Document:

Exhibit 10.2 

 

 

August 2, 2021

 

Josh Hoffman

 

Re:       Employment
Separation Letter Agreement

 

Dear Josh:

 

This letter agreement (this “Letter Agreement”)
confirms the termination of your employment with Zymergen Inc. (the “Company”) and your resignation from all positions
and offices with the Company and any of its affiliates, including from the board of directors of the Company, in each case, to take effect
on August 2, 2021 (the “Separation Date”).

 

In connection with your termination, the Company
wishes to provide certain severance benefits to you, and you wish to receive such severance benefits, subject to the terms and conditions
below.

 

This Letter Agreement shall become a binding agreement
between you and the Company on the date you sign this Letter Agreement.

 

Therefore, for the receipt of good and adequate
consideration, you and the Company agree as follows:

 

1.       Final
Pay; Business Expenses; Equity Grants.

 

(a)       Upon
the Separation Date, you will be paid all final wages accruing through the Separation Date as set forth on Exhibit A, in accordance
with applicable law. You acknowledge and agree that the payments set forth on Exhibit A accurately and completely reflect all wages
earned by you through the Separation Date, and that you are not entitled to any additional wages or benefits, including any salary, bonuses,
commissions, benefits, or other compensation, in connection with your employment with or termination of employment from the Company, except
as set forth in this Letter Agreement.

 

(b)       As
soon as possible and no later than September 15, 2021, you will submit for reimbursement in accordance with the Company’s expense
reimbursement policies and practices all unreimbursed business expenses, if any, incurred by you, and thereafter, the Company shall promptly
pay you.

 

(c)       You
acknowledge and agree that as of the Separation Date, the unvested portion of any Company stock options or other equity awards held by
you shall terminate immediately.

 

2.       Consideration.
With the receipt of the payments and benefits set forth in Section 1 above, you will have received all payments and benefits
earned or owed to you in connection with your employment with the Company, and you shall not be entitled to any additional
compensation or benefits, except as provided below, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Letter Agreement. You
acknowledge that the compensation and benefits provided below are good and valid consideration for the release of claims and other
covenants set forth below.

 

     

     

    

 

3.       Severance
Benefits. In addition to the payments set forth in Section 1, provided you timely execute and return the Release attached hereto
as Exhibit B (the “Release”) and subject to your continued compliance with the provisions set forth in Section
6 and Section 9, the Company will pay to you severance in the form of salary continuation in installments at your base salary
rate for the twelve-month period immediately following the Separation Date (the “Severance Period”), less applicable
taxes, garnishments and any other withholding required by law or authorized by you, in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll
practices, with the first installment to commence no later than the second regular payroll date following the date the Release becomes
effective and irrevocable. The first installment shall be a “catch-up” payment equal to your base salary rate for the period
of time following the Separation Date through the date such first installment is paid, and the balance of the severance shall be paid
in regular installments payable in accordance with their original schedule through the expiration of the Severance Period.

 

4.       COBRA.
If you elect COBRA continuation coverage, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 requires that the Company pay the COBRA premiums that you
incur during the period ending on the earlier of September 30, 2021 or the date your COBRA continuation coverage otherwise ends. In addition,
the deadline to elect COBRA continuation coverage is extended to the earlier of (i) one year from the date your COBRA election would otherwise
be due, or (ii) the end of the COVID-19 national emergency. Additional information about these special COBRA rules is included in your
COBRA notice.

 

In addition, provided you timely execute and return
and do not revoke the Release, and subject to your continued compliance with the provisions set forth in Section 6 and Section
9, the Company will directly pay, or reimburse you for, the Company’s portion of the COBRA premium (at the same rates in effect
on the Separation Date) for you and your covered dependents following September 30, 2021 through the earlier of (A) the expiration of
the Severance Period or (B) the date you and your covered dependents, if any, become eligible for healthcare coverage under another employer’s
plan(s). Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) if any plan pursuant to which such benefits are provided is not, or ceases prior to the expiration
of the period of continuation coverage to be, exempt from the application of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
(the “Code”) under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(a)(5), or (y) the Company is otherwise unable to continue to
cover you under its group health plans without penalty under applicable law (including without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public
Health Service Act), then, in either case, an amount equal to each remaining Company subsidy shall thereafter be paid to you in substantially
equal monthly installments. You shall notify the Company immediately if you become covered by a group health plan of a subsequent employer.

 

5.       Stock
Options. Provided you timely execute and return and do not revoke the Release, and subject to your continued compliance with the provisions
set forth in Section 6 and Section 9, all of the stock options held by you that are vested as of the Separation Date, shall
remain exercisable until June 30, 2022. Any unvested stock options or other equity awards held by you shall terminate immediately as of
the Separation Date. You acknowledge that to the extent your vested stock options constitute “incentive stock options” within
the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, they shall be deemed modified for the purposes of Section 424 of the Code and, to the
extent the exercise price thereof is lower than the fair market value of the Company’s common stock as of the date of modification,
such stock options shall no longer qualify as incentive stock options and you will lose the potentially favorable tax treatment associated
with such stock options.

 

    2

     

    

 

6.       Restrictive
Covenants. Both during and after your employment you acknowledge your continuing obligations under that certain At-Will
Employment, Confidential Information, Invention Assignment, and Arbitration Agreement (the “PIIA Agreement”)
entered into by and between you and the Company on April 13, 2021 not to use or disclose any confidential or proprietary information
of the Company, to refrain from certain solicitation activities and to not disparage the Company, its
affiliates or their respective directors or employees, in each case as detailed in the PIIA Agreement. A copy of your PIIA Agreement
is attached hereto as Exhibit C. You acknowledge that all such covenants remain in full force and effect pursuant to their
terms, and that your continuing compliance with such obligations is a material condition to the Company’s agreement to enter
into this Letter Agreement. As of the Separation Date, you have executed and delivered to the Company the “Termination
Certificate” attached as Appendix B to your PIIA Agreement. In the event that following
your Separation Date, the Company determines that during your employment with the Company and its affiliates, you engaged in conduct
that would have constituted “Cause” for termination (as defined under your Employment Agreement with the Company dated
as of April 2021) or you breached your obligations under this Section 6 or 9 (including your obligations under the
PIIA Agreement), the Company shall have no further obligations under Sections 3, 4 or 5 and you shall repay the
Company any amounts previously paid by the Company pursuant to Sections 3 and 4 and will forfeit any stock options
that remain outstanding pursuant to Section 5 and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, you shall pay the Company an
amount equal to all proceeds received in connection with any sale or other disposition of any shares underlying your stock
options.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein
shall restrict you from responding to a valid subpoena, nor shall you be prohibited from communicating with any government agency, including
your right to communicate directly with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the
U.S. Department of Justice or similar agency, or to cooperate with or participate in any investigation conducted by such agency or to
make any other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of applicable law. For the avoidance of doubt, you do
not need to notify or obtain the prior authorization of the Company to exercise any of the foregoing rights. Further, you understand that:
(i) you will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret
that is made in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official or to an attorney solely for the purpose of reporting or
investigating a suspected violation of law; (ii) you will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret
law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such
filing is made under seal; and (iii) if you file a lawsuit for retaliation by the Company for reporting a suspected violation of law,
you may disclose trade secrets to your attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding if you: (x) file any document
containing the trade secret under seal; and (y) do not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.

 

7.       Arbitration.
Without limiting your right to file Claims (as defined in the Release) with governmental agencies, you and the Company agree and
desire that all disputes between you and the Company relating to or arising out of your employment with the Company or this Letter
Agreement, other than Claims which you have effectively released pursuant to the Release and Claims that cannot, as a matter of law,
be required to arbitrate (collectively, “Covered Claims”), will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be
resolved by final and binding arbitration in the county where you primarily worked for the Company as of the Separation Date. The
arbitration will be conducted by a single, neutral arbitrator in accordance with the applicable arbitration rules
(“Rules”) of the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Service (“JAMS”) in effect when the
dispute is submitted to arbitration, which can be found at www.jamsadr.com, or other rules mutually agreed upon in writing by the
Company and you. The arbitrator shall be appointed as mutually agreed upon by you and the Company or, if no agreement can be
reached, by JAMS pursuant to its Rules. The Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §§ 1 et seq. shall govern the interpretation
and enforcement of this arbitration clause. The Company and you shall be entitled to more than minimal discovery and the arbitrator
shall prepare a written decision containing the essential findings and conclusions on which the award is based so as to ensure
meaningful judicial review of the decision. The arbitrator shall apply the same substantive law, with the same statutes of
limitation and the same remedies that would apply if the claims were brought in a court of law. The Company shall pay all costs
unique to arbitration, including without limitation arbitration administrative fees, arbitrator compensation and expenses, and costs
of any witnesses called by the arbitrator. Unless otherwise ordered by the arbitrator under applicable law, you and the Company
shall each bear your or its own expenses, such as expert witness fees and attorneys’ fees and costs. Nothing herein shall
prevent you or the Company from seeking a statutory award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, if any. This Section 7
shall be governed by and enforceable pursuant to the Federal Arbitration Act. This Section 7 is intended to be the exclusive
method for resolving any and all Claims by you or the Company against each other for payment of damages under this Letter Agreement
or relating to your employment; provided, however, that neither this Letter Agreement nor the submission to arbitration shall limit
your or the Company’s right to seek provisional relief, including without limitation injunctive relief, in any court of
competent jurisdiction.

 

    3

     

    

 

8.       Waiver
of Right to Jury Trial; Class Action Waiver. The Company and you understand and agree that this Letter Agreement constitutes a waiver
of its and your right to a trial by court or jury of any Covered Claims. You understand and acknowledge that this Letter Agreement also
constitutes a waiver of your right to bring any Covered Claim as part of or in connection with, or to participate with each person in
or recover through, a class action lawsuit or claim. You and the Company agree that no Covered Claim shall be resolved by a court or jury
trial, and no Covered Claim shall be brought as a class action.

 

9.       Cooperation.
You shall assist and cooperate with the Company and its affiliates, (i) concerning reasonable requests for information about the business
of the Company or its affiliates or your involvement and participation therein; (ii) in connection with the defense, prosecution or investigation
of any claims or actions now in existence or which may be brought in the future against or on behalf of the Company or its subsidiaries
or affiliates, including any proceeding before any arbitral, administrative, judicial, legislative, or other body or agency, including
testifying in any proceeding to the extent such claims, actions, investigations or proceedings relate to services performed or required
to be performed by you, pertinent knowledge possessed by you, or any act or omission by you; and (iii) and in connection with any investigation
or review by any federal, state or local regulatory, quasi- or self-regulatory or self-governing authority or organization (including,
without limitation, the SEC and FINRA) as any such investigation or review relates to services performed or required to be performed by
you, pertinent knowledge possessed by you, or any act or omission by you. Your full cooperation shall include, but not be limited to,
being available to meet and speak with board members, officers or employees of the Company, its affiliates and/or their counsel at reasonable
times and locations, executing accurate and truthful documents, appearing at the Company’s request as a witness at depositions,
trials or other proceedings without the necessity of a subpoena, and taking such other actions as may reasonably be requested by the Company
and/or its counsel to effectuate the foregoing. In requesting such services, the Company will consider other commitments that you may
have at the time of the request.

 

10.       Employee’s
Representations. You represent and warrant that:

 

(a)           You shall return by September 15, 2021 to the Company all Company property in your possession, including, without limitation, all Confidential
Information, laptops (other than your company issued personal laptop), cell phones, portable devices, software, keys, access badges or
IDs, credit cards, thumb drives, equipment, supplies, records, files, handbooks, guidelines, materials, documents, and all other property
belonging to the Company, whether in physical or electronic form, and all copies thereof.

 

(b)          
You are not owed wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, business expenses, benefits, or other compensation, other than as set forth
in this Letter Agreement.

 

(c)           
During the course of your employment you did not sustain any injuries for which you might be entitled to compensation pursuant
to worker’s compensation law.

 

    4

     

    

 

(d)          
 You have not initiated any adversarial proceedings of any kind against any of the Company Parties, nor will you do so in the future,
except as specifically allowed by this Letter Agreement.

 

(e)          
You have signed this Letter Agreement knowingly and voluntarily, without any duress.

 

(f)           
In signing this Letter Agreement, everything you are receiving is set forth herein, and you are not relying upon any agreements,
promises or statements, verbal, written, or implied, that are not expressly set forth in this Letter Agreement.

 

11.       Severability.
The provisions of this Letter Agreement are severable. If any provision is held to be invalid or unenforceable, it shall not affect the
validity or the enforceability of any other provision. You represent that you have thoroughly read and considered all aspects of this
Letter Agreement, that you understand all of its provisions, and that you are voluntarily entering into this Letter Agreement.

 

12.       Governing
Law. Except as expressly provided otherwise herein, this Letter Agreement will in all respects be interpreted, enforced and governed
under the laws of the State of California, without regard to the conflicts of law rules thereof.

 

13.       Integrated
Agreement. This Letter Agreement, together with the PIIA Agreement, sets forth the entire agreement between you and Company and supersedes
and replaces any and all prior oral or written agreements or understandings between you and Company.

 

14.       Amendment
of this Letter Agreement. This Letter Agreement may not be altered, amended, or modified except by a further written document signed
by you and an authorized representative of Company.

 

15.       Execution
in Counterparts. This Letter Agreement may be executed in counterparts with the same force and effectiveness as though executed in
a single document. Facsimile and electronic signatures shall have the same force and effectiveness as original signatures.

 

16.        Section
409A.

 

(a) General. The intent of
the parties is that the payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with or be exempt from Section 409A of the Code and the Department
of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other
guidance that may be issued after the date hereof, (“Section 409A”) and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted,
this Agreement shall be interpreted to be in compliance therewith. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if
the Company determines that any compensation or benefits payable under this Agreement may be subject to Section 409A, the Company shall
work in good faith with you to adopt such amendments to this Agreement or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies
and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, that the Company determines are necessary or appropriate to avoid
the imposition of taxes under Section 409A, including, without limitation, actions intended to (i) exempt the compensation and benefits
payable under this Agreement from Section 409A, and/or (ii) comply with the requirements of Section 409A; however, this Section 16
shall not create an obligation on the part of the Company to adopt any such amendment, policy or procedure or take any such other action,
nor shall the Company (A) have any liability for failing to do so, or (B) incur or indemnify you for any taxes, interest or other liabilities
arising under or by operation of Section 409A.

 

    5

     

    

 

(b) Six-Month Delay.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no compensation or benefits shall be paid to you during the six
(6)-month period following your “separation from service” with the Company (within the meaning of Section 409A) if the
Company determines that paying such amounts at the time or times indicated in this letter would be a prohibited distribution under
Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code. If the payment of any such amounts is delayed as a result of the previous sentence, then on
the first business day following the end of such six (6)-month period (or such earlier date upon which such amount can be paid under
Section 409A without resulting in a prohibited distribution, including as a result of your death), the Company shall pay you a
lump-sum amount equal to the cumulative amount that would have otherwise been payable to Employee during such period (without
interest).

 

(c) Installments and Reimbursements.
For purposes of Section 409A, your right to receive installment payments shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and
distinct payments. To the extent that any reimbursement of expenses or in-kind benefits constitutes “deferred compensation”
under Section 409A, such reimbursement or benefit shall be provided no later than December 31st of the year following the year
in which the expense was incurred. The amount of expenses reimbursed in one year shall not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement
in any subsequent year. The amount of any in-kind benefits provided in one year shall not affect the amount of in-kind benefits provided
in any other year.

 

Signature Page Follows

 

    6

     

    

 

To indicate your acknowledgment and agreement
to the terms above, please date and sign the original of this Letter Agreement in the place indicated below.

 

Very truly yours,

 

	ZYMERGEN
    INC.	 
	 	 
	 	 
	/s/
    Sandra Peterson	 
	Sandra
    Peterson	 
	Compensation
    Committee Chair	 

 

	 	Accepted
    and agreed to on
	 	this
    2nd day of August, 2021 by:
	 	 
	 	/s/
    Josh Hoffman
	 	Josh
    Hoffman

 

    7

     

    

 

Exhibit A

 

The final wages referenced in Section 1
shall include your unpaid base salary accruing through the Separation Date; and

 

Such final wages will be paid out in accordance
with the applicable plan documents, if any, and the applicable wage payment laws and will be subject to applicable taxes, garnishments
and any other withholding required by law or authorized by you.

 

    8

     

    

 

Exhibit B

 

RELEASE OF CLAIMS

 

WHEREAS, Josh Hoffman (hereinafter
 “Executive”) and Zymergen Inc. (hereinafter the “Company”) (collectively, “the parties”)
are party to that certain Employment Separation Letter Agreement (the “Letter Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, Executive’s
employment with the Company terminated effective August 2, 2021 (the “Termination Date”);

 

WHEREAS, on July 28, 2021 the
Company presented this Release of Claims (“Release”) to Executive for his consideration (the “Agreement Delivery
Date”); and

 

WHEREAS, the parties have agreed
to a separation package to ease Executive’s transition from the Company’s employment and to resolve any and all disputes between
them.

 

IT IS HEREBY AGREED by and
between Executive and the Company as follows:

 

1.            
If Executive executes and does not revoke this Release by the end of the Revocation Period (as defined in Section 7 below),
then this Release shall become effective and the Company, for and in consideration of the undertakings of Executive set forth and referenced
herein, and intending to be legally bound, agrees to provide Executive, the payments and benefits set forth in Section 3, 4 and 5 of the
Letter Agreement, as applicable, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Letter Agreement (the “Severance Benefits”).

 

2.            
Executive expressly acknowledges and agrees that he has 21 days to consider this Release. If Executive does not sign this Release
within 21 days following the Termination Date, or revokes this Release before the end of the Revocation Period, then Executive will not
receive the Severance Benefits.

 

3.            
Executive agree not to sue, or otherwise file any claim against, the Company or its parent companies, subsidiaries or affiliates,
and any of their respective successors, assigns, directors, officers, managers, employees, attorneys, insurers, or agents (collectively,
the “Company Parties”) for any reason whatsoever based on anything that has occurred at any time up to and including
the date hereof as follows:

 

4.             On
behalf of Executive and Executive’s executors, administrators, heirs and assigns, Executive hereby releases and forever
discharges the Company Parties, and all persons acting by, through, under or in concert with them, or any of them, of and from any
and all manner of action or actions, cause or causes of action, in law or in equity, suits, debts, liens, contracts, agreements,
promises, liability, claims, demands, damages, loss, cost or expense, of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown, fixed or
contingent (hereinafter called “Claims”), which Executive now has or may hereafter have against any of the
Company Parties by reason of any matter, cause, or thing whatsoever from the beginning of time through and including the date
hereof, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing: any Claims arising directly or indirectly out of, relating to,
or in any other way involving in any manner whatsoever Executive’s employment by the Company or the separation thereof,
including without limitation any and all Claims arising under federal, state, or local laws relating to employment; any Claims of
any kind that may be brought in any court or administrative agency; any Claims arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment
Act, the Older Workers Benefits Protection Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Equal
Pay Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1866, Section 1981, 42 U.S.C. § 1981, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, the Americans
with Disabilities Act of 1990, the False Claims Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Worker Adjustment and
Retraining Notification Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the National Labor Relations Act of 1935,
the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, Fair Credit Reporting Act, the California Consumer Credit
Reporting Agencies Act, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, the California Family Rights Act, the California WARN Act,
the California Labor Code, California Business & Professions Code Section 17200, the California Family Military Leave Law, and
California Military and Veterans Code, each of the foregoing as may have been amended, and any other federal, state, or local
statute, regulation, ordinance, constitution, or order concerning labor or employment, termination of labor or employment, wages and
benefits, retaliation, leaves of absence, or any other term or condition of employment; Claims for breach of contract; Claims for
unfair business practices; Claims arising in tort, including, without limitation, Claims of wrongful dismissal or discharge,
discrimination, harassment, retaliation, fraud, misrepresentation, defamation, libel, infliction of emotional distress, violation of
public policy, and/or breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; and Claims for damages or other remedies of any
sort, including, without limitation, compensatory damages, punitive damages, injunctive relief and attorney’s fees.

 

    9

     

    

 

5.            
Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, Executive does not release any Claims that cannot be released as a matter of law
including, without limitation, (i) Executive’s right to file for California unemployment or disability insurance benefits; (ii)
Executive’s right to seek indemnity under California Labor Code Section 2802; (iii) Executive’s right to file a charge of
discrimination, harassment, interference with leave rights, failure to accommodate, or retaliation with the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing or similar local agency, or to cooperate with or participate in any
investigation conducted by such agency, provided, however, that Executive hereby releases Executive’s right to receive damages in
any such proceeding brought by Executive or on Executive’s behalf; (iv) Executive’s right to communicate directly with the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the U.S. Department of Justice or similar agency,
or to cooperate with or participate in any investigation conducted by such agency; or (v) Executive’s right to make any other disclosures
that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of applicable law. For the avoidance of doubt, Executive does not need to notify
or obtain the prior authorization of the Company to exercise any of the foregoing rights.

 

6.          
EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT EXECUTIVE HAS BEEN ADVISED OF AND IS FAMILIAR WITH THE PROVISIONS OF CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE SECTION
1542, WHICH PROVIDES AS FOLLOWS:

 

“A GENERAL RELEASE
DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR OR RELEASING PARTY DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING
THE RELEASE, WHICH, IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER, MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR OR RELEASED PARTY.”

 

BEING AWARE OF SAID CODE SECTION,
EXECUTIVE HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHTS EXECUTIVE MAY HAVE THEREUNDER, AS WELL AS UNDER ANY OTHER STATUTES OR COMMON LAW PRINCIPLES
OF SIMILAR EFFECT.

 

    10

     

    

 

7.           
Executive acknowledges that the general release of Claims set forth in Section 5 above includes a release of Claims under
the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (the “ADEA Release”). In accordance with the Older Workers Benefit Protection
Act, Executive acknowledges as follows:

 

(i)       Executive
has been advised to consult an attorney of Executive’s choice before signing this Release and Executive either has so consulted
with counsel or voluntarily decided not to consult with counsel;

 

(ii)       Executive
has been granted over twenty-one (21) days after Executive was presented with this Release to decide whether or not to sign it. Executive
agrees that such period shall not be extended due to any material or immaterial changes to the Release;

 

(iii)       Executive
has carefully reviewed and considered and fully understand the terms set forth in this Release; and

 

(v)       Executive
has the right to revoke this Release within seven (7) calendar days of signing this Release. If Executive wishes to revoke this Release,
Executive must deliver written notice stating Executive’s intent to so revoke by emailing Mina Kim, Chief Legal Officer, on or
before 5:00 p.m. on the seventh (7th) day after the date on which Executive signs this Release. In the event Executive’s
Release is so timely revoked, Executive shall not be entitled to any of the benefits set forth in the Letter Agreement, except as provided
in Section 1 thereof.

 

This Release will in all respects be interpreted,
enforced and governed under the laws of the State of California, without regard to the conflicts of law rules thereof.

 

	EXECUTIVE	 
	 	 
	 	 
	/s/
    Josh Hoffman	 
	Josh
    Hoffman	 
	 	 
	ZYMERGEN
    INC.	 
	 	 
	 	 
	/s/
    Sandra Peterson	 
	Sandra
    Peterson	 
	Compensation
    Committee Chair	 

 

    11

     

    

 

Exhibit C

 

PROPRIETARY
INFORMATION AND INVENTIONS AGREEMENT 

 

    12Exhibit 10.1

 

EXCLUSIVE AGREEMENT 

 

THIS EXCLUSIVE AGREEMENT (“Agreement”)
is by and between The OLB Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Cai Energy Blockchain Inc. (“CAI”),
and is effective as of July 28, 2021 (the “Effective Date”). 

 

RECITALS 

 

A. The Company is a fintech company with proprietary
technology enabling electronic payments and commercial transactions (the “OLB Business”). 

 

B. The Company desires to compensate CAI for procuring
an exclusive Natural Gas Services Agreement whereby the Company or one of its subsidiaries shall have the exclusive rights to purchase
and transport all of the natural gas on the Company’s behalf from the Farmers Valley Lease Wells # 4, 5, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18,
19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 26 (and any additional wells in the Farmers Valley Lease that begin operation during the term or any additional
natural gas wells whereby CAI has the ability to direct purchases) (the “Gas Supply Agreement”). 

 

Accordingly, the Company and CAI agree as follows: 

 

AGREEMENT 

 

		1.	Engagement. The
Company hereby engages CAI and CAI hereby agrees to act to assist the Company entry into the Gas Supply Agreement on the terms satisfactory
to the Company (the “Services”).

 

		2.	Compensation. As
compensation for the Services, the Company shall pay CAI the following fee:

 

		a.	If
the Company enters into Gas Supply Agreement, then the Company shall pay CAI a fee (the “Fee”) in the form of a grant
of a number of options to be exercised for up to $4.5 million of common stock of the Company on a cashless basis.

 

		b.	The
parties hereto expressly acknowledge and agree that the Company is under no obligation to enter into the Gas Supply Agreement, and that
the Fee shall not be owed if a definitive Gas Supply Agreement is not executed during the Term (as defined below).

 

		3.	Term
and Termination.

 

		a.	This
Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall continue until the Company and Cai mutually agree to terminate (the “Term”).

 

		b.	Notwithstanding
the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated:

 

		i.	by
the Company for any reason by providing thirty (30) days’ written notice to the other party, or

 

		ii.	automatically
upon the occurrence of any event of bankruptcy, insolvency or liquidation of any party

 

     

     

    

 

		4.	Effect
of Termination. Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason, CAI shall have no further obligation to provide the Services.
Any termination or expiration of this Agreement, except as set forth herein, shall not affect the obligation of the Company to pay amounts
owing to CAI, which have been earned or accrued prior to the date of such termination or expiration, or which become payable during the
Term. However, in the event that CAI is in breach of this Agreement as a result offering natural gas to any other parties, resulting
the Company’s ASICS mining computers to become idle, CAI shall be responsible for all the economic loss suffered by the Company
as a result of the failure to operate the computers. Any remedies available to the parties and the provisions of Sections 4, 5, 6, and
10-21 shall survive termination or expiration of this Agreement.

 

		5.	Confidentiality
/ Disclosure.

 

		a.	CAI
will treat as confidential the Company’s Confidential Information (defined below) and will take precautions equivalent to those
it uses to protect its own most highly confidential information (which must be at least reasonable precautions) to ensure the continued
confidentiality of such information and to prevent its unauthorized access and disclosure. CAI agrees to return to the Company upon the
expiration or termination of this Agreement or earlier request all Confidential Information acquired from the Company, except as to such
information as it may be required to retain under applicable law. During the term of this Agreement and for five (5) years thereafter,
CAI shall not, without the Company’s prior written consent, use or disclose any Confidential Information for a purpose other
than as expressly contemplated by this Agreement to carry out its obligations hereunder. Prior to disclosure of Confidential Information
to any employee, consultant, advisor or any other person, CAI shall obtain ensure that such person is bound in writing to observe confidentiality,
non-disclosure and non-use restrictions substantially equivalent with the restrictions contained in this Agreement. The obligations of
confidentiality shall not apply to information that CAI is required to disclose (i) at the request of any regulatory or administrative
authority; (ii) pursuant to subpoena or other court process; or CAI and the Company agree to keep the terms of this Agreement confidential
except for (i) disclosure at the request of any regulatory or administrative authority; (ii) pursuant to subpoena or other
court process, (iii) to Prospective Partners, after having received the Company’s approval with respect to each such Prospective
Partner, and after such Prospective Partner becomes bound in writing to observe confidentiality, non-disclosure and non-use restrictions
substantially equivalent with the restrictions contained in this Agreement

 

		b.	“Confidential
Information” means all trade secrets and other non-public proprietary information of the Company of any kind whatsoever (including
without limitation, know-how, data, compilations, formulae, product specifications, financial models, patent disclosures, procedures,
processes, projections, forecasts, protocols, results of experimentation and testing, specifications, strategies and techniques), and
all tangible and intangible embodiments thereof of any kind whatsoever (including without limitation, apparatus, compositions, documents,
drawings, machinery, formulae, prototypes, patent applications, records and reports) , which is disclosed by the Company to CAI in writing,
orally or by observation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as to trade secrets, Confidential Information shall not include information
which CAI can establish (i) to have been publicly known prior to disclosure of such information by the Company to CAI, (ii) to
have become publicly known, without fault on the part of CAI, subsequent to disclosure of such information by the Company to CAI, (iii) to
have been received by CAI at any time from a source, other than the Company, rightfully having possession of and the right to disclose
such information, or (iv) to have been otherwise known by CAI as evidenced by its own written records prior to disclosure of such
information by the Company to CAI.

 

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		6.	No Conflict of Interest. During the term of this Agreement
and for twelve (12) months following the expiration of the term, the CAI will not compete with the Company or accept work, enter into
a contract, or accept an obligation from any third party, inconsistent or incompatible with the CAI’s obligations, or the scope
of services rendered for the Company, under this Agreement. The CAI warrants that there is no other contract or duty on her part inconsistent
with this Agreement. The CAI agrees to indemnify the Company from any and all loss or liability incurred by reason of the alleged breach
by the CAI of any services agreement or consulting agreement with any third party. The CAI further agrees not to disclose to the Company,
or to bring onto the Company’s premises, or induce the Company to use any confidential information that belongs to anyone other
than the Company or CAI.

 

		7.	Securities
Trading. CAI acknowledges that the Company is a U.S. public company with its common stock traded on NASDAQ Capital Market. As
the Company’s independent contractor, CAI acknowledges that it may have access to certain material non-public information of the
Company that, if used in connection with any transaction in Company’s securities, could constitute a violation of the securities
laws of the United States. As such, CAI agrees that it shall not engage, directly or indirectly, in any transactions in the Company’s
common stock during the term of this Agreement unless such transaction is permitted by U.S. securities laws. CAI agrees to use reasonable
efforts to prevent its officers, directors and employees with access to information about the Company from trading, directly or
indirectly, in the securities of the Company or encouraging or causing others to do so.

 

		8.	Return
of Property. Whenever requested by the Company, CAI shall immediately return to the Company all property including, without
limitation, all papers, records, documents, summaries, samples, and the like of every kind, and any and all copies thereof, provided
to CAI or its employees, agents, or representatives, or acquired by CAI or its employees, agents, or representatives, in connection with
the Services, whether or not such property contains the Company’s confidential information, and CAI shall destroy all materials
including, without limitation, all papers, records, documents, summaries, samples and the like of every kind (electronic or otherwise),
and any and all copies thereof, which the CAI or its employees, agents, or representatives created based upon the Company’s confidential
information, except for one copy which may be retained by CAI solely for the purpose of determining its continuing obligations under
this Agreement.

 

		9.	No
Broker. The Company and CAI acknowledge that CAI is not acting as a broker.

 

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		10.	Exclusivity. 
Due to its unique relationship to Farmers, the access to the neighboring wells and oil and gas companies, CAI is granted exclusivity
for the purpose of performing the Services.

 

		11.	Expenses. CAI
and the Company shall each bear their own expenses in relation to this Agreement and the performance thereof.

 

		12.	Indemnification. CAI
hereby indemnifies the Company against, and shall hold the Company and all its employees, agents, officers, directors and shareholders
harmless from, any and all liabilities or obligations imposed or attempted to be imposed upon any of them by virtue of any act, representation,
statement, warranty, omission or status of CAI or of any employee, contractor or agent of CAI. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, CAI agrees to reimburse and indemnify, the Company for its attorneys’ fees and costs of litigation in defending any
claim by any other party resulting from CAI’s act, representation, statement, warranty, omission or status.

 

		13.	Entire
Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding and agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter
hereof and supersedes all prior and/or contemporaneous understandings, negotiations, representations and writings relating thereto. No
provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified, orally or otherwise, except by a writing signed by the party against which the
modification or amendment is sought to be enforced.

 

		14.	Disclaimer
of Other Relationships. This Agreement shall not create a relationship of employment, agency, partnership, or joint venture,
or a license between the parties. Moreover, this Agreement shall not obligate either party to enter into any business relationship with
the other party or to purchase or sell any products or services from the other party. CAI shall not be, and shall not represent itself
as being, authorized to bind the Company, as agent or otherwise.

  

		15.	Attorney’s
Fees. In the event any legal action or agreed upon arbitration or mediation shall be instituted with respect to this Agreement
or any obligation arising hereunder, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover its reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs,
and fees and costs of accountants and expert witnesses as determined by the court, arbitrator or mediator. Except as otherwise specifically
provided herein, the Company and CAI shall each pay their own fees and expenses incident to the negotiation, preparation, execution and
performance of this Agreement, including without limitation, all fees and expenses of their own counsel, accountants and other advisers.

 

		16.	Due
Authority. Each party hereto represents and warrants that it has all necessary authority, power and right necessary to enter
into and bind it, its principals and employees to the terms of this Agreement.

 

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		17.	No
Waiver. No waiver of compliance by one party with any term or condition of this Agreement that such other party was or is obligated
to comply with is effective unless in writing; provided that such waiver shall not operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to,
any other or subsequent failure. No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising any right, remedy or power hereunder shall operate
as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy or power hereunder preclude any other or further exercise
thereof or exercise of any other right, remedy or power provided herein or by law or in equity.

 

		18.	Governing
Law. The validity, performance, construction, interpretation, and effect of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York (excluding its laws relating to conflicts of laws).

 

		19.	Construction. Each
party hereto has had an opportunity to review and revise this Agreement, so the rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities
are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation or construction of this Agreement.

 

		20.	Severability. If
any provision of this Agreement, or the application thereof to any circumstance, person or place, shall be held by a court or other tribunal
of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, unenforceable or void, the remainder of this Agreement and such provisions as applied to other
circumstances, persons or places shall remain in full force and effect.

 

		21.	Counterparts &
Facsimile Signatures. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, in which event all executed copies taken together or a
copy with all of the signature pages attached thereto, shall constitute one and the same instrument, and shall become effective when
one or more counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party. The facsimile or electronic transmission of
signatures to this Agreement shall be valid, legal and binding on all parties hereto.

 

		22.	No
Assignment. Each party agrees that it will not assign, delegate or otherwise transfer, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly
whether voluntarily, involuntarily, or by operation of law, any rights or obligations under this Agreement. Any purported assignment,
transfer or delegation in violation of this Section shall be null and void. Subject to the foregoing limits on assignment, this Agreement
shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective heirs, executors, administrators and permitted successors
and assigns. This Agreement does not create and shall not be construed as creating any rights enforceable by any person not a party to
this Agreement.

 

		23.	Notices. All
notices and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered in person (in
which case notice is deemed given when received the addressee) or sent by overnight air courier service (in which case notice shall be
deemed given when received by addressee or on the second (2nd) day after the date of delivery to the courier, whichever is earlier),
or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid and properly addressed (in which case notice shall be deemed
given when received by the addressee or on the fifth (5th) day after the date of mailing, whichever is earlier), to the addresses
set forth below, or such other address as a party may hereafter provide notice of to the other:

 

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	If to the Company:	 	The OLB Group, Inc.
	 	 	
    200 Park Avenue, Suite 1700

    New York, NY 10166

    Attention: Ronny Yakov, CEO

	 	 
	If to CAI:	 	
    Cai Energy Blockchain Inc.

    240 W 37th St #303

    New York, NY 10018

    Phone: (212) 401-9973

    Attention: Yifei “Bessie” Cai

 

[Signature Page Follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto
have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written. 

 

	The OLB Group, Inc. 	 	Cai Energy Blockchain Inc.
	 	 	 	 	 
	By:	/s/Ronny Yakov             	 	By:	/s/Yifei “Bessie” Cai                   
	 	Ronny Yakov	 	Name: 	Yifei “Bessie” Cai
	 	Chief Executive Officer	 	Title:	Chief Executive Officer

 

    7

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