Document:

EX-10.9

 Exhibit 10.9 
 

 
 July 31, 2019 

                         

                         

Frederick Kohler 
  

Dear Fred: 
 23andMe, Inc. (the
“Company”) is pleased to offer to you employment on the following terms: 
 1.
Position. Your title will be Vice President, People and you will report to Anne Wojcicki, CEO and Co-Founder. This is a full-time exempt position. By signing this offer letter agreement, you
confirm with the Company that you are under no contractual or other legal obligations that would prohibit you from performing your duties with the Company. 

2. Cash Compensation. Subject to adjustment pursuant to the Company’s employment compensation policies as in
effect and revised from time to time, you will be paid base salary at an annualized rate of $525,000, payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll schedule, which is currently semi-monthly. 

3. Employee Benefits. As a regular employee of the Company, you will be eligible to participate in a number of
Company-sponsored benefit plans. The Company reserves the right to modify, change, or discontinue all or part of these benefits at any time at its sole discretion. 

4. Stock Option. The Company will recommend to the Company’s Board of Directors (the
“Board”) that you be granted an option to purchase up to 325,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock. The grant of any option is subject to the Board’s approval and the Company’s promise to recommend such
approval is not a promise of compensation and is not intended to create any obligation on the part of the Company. If approved, the exercise price per share will be equal to the price determined by the Board per share on the date the option is
granted. The option will be subject to the terms and conditions applicable to options granted under the Company’s 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended) (the “Plan”), as described in the Plan and the applicable Stock
Option Agreement (as defined in the Plan). You will vest and become exercisable in twenty-five percent (25%) of the option shares after twelve (12) months of continuous service, and the balance will vest and become exercisable in equal monthly
installments over the next thirty-six (36) months of continuous service, as described in the applicable Stock Option Agreement. 

5. Sign On Bonus. You will be eligible to receive a $50,000 bonus
(“Sign-On Bonus”), subject to applicable tax withholdings. The Sign-On Bonus will be paid to you in the first payroll period after your Start Date (as defined
below). 
 6. Bonus Repayment. In the event that you resign from employment with the Company for any reason
within eighteen (18) months after your Start Date, you agree that you will repay to the Company the entire Sign-On Bonus (“Repayment Amount”). 

7. Change in Control Severance Benefits. If you experience a Qualifying Termination (as defined below), provided
that you satisfy the Conditions (as defined below) within the Deadline (as defined below), then (a) the Company will pay you severance pay for a period of six (6) months at your monthly base salary rate that was in effect at the time of
the Qualifying Termination and (b) fifty percent (50%) of your then 

  Frederick Kohler Page
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 unvested Option shares will become fully vested and exercisable. Such severance pay will be
paid in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll schedule on the Company’s payroll dates at your regular payroll rate immediately prior to the Qualifying Termination, commencing on the Company’s first regular payroll date
following the last day of the Deadline, and will be subject to all applicable withholdings. Notwithstanding anything stated herein to the contrary, the severance provided in connection with your Qualifying Termination under this section is intended
to be exempt from Internal Revenue Code Section 409A pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) and to the extent it is exempt pursuant to such section it will in any event be paid no
later than the last day of your second taxable year following the taxable year in which your Qualifying Termination has occurred. 

To receive any of the severance pay or vesting acceleration described in this Section 6 or Section 7 below,
(i) you must execute (and not revoke) a full and complete general release of all claims in a form provided by the Company without alteration and (ii) you must have returned all Company property (collectively, (i) and (ii) are the
“Conditions”), in each case by the forty-fifth (45th) day (the “Deadline”) after your Qualifying Termination. 

For the purposes of this offer letter only, you will be deemed to have incurred a “Qualifying
Termination” if you are subject to an “Involuntary Termination” (as defined in this Section) that occurs in connection with or within twenty-four (24) months following a Change in Control (as defined in this
Section). 
 For purposes of this Agreement: 

(a) a “Change in Control” means a (i) consolidation, reorganization or merger of the Company with
or into any other entity or entities in which the holders of the Company’s outstanding shares immediately before such consolidation, reorganization or merger do not, immediately after such consolidation, reorganization or merger, retain stock
or other ownership interests representing a majority of the voting power of the surviving entity or entities as a result of their shareholdings in the Company immediately before such consolidation, reorganization or merger; or (ii) a sale or
all or substantially all of the Company’s assets that is followed by a distribution of the proceeds to the Company’s stockholders. 

(b) an “Involuntary Termination” means an involuntary separation from service, as defined in Treasury
Regulation 1.409A-1(n), (i) by the Company for any reason other than (A) Cause, as defined below, (B) death or (C) Permanent Disability, as defined below or (ii) by you for Good Reason (as
defined below). 
 (c) “Cause” means (i) any willful, material violation by you of any law or
regulation applicable to the business of the Company, your conviction for, or guilty plea to, a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude, or any willful perpetration by you of a common law fraud, (ii) your commission of an act of personal
dishonesty which involves personal profit in connection with the Company or any other entity having a business relationship with the Company, (iii) any material breach by you of any provision of any agreement or understanding between the
Company and you regarding the terms of your service as an employee, officer, director or consultant to the Company, including without limitation, your willful and continued failure or refusal to perform the material duties required of you as an
employee, officer, director or consultant of the Company, other than as a result of having a disability, or a breach of any applicable invention assignment and confidentiality agreement or any agreement between the Company and you, (iv) your
disregard of the policies of the Company so as to cause loss, damage or injury to the property, reputation or employees of the Company, (v) your violation or failure to comply with any of the Company’s confidential information, privacy or
similar policy or program or (vi) any other misconduct by you which is materially injurious to the financial condition or business reputation of, or is otherwise materially injurious to, the Company. 

(d) “Good Reason” means, without your express written consent, the occurrence of any one or more of
the following: (i) a change in your position with the Company that materially reduces your level of authorities, responsibilities or duties (provided that such reduction would not include remaining in the same relative position of
responsibility within the Company following a Change in Control even if the Company were a subsidiary of another entity); (ii) a reduction in your base salary by more than ten percent (10%) unless (A) you consent thereto in your discretion, or
(B) the annual salaries of all Company employees are similarly 

  Frederick Kohler Page
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reduced; or (iii) receipt of notice that your principal workplace will be relocated to increase your commute by more than fifty (50) miles. The conditions set forth in this paragraph
will be considered “Good Reason” only if (i) you give the Company written notice of one of the conditions described in this paragraph within thirty (30) days after the condition comes into existence; (ii) the Company fails
to remedy the condition within thirty (30) days after receiving your written notice; and (iii) after the Company’s failure to remedy the condition within the previously described 30-day period,
you resign from the Company within ninety (90) days after one of the above conditions has come into existence without your consent. 

(e) “Permanent Disability” means that you are unable to perform the essential functions of your
position, with or without reasonable accommodation, for a period of at least 120 consecutive days because of a physical or mental impairment. 

8. Severance Benefits Prior to a Change in Control. For purposes of clarity, nothing in this
Section 8 will be duplicative with the payments and benefits set forth in Section 7 in connection with a Change in Control. If you are subject to an involuntary separation from service, as defined in Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(n), by the Company for any reason other than (i) Cause, (ii) death or (iii) Permanent Disability (a “Separation from Service”), that occurs prior to a Change in Control, provided that
you satisfy the Conditions within the Deadline, then the Company will pay you cash severance equal to six (6) months of your base salary at the rate then in effect. Your cash severance will be paid in accordance with the Company’s standard
payroll schedule on the Company’s payroll dates at your regular payroll rate immediately prior to the Separation from Service, commencing on the Company’s first regular payroll date following the last day of the Deadline, and will be
subject to all applicable withholdings. Notwithstanding anything stated herein to the contrary, the severance provided in connection with your Separation from Service under this section is intended to be exempt from Internal Revenue Code
Section 409A pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) and to the extent it is exempt pursuant to such section it will in any event be paid no later than the last day of your second
taxable year following the taxable year in which your Separation from Service has occurred. 
 9. Code
Section 409A. Notwithstanding the above, if any of the severance payments provided in connection with your Involuntary Termination does not qualify for any reason to be exempt from Internal Revenue Code
(“Code”) Section 409A and you are deemed by the Company at the time of your Involuntary Termination to be a “specified employee,” as defined in Code Section 409A (i.e. a key employee of a publicly traded company), each
such salary continuation payment will not be made or commence until the date which is the first (1st) business day of the seventh (7th) month after your Involuntary Termination and the installments that otherwise would have been paid during the
first six (6) months after your Involuntary Termination will be paid in a lump sum on the first (1st) business day of the seventh (7th) month after your Involuntary Termination, with the remaining payments (if any) to be made in accordance with
the applicable schedule set forth above. Such deferral will only be effected to the extent required to avoid adverse tax treatment to you, including (without limitation) the additional twenty percent (20%) federal tax for which you would otherwise
be liable under Section 409A(a)(I)(B) of the Code in the absence of such deferral. 
 10. Invention Assignment and
Confidentiality Agreement. To protect the interests of the Company, like all Company employees, you will be required to sign the Company’s standard Employee Invention Assignment and Confidentiality Agreement as a condition of your
employment with the Company. A copy of this agreement is attached as Exhibit A. Please note this agreement contains many very important provisions, including (without limitation) those that require the assignment of inventions, disclosure of
inventions, obligations of confidentiality, non-competition, non-solicitation, and rights to use your name and likeness, etc. Please review the agreement carefully. 

  Frederick Kohler Page
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 11. Third-Party Confidential Information. The Company
also wants to protect the confidential information of third parties. Thus, please do not bring or disclose to the Company or use in the performance of your duties for the Company any confidential or proprietary information of a prior employer or any
other third party, whether or not created or developed by you. 
 12. At-Will
Employment. Employment with the Company is for no specific period of time. You understand that your employment with the Company will be “at-will,” which means that either you or the Company
may terminate your employment at any time and for any reason, with or without prior notice and with or without cause. Although your job duties, title, compensation and benefits, as well as the Company’s personnel policies and procedures, may
change from time to time, the “at-will” nature of your employment may only be changed in an express written agreement signed by you and the President of the Company. 

13. Proof of Authorization to Work in the United States. Please note that because of employer regulations adopted
in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, your employment with the Company is contingent upon your providing legal proof of your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Attached as Exhibit B, is the I-9 document that you will be required to complete on your first day of employment. Please refer to this document and bring the correct identification with you. Failure to provide proper identification may delay
placement on payroll and ultimately result in mandatory termination. 
 14. Representations. You represent and
warrant that the credentials and information you provided to the Company related to your qualifications and ability to perform this position are true and correct. 

15. Company Policies. You agree to abide by all applicable Company policies disclosed to you from time to
time during the term of your employment. 
 16. Tax Matters and Tax Advice. All forms of compensation
referred to in this letter agreement are subject to reduction to reflect applicable withholding and payroll taxes and other deductions required by law. You are encouraged to obtain your own tax advice regarding your compensation from the Company.
You agree that the Company does not have a duty to design its compensation policies in a manner that minimizes your tax liabilities, and you will not make any claim against the Company or its Board of Directors related to tax liabilities arising
from your compensation, including any option granted to you. 
 17. Interpretation, Amendment and Enforcement.
This offer letter agreement and Exhibit A constitute the complete agreement between you and the Company, contain all of the terms of your employment with the Company and supersede any prior or contemporaneous agreements, representations or
understandings (whether written, oral or implied) between you and the Company. This letter agreement may not be amended or modified, except by an express written agreement signed by both you and a duly authorized officer of the Company. The terms of
this letter agreement and the resolution of any disputes as to the meaning, effect, performance or validity of this letter agreement or of any issues arising out of, related to, or in any way connected with, this letter agreement, your employment
with the Company or any other relationship between you and the Company (the “Disputes”) will be governed by this letter agreement and California law, excluding, however, laws relating to conflicts or choice of law. You and
the Company submit to the exclusive personal jurisdiction of the federal and state courts located in Santa Clara County, California in connection with any Dispute or any claim related to any Dispute and to the jurisdiction of the AAA in Santa Clara
County, California in connection with any Arbitrable Claims. 
 18. Outside Activities. While you render
services to the Company, you agree that you will not engage in any other employment, consulting or other business activity without the written consent of the Company. In addition, while you render services to the company, you will not assist any
person or entity in competing with the Company, in preparing to compete with the Company or in hiring any employees or consultants of the Company. 

  Frederick Kohler Page
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 19. Acceptance. If you decide to accept our offer of
employment, and we hope that you will, please sign and date this offer letter agreement in the space indicated and return it to me. This offer letter agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and
delivered will be deemed an original, and all of which together will constitute one and the same agreement. Execution of a facsimile or pdf copy will have the same force and effect as execution of an original, and a facsimile, pdf or electronic
signature will be deemed an original and valid signature. You will also be required to complete and sign the Company’s standard employment application form. This offer may be withdrawn at any time prior to our receipt of your written acceptance
and is contingent upon satisfactory completion of routine reference and backgrounds checks, your written acceptance by August 2, 2019 and your starting work with the Company on October 1, 2019. Please also complete and return the attached
Employee Invention Assignment and Confidentiality Agreement and return with this letter agreement. 
 We look forward to the opportunity to
welcome you to the Company. 
  

	
	Very truly yours,
	
	 /s/ Kathy L. Hibbs

	Kathy L. Hibbs
	Chief Legal and Regulatory Officer

 I have read and understood this offer letter agreement and hereby acknowledge, accept and agree to the terms as set
forth above and further acknowledge that no other commitments were made to me as part of my employment offer except as specifically set forth herein. 
  

	
	 /s/ Frederick Kohler

	Signature of Frederick Kohler
	
	Date Signed: 8/1/2019
	
	Start Date: October 1, 2019

 Exhibits; Enclosures: 

Exhibit A-Employee Invention Assignment and Confidentiality Agreement 

Exhibit B-1-9 FormEX-10.10

 Exhibit 10.10 

 
 

 
 October 14, 2010 

Steve Lemon 

                         

                         

Dear Steve: 
 23andMe, Inc. (the
“Company”) is pleased to offer to you employment on the following terms: 
 1.
Position. Your initial title will be Vice President, Engineering, and you will initially report to Anne Wojcicki, Chief Executive Officer. This is a full-time exempt position. 

2. Cash Compensation. Subject to adjustment pursuant to the Company’s employment compensation
policies as in effect and revised from time to time, you will be paid at an annualized rate of $225,000, payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll schedule, which is currently semi-monthly. 

3. Employee Benefits. As a regular employee of the Company, you will be eligible to participate in a
number of Company-sponsored benefit plans. The Company reserves the right to modify, change, or discontinue all or part of these benefits at any time at its sole discretion. 

4. Stock Option. The Company will recommend to the Company’s Board of Directors (the
“Board”) that you be granted an option to purchase up to 314,755 shares of the Company’s Common Stock. The grant of any option is subject to the Board’s approval and the promise to recommend such
approval is not a promise of compensation and is not intended to create any obligation on the part of the Company. If approved, the exercise price per share will be equal to the price determined by the Board per share on the date the option is
granted. The option will be subject to the terms and conditions applicable to options granted under the Company’s 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended) (the “Plan”), as described in the Plan and the
applicable Stock Option Agreement (as defined in the Plan). You will vest and become exercisable in twenty-five percent (25%) of the option shares after twelve (12) months of continuous service, and the balance will vest and become exercisable
in equal monthly installments over the next thirty-six (36) months of continuous service, as described in the applicable Stock Option Agreement. 

5. Bonus. The Company’s Board of Directors will consider a bonus for your position for the 2011
fiscal year at the end of 2011. 

 Lemon, Steve 

 Page
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 6. Invention Assignment and Confidentiality Agreement.
To protect the interests of the Company, like all Company employees, you will be required to sign the Company’s standard Employee Invention Assignment and Confidentiality Agreement as a condition of your employment with the Company. A copy
of this agreement is attached as Exhibit A. Please note this agreement contains many very important provisions, including (without limitation) those that require the assignment of inventions, disclosure of inventions, obligations of
confidentiality, non-competition, non-solicitation, and rights to use your name and likeness, etc. Please review the agreement carefully. 

7. At-Will Employment. Employment with the Company is for no
specific period of time. You understand that your employment with the Company will be “at-will,” which means that either you or the Company may terminate your employment at any time and for any
reason, with or without prior notice and with or without cause. Although your job duties, title, compensation and benefits, as well as the Company’s personnel policies and procedures, may change from time to time, the “at-will” nature of your employment may only be changed in an express written agreement signed by you and the President of the Company. 

8. Proof of Authorization to Work in the United States. Please note that because of employer regulations
adopted in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, your employment with the Company is contingent upon your providing legal proof of your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Attached as Exhibit B, is the I-9 document that you will be required to complete and return on or before your first day of employment. Please refer to this document and bring the correct identification with you. Failure to provide proper
identification may delay placement on payroll and ultimately result in mandatory termination. 
 9.
Representations. You represent and warrant that the credentials and information you provided to the Company related to your qualifications and ability to perform this position are true and correct. 

10. Arbitration. Except as provided below, but excluding claims for workers’ compensation or
unemployment insurance claims, you and the Company agree to submit to mandatory binding arbitration any dispute, claim or controversy arising out of, related to or connected with your employment by the Company, including, but not limited to, claims
against any current or former employee, director or agent of the Company, claims of discrimination, harassment, unpaid wages, breach of contract (express or implied), breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, defamation, invasion of
privacy, fraud, misrepresentation, constructive discharge, wrongful termination or failure to provide a leave of absence, retaliation, torts, or claims regarding commissions, stock options or bonuses, infliction of emotional distress or unfair
business practices, as well as claims based upon any federal, state or local ordinance, statute, regulation or constitutional provision and any and all state or local laws prohibiting discrimination or regulating any terms or conditions of
employment (collectively, “Arbitrable Claims”). 
 The parties agree to submit any and
all Arbitrable Claims to the American Arbitration Association (AAA”) for final and binding arbitration by a single arbitrator in accordance with the AAA’s Employment Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures then in effect. Arbitration
with the AAA shall be initiated as provided for by the AAA Rules. The arbitrator’s decision must be written and must include the findings of fact and conclusions of law that support the decision. The arbitrator’s decision will be final and
binding on both parties, except to the extent applicable law allows for judicial review of arbitration awards. The arbitrator may award remedies that would otherwise be available to the parties if they were to bring the dispute in court. All
arbitration hearings shall be conducted in Santa Clara County, California. Arbitration shall be the exclusive method by which to resolve all Arbitrable Claims, except that each party may, at its or his/her option, seek injunctive relief in a
court of competent jurisdiction together with all rights of appeal related thereto, concerning any claim or claims related to the improper use, disclosure or misappropriation of a party’s proprietary, confidential or trade secret information.
If any party opts out of arbitration for the relief as provided in the preceding sentence the arbitrator shall have no jurisdiction to hear or determine any such claim. 

 Lemon, Steve 

 Page
 3
 
  

 You and the Company will share the costs of arbitration equally, except that
the Company will bear the cost of the arbitrator’s fee and any other type of expense or cost that you would not be required to bear if you were to bring the dispute or claim in court. You will be responsible for your own attorney’s fees
and the Company will be responsible for its attorney’s fees, and the arbitrator may not award attorneys’ fees unless a statute or contract at issue specifically authorizes such an award. If an arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction
determines any provision of this arbitration provision is illegal or unenforceable, then the arbitrator or court, as applicable, shall modify or replace the language of this arbitration provision with a valid and enforceable provision, but only to
the minimum extent necessary to render this arbitration provision legal and enforceable. 
 11. Company
Policies. You agree to abide by all applicable Company policies disclosed to you from time to time during the term of your employment. 

12. Tax Matters and Tax Advice. All forms of compensation referred to in this letter agreement are subject
to reduction to reflect applicable withholding and payroll taxes and other deductions required by law. You are encouraged to obtain your own tax advice regarding your compensation from the Company. You agree that the Company does not have a duty to
design its compensation policies in a manner that minimizes your tax liabilities, and you will not make any claim against the Company or its Board of Directors related to tax liabilities arising from your compensation, including any option granted
to you. 
 13. Interpretation, Amendment and Enforcement. This offer letter agreement and Exhibit A
constitute the complete agreement between you and the Company, contain all of the terms of your employment with the Company and supersede any prior agreements, representations or understandings (whether written, oral or implied) between you and the
Company. This letter agreement may not be amended or modified, except by an express written agreement signed by both you and a duly authorized officer of the Company. The terms of this letter agreement and the resolution of any disputes as to the
meaning, effect, performance or validity of this letter agreement or of any issues arising out of, related to, or in any way connected with, this letter agreement, your employment with the Company or any other relationship between you and the
Company (the “Disputes”) will be governed by this letter agreement and California law, excluding, however, laws relating to conflicts or choice of law. You and the Company submit to the exclusive personal jurisdiction of the federal
and state courts located in Santa Clara County, California in connection with any Dispute or any claim related to any Dispute and to the jurisdiction of the AAA in Santa Clara County, California in connection with any Arbitrable Dispute. 

14. Acceptance. If you decide to accept our offer of employment, and we hope that you will, please sign
and date the enclosed copy of this letter agreement in the space indicated and return it to us. This offer may be withdrawn at any time prior to our receipt of your written acceptance and is contingent upon satisfactory completion of reference
checks, your written acceptance by October 25, 2010, and your starting work with the Company on or before November 1, 2010. Please indicate your acceptance of this offer by signing both copies of this letter agreement and returning one
original to Rebecca Ling. You may use the enclosed self-addressed stamped envelope. The other original of the letter agreement is for your files. Please also complete and return the attached 1-9 form and sign
the two copies of the Employee Invention Assignment and Confidentiality Agreement and return one copy with the letter agreement in the enclosed self-addressed stamped envelope. 

 Lemon, Steve 

 Page
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 We look forward to the opportunity to welcome you to the Company. 

 

	
	Very truly yours,
	
	 /s/ Anne Wojcicki

	Anne Wojcicki
	Chief Executive Officer

 I have read and understood this letter agreement and hereby acknowledge, accept and agree to the terms as set forth
above and further acknowledge that no other commitments were made to me as part of my employment offer except as specifically set forth herein. 
  

	
	 /s/ Steven Lemon

	Signature of Steve Lemon
	
	Date signed: 10/25/2010
	
	Start Date: 11/01/2010

 Exhibits; Enclosures: 

Exhibit A-Employee Invention Assignment and Confidentiality Agreement 

Exhibit B-1-9 Form 

Exhibit C- Background Check Authorization Form 

Self- addressed return envelope

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