Document:

EX-10.6

 Exhibit 10.6 
 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 
 AGREEMENT, dated as of May 3, 2012, between Violin Memory,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Dr. Donald G. Basile (the “Executive”). 
 The Company wishes to
secure the services of the Executive, on and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and the Executive is willing to provide such services on and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. 

The parties therefore agree as follows: 
  

	1.	Term of Services. The Executive’s “term of employment,” as this phrase is used throughout this Agreement, shall be for the period beginning on the
date hereof and ending the third anniversary thereof, subject, however, to earlier termination as expressly provided herein; provided that this Agreement shall automatically be renewed on the same terms and conditions for successive one year terms
(the term of employment and, if the period of employment is so renewed, such additional periods of employment are collectively referred to herein as the “term of employment” ) unless terminated by written notice given by either party to
the other at least 90 days prior to the end of the applicable term of employment. 

  

	2.	Employment. The Company shall, during the term of employment, employ the Executive, and the Executive shall serve, as President and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company. During the term of employment, the Executive shall have the functions, duties, powers and responsibilities as the Company may from time to time delegate to the Executive. The Executive agrees, subject to his election as such and without
additional compensation, to serve as a director and as a member of any committee of the Board of Directors of the Company to which he may be elected from time to time. During the term of employment, the Executive shall devote his full time and best
efforts during normal business hours to the business and affairs of the Company (except during vacations or while ill). Executive represents and warrants that (a) he is under no obligations or commitments, whether contractual or otherwise, that
are inconsistent with his obligations under this Agreement; (b) he will not use or disclose, in connection with the services rendered hereunder, any trade secrets or other proprietary information or intellectual property of any third party; and
(c) the performance of his obligations under this Agreement will not infringe or violate the rights of any third party. 

  

	3.	Place of Employment. The Executive’s principal place of employment shall be northern California, subject to such reasonable travel as the rendering of the
services hereunder may require. 

  

	4.	Compensation; Other Agreements. 

  

	 	4.1.	Base Salary. The Company shall pay or cause to be paid to the Executive, during the term of employment, a base salary at the rate of not less than $400,000 per
annum (the “Base Salary”) on the Company’s standard payroll schedule. The Company may increase, but not decrease, the Base Salary at any time and from time to time during the term of employment. 

 

	 	4.2.	 Bonus. In addition to Base Salary, the Executive shall be entitled to receive an annual cash bonus based on the performance of the Company and
of the 

	 	
Executive. The Executive’s target bonus shall be 100% of the Executive’s Base Salary but the Executive acknowledges that his actual bonus will vary depending upon the performance of the
Company and the Executive. The actual bonus paid will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The Company may increase, but not decrease, the target bonus at any time and from time to time during the term of employment.

  

	 	4.3.	Reimbursement. The Company shall pay or reimburse the Executive for all expenses incurred or paid by the Executive in the performance of his services hereunder
upon presentation of expense statements or vouchers or such other supporting information as the Company may customarily require of its executives. 

  

	 	4.4.	Vacation Policy. The Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the vacation policy of the Company; provided, however, that the
Executive shall be entitled to at least four weeks paid vacation during the first year of the term of employment and at least four weeks paid vacation for each successive year of the term of employment. 

 

	 	4.5.	Additional Equity. On the date hereof, Executive will be granted restricted stock units covering 5,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the
“RSUs”). In order to vest in the RSUs, there must be satisfied each of (i) a time-based requirement in respect of Executive’s service with the Company, and (ii) a liquidity event requirement, which must both occur prior to
the expiration of the RSUs seven years from the date of grant. The time-based requirement may be satisfied by providing continuous services to the Company for a three-year period, with such requirement being satisfied with respect to 1/12th of the
RSUs upon completion of each three-month period of continuous service after the date hereof; provided however that (i) in the event a Change in Control during Executive’s continuous service, the time-based requirement will be satisfied in
full and (ii) in the event of a termination of this Agreement under the provisions of Section 7(a) or (b) below, the satisfaction of the time-based requirement will be determined by adding 18 months to Executive’s actual service.
The liquidity event requirement may be satisfied upon either the occurrence of an initial public offering of the Company’s common stock, or a sale of the Company in which the Company’s stockholders receive cash or marketable securities.

  

	 	4.6.	Vesting of Prior Share Issuances. The Company covenants and agrees that all prior securities issued to the Executive (including, without limitation, all stock
awards, options, warrants and similar equity rights but excluding the RSUs granted under Section 4.5 above) are fully vested and, in the case of options and/or warrants, are fully exercisable without any restriction or limitation and shall
remain exercisable through their original terms with all rights. 

  

	 	4.7.	Registration. The Company agrees that the Investors’ Rights Agreement to be entered into by the Company and its stockholders in the Series D Financing shall
grant the Executive substantially similar registration rights in respect of all shares of common stock held by, or granted to, the Executive as those rights granted to the Company’s investors thereunder. 

 

	5.	Termination by the Company. The Company may terminate this Agreement if any one or more of the following shall occur: 

	 	5.1.	The Executive shall die during the term of employment provided, however, that the Executive’s legal representatives shall be eligible to receive benefits pursuant
to the Company’s standard benefits plan. 

  

	 	5.2.	The Executive shall become physically or mentally disabled so that he is unable substantially to perform his services for (i) a period of 180 consecutive days, or
(ii) for shorter periods aggregating 180 days during any twelve month period. Notwithstanding such disability the Company shall continue to receive pay if and as provided for by the Company’s standard benefits plan.

  

	 	5.3.	The Executive acts in a manner that provides Cause for termination. For the purposes of this Agreement, the term “Cause” means (i) the willful failure by
the Executive of his duties hereunder; provided such willful failure remains uncured for a period of 30 days after written notice describing same is given to the Executive, (ii) the conviction of the Executive of any felony involving moral
turpitude, or (iii) any act of fraud or embezzlement involving the Company. 

  

	6.	Termination by the Executive. The Executive may terminate this Agreement on written notice to the Company if any one or more of the following shall occur (each
an “Event of Termination”): 

  

	 	6.1.	the loss of any material duties or authority by the Executive and such loss continues for 30 days after such loss first occurs. 

 

	 	6.2.	a material breach of the terms of this Agreement by the Company and such breach continues uncured for 30 days after notice of such breach is first given;
provided, however, it shall constitute an Event of Termination is such breach is for the payment of money and continues uncured for ten days after notice of such breach is given; 

 

	 	6.3.	the Company shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or any proceeding shall be instituted by the Company seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or
insolvent, or seeking liquidation, winding up, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, protection, relief, or composition of it or its debts under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors, or seeking entry
of an order for relief or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, or other similar official for it or for any substantial part of its property or the Company shall take any corporate action to authorize any of the actions set forth above in this
subsection. 

  

	 	6.4.	an involuntary petition shall be filed or an action or proceeding otherwise commenced against the Company seeking reorganization, arrangement or readjustment of the
Company’s debts or for any other relief under the Federal bankruptcy code, as amended, or under any other bankruptcy or insolvency act or law, state or federal, now or hereafter existing and shall remain undismissed or unstayed for a period of
30 days; 

  

	 	6.5.	a receiver, assignee, liquidator, trustee or similar officer for the Company or for all or any part of its property shall be appointed involuntarily;

  

	 	6.6.	a material breach by the Company of any other material agreement with the Executive and such breach continues for 30 days after notice of such breach is first given;
provided, however, it shall constitute an Event of Termination is such breach is for the payment of money and continues uncured for ten days after notice of such breach is given; 

	 	6.7.	a Change in Control (as defined in Section 8) occurs; provided that the Executive gives notice of termination within 90 days after such occurrence;

  

	 	6.8.	The Executive is not the highest ranking executive officer of the Company with the power to appoint and remove all other employees of the Company; or

  

	 	6.9.	The Executive may terminate this Agreement at any time, for any reason or no reason. 

 

	7.	Severance. If, (a) the Company terminates this Agreement without Cause or gives notice of nonrenewal pursuant to Section 1 or (b) the Executive
terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 6.1 though 6.8 (inclusive) then: (1) the Company shall pay the Executive, a lump sum cash payment (the “Severance Payment”) equal to the greater of (x) any remaining Base Salary
payable during the term of employment in the term of employment and (y) an amount equal to the annual salary and maximum bonus for the current year of employment and (2) all stock options, Restricted Stock Units and stock awards (and
similar equity rights) shall be subject to an accelerated vesting schedule, giving the Executive One and One Half Years (1.5 years) of additional employment credit (from the date of actual termination), and the vested portion of such stock options,
Restricted Stock Units (with respect to the time-based requirement) and stock awards (and similar equity rights), taking such accelerated vesting schedule into account, shall become freely exercisable and free of all restrictions immediately prior
to termination and remain freely exercisable through their original terms and free of all restrictions with all rights (other than with respect to the liquidity event requirement for vesting RSUs). In the event of termination of this Agreement by
the Company by reason of the death or disability of the Executive the Company shall not be obligated to make the Severance Payment to the Executive if the Company provided the Executive at the time of such death or disability with both life
insurance and disability insurance in amounts reasonably satisfactory to the Executive. After termination of employment for any reason other than death of the Executive, the Company shall continue to provide all benefits subject to COBRA at its
expense for the maximum required COBRA period. 

  

	8.	Change in Control. If there is a Change in Control at any time during the Term of this Agreement, (I) the Executive shall be paid as a lump sum (at the time
the Executive gives written notice to the Company of such election) an amount equal to the sum of (i) the current Base Salary plus (ii) the target bonus for the most recently completed full year of employment and (II) all stock options,
Restricted Stock Units (with respect to the time-based requirement) and stock awards (and similar equity rights) shall immediately vest. As used herein “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) any
corporation, person or other entity makes a tender or exchange offer for shares of the Company’s capital stock pursuant to which such corporation, person or other entity acquires 50% or more of the issues and outstanding shares of the
Company’s capital stock; (ii) the stockholders of the Company approve a definitive agreement to merge or consolidate the Company with or into another corporation or sell or otherwise dispose of substantially all of the Company’s
assets; or (iii) any person within the meaning of Section 3(a)(9) or Section 13 (d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 acquires more than 50% of the Company’s issued and outstanding voting securities.

	9.	Benefits. During the term of employment the Executive shall be eligible to participate in any 401(K), pension,
profit-sharing, stock option, group insurance, hospitalization, medical, dental, accident, disability or similar plan or program of the Company now existing or established hereafter to the extent that he is
eligible under the general provisions hereof at terms no less favorable than offered to any other executive of the Company. The Executive shall also be entitled to receive other benefits generally available to all executives of the Company at his
level, to the extent that he is eligible therefor at terms no less favorable than offered to any other executive of the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the VIOLIN MEMORY, INC. 2005
STOCK PLAN AND /OR NOTICE OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD, dated the date hereof, in the event of a
consummation of a Change in Control of the Company, all stock, stock options, Restricted Stock Units (with respect to the time-based requirement), stock awards and similar equity rights granted to the Executive shall immediately vest and remain
fully exercisable through their original term with all rights. 

  

	10.	Notices. All notices, requests, consents and other communications required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have
been duly given if delivered personally or sent by reputable overnight courier, prepaid, or mailed first-class, postage prepaid, by registered or certified mail, as follows (or to such other or additional
address as either party shall designated by notice in writing to the other in accordance herewith):. 

  

	 	(i)	If to the Company: 

 Violin Memory, Inc.

 Attention: 
  

	 	(ii)	If to the Executive, to the address set forth on the records of the Company 

 

	11.	General. 

  

	 	11.1.	Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of California applicable to agreements
made and to be performed entirely in California. 

  

	 	11.2.	Captions. The section headings contained herein are for reference purposes only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

  

	 	11.3.	Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior
agreements, arrangements and understandings, written or oral, between the parties. 

  

	 	11.4.	Representations. The Company represents and warrants to the Executive that this Agreement is legal, valid and binding of the Company, enforceable in accordance
with its terms, and that the Company is not a party to any agreement or understanding which would prevent the fulfillment by the Company of the terms of this Agreement. No representation, promise or inducement has been made by either party that is
not embodied in this Agreement, and neither party 

	 	
shall be bound by or be liable for any alleged representation, promise or inducement not so set forth. 

 

	 	11.5.	Assignment. This Agreement and the Executive’s rights and obligations hereunder may not be assigned by the Executive. This Agreement will be binding on any
successors or assigns of the Company. 

  

	 	11.6.	Amendments; Waivers. This Agreement may be amended, modified, superseded, canceled, renewed or extended and the terms or covenants hereof may be waived only by
written instrument executed by both of the parties hereto, or in the case of a waiver, by the party waiving compliance. The failure of either party at any time or times to require performance of any provision hereof shall in no manner affect such
party’s right at a later time to enforce the same. No waiver by either party of the breach of any term or covenant contained in this Agreement, whether by conduct or otherwise, in any one or more instances, shall be deemed to be, or construed
as, a further or continuing waiver of any such breach, or a waiver of the breach of any other terms or covenant contained in this Agreement. 

  

	 	11.7.	Beneficiaries. Whenever this Agreement provides for any payment to the Executive’s estate, such payment may be made instead to such beneficiary or
beneficiaries as the Executive may designate in writing filed with the Company. The Executive shall have the right to revoke any such designation and to redesignate a beneficiary or beneficiaries by written notice to the Company (and to any
applicable insurance company) to such effect. 

  

	 	11.8.	Validity; No Mitigation. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect. In the event of the termination of this Agreement by the Executive pursuant to Section 6, the Executive shall not be required to seek other employment in order to
mitigate his damages hereunder, and, regardless of the period with respect to which paid, no compensation or other payments from any other employment, services or activity of the Executive shall be applied by the Company in reduction of or be
payable or paid by the Company pursuant to this Agreement. 

  

	 	11.9.	Indemnification. The Company shall indemnify Executive to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, against any and all costs, charges and expenses
incurred or sustained by him in connection with any action, suit or proceeding to which he may be made a party by reason of his being an officer, director or employee of the Company or any of any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company. The Company
shall provide, at its expense, Directors and Officers insurance for the Executive in amounts reasonably satisfactory to the Executive. If the Executive institutes any legal action or arbitration to enforce his rights under, or to recover damages for
breach of, this Agreement, and the Executive prevails, he shall be entitled to recover from the Company any actual expenses for attorney’s fees and disbursements incurred by him. During the pendency of any litigation, arbitration or other
proceeding the Company shall pay all attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses (including disbursements) as incurred by the Executive based upon, arising out of, or otherwise in respect of any dispute arising under or in any way related to this
Agreement, subject to the Executive’s 

	 	
obligation to repay the same, without interest, if the Company prevails. If any payment or benefit made to or in respect of the Executive pursuant to this Section 11.9 becomes subject to any
tax, the Company shall make a special payment to him sufficient, on an after-tax basis (taking into account federal, state and local taxes and related interest and penalties), to put him in the same position as would have been the case had no such
taxes been applicable to any payments or benefits provided in this subsection. 

  

	 	11.10.	Excise Tax. If any payments made to or in respect of the Executive this Agreement, or otherwise in respect of his employment by the Company, become subject to
the excise tax described in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, section 4999 (or any successors thereto), the Company shall make a special payment to him sufficient, on an after tax basis (taking into account federal, state and local
taxes and related interest and penalties), to put him in the same position as would have been the case had no such excise taxes been applicable to any payments or benefits provided in this Agreement or otherwise in respect of the Executive’s
employment by the Company. In addition, to the extent that the Executive is deemed, as a result of the grant of RSUs under Section 4.5, to incur any taxable income prior to such time as the Executive is vested in the RSUs, the Company shall
make a special payment to the Executive sufficient, on an after tax basis (taking into account federal, state and local taxes and related interest and penalties), to put him in the same position as would have been the case had no such taxable income
been incurred prior to such vesting. 

  

	 	11.11.	Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument. 

  

	 	11.12.	Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement. Executive’s employment is conditioned upon Executive executing the Proprietary Information and Inventions
Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A. 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement
as of the date first above written. 
  

			
	VIOLIN MEMORY, INC.
		
	By:	 	 /s/ Mark Rosenblatt

	Name:	 	Mark Rosenblatt
	Title:	 	Chairman

 Agreed to and accepted as of 
 the date first above written 
  

	
	EXECUTIVE
	
	 /s/ Donald G. Basile

	Name: Donald G. Basile

 Exhibit A 
 Proprietary Information and Inventions AgreementEX-10.7

 EXHIBIT 10.7 
 June 22, 2009 
 Mr. Dixon Doll, Jr. 

Dear Dixon: 
 Violin Memory,
Inc. (the “Company”) is pleased to offer you employment on the following terms: 
 1. Position. Your title will
be Chief Operating Officer and you will report to the Company’s CEO. The Company’s Sales, Business development and Support Organization will report to the COO- This is a full-time position beginning
on July 6, 2009. By signing this letter agreement, you confirm to the Company that you have no contractual commitments or other legal obligations that would prohibit you from performing your duties for the Company. 

2. Outside Activities. While you render services to the Company, you agree that you will not engage in any employment, consulting
or other business activity in fee memory or storage technology industry without the prior written consent of the Company. While you render services to the Company, you also 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. 
 3. Base Salary. The
Company will pay you a starting salary at the rate of $240,000 per year, which will be subject to adjustment pursuant to the Company’s employee compensation policies in effect from time to time. Your salary will accrue beginning on your first
day of employment and you will receive regular salary payments according to the Company’s standard payroll practices. During your employment period, your annual base salary shall be reviewed at least annually by the Board of Directors and may
be adjusted by the Board, which shall take into account, among other matters, your performance and the financial performance of the Company. 
 4. Employee Benefits. As a regular employee of the Company, you will be eligible to participate in Company-sponsored benefits offered to other full-time employees. In addition, you will be entitled
to the greater of twenty (20) paid vacation days or the number of days as set forth in the Company’s vacation policy, as in effect from time to time. The company presently has a benefits plan administered under contract by TriNet, which
enables employees to select which of a broad array of benefits best suit their needs, The Company presently provides either a ($700/month) contribution for benefits elected by employees, or a ($200/month) supplemental benefits waiver should
employees prefer to employ health insurance and other benefits from outside the Company. This covers the majority of premium charges for each full-time employee, leaving co-payments and premiums relating to
the extension of coverage for family members to the responsibility of the employee. The Company also has a 401(k) savings plan managed by Fidelity Investments. In the case of all benefit plans, the Company reserves the right to amend or terminate
the plans at any time. 
 5. Stock Grant. Upon your acceptance of this offer and within 30 days after your start date,
the Company’s Board of Directors will grant you 1,200,000 (One Million Two Hundred Thousand) shares of the Company’s common stock (hereby referred to as the Stock) at a price per share equal to the fair market value per share on the date
the Stock is granted. The Stock will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Company’s stock plan and will be subject to repurchase by the Company, such repurchase right to lapse with respect to 1/36th of the Stock in equal monthly
installments over your first 36 months of employment. You will be entitled to acceleration of the lapse in right to repurchase (i) 

 
in the event of a Change in Control with respect to 33% of the Stock, as set forth in the Stock Purchase Agreement and (ii) in the event of a termination as set forth herein. The stock
purchase will be evidenced by the Stock Purchase Agreement in the form attached to this letter as Exhibit A (the “Stock Purchase Agreement”). 
 6. Variable Compensation. Subject to Board approval, your target variable compensation shall be $110,000 per annum (to be pro rated for any partial year of employment). The bonus criteria shall be
reviewed and approved at the end of each quarter and paid within 30 days at the end of each calendar year. You and the Board will meet at the beginning of each calendar year to set milestones and objectives and the annual bonus target for that
calendar year. The determinations of the Board with respect to your bonus will be final and binding. 
 7. Proprietary
Information and Inventions Agreement. You will be required to sign the Company’s standard Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement. 
 8. Employment Relationship. Employment with the Company is for no specific period of time. Your employment with the Company will be “at will,” meaning that either you or the Company may
terminate your employment at any time and for any reason, with or without cause. Any contrary representations that may have been made to you are superseded by this offer. This is the full and complete agreement between you and the Company on this
term. 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 another executive officer of the Company, as approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. 
 9. Severance. 
 (a) If your employment is terminated by the Company without
Cause or if you resign for Good Reason and a Separation occurs, you will receive, less applicable tax withholdings: (A) if such termination occurs subsequent the closing of the Series B Financing, (i) twelve (12) months of salary
continuation payments in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll procedures at your base salary as then in effect, to commence within 30 days after the Release Deadline (as defined below) and upon commencement, to be retroactive to the
date of your Separation and (ii) a pro-rata portion of your target annual bonus for the year in which your employment is terminated (pro-rated for the number of days you are employed during the annual bonus period in which your employment is
terminated), payable in lump sum within 10 days following your date of termination and (B) if such termination occurs at any time after the commencement of your employment with the Company, (i) accelerated vesting equal to 50% of any
outstanding option awards, restricted stock awards and equity awards and (ii) reimbursement for premiums paid for continued health benefits for you and your covered dependents under the Company’s health plans for twelve (12) months,
payable when such premiums are due (provided you validly elect to continue coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”)). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not
be required to make salary continuation payments to you under this paragraph after the date on which you commence work for a company whose primary business is (or your primary responsibilities to will involve) solid state storage solutions.

 (b) If your employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or if you resign for Good Reason and a Separation occur,
and such termination occurs in connection with, immediately prior to, or within twelve (12) months following a Change in Control, then you will receive, less applicable tax withholdings; (i) twelve (12) months of your base salary as then in effect,
payable in lump within 5 days following your date of termination; (ii) a lump sum payment equal to 100% of your target annual bonus for the year in which your employment is terminated, payable within 5 days of your termination date; (iii)
accelerated vesting on one hundred percent (100%) of the shares subject to any 

 
outstanding option awards, restricted stock awards and equity awards; and (iv) reimbursement for premiums paid for continued health benefits for you and your covered dependents under the
Company’s health plans for twelve (12) months, payable when such premiums are due (provided you validly elect to continue coverage under COBRA), Any benefit paid under this clause (b) shall be in lieu of, and not in addition to, the
benefit contemplated in clause (a) above. 
 (c) You shall not be entitled to any payments under this Section 9 unless
you (i) have returned all Company property in your possession, (ii) have resigned as a member of the Boards of Directors of the Company and all of its subsidiaries, to the extent applicable, and (iii) have executed the Company’s
standard form of general mutual release of all claims that you may have against the Company or persons affiliated with the Company. You must execute and return the release on or before the date specified by the Company (the “Release
Deadline”). The Release Deadline will in no event be later than 60 days after your Separation, 
 (d) Definitions. As used
in this Agreement or in the Stock Option Agreement, the following terms have the following definitions: 
 (1)
“Cause” shall mean: 
  

	 	(i)	The willful failure by you to perform your lawful duties as provided in this Agreement, provided such willful failure remains uncured for a period of 30 days alter
written notice describing same is given to you; 

  

	 	(ii)	The conviction of any felony involving moral turpitude: or 

  

	 	(iii)	Any commission of fraud or embezzlement involving the Company. 

 (2) “Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence of one or more of the following conditions, without your consent and without remedy by the Company as described below; 

 

	 	(i)	a material reduction in your compensation, including but not limited to your level of base salary and annual bonus opportunity other than reductions approved by the
Board that are applicable to all senior executives of the Company; 

  

	 	(ii)	a material reduction of your authority, duties, title, or responsibilities or a material change in your reporting structure; 

 

	 	(iii)	a material change in the geographic location at which you must perform services for the Company resulting in such location being in excess of fifty (50) miles from
your residence of 433 Clark Drive, San Mateo CA; 

  

	 	(iv)	any other action or inaction by the Company that constitutes a material breach of the terms of this Agreement; 

	 	(v)	the failure of any successor-in-interest to assume all of the material obligations of the Company under this agreement; or 

 

	 	(vi)	a reduction in the kind or level of your benefits to which you were entitled immediately prior to such reduction, other than reductions approved by the Board that are
applicable to all senior executives of the Company. 

 In addition, prior to any such voluntary resignation, you must provide
notice to the Company of the existence of the one or more of the above Good Reason conditions within sixty (60) days of its occurrence of such condition and the Company must be provided at least Unity (30) days to remedy the condition, and
you terminate employment within six (6) months from the date of occurrence of such condition or conditions. 
 (3)
“Change in Control” For all purposes of this Agreement, a “Change in Control” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Stock Purchase Agreement; provided that a transaction will only be considered a Change in
Control for purposes of Section 9(b) if the transaction constitutes a change in ownership or effective control of the Company within the meaning of Code Section 409A and applicable Treasury Regulations. 

(4) “Separation” means a “separation from service,” as defined in the regulations under Section 409A of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). 
 (5) “Series B Financing” means the
closing by the Company, in one or more transactions consummated subsequent to June 29, 2009, of an aggregate of at least $6,000,000 in equity and/or debt financing. 
 10. Section 409A. For the purposes of Section 409A of the Code, each salary continuation payment under Section 9(a) is hereby designated as a separate payment. If the Company
determines that you are a “specified employee” under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code at the time of your Separation, then (i) any salary continuation payments to be made tinder Section 9, to the extent that they are
subject to Section 409A of the Code, will commence during the seventh month after your Separation, with installments that would have been paid during the first six months after your Separation to paid in a lump sum when the salary continuation
payments commence and (ii) any lump sum severance payments to be made under Section 9, to the extent that they are subject to Section 409A of the Code, will be made as of the seventh month after your Separation. 

11. No Duty to Mitigate. Except as expressly provided herein, you are under no contractual or legal obligation to mitigate
your damages in order to receive the severance benefits provided hereunder. 
 12. No Waiver. The failure by
either party at any time to require performance or compliance by the other of any of its obligations or agreements shall in no way affect the right to require such performance or compliance at any time thereafter. An express written waiver by either
party of a breach of any provision hereof shall not be taken or held to be a waiver of any preceding or succeeding breach of such provision or as a waiver of the provision itself. No waiver of any kind shall be effective or binding, unless it is in
writing and is signed by the party against whom such waiver is sought to be enforced. 
 13. Governing Law. This
agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California. 

 14. Indemnification. The Company will indemnify you to the maximum extent
permitted under the Company’s charter, by-laws and applicable law for matters arising in course and scope of your employment hereunder, and you will be covered under any Company’s policy of commercial general liability and directors and
officers liability insurance during your employment and after termination of employment to the same extent as members of the Board. 
 15. Attorney’s Fees. Company shall reimburse you for attorneys’ fees you incur for the review, preparation, analysis and negotiation of your employment documents in connection with
(a) your commencement of employment, and (b) upon a termination of employment for which Section 9 would be applicable; such reimbursement not to exceed an aggregate of $6,000 for (a) and (b). 

16. Withholding Taxes. 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. 
 17. Entire Agreement. This
letter agreement supersedes and replaces any prior agreements, representations or understandings, whether written, oral or implied, between you and the Company. 
 18. Arbitration. You and the Company agree to waive any rights to a trial before a judge or jury and agree to arbitrate before a neutral arbitrator any and all claims or disputes arising out
of this letter agreement and any and all claims arising from or relating to your employment with the Company, including (but not limited to) claims against any current or former employee, director or agent of the Company, claims of wrongful
termination, retaliation, discrimination, harassment, breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, defamation, invasion of privacy, fraud, misrepresentation, constructive discharge or failure to provide a leave of
absence, or claims regarding commissions, stock options or bonuses, infliction of emotional distress or unfair business practices. 
 The arbitrator’s decision must be written and must include the findings of fact and law that support the decision. The arbitrator’s decision will be final and binding on both patties, except to
the extent applicable law allows for judicial review of arbitration awards. The arbitrator may award any remedies that would otherwise be available to the parties if they were to bring the dispute in court, The arbitration will be conducted in
accordance with the Judicial Arbitration & Mediation Services (“JAMS”); provided, however that the arbitrator must allow the discovery that the arbitrator deems necessary for the parties to vindicate their respective claims or
defenses. The arbitration will take place in Santa Clara. California. 
 The Company will pay the costs of arbitration. Both the
Company and you will be responsible for your own attorneys’ fees, and the arbitrator may not award attorneys’ fees unless a statute or contract at issue specifically authorizes such an award. 

This arbitration provision does not apply to (a) workers’ compensation or unemployment insurance claims or (b) claims
concerning the validity, infringement or enforceability of any trade secret, patent right, copyright or any other trade secret or intellectual property held or sought by either you or the Company (whether or not arising under the Proprietary
Information and Inventions Agreement between you and the Company). 
 If an arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction (the
“Neutral”) determines that any provision of this arbitration provision is illegal or unenforceable, then the Neutral 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. 

*    *    * 

 We hope that you will accept our offer to join the Company. You may indicate your agreement
with these terms and accept this offer by signing and dating both the enclosed duplicate original of this letter agreement and returning it to me. As required by law, your employment with the Company is contingent upon your providing legal proof of
your identity and authorization to work in the United States. 
 If you have any questions, please call me. 

 

			
	 Very truly yours,
  

VIOLIN MEMORY, INC.

		
	By:	 	     /s/ Mark Rosenblatt

	Name:	 	    Mark Rosenblatt
	Title:	 	    Executive Chairman

  

	
	I have read and accept this employment offer:
	
	 /s/ Dixon Doll Jr.

	Signature of Dixon Doll Jr.
	
	Dated: July 6, 2009

 Exhibit A 
 STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT 
 This Stock Purchase Agreement (this
“Agreement”) is entered into as of July 16, 2009, by Violin Memory, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Dixon Doll, Jr. (the “Purchaser”). 
 SECTION 1. ACQUISITION OF SHARES. 
 (a) Sale and Purchase. On the
terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company agrees to sell to the Purchaser, and Purchaser agrees to purchase, 1,200,000 Shares. The sale and purchase shall occur at the offices of the Company on the date set forth above or at such
other place and time as the parties may agree. The Purchased Shares are sold pursuant to the Violin Memory, Inc. 2005 Stock Plan, as amended, and are subject to the terms thereof. 

(b) Consideration. The Purchaser agrees to pay $1,200.00 or $0.001 per Purchased Share. The Purchase Price is agreed to be at
least 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Purchased Shares. Payment shall be made on the purchase date in cash or cash equivalents. 
 (c) Defined Terms. Capitalized terms not defined above are defined in Section 12 of this Agreement. 
 SECTION 2. RIGHT OF REPURCHASE. 
 (a) Scope of Repurchase Right.
Until they vest in accordance with Subsection (b) below, the Purchased Shares shall be Restricted Shares and shall be subject to the Company’s Right of Repurchase. The Company, however, may decline to exercise its Right of Repurchase or
may exercise its Right of Repurchase only with respect to a portion of the Restricted Shares. The Company may exercise its Right of Repurchase only during the Repurchase Period following the termination of the Purchaser’s Service. The Right of
Repurchase may be exercised automatically under Subsection (d) below. If the Right of Repurchase is exercised, the Company shall pay the Purchaser an amount equal to the then current Fair Market Value for each of the Purchased Shares being
repurchased. 
 (b) Lapse of Repurchase Right. The Right of Repurchase shall lapse with respect to
1/36th of the Purchased Shares when the Purchaser
completes each month of continuous Service after the Vesting Commencement Date. In addition, the following rules shall apply: 
 (i) If the Purchaser is subject to an Involuntary Termination, then the vested portion of the Restricted Shares shall be determined by adding 18 months to the Purchaser’s actual Service. 

(ii) If the Company consummates an IPO or Change in Control before the Purchaser’s Service terminates, then at all
times thereafter, the vested portion of the Restricted Shares shall be determined by adding 12 months to the Purchaser’s actual Service. In addition, if the Purchaser is subject to an Involuntary Termination immediately prior to, in connection
with, or within 12 months after any such Change in Control, then the Right of Repurchase shall lapse with respect to all of the Purchased Shares. 
 (c) Escrow. Upon issuance, the certificate(s) for Purchased Shares shall be deposited in escrow with the Company to be held in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. Any additional or
exchanged securities or other property described in Subsection (f) below shall immediately be delivered to the Company to be held in escrow. All ordinary cash dividends on Purchased Shares (or on other securities held in escrow) shall be paid
directly to the Purchaser and shall not be held in escrow. Purchased Shares, together with any other assets held in escrow under this Agreement, shall be (i) surrendered to the Company 

 
for repurchase upon exercise of the Right of Repurchase or the Right of First Refusal or (ii) released to the Purchaser upon his or her request to the extent that the Shares have ceased to
be Restricted Shares (but not more frequently than once every six months). In any event, all Purchased Shares that have ceased to be Restricted Shares, together with any other vested assets held in escrow under this Agreement, shall be released
within 90 days after the earlier of (i) the termination of the Purchaser’s Service or (ii) the lapse of the Right of First Refusal. 
 (d) Exercise of Repurchase Right. The Company shall be deemed to have exercised its Right of Repurchase automatically for all Restricted Shares being repurchased as of the commencement of the
Repurchase Period, unless the Company during the Repurchase Period notifies the holder of the Restricted Shares pursuant to Section 9 that it will not exercise its Right of Repurchase for some or all of the Restricted Shares. During the
Repurchase Period, the Company shall pay to the holder of the Restricted Shares the purchase price determined under Subsection (a) above for the Restricted Shares being repurchased. Payment shall be made in cash or cash equivalents and/or by
canceling indebtedness to the Company incurred by the Purchaser in the purchase of the Purchased Shares. The certificate(s) representing the Restricted Shares being repurchased shall be delivered to the Company properly endorsed for transfer.

 (e) Termination of Rights as Stockholder. If the Right of Repurchase is exercised in accordance with this
Section 2 and the Company makes available the consideration for the Restricted Shares being repurchased, then the person from whom the Restricted Shares are repurchased shall no longer have any rights as a holder of the Restricted Shares (other
than the right to receive payment of such consideration). Such Restricted Shares shall be deemed to have been repurchased pursuant to this Section 2, whether or not the certificate(s) for such Restricted Shares have been delivered to the
Company or the consideration for such Restricted Shares has been accepted. 
 (f) Additional or Exchanged Securities and
Property. In the event of a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another entity, any other corporate reorganization, a stock split, the declaration of a stock dividend, the declaration of an extraordinary dividend payable in a
form other than stock, a spin off, an adjustment in conversion ratio, a recapitalization or a similar transaction affecting the Company’s outstanding securities, any securities or other property (including cash or cash equivalents) that are by
reason of such transaction exchanged for, or distributed with respect to, any Restricted Shares shall immediately be subject to the Right of Repurchase. Appropriate adjustments to reflect the exchange or distribution of such securities or property
shall be made to the number and/or class of the Restricted Shares. Appropriate adjustments shall also be made to the price per share to be paid upon the exercise of the Right of Repurchase, provided that the aggregate purchase price payable for the
Restricted Shares shall remain the same. In the event of a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another entity or any other corporate reorganization, the Right of Repurchase may be exercised by the Company’s successor.

 (g) Transfer of Purchased Shares. The Purchaser shall not transfer, assign, encumber or otherwise dispose of any
Restricted Shares without the Company’s written consent, except as provided in the following sentence. The Purchaser may transfer Restricted Shares to one or more members of the Purchaser’s Immediate Family or to a trust established by the
Purchaser for the benefit of the Purchaser and/or one or more members of the Purchaser’s Immediate Family, provided in either case that the Transferee agrees in writing on a form prescribed by the Company to be bound by all provisions of this
Agreement. If the Purchaser transfers any Restricted Shares, then this Agreement shall apply to the Transferee to the same extent as to the Purchaser. 
 (h) Assignment of Repurchase Right. The Board of Directors may freely assign the Company’s Right of Repurchase, in whole or in part. Any person who accepts an assignment of the Right of
Repurchase from the Company shall assume all of the Company’s rights and obligations under this Section 2. 

  
 2 

 (i) Part-Time Employment and Leaves of Absence. If the Purchaser commences working on
a part-time basis, then the Company may adjust the vesting schedule set forth in Subsection (b) above in accordance with the Company’s part-time work policy or the terms of an agreement between the Purchaser and the Company pertaining to
his or her part-time schedule. If the Purchaser goes on a leave of absence, then the Company may adjust the vesting schedule set forth in Subsection (b) above in accordance with the Company’s leave of absence policy or the terms of such
leave. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, Service shall be deemed to continue while the Purchaser is on a bona fide leave of absence, if (i) such leave was approved by the Company in writing and (ii) continued crediting of
Service is expressly required by the terms of such leave or by applicable law (as determined by the Company). Service shall be deemed to terminate when such leave ends, unless the Purchaser immediately returns to active work. 

SECTION 3. RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. 
 (a) Right of First Refusal. In the event that the Purchaser proposes to sell, pledge or otherwise transfer to a third party any Purchased Shares, or any interest in Purchased Shares, the Company
shall have the Right of First Refusal with respect to all (and not less than all) of such Purchased Shares. If the Purchaser desires to transfer Purchased Shares, the Purchaser shall give a written Transfer Notice to the Company describing fully the
proposed transfer, including the number of Purchased Shares proposed to be transferred, the proposed transfer price, the name and address of the proposed Transferee and proof satisfactory to the Company that the proposed sale or transfer will not
violate any applicable federal, State or foreign securities laws. The Transfer Notice shall be signed both by the Purchaser and by the proposed Transferee and must constitute a binding commitment of both parties to the transfer of the Purchased
Shares. The Company shall have the right to purchase all, and not less than all, of the Purchased Shares on the terms of the proposal described in the Transfer Notice (subject, however, to any change in such terms permitted under Subsection (b)
below) by delivery of a notice of exercise of the Right of First Refusal within 30 days after the date when the Transfer Notice was received by the Company. 
 (b) Transfer of Shares. If the Company fails to exercise its Right of First Refusal within 30 days after receiving the Transfer Notice, the Purchaser may, not later than 90 days after the
Company received the Transfer Notice, conclude a transfer of the Purchased Shares subject to the Transfer Notice on the terms and conditions described in the Transfer Notice, provided that any such sale is made in compliance with applicable federal,
State and foreign securities laws and not in violation of any other contractual restrictions to which the Purchaser is bound. Any proposed transfer on terms and conditions different from those described in the Transfer Notice, as well as any
subsequent proposed transfer by the Purchaser, shall again be subject to the Right of First Refusal and shall require compliance with the procedure described in Subsection (a) above. If the Company exercises its Right of First Refusal, the
parties shall consummate the sale of the Purchased Shares on the terms set forth in the Transfer Notice within 60 days after the Company received the Transfer Notice (or within such longer period as may have been specified in the Transfer
Notice); provided, however, that in the event the Transfer Notice provided that payment for the Purchased Shares was to be made in a form other than cash or cash equivalents paid at the time of transfer, the Company shall have the option of paying
for the Purchased Shares with cash or cash equivalents equal to the present value of the consideration described in the Transfer Notice. 
 (c) Additional or Exchanged Securities and Property. In the event of a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another entity, any other corporate reorganization, a stock split, the
declaration of a stock dividend, the declaration of an extraordinary dividend payable in a form other than stock, a spin-off, an adjustment in conversion ratio, a recapitalization or a similar transaction affecting the Company’s outstanding
securities, any securities or other property (including cash or cash equivalents) that are by reason of such transaction exchanged for, or distributed with respect to, any Purchased Shares subject to this Section 3 shall immediately be subject
to the Right of First Refusal. Appropriate adjustments to reflect the exchange or distribution of such securities or property shall be made to the number and/or class of the Purchased Shares subject to this Section 3. 

  
 3 

 (d) Termination of Right of First Refusal. Any other provision of this Section 3
notwithstanding, in the event that the Stock is readily tradable on an established securities market when the Purchaser desires to transfer Purchased Shares, the Company shall have no Right of First Refusal, and the Purchaser shall have no
obligation to comply with the procedures prescribed by Subsections (a) and (b) above. 
 (e) Permitted
Transfers. This Section 3 shall not apply to (i) a transfer by beneficiary designation, will or intestate succession or (ii) a transfer to one or more members of the Purchaser’s Immediate Family or to a trust established by
the Purchaser for the benefit of the Purchaser and/or one or more members of the Purchaser’s Immediate Family, provided in either case that the Transferee agrees in writing on a form prescribed by the Company to be bound by all provisions of
this Agreement. If the Purchaser transfers any Purchased Shares, either under this Subsection (e) or after the Company has failed to exercise the Right of First Refusal, then this Agreement shall apply to the Transferee to the same extent as to
the Purchaser. 
 (f) Termination of Rights as Stockholder. If the Company makes available, at the time and place and in
the amount and form provided in this Agreement, the consideration for the Shares to be purchased in accordance with this Section 3, then after such time the person from whom such Shares are to be purchased shall no longer have any rights as a
holder of such Shares (other than the right to receive payment of such consideration in accordance with this Agreement). Such Shares shall be deemed to have been purchased in accordance with the applicable provisions hereof, whether or not the
certificate(s) therefor have been delivered as required by this Agreement. 
 (g) Assignment of Right of First Refusal.
The Board of Directors may freely assign the Company’s Right of First Refusal, in whole or in part. Any person who accepts an assignment of the Right of First Refusal from the Company shall assume all of the Company’s rights and
obligations under this Section 3. 
 SECTION 4. OTHER RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER. 

(a) Purchaser Representations. In connection with the issuance and acquisition of Shares under this Agreement, the Purchaser hereby
represents and warrants to the Company as follows: 
 (i) The Purchaser is acquiring and will hold the Purchased
Shares for investment for his or her account only and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any “distribution” thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act. 

(ii) The Purchaser understands that the Purchased Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act by reason of a
specific exemption therefrom and that the Purchased Shares must be held indefinitely, unless they are subsequently registered under the Securities Act or the Purchaser obtains an opinion of counsel, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company
and its counsel, that such registration is not required. The Purchaser further acknowledges and understands that the Company is under no obligation to register the Purchased Shares. 

(iii) The Purchaser is aware of the adoption of Rule 144 by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Act, which permits limited public resales of securities acquired in a non-public offering, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including (without limitation) the availability of certain current public information about the
issuer, the resale occurring only after the holding period required by Rule 144 has been satisfied, the sale occurring through an unsolicited “broker’s 

  
 4 

 
transaction,” and the amount of securities being sold during any three-month period not exceeding specified limitations. The Purchaser acknowledges and understands that the conditions for
resale set forth in Rule 144 have not been satisfied and that the Company has no plans to satisfy these conditions in the foreseeable future. 
 (iv) The Purchaser will not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of the Purchased Shares in violation of the Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the rules promulgated thereunder,
including Rule 144 under the Securities Act. The Purchaser agrees that he or she will not dispose of the Purchased Shares unless and until he or she has complied with all requirements of this Agreement applicable to the disposition of Purchased
Shares and he or she has provided the Company with written assurances, in substance and form satisfactory to the Company, that (A) the proposed disposition does not require registration of the Purchased Shares under the Securities Act or all
appropriate action necessary for compliance with the registration requirements of the Securities Act or with any exemption from registration available under the Securities Act (including Rule 144) has been taken and (B) the proposed
disposition will not result in the contravention of any transfer restrictions applicable to the Purchased Shares under state securities law. 
 (v) The Purchaser has been furnished with, and has had access to, such information as he or she considers necessary or appropriate for deciding whether to invest in the Purchased Shares, and the Purchaser
has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Company regarding the terms and conditions of the issuance of the Purchased Shares. 
 (vi) The Purchaser is aware that his or her investment in the Company is a speculative investment that has limited liquidity and is subject to the risk of complete loss. The Purchaser is able, without
impairing his or her financial condition, to hold the Purchased Shares for an indefinite period and to suffer a complete loss of his or her investment in the Purchased Shares. 
 (b) Securities Law Restrictions. Regardless of whether the offering and sale of Shares under this Agreement have been registered under the Securities Act or have been registered or qualified under
the securities laws of any state, the Company at its discretion may impose restrictions upon the sale, pledge or other transfer of the Purchased Shares (including the placement of appropriate legends on stock certificates or the imposition of
stop-transfer instructions) if, in the judgment of the Company, such restrictions are necessary or desirable in order to achieve compliance with the Securities Act, the securities laws of any state or any other law. 

(c) Market Stand-Off. In connection with any underwritten public offering by the Company of its equity securities pursuant to an
effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act, including the Company’s initial public offering, the Purchaser shall not directly or indirectly sell, make any short sale of, loan, hypothecate, pledge, offer, grant or sell any
option or other contract for the purchase of, purchase any option or other contract for the sale of, or otherwise dispose of or transfer, or agree to engage in any of the foregoing transactions with respect to, any Purchased Shares without the prior
written consent of the Company or its underwriters. Such restriction (the “Market Stand-Off”) shall be in effect for such period of time following the date of the final prospectus for the offering as may be requested by the Company or such
underwriters. In no event, however, shall such period exceed 180 days. The Market Stand-Off shall in any event terminate two years after the date of the Company’s initial public offering. In the event of the declaration of a stock dividend, a
spin-off, a stock split, an adjustment in conversion ratio, a recapitalization or a similar transaction affecting the Company’s outstanding securities without receipt of consideration, any new, substituted or additional securities which are by
reason of such transaction distributed with respect to any Shares subject to the Market Stand-Off, or into 

  
 5 

 
which such Shares thereby become convertible, shall immediately be subject to the Market Stand-Off. In order to enforce the Market Stand-Off, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions
with respect to the Purchased Shares until the end of the applicable stand-off period. The Company’s underwriters shall be beneficiaries of the agreement set forth in this Subsection (c). This Subsection (c) shall not apply to Shares
registered in the public offering under the Securities Act. 
 (d) Rights of the Company. The Company shall not be
required to (i) transfer on its books any Purchased Shares that have been sold or transferred in contravention of this Agreement or (ii) treat as the owner of Purchased Shares, or otherwise to accord voting, dividend or liquidation rights
to, any transferee to whom Purchased Shares have been transferred in contravention of this Agreement. 
 SECTION 5. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.

 Except as otherwise expressly provided to the contrary, the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of,
and be binding upon, the Company and its successors and assigns and be binding upon the Purchaser and the Purchaser’s legal representatives, heirs, legatees, distributees, assigns and transferees by operation of law, whether or not any such
person has become a party to this Agreement or has agreed in writing to join herein and to be bound by the terms, conditions and restrictions hereof. 
 SECTION 6. NO RETENTION RIGHTS. 
 Nothing in this Agreement shall confer
upon the Purchaser any right to continue in Service for any period of specific duration or interfere with or otherwise restrict in any way the rights of the Company (or any Parent or Subsidiary employing or retaining the Purchaser) or of the
Purchaser, which rights are hereby expressly reserved by each, to terminate his or her Service at any time and for any reason, with or without cause. 
 SECTION 7. TAX ELECTION. 
 The acquisition of the Purchased Shares may
result in adverse tax consequences that may be avoided or mitigated by filing an election under Code Section 83(b). Such election may be filed only within 30 days after the date of purchase. The form for making the Code Section 83(b)
election is attached to this Agreement as Exhibit I. The Purchaser should consult with his or her tax advisor to determine the tax consequences of acquiring the Purchased Shares and the advantages and disadvantages of filing the Code
Section 83(b) election. The Purchaser acknowledges that it is his or her sole responsibility, and not the Company’s, to file a timely election under Code Section 83(b), even if the Purchaser requests the Company or its representatives
to make this filing on his or her behalf. 
 SECTION 8. LEGENDS. 

All certificates evidencing Purchased Shares shall bear the following legends: 

“THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY NOT BE SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, ENCUMBERED OR IN ANY MANNER DISPOSED OF, EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE
WITH THE TERMS OF A WRITTEN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE REGISTERED HOLDER OF THE SHARES (OR THE PREDECESSOR IN INTEREST TO THE SHARES). SUCH AGREEMENT GRANTS TO THE COMPANY CERTAIN RIGHTS OF FIRST REFUSAL UPON AN ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF THE
SHARES AND CERTAIN REPURCHASE RIGHTS UPON TERMINATION OF SERVICE WITH THE COMPANY. THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY WILL UPON WRITTEN REQUEST FURNISH A COPY OF SUCH AGREEMENT TO THE HOLDER HEREOF WITHOUT CHARGE.” 

  
 6 

 “THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF
1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, PLEDGED, OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION THEREOF UNDER SUCH ACT OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY AND ITS COUNSEL, THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.”

 If required by the authorities of any state in connection with the issuance of the Purchased Shares, the legend or legends required by such
state authorities shall also be endorsed on all such certificates. 
 SECTION 9. NOTICE. 

Any notice required by the terms of this Agreement shall be given in writing. It shall be deemed effective upon (i) personal delivery
or (ii) deposit with the United States Postal Service, by registered or certified mail, with postage and fees prepaid. Notice shall be addressed to the Company at its principal executive office and to the Purchaser at the address that he or she
most recently provided to the Company in accordance with this Section 9. 
 SECTION 10. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. 

This Agreement constitutes the entire contract between the parties hereto with regard to the subject matter hereof. It supersedes any
other agreements, representations or understandings (whether oral or written and whether express or implied) which relate to the subject matter hereof. 
 SECTION 11. CHOICE OF LAW. 
 This Agreement shall be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, as such laws are applied to contracts entered into and performed in such State. 
 SECTION 12. DEFINITIONS. 
 (a) “Agreement” shall mean this
Stock Purchase Agreement. 
 (b) “Board of Directors” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company, as
constituted from time to time. 
 (c) “Cause” shall mean: 

(i) The willful failure by the Purchaser to perform his lawful duties as provided in that certain Offer Letter from the
Company dated as of June 22, 2009 (the “Offer Letter”), provided such willful failure remains uncured for a period of 30 days after written notice describing same is given to the Purchaser; 

(ii) The conviction of any felony involving moral turpitude; or 

(iii) Any commission of fraud or embezzlement involving the Company. 

(d) “Change in Control” shall mean (i) the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into
another entity or (ii) the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company. The foregoing notwithstanding, a merger or consolidation of the Company shall not constitute a “Change in Control” if immediately after such merger or
consolidation a majority of the voting power of the capital stock of the continuing or surviving entity, or any direct or indirect parent corporation of such continuing or surviving entity, will be owned by the persons who were the

  
 7 

 
Company’s stockholders immediately prior to such merger or consolidation in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the voting power of the Company’s capital stock
immediately prior to such merger or consolidation. 
 (e) “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended. 
 (f) “Consultant” shall mean a person who performs bona fide services for the Company, a Parent
or a Subsidiary as a consultant or advisor, excluding Employees and members of the Board of Directors. 
 (g)
“Employee” shall mean any individual who is a common-law employee of the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary. 

(h) “Fair Market Value” shall mean the fair market value of a Share, as determined by an independent appraiser engaged
by the Board of Directors. Such determination shall be conclusive and binding on all persons. 
 (i) “Good
Reason” shall mean the occurrence of one or more of the following conditions, without the Purchaser’s consent and without remedy by the Company as described below: 

(i) a material reduction in the Purchaser’s compensation, including but not limited to base salary and annual bonus
opportunity other than reductions approved by the Board that are applicable to all senior executives of the Company; 
 (ii) a material reduction of the Purchaser’s authority, duties, title, or responsibilities or a material change in the Purchaser’s reporting structure; 

(iii) a material change in the geographic location at which the Purchaser must perform services for the Company resulting
in such location being in excess of fifty (50) miles from the Purchaser’s residence of 433 Clark Drive, San Mateo CA; 
 (iv) any other action or inaction by the Company that constitutes a material breach of the terms of the Offer Letter; 

(v) the failure of any successor-in-interest to assume all of the material obligations of the Company under the Offer
Letter or this Agreement; or 
 (vi) a reduction in the kind or level of the Purchaser’s benefits to which
the Purchaser was entitled immediately prior to such reduction, other than reductions approved by the Board that are applicable to all senior executives of the Company. 
 (j) “Immediate Family” shall mean any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law,
brother-in-law or sister-in-law and shall include adoptive relationships. 
 (k) “Involuntary Termination”
means a termination of the Purchaser’s Service resulting from either (a) the Purchaser’s involuntary discharge by the Company for reasons other than Cause or (b) the Purchaser’s voluntary resignation for Good Reason.

 (l) “IPO” shall mean a sale of shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to an underwritten initial
public offering registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

  
 8 

 (m) “Parent” shall mean 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.

 (n) “Purchased Shares” shall mean the Shares purchased by the Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement.

 (o) “Purchase Price” shall mean the dollar value for which one Share may be purchased pursuant to this
Agreement, as specified in Section 1(b). 
 (p) “Repurchase Period” shall mean a period of 90 consecutive
days commencing on the date when the Purchaser’s Service terminates for any reason, including (without limitation) death or disability. 
 (q) “Restricted Share” shall mean a Purchased Share that is subject to the Right of Repurchase. 
 (r) “Right of First Refusal” shall mean the Company’s right of first refusal described in Section 3. 
 (s) “Right of Repurchase” shall mean the Company’s right of repurchase described in Section 2. 
 (t) “Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. 
 (u) “Service” shall mean service as an Employee, Consultant or member of the Board of Directors. 
 (v) “Share” shall mean one share of Stock. 
 (w)
“Stock” shall mean the Common Stock of the Company, with a par value of $0.0001 per Share. 
 (x)
“Subsidiary” shall mean any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company, if each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain 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. 
 (y) “Transferee” shall mean any person to whom the Purchaser has directly or indirectly transferred any Purchased Share. 

(z) “Transfer Notice” shall mean the notice of a proposed transfer of Purchased Shares described in Section 3.

 (aa) “Vesting Commencement Date” shall mean the date that the Purchaser commenced performing Services for
the Company. 

  
 9 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has executed this Agreement, in the case of the
Company by its duly authorized officer, as of the day and year first above written. 
  

	
	PURCHASER:
	
	  

	Dixon Doll, Jr.

  

			
	COMPANY:
	
	 VIOLIN MEMORY, INC.

		
	By:	 	  

	Name: Donpaul C. Stephens
	Title: President

 SIGNATURE PAGE

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00220-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00220-of-00352.parquet"}]]