Document:

mosy-ex42_136.htm

 

Exhibit 4.2

PERASO INC.

AMENDED & RESTATED 2019 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

(Effective December 2, 2021)

 

Section 1.ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE.

The 2019 Stock Incentive Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors of Peraso Inc. effective June 25, 2019 (the “Effective Date”) and amended and restated effective December 2, 2021.  

This Plan is intended to encourage ownership of Stock by employees, consultants and directors of the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates and to provide additional incentive for them to promote the success of the Company’s business through the grant of Awards of or pertaining to shares of the Company’s Stock.  

Section 2.DEFINITIONS.

(a)“Affiliate”

 means any entity other than a Subsidiary, if the Company and/or one or more Subsidiaries own not less than 50% of such entity.

(b)“Award”

 means any award of an Option, a SAR, a Restricted Share or a Restricted Stock Unit.

(c)“Award Agreement”

 means the agreement between the Company and the recipient of an Award which contains the terms, conditions and restrictions pertaining to such Award.

(d)“Board of Directors” or “Board”

 means the Board of Directors of the Company, as constituted from time to time.

(e)“Change in Control”

 means the occurrence of any of the following events:

	
 
	
(i)
	
A change in the composition of the Board of Directors occurs, as a result of which fewer than one-half of the incumbent directors had been directors of the Company immediately prior to change (the “original directors”);

provided, however, that for this purpose, the “original directors” shall not include any individual whose initial assumption of office occurred as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents, by or on behalf of a person other than the Board;

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(ii)
	
Any “person” (as defined below) who by the acquisition or aggregation of securities, is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities ordinarily (and apart from rights accruing under special circumstances) having the right to vote at elections of directors (the “Base Capital Stock”); except that any change in the relative beneficial ownership of the Company’s securities by any person resulting solely from a reduction in the aggregate number of outstanding shares of Base Capital Stock, and any decrease thereafter in such person’s ownership of securities, shall be disregarded until such person increases in any manner, directly or indirectly, such person’s beneficial ownership of any securities of the Company;

	
 
	
(iii)
	
The consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company with or into another entity or any other corporate reorganization, if persons who were not stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or other reorganization own immediately after such merger, consolidation or other reorganization 50% or more of the voting power of the outstanding securities of each of (A) the Company (or its successor) and (B) any direct or indirect parent corporation of the Company (or its successor); or

	
 
	
(iv)
	
The sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets.

For purposes of subsection (e)(ii) above, the term “person” shall have the same meaning as when used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act, but shall exclude (1) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan maintained by the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary and (2) a corporation owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Stock.

Any other provision of this Section 2(e) notwithstanding, a transaction shall not constitute a Change in Control if its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company’s incorporation or to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction, and a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur if the Company files a registration statement with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with an initial or secondary public offering of securities or debt of the Company to the public.

(f)“Code”

 means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(g)“Committee”

 means the Compensation Committee as designated by the Board of Directors, which is authorized to administer the Plan, as described in Section 3 hereof.

(h)“Company”

 means Peraso Inc., a Delaware corporation.

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(i)“Consultant”

 means an individual who is a consultant or advisor and who provides bona fide services to the Company, a Parent, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate as an independent contractor (not including service as a member of the Board of Directors) or a member of the board of directors of a Parent or a Subsidiary, in each case who is not an Employee.

(j)“Disability”

 means any permanent and total disability as defined by Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

(k)“Employee”

 means any individual who is a common-law employee of the Company, a Parent, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate.

(l)“Exchange Act”

 means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(m)“Exercise Price”

 means, in the case of an Option, the amount for which one Share may be purchased upon exercise of such Option, as specified in the applicable Stock Option Agreement.  “Exercise Price” means, in the case of a SAR, an amount, as specified in the applicable SAR Award Agreement, which is subtracted from the Fair Market Value of one Share in determining the amount payable upon exercise of such SAR.

(n)“Fair Market Value”

 with respect to a Share, means the market price of one Share, determined by the Committee as follows:

	
 
	
(i)
	
If the Stock was traded over-the-counter on the date in question, then the Fair Market Value shall be equal to the last transaction price quoted for such date by the OTC Bulletin Board or, if not so quoted, shall be equal to the mean between the last reported representative bid and asked prices quoted for such date by the principal automated inter-dealer quotation system on which the Stock is quoted or, if the Stock is not quoted on any such system, by the Pink Quote system;

	
 
	
(ii)
	
If the Stock was traded on any established stock exchange (such as the New York Stock Exchange or The Nasdaq Stock Market) or national market system on the date in question, then the Fair Market Value shall be equal to the closing price reported for such date by the applicable exchange or system; or

	
 
	
(iii)
	
If none of the foregoing provisions is applicable, then the Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Committee in good faith on such basis as it deems appropriate.

In all cases, the determination of Fair Market Value by the Committee shall be conclusive and binding on all persons.

(o)“ISO”

 means an employee incentive stock option described in Section 422 of the Code.

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(p)“Nonstatutory Option” or “NSO”

 means an employee stock option that is not an ISO.

(q)“Option”

 means an ISO or Nonstatutory Option granted under the Plan and entitling the holder to purchase Shares.

(r)“Outside Director”

 means a member of the Board of Directors who is not a common-law employee of, or paid consultant to, the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary.

(s)“Parent”

 means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Company, if each of the corporations other than the Company owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.  A corporation that attains the status of a Parent on a date after the adoption of the Plan shall be a Parent commencing as of such date.

(t)“Participant”

 means a person who holds an Award.

(u)“Plan”

 means this 2019 Stock Incentive Plan of Peraso Inc. as amended from time to time.

(v)“Purchase Price”

 means the consideration for which one Share may be acquired under the Plan (other than upon exercise of an Option), as specified by the Committee.

(w)“Restricted Share”

 means a Share awarded under the Plan.

(x)“Restricted Stock Unit”

 means a bookkeeping entry representing the Company’s obligation to deliver one Share (or distribute cash) on a future date in accordance with the provisions of a Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement.

(y)“SAR”

 means a stock appreciation right granted under the Plan.

(z)“Section 409A”

 means Section 409A of the Code.

(aa)“Service”

 means service as an Employee, Consultant or Outside Director, subject to such further limitations as may be set forth in the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement.  Service does not terminate when an Employee goes on a bona fide leave of absence, that was approved by the Company in writing, if the terms of the leave provide for continued Service crediting, or when continued Service crediting is required by applicable law.  However, for purposes of determining whether an Option is entitled to ISO status, an Employee’s employment will be treated as terminating three months after such Employee went on leave, unless such Employee’s right to return to active work is guaranteed by law or by a contract.  Service terminates in any event when the approved leave ends, unless such Employee immediately returns to active work.  The Company determines which leaves of absence count toward Service, and when Service terminates for all purposes under the Plan.

(bb)“Share”

 means one share of Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 12 (if applicable).

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(cc)“Stock”

 means the Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company.

(dd)“Subsidiary”

 means any corporation, if the Company and/or one or more other Subsidiaries own not less than 50% of the total combined voting power of all classes of outstanding stock of such corporation.  A corporation that attains the status of a Subsidiary on a date after the adoption of the Plan shall be considered a Subsidiary commencing as of such date.

Section 3.ADMINISTRATION.

(a)Committee Composition

.  The Plan shall be administered by a Committee appointed by the Board, or by the Board acting as the Committee.  To the extent required by the Board, the composition of the Committee shall satisfy such requirements as the Securities and Exchange Commission may establish for administrators acting under plans intended to qualify for exemption under Rule 16b-3 (or its successor) under the Exchange Act.

(b)Committee for Non-Officer Grants

.  To the extent permitted by applicable laws, the Board of Directors may also authorize one or more officers of the Company to designate Employees, other than officers under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, to receive Awards and/or to determine the number of such Awards to be received by such persons in accordance with such guidelines as the Committee shall set forth at any time or from time to time..

(c)Committee Responsibilities

.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have full authority and discretion to take the following actions:

	
 
	
(i)
	
To interpret the Plan and to apply its provisions;

	
 
	
(ii)
	
To adopt, amend or rescind rules, procedures and forms relating to the Plan;

	
 
	
(iii)
	
To authorize any person to execute, on behalf of the Company, any instrument required to carry out the purposes of the Plan;

	
 
	
(iv)
	
To determine when Awards are to be granted under the Plan;

	
 
	
(v)
	
To select the Participants to whom Awards are to be granted;

	
 
	
(vi)
	
To determine the type of Award and number of Shares or amount of cash to be made subject to each Award;

	
 
	
(vii)
	
To prescribe the terms and conditions of each Award, including (without limitation) the Exercise Price and Purchase Price, and the vesting or duration of the Award (including accelerating the vesting of Awards, either at the time of the Award or thereafter, without the consent of the Participant), to determine whether an Option is to be classified as an ISO or as a Nonstatutory Option, and to specify the provisions of the agreement relating to such Award;

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(viii)
	
To amend any outstanding Award Agreement, subject to applicable legal restrictions and to the consent of the Participant if the Participant’s rights or obligations would be materially impaired;

	
 
	
(ix)
	
To prescribe the consideration for the grant of each Award or other right under the Plan and to determine the sufficiency of such consideration;

	
 
	
(x)
	
To determine the disposition of each Award or other right under the Plan in the event of a Participant’s divorce or dissolution of marriage;

	
 
	
(xi)
	
To determine whether Awards under the Plan will be granted in replacement of other grants under an incentive or other compensation plan of an acquired business;

	
 
	
(xii)
	
To correct any defect, supply any omission, or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award Agreement;

	
 
	
(xiii)
	
To establish or verify the extent of satisfaction of any performance goals or other conditions applicable to the grant, issuance, exercisability, vesting and/or ability to retain any Award; and

	
 
	
(xiv)
	
To take any other actions deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.

Subject to the requirements of applicable law, the Committee may designate persons other than members of the Committee to carry out its responsibilities and may prescribe such conditions and limitations as it may deem appropriate, except that the Committee may not delegate its authority with regard to the selection for participation of or the granting of Awards under the Plan to persons subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.  All decisions, interpretations and other actions of the Committee shall be final and binding on all Participants and all persons deriving their rights from a Participant.  No member of the Committee shall be liable for any action that he has taken or has failed to take in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award under the Plan.

Section 4.ELIGIBILITY.

(a)General Rule

.  Only Employees, Consultants and Outside Directors shall be eligible for the grant of Awards.  Only common-law employees of the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary shall be eligible for the grant of ISOs.

(b)Ten-Percent Stockholders

.  An Employee who owns more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of outstanding stock of the Company, a Parent or Subsidiary shall not be eligible for the grant of an ISO unless such grant satisfies the requirements of Section 422(c)(5) of the Code.

(c)Attribution Rules

.  For purposes of Section 4(b) above, in determining stock ownership, an Employee shall be deemed to own the stock owned, directly or indirectly, by or for such Employee’s brothers, sisters, spouse, ancestors and lineal descendants.  Stock owned, 

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directly or indirectly, by or for a corporation, partnership, estate or trust shall be deemed to be owned proportionately by or for its stockholders, partners or beneficiaries.

(d)Outstanding Stock

.  For purposes of Section 4(b) above, “outstanding stock” shall include all stock actually issued and outstanding immediately after the grant.  “Outstanding stock” shall not include shares authorized for issuance under outstanding options held by the Employee or by any other person.

(e)Grants to Outside Directors

.  

	
 
	
(i)
	
No person shall have any discretion to select which Outside Directors shall be granted Awards or to determine the number of Shares to be covered by Awards granted to Outside Directors, provided that (a) the Board may establish by resolution the number of Shares subject to Awards and the terms of such Awards that may be granted to each Outside Director at the first meeting of the Board following each annual meeting of stockholders for each year in which he or she serves on the Board, if such Awards do not represent the right to acquire more than 20,000 Shares per year  (any Awards so established are referred to herein as “Annual Director Awards”); and (b) a disinterested majority of the Board may authorize Awards for additional Shares to any Outside Director serving as a Committee chairperson or providing other extraordinary service to the Board.  Each Annual Director Award shall vest as to 100% of the Shares subject to the Award on the first anniversary of the preceding annual meeting of stockholders (or, if earlier, the next annual meeting of stockholders following the date of grant), subject to the Outside Director’s continuous Service on the Board. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Award granted under this Section 4(e)(i) shall become vested if a Change in Control occurs with respect to the Company during the Outside Director’s Service.

	
 
	
(ii)
	
Each Outside Director shall receive a grant of an Award having such terms as shall be determined by the Board for up to 100,000 Shares upon his or her initial appointment or election to the Board.  Each such Award shall vest on each anniversary of the date of grant at the rate of one-third of the total number of Shares subject to the Award over the first three years of the Outside Director’s uninterrupted Service on the Board, subject to his or her continuous Service on the Board through each vesting date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Award granted under this Section 4(e)(ii) shall become vested if a Change in Control occurs with respect to the Company during the Outside Director’s Service.

	
 
	
(iii)
	
In the event that any Annual Director Award granted under this Section 4(e) would cause the number of Shares subject to outstanding Awards plus the number of Shares previously purchased under Awards to exceed the total number of authorized Shares then available under the Plan, then the remaining Shares available for Awards shall be granted under Annual 

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Director Awards to the Outside Directors on a pro rata basis. No further grants shall be made until such time, if any, as additional Shares become available for grant under the Plan through action of the Board and, if required, the stockholders to increase the number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan or through cancellation or expiration of Awards previously granted hereunder.

Section 5.STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN.

(a)Basic Limitation

.  Shares offered under the Plan shall be authorized but unissued Shares or treasury Shares.  The aggregate number of Shares authorized for issuance as Awards under the Plan shall not exceed 3,289,437 Shares (the “Share Limit”).  The limitations of this Section 5(a) shall be subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 12.  The number of Shares that are subject to Awards outstanding at any time under the Plan shall not exceed the number of Shares which then remain available for issuance under the Plan.  The Company, during the term of the Plan, shall at all times reserve and keep available sufficient Shares to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

(b)Additional Shares

.  If Restricted Shares or Shares issued upon the exercise of Options are forfeited, then such Shares shall again become available for Awards under the Plan.  If Restricted Stock Units, Options or SARs are forfeited or terminate for any other reason before being exercised or settled, then the corresponding Shares shall again become available for Awards under the Plan.  If Restricted Stock Unit are settled, then only the number of Shares (if any) actually issued in settlement of such Restricted Stock Unit shall reduce the number available under Section 5(a) and the balance shall again become available for Awards under the Plan.  The full number of SARs settled shall be counted against the number of Shares available for award under the Plan, regardless of the number of Shares actually issued in settlement of such SARs.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the number of Shares that may be delivered in the aggregate pursuant to the exercise of ISOs granted under the Plan shall not exceed the Share Limit, as adjusted pursuant to Section 12, plus, to the extent allowable under Section 422 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, any Shares that become available for issuance under the Plan pursuant to this Section 5(b).  

(c)Substitution and Assumption of Awards

.  The Committee may make Awards under the Plan by assumption, substitution or replacement of stock options, stock appreciation rights, Restricted Stock Units or similar awards granted by another entity (including a Parent or Subsidiary), if such assumption, substitution or replacement is in connection with an asset acquisition, stock acquisition, merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving the Company (and/or its Parent or Subsidiary) and such other entity (and/or its affiliate).  The terms of such assumed, substituted or replaced Awards shall be as the Committee, in its discretion, determines is appropriate, notwithstanding limitations on Awards in the Plan.  Any such substitute or assumed Awards shall not count against the Share limitation set forth in Section 5(a) (nor shall Shares subject to such Awards be added to the Shares available for Awards under the Plan as provided in Section 5(b) above), except that Shares acquired by exercise of substitute ISOs will count against the maximum number of Shares that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of ISOs under the Plan.

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Section 6.RESTRICTED SHARES.

(a)Restricted Share Award Agreement

.  Each grant of Restricted Shares under the Plan shall be evidenced by a Restricted Share Award Agreement between the Participant and the Company.  Such Restricted Shares shall be subject to all applicable terms of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms that are not inconsistent with the Plan.  The provisions of the various Restricted Share Award Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.

(b)Payment for Awards

.  Restricted Shares may be sold or awarded under the Plan for such consideration as the Committee may determine, including (without limitation) cash, cash equivalents, full-recourse promissory notes, past services and future services.

(c)Vesting

.  Each Award of Restricted Shares may or may not be subject to vesting.  Vesting shall occur, in full or in installments, upon satisfaction of the conditions specified in the Restricted Share Award Agreement.  A Restricted Share Award Agreement may provide for accelerated vesting in the event of the Participant’s death, Disability or retirement or other events.  The Committee may determine, at the time of granting Restricted Shares or thereafter, that all or part of such Restricted Shares shall become vested in the event that a Change in Control occurs with respect to the Company.

(d)Voting and Dividend Rights

.  The holders of Restricted Shares awarded under the Plan shall have the same voting, dividend and other rights as the Company’s other stockholders.  A Restricted Share Award Agreement, however, may require that the holders of Restricted Shares invest any cash dividends received in additional Restricted Shares.  Such additional Restricted Shares and other dividends or distributions with respect to the Restricted Shares shall be subject to the same conditions and restrictions as the Award with respect to which the dividends or distributions were paid.

(e)Restrictions on Transfer of Shares

.  Restricted Shares shall be subject to such rights of repurchase, rights of first refusal or other restrictions as the Committee may determine.  Such restrictions shall be set forth in the applicable Restricted Share Award Agreement and shall apply in addition to any general restrictions that may apply to all holders of Shares.

Section 7.TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS.

(a)Stock Option Award Agreement

.  Each grant of an Option under the Plan shall be evidenced by a Stock Option Award Agreement between the Participant and the Company.  Such Option shall be subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms and conditions which are not inconsistent with the Plan and which the Committee deems appropriate for inclusion in a Stock Option Award Agreement.  The Stock Option Award Agreement shall specify whether the Option is an ISO or an NSO.  The provisions of the various Stock Option Award Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.

(b)Number of Shares

.  Each Stock Option Award Agreement shall specify the number of Shares that are subject to the Option and shall provide for the adjustment of such number in accordance with Section 12.

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(c)Exercise Price

.  Each Stock Option Award Agreement shall specify the Exercise Price.  The Exercise Price of an ISO shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant, except as otherwise provided in 4(b), and the Exercise Price of an NSO shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options may be granted with an Exercise Price of less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant pursuant to a transaction described in, and in a manner consistent with, Section 424(a) of the Code.  Subject to the foregoing in this Section 7(c), the Exercise Price under any Option shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.  The Exercise Price shall be payable in one of the forms described in Section 8.

(d)Withholding Taxes

.  As a condition to the exercise of an Option, the Participant shall make such arrangements as the Committee may require for the satisfaction of any federal, state, local or non-U.S. withholding tax obligations that may arise in connection with such exercise.  The Participant shall also make such arrangements as the Committee may require for the satisfaction of any federal, state, local or non-U.S. withholding tax obligations that may arise in connection with the disposition of Shares acquired by exercising an Option.

(e)Exercisability and Term

.  Each Stock Option Award Agreement shall specify the date when all or any installment of the Option is to become exercisable.  The Stock Option Award Agreement shall also specify the term of the Option; provided that the term of an ISO shall in no event exceed 10 years from the date of grant (five years for ISOs granted to Employees described in Section 4(b)).  A Stock Option Award Agreement may provide for accelerated exercisability in the event of the Participant’s death, Disability, or retirement or other events and may provide for expiration prior to the end of its term in the event of the termination of the Participant’s Service.  Options may be awarded in combination with SARs, and such an Award may provide that the Options will not be exercisable unless the related SARs are forfeited.  Subject to the foregoing in this Section 7(e), the Committee in its sole discretion shall determine when all or any installment of an Option is to become exercisable and when an Option is to expire.

(f)Exercise of Options

.  Each Stock Option Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to exercise the Option following termination of the Participant’s Service with the Company and its Subsidiaries, and the right to exercise the Option of any executors or administrators of the Participant’s estate or any person who has acquired such Option(s) directly from the Participant by bequest or inheritance.  Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, need not be uniform among all Options issued pursuant to the Plan, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination of Service.

(g)Effect of Change in Control

.  The Committee may determine, at the time of granting an Option or thereafter, that such Option shall become exercisable as to all or part of the Shares subject to such Option in the event that a Change in Control occurs with respect to the Company.

(h)No Rights as a Stockholder

.  A Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any Shares covered by his Option until the date of issuance of such Shares.  No adjustments shall be made except as provided in Section 11.

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(i)Modification, Extension and Renewal of Options

.  Within the limitations of the Plan, the Committee may modify, extend or renew outstanding options or may accept the cancellation of outstanding options (to the extent not previously exercised), whether or not granted hereunder, in return for the grant of new Options for the same or a different number of Shares and at the same or a different Exercise Price, or in return for the grant of a different Award for the same or a different number of Shares; provided, however, that other than in connection with an adjustment of Awards pursuant to Section 11, the Committee may not modify outstanding Options to lower the Exercise Price nor may the Committee accept the cancellation of outstanding underwater Options in return for cash or the grant of new Options or SARs with a lower Exercise Price or other Awards, unless such action has been approved by the Company’s stockholders.  The foregoing notwithstanding, no modification of an Option shall, without the consent of the Participant, materially impair his or her rights or obligations under such Option.

(j)Restrictions on Transfer of Shares

.  Any Shares issued upon exercise of an Option shall be subject to such special forfeiture conditions, rights of repurchase, rights of first refusal and other transfer restrictions as the Committee may determine.  Such restrictions shall be set forth in the applicable Stock Option Award Agreement and shall apply in addition to any general restrictions that may apply to all holders of Shares.

(k)Buyout Provisions

.  Except with respect to an Option whose Exercise Price exceeds the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the Option, the Committee may at any time (i) offer to buy out for a payment in cash or cash equivalents an Option previously granted or (ii) authorize a Participant to elect to cash out an Option previously granted, in either case at such time and based upon such terms and conditions as the Committee shall establish.

Section 8.PAYMENT FOR SHARES.

(a)General Rule

.  The entire Exercise Price or Purchase Price of Shares issued under the Plan shall be payable in lawful money of the United States of America at the time when such Shares are purchased, except as provided in Section 8(b) through Section 8(h) below.

(b)Surrender of Stock

.  To the extent that a Stock Option Award Agreement so provides, payment may be made all or in part by surrendering, or attesting to the ownership of, Shares which have already been owned by the Participant or his or her representative.  Such Shares shall be valued at their Fair Market Value on the date when the new Shares are purchased under the Plan.  The Participant shall not surrender, or attest to the ownership of, Shares in payment of the Exercise Price if such action would cause the Company to recognize compensation expense (or additional compensation expense) with respect to the Option for financial reporting purposes.

(c)Services Rendered

.  At the discretion of the Committee, Shares may be awarded under the Plan in consideration of services rendered to the Company or a Subsidiary.  If Shares are awarded without the payment of a Purchase Price in cash, the Committee shall make a determination (at the time of the Award) of the value of the services rendered by the Participant and the sufficiency of the consideration to meet the requirements of Section 6(b).

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(d)Cashless Exercise

.  To the extent that a Stock Option Award Agreement so provides, payment may be made all or in part by delivery (on a form prescribed by the Committee) of an irrevocable direction to a securities broker to sell Shares and to deliver all or part of the sale proceeds to the Company in payment of the aggregate Exercise Price.

(e)Exercise/Pledge

.  To the extent that a Stock Option Award Agreement so provides, payment may be made all or in part by delivery (on a form prescribed by the Committee) of an irrevocable direction to a securities broker or lender to pledge Shares, as security for a loan, and to deliver all or part of the loan proceeds to the Company in payment of the aggregate Exercise Price.

(f)Net Exercise

.  To the extent that a Stock Option Award Agreement so provides, by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the number of Shares issuable upon exercise of the Option shall be reduced by the largest whole number of Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate Exercise Price (plus tax withholdings, if applicable) and any remaining balance of the aggregate Exercise Price (and/or applicable tax withholdings) not satisfied by such reduction in the number of whole Shares to be issued shall be paid by the Participant in cash or any other form of payment permitted under the Stock Option Agreement.

(g)Promissory Note

.  To the extent that a Stock Option Award Agreement or Restricted Share Award Agreement so provides, payment may be made all or in part by delivering (on a form prescribed by the Company) a full-recourse promissory note.

(h)Other Forms of Payment

.  To the extent that a Stock Option Award Agreement or Restricted Share Award Agreement so provides, payment may be made in any other form that is consistent with applicable laws, regulations and rules.

(i)Limitations under Applicable Law

.  Notwithstanding anything herein or in a Stock Option Award Agreement or Restricted Share Award Agreement to the contrary, payment may not be made in any form that is unlawful, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

Section 9.STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.

(a)SAR Award Agreement

.  Each grant of a SAR under the Plan shall be evidenced by a SAR Award Agreement between the Participant and the Company.  Such SAR shall be subject to all applicable terms of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms that are not inconsistent with the Plan.  The provisions of the various SAR Award Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.

(b)Number of Shares

.  Each SAR Award Agreement shall specify the number of Shares to which the SAR pertains and shall provide for the adjustment of such number in accordance with Section 12.

(c)Exercise Price

.  Each SAR Award Agreement shall specify the Exercise Price.  The Exercise Price of a SAR shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, SARs may be granted with an Exercise Price of less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant pursuant to a 

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transaction described in, and in a manner consistent with, Section 424(a) of the Code.  Subject to the foregoing in this Section 9(c), the Exercise Price under any SAR shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

(d)Exercisability and Term

.  Each SAR Award Agreement shall specify the date when all or any installment of the SAR is to become exercisable.  The SAR Award Agreement shall also specify the term of the SAR.  A SAR Award Agreement may provide for accelerated exercisability in the event of the Participant’s death, Disability or retirement or other events and may provide for expiration prior to the end of its term in the event of the termination of the Participant’s Service.  SARs may be awarded in combination with Options, and such an Award may provide that the SARs will not be exercisable unless the related Options are forfeited.  A SAR may be included in an ISO only at the time of grant but may be included in an NSO at the time of grant or thereafter.  A SAR granted under the Plan may provide that it will be exercisable only in the event of a Change in Control.

(e)Effect of Change in Control

.  The Committee may determine, at the time of granting a SAR or thereafter, that such SAR shall become fully exercisable as to all Common Shares subject to such SAR in the event that a Change in Control occurs with respect to the Company.

(f)Exercise of SARs

.  Upon exercise of a SAR, the Participant (or any person having the right to exercise the SAR after his or her death) shall receive from the Company (i) Shares, (ii) cash or (iii) a combination of Shares and cash, as the Committee shall determine.  The amount of cash and/or the Fair Market Value of Shares received upon exercise of SARs shall, in the aggregate, be equal to the amount by which the Fair Market Value (on the date of surrender) of the Shares subject to the SARs exceeds the Exercise Price.

(g)Modification, Extension or Assumption of SARs

.  Within the limitations of the Plan, the Committee may modify, extend or assume outstanding SARs or may accept the cancellation of outstanding SARs (whether granted by the Company or by another issuer) in return for the grant of new SARs for the same or a different number of Shares and at the same or a different Exercise Price, or in return for the grant of a different Award for the same or a different number of Shares; provided, however, that other than in connection with an adjustment of Awards pursuant to Section 11, the Committee may not modify outstanding SARs to lower the Exercise Price nor may the Committee accept the cancellation of outstanding underwater SARS in return for cash or the grant of new Options or SARs with a lower Exercise Price or other Awards, unless such action has been approved by the Company’s stockholders.  The foregoing notwithstanding, no modification of a SAR shall, without the consent of the holder, materially impair his or her rights or obligations under such SAR.

(h)Buyout Provisions

.  Except with respect to a SAR whose Exercise Price exceeds the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the SAR, the Committee may at any time (i) offer to buy out for a payment in cash or cash equivalents a SAR previously granted, or (ii) authorize a Participant to elect to cash out a SAR previously granted, in either case at such time and based upon such terms and conditions as the Committee shall establish.

Section 10.RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS.

13

 

(a)Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement

.  Each grant of Restricted Stock Units under the Plan shall be evidenced by a Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement between the Participant and the Company.  Such Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to all applicable terms of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms that are not inconsistent with the Plan.  The provisions of the various Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.

(b)Payment for Awards

.  To the extent that an Award is granted in the form of Restricted  Stock Units, no cash consideration shall be required of the Award recipients.

(c)Vesting Conditions

.  Each Award of Restricted Stock Units may or may not be subject to vesting.  Vesting shall occur, in full or in installments, upon satisfaction of the conditions specified in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement.  A Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement may provide for accelerated vesting in the event of the Participant’s death, Disability or retirement or other events.  The Committee may determine, at the time of granting Restricted Stock Units or thereafter, that all or part of such Restricted Stock Units shall become vested in the event that a Change in Control occurs with respect to the Company.

(d)Voting and Dividend Rights

.  The holders of Restricted Stock Units shall have no voting rights.  Prior to settlement or forfeiture, any Restricted Stock Unit awarded under the Plan may, at the Committee’s discretion, carry with it a right to dividend equivalents.  Such right entitles the holder to be credited with an amount equal to all dividends paid on one Share while the Restricted Stock Unit is outstanding.  Dividend equivalents may be converted into additional Restricted Stock Units.  Settlement of dividend equivalents may be made in the form of cash, in the form of Shares, or in a combination of both.  Any dividend equivalents shall be subject to the same conditions and restrictions (including without limitation, any forfeiture conditions) as the Restricted Stock Units to which they attach.

(e)Form and Time of Settlement of Restricted Stock Units

.  Settlement of vested Restricted Stock Units may be made in the form of (i) cash, (ii) Shares or (iii) any combination of both, as determined by the Committee.  The actual number of Restricted Stock Units eligible for settlement may be larger or smaller than the number included in the original Award, based on predetermined performance factors.  Methods of converting Restricted Stock Units into cash may include (without limitation) a method based on the average Fair Market Value of Shares over a series of trading days.  A Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement may provide that vested Restricted Stock Units may be settled in a lump sum or in installments.  A Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement may provide that the distribution may occur or commence when all vesting conditions applicable to the Restricted Stock Units have been satisfied or have lapsed, or it may be deferred to any later date, subject to compliance with Section 409A.  The amount of a deferred distribution may be increased by an interest factor or by dividend equivalents.  Until an Award of Restricted Stock Units is settled, the number of such Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 12.

(f)Death of Participant

.  Any Restricted Stock Unit Award that becomes payable after the Participant’s death shall be distributed to the Participant’s beneficiary or beneficiaries.  Each recipient of a Restricted Stock Unit Award under the Plan shall designate one or more beneficiaries for this purpose by filing the prescribed form with the Company.  A beneficiary 

14

 

designation may be changed by filing the prescribed form with the Company at any time before the Participant’s death.  If no beneficiary was designated or if no designated beneficiary survives the Participant, then any Restricted Stock Units Award that becomes payable after the Participant’s death shall be distributed to the Participant’s estate.

(g)Creditors’ Rights

.  A holder of Restricted Stock Units shall have no rights other than those of a general creditor of the Company.  Restricted Stock Units represent an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement.

Section 11.ADJUSTMENT OF SHARES.

(a)Adjustments

.  In the event of a subdivision of the outstanding Stock, a declaration of a dividend payable in Shares, a declaration of a dividend payable in a form other than Shares in an amount that has a material effect on the price of Shares, a combination or consolidation of the outstanding Stock (by reclassification or otherwise) into a lesser number of Shares, a recapitalization, a spin-off or a similar occurrence, the Committee shall make appropriate and equitable adjustments in:

	
 
	
(i)
	
The number of Shares available for future Awards and the limitations set forth under Section 5(a);

	
 
	
(ii)
	
The number of Shares subject to formula grants and limitations set forth in Section 4(e);

	
 
	
(iii)
	
The number of Shares covered by each outstanding Award; and

	
 
	
(iv)
	
The Exercise Price under each outstanding Option and SAR.

(b)Dissolution or Liquidation

.  To the extent not previously exercised or settled, Options, SARs and Restricted Stock Units shall terminate immediately prior to the dissolution or liquidation of the Company.

(c)Mergers and Other Corporate Transactions

.  In the event that the Company is a party to a merger or other consolidation, or in the event of a transaction providing for the sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s stock or assets, or in the event of such other corporate transaction such as a separation or reorganization, outstanding Awards shall be treated as the Board determines, in each case without the Participant’s consent.  Subject to compliance with Section 409A of the Code, the Board may provide, without limitation, for one or more of the following:  (i) the continuation of the outstanding Awards by the Company, if the Company is a surviving corporation; (ii) the assumption, in whole or in part, of the outstanding Awards by the surviving corporation or a successor entity or its parent; (iii) the substitution, in whole or in part, by the surviving corporation or a successor entity or its parent of its own awards for such outstanding Awards; (iv) exercisability and settlement, in whole or in part, of outstanding Awards to the extent vested and exercisable (if applicable) under the terms of the Award Agreement followed by the cancellation of such Awards (whether or not then vested or exercisable) upon or immediately prior to the effectiveness of the transaction; or (v) settlement of the intrinsic value of the outstanding Awards with payment made in cash or cash equivalents or 

15

 

property (including cash or property subject to deferred vesting and delivery consistent with the vesting restrictions applicable to such Awards or the underlying Shares) followed by the cancellation of such Awards (whether or not then vested or exercisable) (and, for the avoidance of doubt, if as of the date of the occurrence of the transaction the Board determines in good faith that no amount would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights, then such Award may be terminated by the Company without payment).    Any acceleration of payment of an amount that is subject to Section 409A of the Code will be delayed, if necessary, until the earliest time that such payment would be permissible under Section 409A without triggering any additional taxes applicable under Section 409A.  The Company will have no obligation to treat all Awards, all Awards held by a Participant, or all Awards of the same type, similarly.  

(d)Reservation of Rights

.  Except as provided in this Section 11, a Participant shall have no rights by reason of any subdivision or consolidation of shares of stock of any class, the payment of any dividend or any other increase or decrease in the number of shares of stock of any class.  Any issue by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall not affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or Exercise Price of Shares subject to an Award.  The grant of an Award pursuant to the Plan shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Company to make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations or changes of its capital or business structure, to merge or consolidate or to dissolve, liquidate, sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets.  In the event of any change affecting the Shares or the Exercise Price of Shares subject to an Award, including a merger or other reorganization, for reasons of administrative convenience, the Company in its sole discretion may refuse to permit the exercise of any Award during a period of up to 30 days prior to the occurrence of such event. 

Section 12.LEGAL AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS.

Shares shall not be issued under the Plan unless the issuance and delivery of such Shares complies with (or is exempt from) all applicable requirements of law, including (without limitation) the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, state securities laws and regulations and the regulations of any stock exchange on which the Company’s securities may then be listed, and the Company has obtained the approval or favorable ruling from any governmental agency which the Company determines is necessary or advisable.  The Company shall not be liable to a Participant or other persons as to: (a) the non-issuance or sale of Shares as to which the Company has not obtained from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares under the Plan; and (b) any tax consequences expected, but not realized, by any Participant or other person due to the receipt, exercise or settlement of any Award granted under the Plan.

Section 13.TAXES.

(a)Withholding Taxes

.  To the extent required by applicable federal, state, local or non-U.S. law, a Participant or his or her successor shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the satisfaction of any withholding tax obligations that arise in connection with the 

16

 

Plan.  The Company shall not be required to issue any Shares or make any cash payment under the Plan until such obligations are satisfied.

(b)Share Withholding

.  The Committee may permit a Participant to satisfy all or part of his or her withholding or income tax obligations by having the Company withhold all or a portion of any Shares that otherwise would be issued to him or her or by surrendering all or a portion of any Shares that he or she previously acquired.  Such Shares shall be valued at their Fair Market Value on the date when taxes otherwise would be withheld in cash.  In no event may a Participant have Shares withheld that would otherwise be issued to him or her in excess of the number necessary to satisfy the maximum legally required tax withholding.

(c)Section 409A

.  Each Award that provides for “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A shall be subject to such additional rules and requirements as specified by the Committee from time to time in order to comply with Section 409A.  If any amount under such an Award is payable upon a “separation from service” (within the meaning of Section 409A) to a Participant who is then considered a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A), then no such payment shall be made prior to the date that is the earlier of (i) six months and one day after the Participant’s separation from service, or (ii) the Participant’s death, but only to the extent such delay is necessary to prevent such payment from being subject to interest, penalties and/or additional tax imposed pursuant to Section 409A.  In addition, the settlement of any such Award may not be accelerated except to the extent permitted by Section 409A.

Section 14.other provisions applicable to awards.

(a)Transferability

. Unless the agreement evidencing an Award (or an amendment thereto authorized by the Committee) expressly provides otherwise, no Award granted under the Plan, nor any interest in such Award, may be sold, assigned, conveyed, gifted, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise transferred in any manner (prior to the vesting and lapse of any and all restrictions applicable to Shares issued under such Award), other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution; provided, however, that an ISO may be transferred or assigned only to the extent consistent with Section 422 of the Code.  Any purported assignment, transfer or encumbrance in violation of this Section 18 shall be void and unenforceable against the Company.

(b)Recoupment

.  In the event that the Company is required to prepare restated financial results owing to an executive officer’s intentional misconduct or grossly negligent conduct, the Board of Directors (or a designated committee) shall have the authority, to the extent permitted by applicable law, to require reimbursement or forfeiture to the Company of the amount of bonus or incentive compensation (whether cash-based or equity-based) such executive officer received during the three fiscal years preceding the year the restatement is determined to be required, to the extent that such bonus or incentive compensation exceeds what the officer would have received based on an applicable restated performance measure or target.  The Company will recoup incentive-based compensation from executive officers to the extent required under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any rules, regulations and listing standards that may be issued under that act.  Any right of recoupment under this policy will be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights of recoupment that may be available to the Company.  

17

 

Section 15.PERFORMANCE BASED AWARDS.

The number of Shares or other benefits granted, issued, retainable and/or vested under an Award may be made subject to the attainment of performance goals.  The Committee may utilize any performance criteria selected by it in its sole discretion to establish performance goals.

Section 16.NO EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS.

No provision of the Plan, nor any Award granted under the Plan, shall be construed to give any person any right to become, to be treated as, or to remain an Employee or Consultant.  The Company and its Subsidiaries reserve the right to terminate any person’s Service at any time and for any reason, with or without notice.

Section 17.DURATION AND AMENDMENTS.

(a)Term of the Plan

.  The Plan, as set forth herein, shall come into existence on the date of its adoption by the Board of Directors; provided, however, that no Award may be granted hereunder prior to the Effective Date.  The Board of Directors may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time.  No ISOs may be granted after the tenth anniversary of the earlier of (i) the date the Plan is adopted by the Board of Directors, or (ii) the date the Plan is approved the stockholders of the Company.

(b)Right to Amend the Plan

.  The Board of Directors may amend the Plan at any time and from time to time.  Rights and obligations under any Award granted before amendment of the Plan shall not be materially impaired by such amendment, except with consent of the Participant.  An amendment of the Plan shall be subject to the approval of the Company’s stockholders only to the extent required by applicable laws, regulations or rules.

(c)Effect of Termination

.  No Awards shall be granted under the Plan after the termination thereof.  The termination of the Plan shall not affect Awards previously granted under the Plan.

Section 18.AWARDS TO NON-U.S. PARTICIPANTS.

Awards may be granted to Participants who are non-United States nationals or employed or providing services outside the United States, or both, on such terms and conditions different from those applicable to Awards to Participants who are employed or providing services in the United States as may, in the judgment of the Committee, be necessary or desirable to recognize differences in local law, tax policy or custom.  The Committee also may impose conditions on the exercise, vesting or settlement of Awards in order to minimize the Company’s obligation with respect to tax equalization for Participants on assignments outside their home country.

Section 19.GOVERNING LAW.

The Plan and each Award Agreement and all disputes or controversies arising out of or relating to thereto shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of California, without regard to its conflicts of laws principles thereof.

18

 

Section 20.SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.

The terms of the Plan shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and any successor entity, including any successor entity contemplated by Section 11(c).

19mosy-ex45_95.htm

 

Exhibit 4.5

PERASO TECHNOLOGIES INC.

STOCK OPTION PLAN
(As Amended on January 1st, 2019)

	
1.
	
Purpose of the Plan

The purpose of the Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”) is to assist Peraso Technologies Inc. (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries in attracting, retaining and motivating directors, officers, employees and consultants by providing such persons the opportunity to participate in the growth and development of the Company, and to provide such persons with the opportunity to acquire an increased proprietary interest in the Company.

	
2.
	
Definitions

In this Plan:

	
 
	
(a)
	
“Associate” shall have the meaning ascribed thereto by the Canada Business Corporations Act;

	
 
	
(b)
	
“Board” means the board of directors of the Company;

	
 
	
(c)
	
“Change in Control” means the happening of any of the following events: (i) any transaction pursuant to which (A) the Company goes out of existence or (B) any person, or any Associate or Related Entity of such person, (other than: the Company, a Related Entity of the Company or an employee benefit plan of the Company (including any trustee of such plan acting as trustee)) hereafter acquires the direct or indirect “beneficial ownership” (as such term is defined in the Canada Business Corporations Act) of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the aggregate voting power of all of the Company's then issued and outstanding securities; (ii) the sale of all or substantially all of the Company's assets to a person other than a person that was a Related Entity; (iii) the dissolution or liquidation of the Company except in connection with the distribution of assets of the Company to one or more persons which were Related Entities prior to such event; or (iv) the occurrence of a transaction requiring approval of the Company's shareholders involving the acquisition of the Company by an entity through purchase of assets, by amalgamation or otherwise;

	
 
	
(d)
	
“Committee” means any compensation committee appointed by the Board to administer the Plan. All references in the Plan to the Committee shall mean the Board if no committee has been appointed or if the board acts in its stead;

	
 
	
(e)
	
“Common Shares” means the common shares of the Company, or, in the event of an adjustment contemplated in Section 9 hereof, such other shares to which a Participant may be entitled upon the exercise of an Option as a result of such adjustment;

	
 
	
(f)
	
“Company” means Peraso Technologies Inc.;

	
 
	
(g)
	
“Consultant” means (i) a person or company, other than an Employee or a Director, that:

114487138

 
 

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(i)
	
is engaged to provide services to the Company or to a Related Entity of the Company, other than services provided in relation to a distribution, under a written contract having a term of at least one year between the Company or the Related Entity and the person or a consultant company or consultant partnership of the person; and

	
 
	
(ii)
	
in the Company's opinion, spends or will spend a significant amount of time and attention on the affairs and business of the Company or of a Related Entity of the Company; 

and, for the purposes of this paragraph, “consultant company” means, for any individual Consultant, a company of which the individual Consultant is an employee or shareholder and “consultant partnership” means , for any individual Consultant, a partnership of which the individual Consultant is an employee or partner and “Consultant” includes Registered Retirement Savings Plans or Registered Retirement Income Funds established by or for any individual Consultant or under which any individual Consultant is the beneficiary;

	
 
	
(h)
	
“Date of Grant” means the date a Participant is granted an Option to purchase Option Shares;

	
 
	
(i)
	
“Director” means a person occupying the position of director on the Board or any of its' subsidiaries;

	
 
	
(j)
	
“Employee” means a current full time permanent employee of the Company or its Affiliated Entities and includes any Registered Retirement Savings Plan or Registered Retirement Income Fund established by or for an Employee (or under which an Employee is the beneficiary);

	
 
	
(k)
	
“Exchange” means the Toronto Stock Exchange or, if the Common Shares are not then listed and posted for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange, on such stock exchange or quotation system on which such shares are listed, posted for trading or quoted as may be selected by the Committee;

	
 
	
(l)
	
“Exercise Date” means the date the Company receives from a Participant a completed Stock Option Purchase Form with payment for the Option Shares being purchased;

	
 
	
(m)
	
“Fair Market Value” at any date in respect of the Common Shares shall be as determined by the Board from time to time, unless the Common Shares are listed for trading on the Exchange, in which case the Fair Market Value shall be equal to the closing price of the Common Shares on the Exchange on the trading day immediately preceding any given Date of Grant;

	
 
	
(n)
	
“NI 45-106” means National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus and Registration Exemptions of the Canadian Securities Administrators as may be amended, restated and/or supplanted from time to time;

	
 
	
(o)
	
“Option” means an option to purchase Common Shares from the treasury of the Company granted to a Participant pursuant to this Plan;

	
 
	
(p)
	
“Option Price” means the exercise price per share at which a Participant may exercise any Option and thereby purchase Option Shares;

114487138

 
 

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(q)
	
“Option Shares” means the Common Shares of the Company which a Participant is entitled to purchase pursuant to the exercise of any Options;

	
 
	
(r)
	
“Outstanding Issue” means the number of Common Shares that are outstanding at any given date;

	
 
	
(s)
	
“Participant” means any Director, Employee and/or Consultant to whom an Option is granted pursuant to the Plan and remains unexercised;

	
 
	
(t)
	
“Plan” means this Peraso Technologies Inc. Stock Option Plan, as may be amended or amended and restated from time to time;

	
 
	
(u)
	
“Related Entity” shall have the meaning ascribed thereto by NI 45-106;

	
 
	
(v)
	
“Related Person” shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in NI 45-106;

	
 
	
(w)
	
“Stock Option Agreement” means the stock option agreement to be entered into between the Company and a Participant of the Plan, substantially in the form annexed as Exhibit “A” hereto, upon the grant of an Option to a Participant, and any other agreements entered into between the Company and a Participant relating to the terms and conditions of that Participant's Options;

	
 
	
(x)
	
“Stock Option Purchase Form” means the stock option purchase form to be executed by a Participant upon the exercise of an Option substantially in the form annexed as Exhibit “B” hereto; and

	
 
	
(y)
	
“Vesting Period” means the period(s) refe1Ted to in Section 6 hereof (or such other period(s) as may be set out in the Stock Option Agreement of a Participant) that determines when a Participant may purchase the Option Shares.

	
3.
	
Eligibility

Participation in the Plan shall be limited to Participants who are designated from time to time by the Committee. Participation shall be voluntary and the Committee shall determine the extent to which any Participant shall be entitled to participate in the Plan.

	
4.
	
Number of Option Shares and Limitations on Issuance

Subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 6 or 9 hereof, the number of Option Shares issuable under this Plan at any particular date shall be ten percent (10%) of the Outstanding Issue at such date, provided that (i) any increase in the issued and outstanding Common Shares will result in an increase in the available number of Common Shares issuable under the Plan and (ii) any cancellations or exercises of Options will make new grants available under the Plan effectively resulting in a re-loading of the number of Options available to grant under the Plan.

No fractional shares may be purchased or issued hereunder. Subject to the foregoing, the number of Option Shares that a Participant is entitled to purchase under the Plan will be determined by the Committee.

If the Common Shares are listed for trading on the Exchange, the following restrictions shall apply to this Plan as well as all other plans or stock option agreements to which the Company may be a party:

114487138

 
 

- 4 -

	
 
	
(i)
	
the aggregate number of Common Shares reserved for issuance to Related Persons at any time shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the Outstanding Issue; and

	
 
	
(ii)
	
Related Persons shall not be issued, within any twelve month period, a number of Common Shares which exceeds ten percent (10%) of the Outstanding Issue.

	
5.
	
Exercise Price for Option Shares

The Committee shall advise each Participant designated to participate in the Plan of the number of Option Shares such Participant is entitled to purchase and the Option Price at which the Option Shares may be purchased and the Vesting Period. The Option Price at which the Option Shares may be purchased under the Plan shall be fixed by the Committee and shall be equal to the Fair Market Value of the Common Shares of the Company as at the date of the option grant.

	
6.
	
Vesting

Unless otherwise approved by the Board and agreed to in writing by the Company in the Stock Option Agreement to be executed by a Participant, the Options granted under the Plan must be exercised within a period of ten (10) years from the Date of Grant, failing which the Option shall expire; provided that, should the expiry date of any vested Option fall on, or within nine (9) trading days immediately following, a date upon which a Participant is prohibited from exercising such Option due to a black-out period or other trading restriction imposed by the Company, then the expiry date of such Option shall instead be ten trading days following the date the relevant black-out period or other trading restriction imposed by the Company is lifted, terminated or removed.

Unless otherwise approved and/or amended by the Board and specifically set forth in a Stock Option Agreement, the vesting periods within this ten (10) year period during which Option Shares or a portion thereof vest and may be exercised by a Participant shall be as follows:

	
 
	
(a)
	
25% of the Options granted shall vest on the first anniversary of the Date of Grant; and

	
 
	
(b)
	
6.25% of the Options granted shall vest on the first day of each calendar quarter following the first anniversary of the Date of Grant;

so that on the fourth anniversary of the Date of Grant, all of the Options granted will have vested and will be exercisable until the tenth anniversary of the Date of Grant.

Notwithstanding any particular Vesting Period the Board may, in its sole discretion, by written notice to any Participant, accelerate the vesting of all or any portion of any Option so that any such Option may become immediately fully vested and exercisable. In such circumstances, the Board may by written notice require a Participant to exercise any such Option within 30 days of the date of such written notice, failing which exercise such Participant's right to exercise such Option and purchase the Option Shares underlying such Option shall immediately lapse and be of no further force or effect.

Notwithstanding any particular Vesting Period, in the event of a Change in Control, the Board may, in its sole discretion and without any action or consent required on the part of any Participant and notwithstanding any Stock Option Agreement, deal with the Options granted under the Plan in the manner it deems fair and reasonable in light of the circumstances of the Change in Control, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing:

114487138

 
 

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(a)
	
Accelerating the vesting of any or all outstanding Options to provide that such outstanding Options shall be fully vested and conditionally exercisable upon (or prior to) the completion of the Change in Control, provided, however, that the Board shall not, in any case, authorize the exercise of Options pursuant to this Section beyond the date of expiry of such Options. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, if the Board elects to accelerate the vesting of any Options, and if any such Options are not exercised within ten (10) business days following the giving of the notice contemplated below, such unexercised Options shall terminate and expire upon the completion of the proposed Change in Control. If , for any reason, the Change in Control does not occur within the contemplated time period, the acceleration of the vesting of the Options shall be retracted and vesting shall instead revert to the manner provided in the second paragraph of this Section;

	
 
	
(b)
	
Effect a “cashless exercise”, by applying a portion of the proceeds that would be received by a Participant from the Change in Control transaction to the exercise price payable by that Participant for the exercise of his or her Options, and, as applicable, issuing the balance of the shares, or paying the balance of the proceeds, to the Participant; and/or

	
 
	
(c)
	
To the extent that the Change in Control would also result in a capital reorganization, arrangement, amalgamation or reclassification of the share capital of the Company and the Board does not accelerate the vesting of Options pursuant to this Section, the Company shall make adequate provisions to ensure that, upon completion of the proposed Change in Control, the number and kind of shares subject to outstanding Options and/or the Option Price per share of Options shall be appropriately adjusted in such manner as the Board considers equitable to prevent substantial dilution or enlargement of the1ights granted to Participants.

Upon the Company entering into an agreement relating to and publicly announcing a transaction which, if completed, would result in a Change in Control, the Company shall give written notice of the proposed Change in Control to each Participant that holds Options at such date, together with a description of the effect of such Change in Control on outstanding Options, not less than five (5) business days prior to the closing of the transaction resulting in the Change in Control

	
7.
	
Payment and Conditions of Exercise of Options

Subject to Section 6, from time to time and at any time after the vesting of any Options and prior to the lapse of such Options, a Participant may elect to purchase all or a portion of the Option Shares available for purchase by delivering to the Company a completed Stock Option Purchase Form and payment in full of the purchase price for such Option Shares. Such Stock Option Purchase Form shall specify the number of Option Shares the Participant desires to purchase. Payment may be made certified cheque, bank draft, money order or the equivalent payable to the order of Peraso Technologies Inc. To the extent permitted by applicable laws and the regulations of the Exchange, if applicable, upon written request of the Participant, the Company may, in its sole discretion, opt to permit to allow the Participant to satisfy the foregoing payment obligations by reducing the number of Option Shares received by the Participant upon exercise of the Options by a number of Option Shares representing the number of Shares required to satisfy the aggregate exercise price if such Shares were sold at the Fair Market Value of the Common Shares determined at the time of exercise.

In the event that the Option Shares are not listed on the Exchange as at the date of an exercise of an Option, it shall be a condition precedent to the exercise of any Option that the Participant agree to be bound by the terms of any unanimous shareholders agreement or similar agreements generally 

114487138

 
 

- 6 -

applicable to all of the shareholders of the Company then in force, and further that the Participant agree to enter into voting trust generally applicable to employee shareholders of the Company then in force and provide a power of attorney in support of such voting trust.

	
8.
	
Share Certificates

Upon exercise of the Option and payment in full of the purchase price the Company shall cause to be delivered to the Participant within a reasonable period of time a duplicate certificate or certificates in the name of the Participant representing the number of Option Shares the Participant has purchased. In the event that the Shares are not listed on the Exchange as at the date of an exercise of an Option, the original share certificate(s) may be held in trust by the Company, to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Stock Option Agreement, and any shareholders agreement of the Company in effect and applicable to the Participant at such time.

	
9.
	
Adjustment in Shares

Appropriate adjustments in the number of Common Shares subject to the Plan and, as regards Options granted or to be granted, in the number of Common Shares optioned and in the Option Price, shall be made by the Committee to give effect to adjustments in the number of Common Shares resulting from sub-divisions, consolidations or re-classifications of the Common Shares or other relevant changes in the authorised or issued capital of the Company.

Furthermore, in the event of a Change in Control, the Board may, in its sole discretion, deal with the Options issued under the Plan in the manner it deems fair and reasonable in light of the circumstances of the change, including without limitation, taking any of the actions outlined in Section 6 hereof and/or making such other adjustments to the number and kind of shares which thereafter may be offered and sold to Participants under the Plan as it may deem equitable.

	
10.
	
Termination of Participant

Unless otherwise approved by the Board or agreed to in writing by the Company in the Stock Option Agreement to be executed by a Participant, the following terms shall apply:

	
 
	
(a)
	
In the event that:

	
 
	
(i)
	
a Participant's employment with the Company or any of its subsidiaries is terminated; or

	
 
	
(ii)
	
the services with the Company or any of its subsidiaries of a Participant who is a Consultant are terminated; or

	
 
	
(iii)
	
a Participant who is a Director shall cease to be a Director (provided that if Director is also an Employee, clause (i) must also apply)

for any reason other than (A) for cause (as defined in accordance with a Participant's employment or other applicable agreement, or, if not so defined, as determined by applicable law) or (B) as a result of death or disability of a Participant (any such event being referred to as a “Termination without Cause”), then this Section 10(a) shall apply. The date on which a Participant is notified of a Termination without Cause is hereinafter referred to in this Section 10(a) as the “Termination Date”. On a Termination without Cause, a Participant may exercise the Option to purchase any Option Shares that have vested prior to the Termination Date for a period of ninety (90) days following after the Termination Date (but in no event after the expiry of any 

114487138

 
 

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Options held). Upon the expiry of such 90-day period, all unexercised Options held by the Participant shall lapse. For the purposes of this Plan, the transfer of the Employee's employment to the Company from any Related Entity or from the Company to any Related Entity of the Company shall not be considered a termination of employment and the Employee's rights under the Option shall be the same as if such transfer had not occurred. In the event that the Participant has violated any obligations to the Company set out in any agreements with the Company (or applicable at law) pertaining to (i) non-disclosure of the confidential information of the Company, (ii) ownership of inventions, or (iii) dealings with employees or customers of the Company, then all unexercised options which have otherwise vested in the Participant shall become immediately null and void and neither exerciseable or enforceable.

	
 
	
(b)
	
In the event that an Employee's employment or Consultant's services with the Company or any of its subsidiaries is terminated by reason of death or disability or a Director shall cease to be a Director on the Board by reason of death or disability, then the applicable Participant, or the Participant's personal representatives, may exercise the Option for any Option Shares that have vested at the time such employment, services or board position is terminated at any time during the ninety (90) day period following the date of such termination of employment, services or Board position (but in no event after the expiry of any Options held), and upon the expiry of such 90-day period, all unexercised Options held by the Participant (or the Participant's personal representatives, as applicable) shall lapse.

	
 
	
(c)
	
In the event that an Employee's employment or Consultant' s services with the Company or any of its subsidiaries is terminated for cause or a Director shall cease to be a Director for breach of fiduciary duty (as defined in accordance with the Participant's employment or other applicable agreement, or, if not so defined, as determined by applicable law), then all vested and unexercised Options held by the Participant shall lapse immediately upon the delivery to the Participant of the notice of termination.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 10, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion, at any time prior to or following the events contemplated in this Section 10, permit the exercise of any or all Options held by a Participant in the manner and on the terms authorized by the Board, provided that the Board shall not, in any case, authorize the exercise of an Option pursuant to this Section 10 beyond the expiration of the exercise period of the particular Option.

	
11.
	
Transfer and Assignment

Subject to Section 10 hereof, Options granted under this Plan may only be exercised during the lifetime of a Participant by such Participant personally and no assignment or transfer of Options, whether voluntary, involuntary, by operation of law or otherwise, vests any interest or right in such Options whatsoever in any assignee or transferee and immediately upon any assignment or transfer, or any attempt to make the same, such Options will terminate and be of no further force or effect. The obligations of each Participant shall be binding on his or her heirs, executors and administrators.

	
12.
	
Employment, Consulting and Board Position Non-Contractual

The granting of an Option to a Participant under the Plan does not confer upon the Participant any right to continue in the employment of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or as a member of the Board, as the case may be, nor does it interfere in any way with the rights of the Employee or 

114487138

 
 

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Consultant or of the Company's rights terminate the Employee's employment or Consultant's services at any time or of the shareholders' right to elect directors.

	
13.
	
Rights and Obligations as Shareholders

Participants shall not have any rights as a shareholder with respect to Option Shares until:

	
 
	
(a)
	
full payment has been made to the Company;

	
 
	
(b)
	
a share ce1tificate or share certificates have been duly issued; and

	
 
	
(c)
	
the Participant becomes a party to any existing unanimous shareholders' agreement and/or any other agreement or voting trust generally applicable to Employees and/or Consultants of the Company.

	
14.
	
Administration and Application of The Plan

The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. The Committee shall have the power to interpret and construe the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Options. Any determination by the Committee shall be final and conclusive on all persons affected thereby unless otherwise determined by the Board. The day-to-day administration of the Plan may be delegated to such officers and employees of the Company or any Related Entity of the Company, or to such outside advisors or consultants to the Company, as the Committee shall determine. In the Stock Option Agreement applicable to a Participant, the Company may modify the terms of this Plan applicable to such Participant, provided that the approval of the Board is obtained for any such modifications and provided further that such modifications are permissible under securities legislation and, if the Common Shares are listed for trading on the Exchange, the rules of the Exchange.

	
15.
	
Notices

All written notices to be given by a Participant to the Company may be delivered personally or by registered mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

Peraso Technologies Inc.

144 Front St. West, Suite 685

Toronto, ON M5N INS

 

Attention: President

 

 

Any notice given by a Participant pursuant to the terms of the Option shall not be effective until actually received by the Company at the above address. Any notice to be given to a Participant shall be sufficiently given if delivered personally (which shall be deemed to be effective at the time of delivery), by facsimile transmission or electronic mail (which shall be deemed to be effective one day after transmission), or by postage prepaid mail to the last address of the Participant on the records of the Company (which shall be deemed to be effective five days after mailing).

	
16.
	
Corporate Action

Nothing contained in the Plan or in the Option shall be construed so as to prevent the Company or any Related Entity of the Company from taking corporate action that is deemed by the Company or the Related Entity to be appropriate or in its best interest, whether or not such action would have an adverse effect on the Plan.

114487138

 
 

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17.
	
Amendments

The Board shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to amend, suspend or terminate this Plan or any portion thereof at any time, in accordance with applicable legislation, without obtaining the approval of shareholders; provided that any amendment to any provision of the Plan will be subject to any required regulatory approval and the provisions of applicable law, if any, that require the approval of shareholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Common Shares are listed for trading on the Exchange, the Company will be required to obtain the approval of the shareholders of the Company for any amendment related to: (i) the maximum number or percentage of Common Shares issuable under the Plan; (ii) a reduction in the Option Price of outstanding Options or cancellation of Options for the purpose of issuing new Options; (iii) an extension to the term of outstanding Options; (iv) increasing limits on non-employee director participation; (v) Section 4 of the Plan which would increase the number of Common Shares reserved for issuance to insiders, at any time, or issued to insiders within any one year period, under the Plan; or (vi) Section 11 which would allow an Option holder to transfer Options other than by will or pursuant to laws of succession. Subject to compliance with the applicable rules of the Exchange, no amendment, suspension or termination will alter or impair any Options under the Plan, or any rights pursuant thereto, granted previously to any Participant without the consent of that Participant.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, if the Common Shares are listed for trading on the Exchange, the Option Price of any Options granted under this Plan must not be lower than the Fair Market Value of the Common Shares at the time the Option is granted.

	
18.
	
Termination Of Plan

The Plan will terminate and, for greater certainty, all unexercised Options shall te1minate and expire on the earliest of: (i) the date upon which no further Common Shares remain available for issuance pursuant to Options which may be granted under the Plan and no Options remain outstanding; (ii) if the Board of Directors accelerates the vesting of Options pursuant to any Change in Control, then upon the occurrence of such Change in Control, unless renewed for such further period and upon such terms and conditions as the Board may determine; and (iii) the fifteenth anniversary of the Plan.

	
19.
	
Governing Law

The Plan is established under the laws of the Province of Ontario and the rights of all parties and the construction and effect of each provision of the Plan shall be according to the laws of the Province of Ontario and the laws of Canada applicable therein.

	
20.
	
Government Regulation

The Company's obligation to issue and deliver Common Shares under any Option is subject to:

	
 
	
(a)
	
the satisfaction of all requirements under applicable securities law in respect thereof and obtaining all regulatory approvals as the Company shall determine to be necessary or advisable in connection with the authorization, issuance or sale thereof, including shareholder approval, if required;

	
 
	
(b)
	
the receipt from a Participant of such representations, agreements and undertakings as to future dealings in such Common Shares as the Company determines to be necessary or advisable in order to safeguard against the violation of the securities law of any jurisdiction; and

114487138

 
 

- 10 -

	
 
	
(c)
	
the admission of such Option Shares to listing on any stock exchange on which Option Shares may then be listed.

In this connection, the Company shall take all reasonable steps to obtain such approvals and registrations as may be necessary for the issuance of such Common Shares in compliance with applicable securities law and for the listing of such Common Shares on any stock exchange on which such Common Shares are then listed.

	
21.
	
Withholding Taxes

The exercise of each Option granted under this Plan is subject to the condition that if at any time the Company determines, in its discretion, that the satisfaction of withholding tax or other withholding liabilities is necessary or desirable in respect of such exercise, such exercise is not effective unless such withholding has been effected to the satisfaction of the Company. In such circumstances, the Company may require that a Participant pay to the Company, in addition to and in the same manner as the Option Price for the Option Shares, such amount as the Company is obliged to remit to the relevant taxing authority in respect of the exercise of the Option. Any such additional payment is due no later than the date as of which any amount with respect to the Option exercised first becomes includable in the gross income of the Participant for tax purposes.

	
22.
	
Compliance with Exchange Rules

The Board may make changes to the terms of any Options or this Plan to the extent necessary or desirable to comply with any rules, regulations or policies of the Exchange, provided that the value of previously granted Options and the rights of Participants are not materially adversely affected by any such changes.

	
23.
	
Incentive Stock Options (US Participants)

The following provisions shall apply, in addition to the other provisions of this Plan that are not inconsistent therewith, to Options intended to qualify as incentive stock options (each, an “ISO”) under Section 422 of the United States' Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”):

	
 
	
(a)
	
Options may be granted as ISOs only to individuals who are employees of the Company or any present or future “subsidiary corporation” or “parent corporation” as those terms are defined in Section 424 of the Code (collectively, “Related Corporations”) and Options shall not be granted as ISOs to non-employee Directors or independent contractors;

	
 
	
(b)
	
for purposes of Sections 4.6 and 4.7 hereof, “disability” in respect of a Participant shall mean “permanent and total disability” as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code;

	
 
	
(c)
	
if a Participant ceases to be employed by the Company and/or all Related Corporations other than by reason of death or disability, Options shall be eligible for treatment as ISOs only if exercised no later than three (3) months following such termination of employment;

	
 
	
(d)
	
the Option Price in respect of Options granted as ISOs to employees who own more than ten percent (10%) of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Corporation or a Related Corporation (a “l0% Stockholder”) shall be not less than one hundred and ten percent (110%) of the fair market value per Common Share on 

114487138

 
 

- 11 -

	
 
		
the Date of Grant and the term of any ISO granted to a 10% Stockholder shall not exceed five (5) years measured from the Date of Grant;

	
 
	
(e)
	
Options held by a Participant shall be eligible for treatment as ISOs only if the fair market value (determined at the Date of Grant) of the Common Shares with respect to which such Options and all other options intended to qualify as “incentive stock options” under Section 422 of the Code held by such individual and granted under the Plan or any other plan of the Company or a Related Corporation and which are exercisable for the first time by such individual during any one calendar year does not exceed US$I00,000 at such time;

	
 
	
(f)
	
by accepting an Option granted as an ISO under the Plan, a Participant agrees to notify the Company in writing immediately after such Participant makes a “Disqualifying Disposition” of any Common Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of such ISO; for this purpose, a Disqualifying Disposition is any disposition occurring on or before the later of (a) the date two (2) years following the date that such ISO was granted or (b) the date one (1) year following the date that such ISO was exercised;

	
 
	
(g)
	
notwithstanding that the Plan shall be effective when adopted by the Board, no ISO granted under the Plan may be exercised until the Plan is approved by the Company's shareholders and, if such approval is not obtained within twelve (12) months after the date of the Board's adoption of the Plan, then all ISOs previously granted shall terminate and cease to be outstanding and the provisions of this Section 23(g) shall cease to have effect; furthermore, the Board shall obtain shareholder approval within twelve (12) months before or after any increase in the total number of shares that may be issued under the Plan or any change in the class of employees eligible to receive ISOs under the Plan;

	
 
	
(h)
	
no modification of an outstanding Option that would provide an additional benefit to a Participant, including but not limited to a reduction of the Option Price or extension of the exercise period, shall be made without consideration and disclosure of the likely United States federal income tax consequences to the Participants affected thereby; and

	
 
	
(i)
	
ISOs shall be neither transferable nor assignable by the Participant other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and may be exercised, during the Participant's lifetime, only by such Participant.

Notwithstanding anything in this Section 23, the Company makes no representation or warranty to any Participant that any Option will, at the date hereof of any time in future, qualify as an ISO under the Code and each Participant specifically acknowledges this limitation.

	
24.
	
Indemnification

Every Director will at all times be indemnified and saved harmless by the Company from and against all costs, charges and expenses whatsoever including any income tax liability arising from any such indemnification, that such Director may sustain or incur by reason of any action, suit or proceeding, taken or threatened against the Director, otherwise than by the Company, for or in respect of any act done or omitted by the Director in respect of this Plan, such costs, charges and expenses to include any amount paid to settle such action, suit or proceeding or in satisfaction of any judgment rendered therein.

114487138

 
 

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25.
	
Participation in the Plan

The participation of any Participant in the Plan shall not be interpreted as conferring upon such Participant any rights or privileges other than those rights and privileges expressly provided in the Plan. The Plan does not provide any guarantee against any loss which may result from fluctuations in the market value of the Common Shares. The Company does not assume responsibility for the income or other tax consequences for the Participants and they are advised to consult with their own tax advisors.

	
26.
	
Effective Date

This Plan is effective as of January 1, 2009.

 

		
	
PERASO TECHNOLOGIES INC.

	
Per:
	
 

	
Name:

	
Title:

 

 

 

114487138

 
 

 

 

EXHIBIT “A“
PERASO TECHNOLOGIES INC.
Stock Option Plan - Stock Option Agreement

Date: ________________________

Dear ________________________:

Peraso Technologies Inc. (the “Company”) is pleased to grant you an option (the “Option”) to purchase Common Shares of the Company (the “Option Shares”) at a price of CDN $ per share under the terms of the Peraso Technologies Inc. Stock Option Plan. This grant recognizes your contribution to date as well as our expectation that you will have a positive impact on the Company's future success. The terms of the Plan, a copy of which is attached to this Stock Option Agreement, are incorporated herein by reference. Any capitalized terms that are not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meaning as in the Plan.

Subject to the terms of the Plan, this Option can be exercised until the tenth anniversary of the date of grant (the “Expiry Date”), which appears on the left hand corner of this Stock Option Agreement, failing which your right to purchase the Option Shares issuable upon exercise of this Option lapse s. This Option shall be subject to the following vesting periods prior to the Expiry Date: (a) this Option cannot be exercised prior to the first anniversary of the Date of Grant, and on the first anniversary of the Date of Grant and thereafter, this Option may be exercised to acquire up to an aggregate of 25% of the total number of Option Shares; (b) 6.25% of the Options granted shall vest on the first day of each calendar quarter following the first anniversary of the Date of Grant; and (c) as of the fourth anniversary of the Date of Grant and thereafter, this Option may be exercised to acquire up to an aggregate of 100% of the total number of Option Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in accordance with the Plan the Board may alter or accelerate the vesting schedule of this Option in any circumstances that it deems appropriate and the Board may also force the exercise of this Option within a time period that it deems appropriate.

No Option Shares will be issued pursuant to the exercise of this Option unless and until you pay to the Company, or make provision satisfactory to the Company for payment of, any federal, provincial/state or local withholding taxes required by law to be withheld in respect of this Option. In addition, in the absence of a specific exemption by the Committee, no Option Shares will be issued pursuant to the exercise of this Option unless and until you execute any existing unanimous shareholders' agreement and/or any other agreement or voting trust and related power of attorney generally applicable to Employees and/or Consultants of the Company. The Option Shares issuable upon exercise of this Option are subject to any applicable restrictions on transfer.

Except as stipulated pursuant to the Plan, this Option may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered by you, either voluntarily or by operation of law, and, during your lifetime, this Option shall be exercisable only by you.

The Company views the grant of this Option and the terms thereof as confidential and intends to maintain such confidentiality unless and until disclosure is required under applicable law. By accepting this grant, you hereby agree to maintain such confidentiality and to not disclose the existence of this grant nor the terms thereof to other employees of the Company or otherwise.

“A"

114487138

 
 - 1

  

 

Please refer to the Plan for additional information regarding the exercise of the Option and completion of the Option Exercise Form. Please execute a copy of this Stock Option Agreement where indicated below to acknowledge your acceptance of the terms hereof and deliver it to Peraso Technologies Inc., Attn: President at:

144 Front St. West, Suite 685
Toronto, ON MSN INS

Sincerely,

PERASO TECHNOLOGIES INC.

 

Per:_______________________
Authorized Signatory

I have read, understood and accept the vesting provisions above and each of the terms and conditions described in a document called the Peraso Technologies Inc. Stock Option Plan and accept the foregoing grant of options on such basis.

DATED the __________ day of ________________________, 20___.

 

 

________________________
Signature

 

 

“A"

114487138

 
 - 2

 

 

EXHIBIT “B“
PERASO TECHNOLOGIES INC.
Stock Option Purchase Form

Part 1:  Identification

			
	
Name of Participant
	
 
	
Relationship to the Company

	
 
	
 
	
 

	
Address
	
 
	
Office Phone Number

	
 
	
 
	
 

	
Social Insurance Number
	
 
	
Home Phone Number

	
 
	
 
	
 

 

Part 2:  Option

l hereby exercise the Option granted to me by a Stock Option Agreement dated ______________________ under the Peraso Technologies Inc. Stock Option Plan, as amended and restated from time to time (the “Plan”) in order to purchase Option Shares. Any capitalized terms which are not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meaning as in the Plan.

I enclose the aggregate purchase price for Option Shares of Cdn.$_____________________ (must be paid in CDN dollars in cash, or by cheque, bank draft or money order payable to the order of the Company).

I hereby acknowledge that I have read, understood and accepted each and all the conditions described in the Plan.

I hereby covenant, at the request of the Company, to pay to the Company, or make provision satisfactory to the Company for payment of, any federal, provincial/state or local withholding taxes required by law to be withheld in respect of the Option, prior to the issuance of such Option Shares.

Given at __________________________, this day of ___________________, __________

 

___________________________
Signature of Participant

 

“B”

114487138

 
 - 1

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