will be an expense reimbursement by the Company and subject to standard Company policies.

 

12.           Jurisdiction: You and the Company hereby consent to the jurisdiction of the state and federal courts of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts. Accordingly, with respect to any such court action, you (a) submit to the exclusive personal jurisdiction of
such courts; (b) consent to service of process; and (c) waive any other requirement (whether imposed by statute, rule of court,
or otherwise) with respect to personal jurisdiction or service of process.

 

13.           Integration: This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter
hereof and supersedes all prior agreements between the parties concerning such subject matter, provided by signing below you acknowledge
and agree that Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement and the Confidentiality Agreement remain in full force and effect.
Further, any agreements you entered into with respect to your equity interests in the Company, including any Investor Agreements
(including, without limitation, the Third Amended and Restated Right of First Refusal and Co-Sale Agreement dated as of March 13,
2019, the Third Amended and Restated Voting Agreement dated as of March 13, 2019, the Third Amended and Restated Investors’
Rights Agreement dated as of March 13, 2019 and the Second Amended and Restated Founder Stock Restriction Agreement dated as of
May 7, 2014), shall not be affected by this Agreement.

     

     

    

 

 

14.           Waiver; Amendment: No waiver of any provision hereof shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by the waiving
party. The failure of any party to require the performance of any term or obligation of this Agreement, or the waiver by any party
of any breach of this Agreement, shall not prevent any subsequent enforcement of such term or obligation or be deemed a waiver
of any subsequent breach. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument signed by you and by a duly authorized
member of the Board of Directors (other than you).

 

15.           Governing Law: This is a Massachusetts contract and shall be construed under and be governed in all respects by the
laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof. With respect to any
disputes concerning federal law, such disputes shall be determined in accordance with the law as it would be interpreted and applied
by the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

 

16.           Successors and Assigns: Neither you nor the Company may make any assignment of this Agreement or any interest in it,
by operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the other; provided, however, that the Company may assign
its rights and obligations under this Agreement without your consent to any affiliate or to any person or entity with whom the
Company shall hereafter effect a reorganization or consolidation, into which the Company merges or to whom it transfers all or
substantially all of its properties or assets; provided further that if you remain employed or become employed by the Company,
the purchaser or any of their affiliates in connection with any such transaction, then you shall not be entitled to any payments
pursuant to Section 5 of this Agreement solely as a result of such transaction. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and
be binding upon you and the Company, and each of your and the Company’s respective successors, executors, administrators,
heirs and permitted assigns. In the event of your death after your termination of employment but prior to the completion by the
Company of all payments due to you under this Agreement, the Company shall continue such payments to your beneficiary designated
in writing to the Company prior to your death (or to your estate, if the you fail to make such designation).

 

17.           Counterparts: This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered
shall be taken to be an original; but such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same document.

     

     

    

 

 

We hope that you will accept this offer
to become the Chairman and play a critical role in the continued success of Markforged, a Company which was built on the back of
your relentless hard work. You may indicate your agreement with these terms and accept this offer by signing and dating the electronic
copy of this offer letter. This offer will expire at 5pm EDT on October 5, 2020.

 

We look forward to continuing to work with
you. Should you have any questions, please to do hesitate to contact me.

 

Sincerely,

 

	/s/ Paul Milbury	 

 

Paul Milbury,

 

Board Representative

 

Accepted by:

 

	/s/ Greg Mark	 

 

Greg Mark

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