Document:

<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit 10.3

                              NETWORK ENGINES, INC.

                        Incentive Stock Option Agreement
                     Granted Under 1999 Stock Incentive Plan
                     ---------------------------------------

1.    Grant of Option.
      ---------------

      This agreement evidences the grant by Network Engines, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company") on ________________ to _________________, an
employee of the Company (the "Participant"), of an option to purchase, in whole
or in part, on the terms provided herein and in the Company's 1999 Stock
Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), a total of ______ shares of common stock, $.01 par
value per share, of the Company ("Common Stock") (the "Shares") at $ per Share.
Unless earlier terminated, this option shall expire on (the "Final Exercise
Date").

      It is intended that the option evidenced by this agreement shall be an
incentive stock option as defined in Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended and any regulations promulgated thereunder (the "Code"). Except
as otherwise indicated by the context, the term "Participant", as used in this
option, shall be deemed to include any person who acquires the right to exercise
this option validly under its terms.

2.    Vesting Schedule.
      ----------------
      This option will become exercisable ("vest") as to 25% of the original
                                                         ---
number of Shares on the first anniversary of the date of the grant of the option
(the "Grant Date") and as to an additional 6.25% of the original number of
                                           -----
Shares at the end of each successive full three-month period following the first
anniversary of the Grant Date until the fourth anniversary of the Grant Date.
This option shall expire upon, and will not be exercisable after, the Final
Exercise Date.

      The right of exercise shall be cumulative so that to the extent the option
is not exercised in any period to the maximum extent permissible it shall
continue to be exercisable, in whole or in part, with respect to all shares for
which it is vested until the earlier of the Final Exercise Date or the
termination of this option under Section 3 hereof or the Plan.

<PAGE>

3.    Exercise of Option.
      ------------------

      (a) Form of Exercise. Each election to exercise this option shall be in
writing, signed by the Participant, and received by the Company at its principal
office, accompanied by this agreement, and payment in full as follows:

            (i) in cash or by check, payable to the order of the Company;

            (ii) delivery of an irrevocable and unconditional undertaking by a
creditworthy broker to deliver promptly to the Company sufficient funds to pay
the exercise price, or delivery by the Participant to the Company of a copy of
irrevocable and unconditional instructions to a creditworthy broker to deliver
promptly to the Company cash or a check sufficient to pay the exercise price;

            (iii) (A) by delivery of shares of Common Stock owned by the
Participant valued at their fair market value as determined by the Board in good
faith, which Common Stock was owned by the Participant at least six months prior
to such delivery, or (B) by payment of such other lawful consideration as the
Board may determine; or

            (iv) any combination of the above permitted forms of payment.

      The Participant may purchase less than the number of shares covered
hereby, provided that no partial exercise of this option may be for any
fractional share.

      (b) Continuous Relationship with the Company Required. Except as otherwise
          -------------------------------------------------
provided in this Section 3, this option may not be exercised unless the
Participant, at the time he or she exercises this option, is, and has been at
all times since the date of grant of this option, an employee, officer or
director of, or consultant or advisor to, the Company or any parent or
subsidiary of the Company as defined in Section 424(e) or (f) of the Code (an
"Eligible Participant").

      (c) Termination of Relationship with the Company. If the Participant
          --------------------------------------------
ceases to be an Eligible Participant for any reason, then, except as provided in
paragraphs (d) and (e) below, the right to exercise this option shall terminate
three months after such cessation or such other period of time as may be
determined by the Board (but in no event after the Final Exercise Date),
provided that this option shall be exercisable only to the extent that the
Participant was entitled to exercise this option on the date of such cessation.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Participant, prior to the Final Exercise
Date,

                                       2
<PAGE>

violates the non-competition, non- disclosure, nonsolicitation or
confidentiality provisions of any employment contract, confidentiality,
nondisclosure or nonsolicitation agreement or other agreement between the
Participant and the Company, the right to exercise this option shall terminate
immediately upon written notice to the Participant from the Company describing
such violation.

      (d) Exercise Period Upon Death or Disability. If the Participant dies or
          ----------------------------------------
becomes disabled (within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code) prior to
the Final Exercise Date while he or she is an Eligible Participant and the
Company has not terminated such relationship for "cause" as specified in
paragraph (e) below, this option shall be exercisable, within the period of one
year following the date of death or disability of the Participant by the
Participant, provided that this option shall be exercisable only to the extent
             -------- ----
that this option was exercisable by the Participant on the date of his or her
death or disability, and further provided that this option shall not be
exercisable after the Final Exercise Date.

      (e) Discharge for Cause. If the Participant, prior to the Final Exercise
          -------------------
Date, is discharged by the Company for "cause" (as defined below), the right to
exercise this option shall terminate immediately upon the effective date of such
discharge. "Cause" shall mean willful misconduct by the Participant or willful
failure by the Participant to perform his or her responsibilities to the Company
(including, without limitation, breach by the Participant of any provision of
any employment, consulting, advisory, nondisclosure, nonsolicitation,
non-competition or other similar agreement between the Participant and the
Company), as determined by the Company, which determination shall be conclusive.
The Participant shall be considered to have been discharged for "Cause" if the
Company determines, within 30 days after the Participant's resignation, that
discharge for cause was warranted.

4.    Right of First Refusal.
      ----------------------

      (a) If the Participant proposes to sell, assign, transfer, pledge,
hypothecate or otherwise dispose of, by operation of law or otherwise
(collectively, "transfer") any Shares acquired upon exercise of this option,
then the Participant shall first give written notice of the proposed transfer
(the "Transfer Notice") to the Company. The Transfer Notice shall name the
proposed transferee and state the number of such Shares the Participant proposes
to transfer (the "Offered Shares"), the price per share and all other material
terms and conditions of the transfer.

                                       3
<PAGE>

      (b) For 30 days following its receipt of such Transfer Notice, the Company
shall have the option to purchase all (but not less than all) of the Offered
Shares at the price and upon the terms set forth in the Transfer Notice. In the
event the Company elects to purchase all of the Offered Shares, it shall give
written notice of such election to the Participant within such 30-day period.
Within 10 days after his receipt of such notice, the Participant shall tender to
the Company at its principal offices the certificate or certificates
representing the Offered Shares, duly endorsed in blank by the Participant or
with duly endorsed stock powers attached thereto, all in a form suitable for
transfer of the Offered Shares to the Company. Upon receipt of such certificate
or certificates, the Company shall deliver or mail to the Participant a check in
payment of the purchase price for the Offered Shares; provided that if the terms
                                                      -------- ----
of payment set forth in the Transfer Notice were other than cash against
delivery, the Company may pay for the Offered Shares on the same terms and
conditions as were set forth in the Transfer Notice.

      (c) At and after the time at which the Offered Shares are required to be
delivered to the Company for transfer to the Company pursuant to subsection (b)
above, the Company shall not pay any dividend to the Participant on account of
such Shares or permit the Participant to exercise any of the privileges or
rights of a stockholder with respect to such Offered Shares, but shall, in so
far as permitted by law, treat the Company as the owner of such Offered Shares.

      (d) If the Company does not elect to acquire all of the Offered Shares,
the Participant may, within the 30-day period following the expiration of the
option granted to the Company under subsection (b) above, transfer the Offered
Shares to the proposed transferee, provided that such transfer shall not be on
                                   -------- ----
terms and conditions more favorable to the transferee than those contained in
the Transfer Notice. Notwithstanding any of the above, all Offered Shares
transferred pursuant to this Section 4 shall remain subject to the right of
first refusal set forth in this Section 4 and such transferee shall, as a
condition to such transfer, deliver to the Company a written instrument
confirming that such transferee shall be bound by all of the terms and
conditions of this Section 4.

      (e) The following transactions shall be exempt from the provisions of this
Section 4:

            (i) any transfer of Shares to or for the benefit of any spouse,
child or grandchild of the Participant, or to a trust for their benefit;

                                       4
<PAGE>

            (ii) any transfer pursuant to an effective registration statement
filed by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"); and

            (iii) any transfer of the Shares pursuant to the sale of all or
substantially all of the business of the Company;

provided, however, that in the case of a transfer pursuant to clause (1) above,
--------  -------
such Shares shall remain subject to the right of first refusal set forth in this
Section 4 and such transferee shall, as a condition to such transfer, deliver to
the Company a written instrument confirming that such transferee shall be bound
by all of the terms and conditions of this Section 4.

      (f) The Company may assign its rights to purchase Offered Shares in any
particular transaction under this Section 4 to one or more persons or entities.

      (g) The provisions of this Section 4 shall terminate upon the earlier of
the following events:

            (1) the closing of the sale of shares of Common Stock in an
underwritten public offering pursuant to an effective registration statement
filed by the Company under the Securities Act; or

            (2) the sale of all or substantially all of the capital stock,
assets or business of the Company, by merger, consolidation, sale of assets or
otherwise.

      (h) The Company shall not be required (a) to transfer on its books any of
the Shares which shall have been sold or transferred in violation of any of the
provisions set forth in this Section 4, or (b) to treat as owner of such Shares
or to pay dividends to any transferee to whom any such Shares shall have been so
sold or transferred.

5.    Agreement in Connection with Public Offering.
      --------------------------------------------

      The Participant agrees, in connection with the initial underwritten public
offering of the Company's securities pursuant to a registration statement under
the Securities Act, (i) not to sell, make short sale of, loan, grant any options
for the purchase of, or otherwise dispose of any shares of Common Stock held by
the Participant (other than those shares included in the offering) without the
prior written consent of the Company or the underwriters managing such initial
underwritten public offering of the Company's securities for a period of 180
days from the effective date of such registration statement, and (ii) to execute
any

                                       5
<PAGE>

agreement reflecting clause (i) above as may be requested by the Company or the
managing underwriters at the time of such offering.

6.    Withholding.
      -----------

      No Shares will be issued pursuant to the exercise of this option unless
and until the Participant pays to the Company, or makes provision satisfactory
to the Company for payment of, any federal, state or local withholding taxes
required by law to be withheld in respect of this option.

7.    Nontransferability of Option.
      ----------------------------

      This option may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise
encumbered by the Participant, either voluntarily or by operation of law, except
by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and, during the lifetime of the
Participant, this option shall be exercisable only by the Participant.

8.    Disqualifying Disposition.
      -------------------------

      If the Participant disposes of Shares acquired upon exercise of this
option within two years from the date of grant of the option or one year after
such Shares were acquired pursuant to exercise of this option, the Participant
shall notify the Company in writing of such disposition within 15 days thereof.

9.    Provisions of the Plan.
      ----------------------

      This option is subject to the provisions of the Plan, a copy of which is
furnished to the Participant with this option.

                                       6
<PAGE>

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this option to be executed
under its corporate seal by its duly authorized officer. This option shall take
effect as a sealed instrument.

                              NETWORK ENGINES, INC.

Dated:                        By:________________________________________

                                    Name: ___________________________________
                                    Title:___________________________________

                            PARTICIPANT'S ACCEPTANCE

      The undersigned hereby accepts the foregoing option and agrees to the
terms and conditions thereof. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of a
copy of the Company's 1999 Stock Incentive Plan.

                        PARTICIPANT:

                        [Name]

                        ______________________________

                        Address: _____________________

                                 _____________________

                                       7<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit 10.6

                              NETWORK ENGINES, INC.

                            INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT

      This Agreement dated as of December 20, 1999 is entered into by and among
(i) Network Engines, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), (ii)
HarbourVest Partners VI - Direct Fund, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership,
Ascent Venture Partners III, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Canaan Equity
II L.P. (QP), a Delaware limited partnership, Landmark Co-Investment Partners,
L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, MD Co., a Massachusetts partnership,
Egan-Managed Capital, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and Corning
Technology Partners II, L.P., a Massachusetts limited partnership, Corning
Capital Ventures, LLC, a Massachusetts limited liability company and (iii) the
other individuals and entities listed on Exhibit A hereto (collectively, with
                                         ---------
the entities in (ii) above, the "Series D Purchasers") and (iv) the individuals
and entities listed on Exhibit B hereto (collectively, the "Prior
                       ---------
Purchasers")(the Series D Purchasers and the Prior Purchasers being collectively
referred to herein as the "Purchasers").

                                    Recitals
                                    --------

      WHEREAS, the Company and the Series D Purchasers have entered into a
Series D Convertible Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement of even date herewith
(the "Purchase Agreement");

      WHEREAS, the Company and certain of the Prior Purchasers and Series D
Purchasers previously entered into the Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, dated
January 13, 1999 as amended, (the "Prior Purchase Agreement");

      WHEREAS, the Prior Purchase Agreement has been amended to delete the
registration rights and rights of first refusal included therein; and

      WHEREAS, the Company and the Purchasers desire to provide for certain
arrangements with respect to (i) the registration of shares of capital stock of
the Company under the Securities Act of 1933 and (ii) the Purchasers' right of
first refusal with respect to certain issuances of securities of the Company.

      NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants
contained in this Agreement, the parties hereto agree as follows:

      1.    Certain Definitions.
            -------------------

      As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following
respective meanings:
<PAGE>

      "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any other
       ----------
federal agency at the time administering the Securities Act.

      "Common Stock" means the common stock, $.0l par value per share, of the
       ------------
Company.

      "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or
       ------------
any successor federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission
issued under such Act, as they each may, from time to time, be in effect.

      "Initiating Holders" means the Stockholders initiating a request for
       ------------------
registration pursuant to Section 2.1(a) or 2.1(b), as the case may be.

      "Initial Public Offering" means the initial underwritten public offering
       -----------------------
of shares of Common Stock pursuant to an effective Registration Statement.

      "Other Holders" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(d).
       -------------

      "Majority Series A Holders" means, collectively, the record holders of at
       -------------------------
least two-thirds of the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon
conversion of the shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.01 par
value per share, of the Company.

      "Majority Series C Holders" means, collectively, the record holders of at
       -------------------------
least two-thirds of the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon
conversion of the shares of Series C Convertible Participating Preferred Stock,
$0.01 par value per share, of the Company.

      "Majority Series D Holders" means, collectively, the record holders of at
       -------------------------
least two-thirds of the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon
conversion of the shares of Series D Convertible Participating Preferred Stock,
$0.01 par value per share, of the Company.

      "Prospectus" means the prospectus included in any Registration Statement,
       ----------
as amended or supplemented by an amendment or prospectus supplement, including
post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed
to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.

      "Registration Statement" means a registration statement filed by the
       ----------------------
Company with the Commission for a public offering and sale of securities of the
Company (other than a registration statement on Form S-8 or Form S-4, or their
successors, or any other form for a similar limited purpose, or any registration
statement covering only securities proposed to be issued in exchange for
securities or assets of another corporation).

      "Registration Expenses" means the expenses described in Section 2.4.
       ---------------------

      "Registrable Shares" means (i) the shares of Common Stock issued or
       ------------------
issuable upon conversion of the Shares, (ii) any shares of Common Stock, and any
shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the conversion or exercise of any
other securities, acquired by the Purchasers pursuant to Section 3 of this
Agreement and (iii) any other shares of Common Stock

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

issued in respect of such shares (because of stock splits, stock dividends,
reclassifications, recapitalizations, or similar events); provided, however,
that shares of Common Stock which are Registrable Shares shall cease to be
Registrable Shares upon (i) any sale pursuant to a Registration Statement or
Rule 144 under the Securities Act or (ii) any sale in any manner to a person or
entity which, by virtue of Section 4 of this Agreement, is not entitled to the
rights provided by this Agreement. Wherever reference is made in this Agreement
to a request or consent of holders of a certain percentage of Registrable
Shares, the determination of such percentage shall include shares of Common
Stock issuable upon conversion of the Shares even if such conversion has not
been effected.

      "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any
       --------------
successor federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission
issued under such Act, as they each may, from time to time, be in effect.

      "Selling Stockholder" means any Stockholder owning Registrable Shares
       -------------------
included in a Registration Statement.

      "Shares" shall mean the Company's Series A Preferred Stock, $.01 par value
       ------
per share, Series B Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share, Series C
Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share and Series D Preferred Stock, $.0l par
value per share.

      "Stockholders" means the Purchasers and any persons or entities to whom
       ------------
the rights granted under this Agreement are transferred by any Purchasers, their
successors or assigns pursuant to Section 4 hereof.

      2.    Registration Rights
            -------------------

            2.1   Required Registrations.
                  ----------------------

                  (a) At any time after the earlier of (x) December 20, 2002, or
(y) six months after the closing of the Initial Public Offering, a Stockholder
or Stockholders holding in the aggregate at least 35% of the Registrable Shares
then outstanding may request, in writing, that the Company effect the
registration on Form S-1 or Form S-2 (or any successor form) of Registrable
Shares owned by such Stockholder or Stockholders having an aggregate value of at
least $5,000,000 (based on the then current market price or fair value).

                  (b) At any time after the Company becomes eligible to file a
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (or any successor form relating to secondary
offerings), a Stockholder or Stockholders holding in the aggregate at least 2%
of the Registrable Shares then outstanding may request, in writing, that the
Company effect the registration on Form S-3 (or such successor form), of
Registrable Shares having an aggregate value of at least $1,000,000 (based on
the then current public market price).

                  (c) Upon receipt of any request for registration pursuant to
this Section 2, the Company shall promptly give written notice of such proposed
registration to all other Stockholders. Such Stockholders shall have the right,
by giving written notice to the Company within 30 days after the Company
provides its notice, to elect to have included in such registration such of
their Registrable Shares as such Stockholders may request in such notice of

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

election, subject in the case of an underwritten offering to the approval of the
managing underwriter as provided in Section 2.1(d) below. Thereupon, the Company
shall, as expeditiously as possible, use its best efforts to effect the
registration on an appropriate registration form of all Registrable Shares which
the Company has been requested to so register (provided, however, that in the
case of a registration requested under Section 2.1(b), the Company will only be
obligated to effect such registration on Form S-3 (or any successor form)).

                  (d) If the Initiating Holders intend to distribute the
Registrable Shares covered by their request by means of an underwriting, they
shall so advise the Company as a part of their request made pursuant to Section
2.1(a) or (b), as the case may be, and the Company shall include such
information in its written notice referred to in Section 2.1(c). The right of
any other Stockholder to include its Registrable Shares in such registration
pursuant to Section 2.1(a) or (b), as the case may be, shall be conditioned upon
such other Stockholder's participation in such underwriting on the terms set
forth herein.

      If the Company desires that any officers or directors of the Company
holding securities of the Company be included in any registration for an
underwritten offering requested pursuant to Section 2.1(d) or if other holders
of securities of the Company who are entitled, by contract with the Company, to
have securities included in such a registration (the "Other Holders") request
such inclusion, the Company may include the securities of such officers,
directors and Other Holders in such registration and underwriting on the terms
set forth herein. The Company shall (together with all Stockholders, officers,
directors and Other Holders proposing to distribute their securities through
such underwriting) enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form
(including, without limitation, customary indemnification and contribution
provisions on the part of the Company) with the managing underwriter; provided
                                                                      --------
that such underwriting agreement shall not provide for indemnification or
contribution obligations on the part of Stockholders materially greater than the
obligations of the Stockholders pursuant to Section 2.5. Notwithstanding any
other provision of this Section 2.1, if the managing underwriter determines that
the inclusion of all shares requested to be registered would adversely affect
the offering, the Company may limit the number of Registrable Shares to be
included in the registration and underwriting. The Company shall so advise all
holders of Registrable Shares requesting registration, and the number of shares
that are entitled to be included in the registration and underwriting shall be
allocated in the following manner. The securities of the Company held by holders
other than Stockholders and Other Holders shall be excluded from such
registration and underwriting to the extent deemed advisable by the managing
underwriter, and, if a further limitation on the number of shares is required,
the number of shares that may be included in such registration and underwriting
shall be allocated among all Stockholders and Other Holders requesting
registration in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the respective number
of shares of Common Stock (on an as-converted basis) which they held at the time
the Company gives the notice specified in Section 2.1(c). If any holder of
Registrable Shares, officer, director or Other Holder who has requested
inclusion in such registration as provided above disapproves of the terms of the
underwriting, such person may elect to withdraw therefrom by written notice to
the Company, and the securities so withdrawn shall also be withdrawn from
registration. If the managing underwriter has not limited the number of
Registrable Shares or other securities to be underwritten, the Company may
include securities for its own account in such registration if the managing
underwriter so

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

agrees and if the number of Registrable Shares and other securities which would
otherwise have been included in such registration and underwriting will not
thereby be limited.

                  (e) The Company shall not be required to effect more than two
registrations pursuant to Section 2.1(a). In addition, the Company shall not be
required to effect any registration (other than on Form S-3 or any successor
form relating to secondary offerings) within six months after the effective date
of any other Registration Statement of the Company. For purposes of this Section
2.1(e), a Registration Statement shall not be counted if (i) the Registration
Statement is not declared effective by the Commission or the Initiating Holders
are unable to sell at least 50% of the shares they sought to sell pursuant to
such Registration Statement (unless the Initiating Holders withdraw their
request for such registration (other than as a result of information concerning
the business or financial condition of the Company which is made known to the
Stockholders after the date on which such registration was requested) and elect
not to pay the Registration Expenses therefor pursuant to Section 2.4) or (ii)
the Company sells any shares of Common Stock for its own account pursuant to the
Registration Statement.

                  (f) If at the time of any request to register Registrable
Shares by Initiating Holders pursuant to this Section 2.1, the Company is
engaged or has plans to engage in a registered public offering or is engaged in
any other activity which, in the good faith determination of the Company's Board
of Directors, would be adversely affected by the requested registration, then
the Company may at its option direct that such request be delayed for a period
not in excess of 90 days from the date of such request, such right to delay a
request to be exercised by the Company not more than once in any 12-month
period.

            2.2   Incidental Registration.
                  -----------------------

                  (a) Whenever the Company proposes to file a Registration
Statement (other than a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2.1 and
a Registration Statement covering shares to be sold solely for the account of
Other Holders) at any time and from time to time, it will, prior to such filing,
give written notice to all Stockholders of its intention to do so; provided,
                                                                   --------
that no such notice need be given if no Registrable Shares are to be included
therein as a result of a determination of the managing underwriter pursuant to
Section 2.2(b). Upon the written request of a Stockholder or Stockholders given
within 20 days after the Company provides such notice (which request shall state
the intended method of disposition of such Registrable Shares), the Company
shall use its best efforts to cause all Registrable Shares which the Company has
been requested by such Stockholder or Stockholders to register to be registered
under the Securities Act to the extent necessary to permit their sale or other
disposition in accordance with the intended methods of distribution specified in
the request of such Stockholder or Stockholders; provided that the Company shall
have the right to postpone or withdraw any registration effected pursuant to
this Section 2.2 without obligation to any Stockholder.

                  (b) If the registration for which the Company gives notice
pursuant to Section 2.2(a) is a registered public offering involving an
underwriting, the Company shall so advise the Stockholders as a part of the
written notice given pursuant to Section 2.2(a). In such event, the right of any
Stockholder to include its Registrable Shares in such registration pursuant to
Section 2.2 shall be conditioned upon such Stockholder's participation in such
underwriting

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

on the terms set forth herein. All Stockholders proposing to distribute their
securities through such underwriting shall enter into an underwriting agreement
in customary form with the underwriter or underwriters selected for the
underwriting by the Company; provided that the Company shall make commercially
                             --------
reasonable efforts to assist the Stockholders in negotiating terms and
conditions in such underwriting agreement that are reasonably acceptable to the
Stockholders. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.2, if the
managing underwriter determines that the inclusion of all shares requested to be
registered would adversely affect the offering, the Company may limit the number
of Registrable Shares to be included in the registration and underwriting to not
less than 50% of the total number of securities to be included in the offering;
provided that the foregoing requirement shall not apply to the Initial Public
--------
Offering. The Company shall so advise all holders of Registrable Shares
requesting registration, and the number of shares that are entitled to be
included in the registration and underwriting shall be allocated in the
following manner. The securities of the Company held by holders other than
Stockholders and Other Holders shall be excluded from such registration and
underwriting to the extent deemed advisable by the managing underwriter, and, if
a further limitation on the number of shares is required, the number of shares
that may be included in such registration and underwriting shall be allocated
among all Stockholders and Other Holders requesting registration in proportion,
as nearly as practicable, to the respective number of shares of Common Stock (on
an as-converted basis) which they held at the time the Company gives the notice
specified in Section 2.2(a). If any Stockholder or Other Holder would thus be
entitled to include more securities than such holder requested to be registered,
the excess shall be allocated among other requesting Stockholders and Other
Holders pro rata in the manner described in the preceding sentence. If any
holder of Registrable Shares or any officer, director or Other Holder
disapproves of the terms of any such underwriting, such person may elect to
withdraw therefrom by written notice to the Company, and any Registrable Shares
or other securities excluded or withdrawn from such underwriting shall be
withdrawn from such registration.

            2.3   Registration Procedures.
                  -----------------------

                  (a) If and whenever the Company is required by the provisions
of this Agreement to use its best efforts to effect the registration of any
Registrable Shares under the Securities Act, the Company shall:

                        (i) file with the Commission a Registration Statement
with respect to such Registrable Shares and use its best efforts to cause that
Registration Statement to become effective as soon as possible;

                        (ii) as expeditiously as possible prepare and file with
the Commission any amendments and supplements to the Registration Statement and
the prospectus included in the Registration Statement as may be necessary to
comply with the provisions of the Securities Act (including the anti-fraud
provisions thereof) and to keep the Registration Statement effective for 12
months from the effective date or such lesser period until all such Registrable
Shares are sold;

                        (iii) as expeditiously as possible furnish to each
Selling Stockholder such reasonable numbers of copies of the Prospectus,
including any preliminary Prospectus, in conformity with the requirements of the
Securities Act, and such other documents

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

as such Selling Stockholder may reasonably request in order to facilitate the
public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Shares owned by such Selling
Stockholder;

                        (iv) as expeditiously as possible use its best efforts
to register or qualify the Registrable Shares covered by the Registration
Statement under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such states as the Selling
Stockholders shall reasonably request, and do any and all other acts and things
that may be necessary or desirable to enable the Selling Stockholders to
consummate the public sale or other disposition in such states of the
Registrable Shares owned by the Selling Stockholder; provided, however, that the
                                                     --------  -------
Company shall not be required in connection with this paragraph (iv) to qualify
as a foreign corporation or execute a general consent to service of process in
any jurisdiction;

                        (v) as expeditiously as possible, cause all such
Registrable Shares to be listed on each securities exchange or automated
quotation system on which similar securities issued by the Company are then
listed;

                        (vi) promptly provide a transfer agent and registrar for
all such Registrable Shares not later than the effective date of such
registration statement;

                        (vii) promptly make available for inspection by the
Selling Stockholders, any managing underwriter participating in any disposition
pursuant to such Registration Statement, and any attorney or accountant or other
agent retained by any such underwriter or selected by the Selling Stockholders,
all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of
the Company and cause the Company's officers, directors, employees and
independent accountants to supply all information reasonably requested by any
such seller, underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection with such
Registration Statement;

                        (viii) as expeditiously as possible, notify each Selling
Stockholder, promptly after it shall receive notice thereof, of the time when
such Registration Statement has become effective or a supplement to any
Prospectus forming a part of such Registration Statement has been filed; and

                        (ix) as expeditiously as possible following the
effectiveness of such Registration Statement, notify each seller of such
Registrable Shares of any request by the Commission for the amending or
supplementing of such Registration Statement or Prospectus.

                  (b) If the Company has delivered a Prospectus to the Selling
Stockholders and after having done so the Prospectus is amended to comply with
the requirements of the Securities Act, the Company shall promptly notify the
Selling Stockholders and, if requested, the Selling Stockholders shall
immediately cease making offers of Registrable Shares and return all
Prospectuses to the Company. The Company shall promptly provide the Selling
Stockholders with revised Prospectuses and, following receipt of the revised
Prospectuses, the Selling Stockholders shall be free to resume making offers of
the Registrable Shares.

                  (c) In the event that, in the judgment of the Company, it is
advisable to suspend use of a Prospectus included in a Registration Statement
due to pending material

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

developments or other events that have not yet been publicly disclosed and as to
which the Company believes public disclosure would be detrimental to the
Company, the Company shall notify all Selling Stockholders to such effect, and,
upon receipt of such notice, each such Selling Stockholder shall immediately
discontinue any sales of Registrable Shares pursuant to such Registration
Statement until such Selling Stockholder has received copies of a supplemented
or amended Prospectus or until such Selling Stockholder is advised in writing by
the Company that the then current Prospectus may be used and has received copies
of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated or deemed
incorporated by reference in such Prospectus. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary herein, the Company shall not exercise its rights under this Section
2.3(c) to suspend sales of Registrable Shares for a period in excess of 60 days
in any 365-day period.

            2.4 Allocation of Expense. The Company will pay all Registration
                ---------------------
Expenses for all registrations under this Agreement; provided, however, that if
                                                     --------  -------
a registration under Section 2.1 is withdrawn at the request of the Initiating
Holders (other than as a result of information concerning the business or
financial condition of the Company which is made known to the Stockholders after
the date on which such registration was requested) and if the Initiating Holders
elect not to have such registration counted as a registration requested under
Section 2.1, the requesting Stockholders shall pay the Registration Expenses of
such registration pro rata in accordance with the number of their Registrable
Shares included in such registration. For purposes of this Section, the term
"Registration Expenses" shall mean all expenses incurred by the Company in
complying with this Agreement, including, without limitation, all registration
and filing fees, exchange listing fees, printing expenses, fees and expenses of
counsel for the Company and the fees and expenses of one counsel selected by the
Selling Stockholders to represent the Selling Stockholders, state Blue Sky fees
and expenses, and the expense of any special audits incident to or required by
any such registration, but excluding underwriting discounts, selling commissions
and the fees and expenses of Selling Stockholders' own counsel (other than the
one counsel selected to represent all Selling Stockholders).

            2.5 Indemnification and Contribution.
                --------------------------------

                  (a) In the event of any registration of any of the Registrable
Shares under the Securities Act pursuant to this Agreement, the Company will
indemnify and hold harmless each Selling Stockholder, each of its officers,
directors and partners (the "Covered Affiliates"), each underwriter of such
Registrable Shares, and each other person, if any, who controls such Selling
Stockholder or underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act or the
Exchange Act against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or
several, to which such Selling Stockholder, Covered Affiliate, underwriter or
controlling person may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange
Act, state securities or Blue Sky laws or otherwise, insofar as such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or
are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material
fact contained in any Registration Statement under which such Registrable Shares
were registered under the Securities Act, any preliminary prospectus or final
prospectus contained in the Registration Statement, or any amendment or
supplement to such Registration Statement, or arise out of or are based upon the
omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; and the
Company will reimburse such Selling Stockholder, Covered Affiliate, underwriter
and each such controlling

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

person for any legal or any other expenses reasonably incurred by such Selling
Stockholder, Covered Affiliate, underwriter or controlling person in connection
with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or
action; provided, however, that the Company will not be liable in any such case
        --------  -------
to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is
based upon any untrue statement or omission made in such Registration Statement,
preliminary prospectus or prospectus, or any such amendment or supplement, in
reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Company, in
writing, by or on behalf of such Selling Stockholder, underwriter or controlling
person specifically for use in the preparation thereof.

                  (b) In the event of any registration of any of the Registrable
Shares under the Securities Act pursuant to this Agreement, each Selling
Stockholder, severally and not jointly, will indemnify and hold harmless the
Company, each of its directors and officers and each underwriter (if any) and
each person, if any, who controls the Company or any such underwriter within the
meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, each other Selling
Stockholder and its Covered Affiliates against any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities, joint or several, to which the Company, such directors and
officers, underwriter or controlling person or other Selling Stockholder may
become subject under the Securities Act, Exchange Act, state securities or Blue
Sky laws or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities
(or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any
Registration Statement under which such Registrable Shares were registered under
the Securities Act, any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained in
the Registration Statement, or any amendment or supplement to the Registration
Statement, or arise out of or are based upon any omission or alleged omission to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, if the statement or omission was made in
reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to such Selling
Stockholder furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of such Selling
Stockholder specifically for use in connection with the preparation of such
Registration Statement, prospectus, amendment or supplement; provided, however,
that the obligations of a Selling Stockholder hereunder shall be limited to an
amount equal to the net proceeds to such Selling Stockholder of Registrable
Shares sold in connection with such registration.

                  (c) Each party entitled to indemnification under this Section
(the "Indemnified Party") shall give notice to the party required to provide
indemnification (the "Indemnifying Party") promptly after such Indemnified Party
has actual knowledge of any claim as to which indemnity may be sought, and shall
permit the Indemnifying Party to assume the defense of any such claim or any
litigation resulting therefrom; provided, that counsel for the Indemnifying
                                --------
Party, who shall conduct the defense of such claim or litigation, shall be
approved by the Indemnified Party (whose approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld); and, provided, further, that the failure of any Indemnified Party to
                --------  -------
give notice as provided herein shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its
obligations under this Section except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party
is adversely affected by such failure. The Indemnified Party may participate in
such defense at such party's expense; provided, however, that the Indemnifying
                                      --------  -------
Party shall pay such expense if representation of such Indemnified Party by the
counsel retained by the Indemnifying Party would be inappropriate due to actual
or potential differing interests between the Indemnified Party and any other
party represented by such counsel in such proceeding;

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

provided further that in no event shall the Indemnifying Party be required to
-------- -------
pay the expenses of more than one law firm per jurisdiction as counsel for the
Indemnified Party. The Indemnifying Party also shall be responsible for the
expenses of such defense if the Indemnifying Party does not elect to assume such
defense. No Indemnifying Party, in the defense of any such claim or litigation
shall, except with the consent of each Indemnified Party, consent to entry of
any judgment or enter into any settlement which does not include as an
unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such
Indemnified Party of a release from all liability in respect of such claim or
litigation, and no Indemnified Party shall consent to entry of any judgment or
settle such claim or litigation without the prior written consent of the
Indemnifying Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

                  (d) In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in
circumstances in which the indemnification provided for in this Section 2.5 is
due in accordance with its terms but for any reason is held to be unavailable to
an Indemnified Party in respect to any losses, claims, damages and liabilities
referred to herein, then the Indemnifying Party shall, in lieu of indemnifying
such Indemnified Party, contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
Indemnified Party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities to
which such party may be subject in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect
the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Selling Stockholders
on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in
such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant
equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company and the Selling
Stockholders shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether
the untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact related to information
supplied by the Company or the Selling Stockholders and the parties' relative
intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent
such statement or omission. The Company and the Selling Stockholders agree that
it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 2.5
were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation
which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph of Section 2.5, (a) in no case
shall any one Selling Stockholder be liable or responsible for any amount in
excess of the net proceeds received by such Selling Stockholder from the
offering of Registrable Shares and (b) the Company shall be liable and
responsible for any amount in excess of such proceeds; provided, however, that
                                                       --------  -------
no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section
11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person
who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation and no Selling
Stockholder shall be required to assume any liability under this Section 2.5(d)
with respect to contribution in excess of what such Selling Stockholder would
have been liable to assume had the indemnification provisions contained in
Section 2.5(a) and (b) been enforceable. Any party entitled to contribution
will, promptly after receipt of notice of commencement of any action, suit or
proceeding against such party in respect of which a claim for contribution may
be made against another party or parties under this Section, notify such party
or parties from whom contribution may be sought, but the omission so to notify
such party or parties from whom contribution may be sought shall not relieve
such party from any other obligation it or they may have thereunder or otherwise
under this Section. No party shall be liable for contribution with respect to
any action, suit, proceeding or claim settled without its prior written consent,
which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

            2.6 Other Matters with Respect to Underwritten Offerings. In the
                ----------------------------------------------------
event that Registrable Shares are sold pursuant to a Registration Statement in
an underwritten offering pursuant to Section 2.1, the Company agrees to (a)
enter into an underwriting agreement containing customary representations and
warranties with respect to the business and operations of the Company and
customary covenants and agreements to be performed by the Company, including
without limitation customary provisions with respect to indemnification by the
Company of the underwriters of such offering; (b) use its best efforts to cause
its legal counsel to render customary opinions to the underwriters with respect
to the Registration Statement; and (c) use its best efforts to cause its
independent public accounting firm to issue customary "cold comfort letters" to
the underwriters with respect to the Registration Statement.

            2.7 Information by Holder. Each holder of Registrable Shares
                ---------------------
included in any registration shall furnish to the Company such information
regarding such holder and the distribution proposed by such holder as the
Company may reasonably request in writing and as shall be required in connection
with any registration, qualification or compliance referred to in this
Agreement.

            2.8 "Stand-Off" Agreement; Confidentiality of Notices. Each
                 ------------------------------------------------
Stockholder, if requested by the Company and the managing underwriter of an
underwritten public offering by the Company of Common Stock, shall not sell or
otherwise transfer or dispose of any Registrable Shares or other securities of
the Company held by such Stockholder for a period of 180 days following the
effective date of a Registration Statement filed in connection with the Initial
Public Offering or 90 days following the effective date of a Registration
Statement filed in connection with any secondary offering; provided that all
                                                           --------
stockholders of the Company then holding at least 1% of the outstanding Common
Stock (on an as-converted basis) and all officers and directors of the Company
enter into similar agreements.

      The Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to the
Registrable Shares or other securities subject to the foregoing restriction
until the end of such 180-day period or 90 day period as the case may be.

      Any Stockholder receiving any written notice from the Company regarding
the Company's plans to file a Registration Statement shall treat such notice
confidentially and shall not disclose such information to any person other than
as necessary to exercise its rights under this Agreement.

            2.9 Limitations on Subsequent Registration Rights. The Company shall
                ---------------------------------------------
not, without the prior written consent of Stockholders holding at least 50% of
the Registrable Shares then held by all Stockholders, enter into any agreement
(other than this Agreement) with any holder or prospective holder of any
securities of the Company which grant such holder or prospective holder rights
to include securities of the Company in any Registration Statement, unless (a)
such rights to include securities in a registration initiated by the Company or
by Stockholders are not more favorable than the rights granted to Other Holders
under Sections 2.1 and 2.2 of this Agreement, and (b) no rights are granted to
initiate a registration, other than registration pursuant to a registration
statement on Form S-3 (or its successor) in which Stockholders are entitled to
include Registrable Shares on a pro rata basis with such holders based on the
number of shares of Common Stock (on an as-converted basis) owned by

                                      -11-
<PAGE>

Stockholders and such holders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any such action
taken pursuant to this Section 2.9 may be effected only in a manner which
affects all holders of Registrable Shares in the same fashion unless such
materially adversely affected holder consents in writing.

            2.10 Rule 144 Requirements. After the earliest of (i) the closing of
                 ---------------------
the sale of securities of the Company pursuant to a Registration Statement, (ii)
the registration by the Company of a class of securities under Section 12 of the
Exchange Act, or (iii) the issuance by the Company of an offering circular
pursuant to Regulation A under the Securities Act, the Company agrees to:

                  (a) make and keep current public information about the Company
available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144;

                  (b) use its best efforts to file with the Commission in a
timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the
Securities Act and the Exchange Act (at any time after it has become subject to
such reporting requirements); and

                  (c) furnish to any holder of Registrable Shares upon request
(i) a written statement by the Company as to its compliance with the reporting
requirements of Rule 144 and of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act (at any
time after it has become subject to such reporting requirements), (ii) a copy of
the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company, and (iii) such other
reports and documents of the Company as such holder may reasonably request to
avail itself of any similar rule or regulation of the Commission allowing it to
sell any such securities without registration.

            2.11 Termination. All of the Company's obligations to register
                 -----------
Registrable Shares under Sections 2.1 and 2.2 of this Agreement shall terminate
five years after the closing of the Initial Public Offering

      3.    Right Of First Refusal
            ----------------------

            3.1 Rights of Purchasers.
                --------------------
                  (a) The Company shall not issue, sell or exchange, agree to
issue, sell or exchange, or reserve or set aside for issuance, sale or exchange,
(i) any shares of its Common Stock, (ii) any other equity securities of the
Company, including, without limitation, shares of preferred stock, (iii) any
option, warrant or other right to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire
any equity securities of the Company, or (iv) any debt securities convertible
into capital stock of the Company (collectively, the "Offered Securities"),
unless in each such case the Company shall have first complied with this Section
3.1. The Company shall deliver to each Purchaser a written notice of any
proposed or intended issuance, sale or exchange of Offered Securities (the
"Offer"), which Offer shall (i) identify and describe the Offered Securities,
(ii) describe the price and other terms upon which they are to be issued, sold
or exchanged, and the number or amount of the Offered Securities to be issued,
sold or exchanged, (iii) identify the persons or entities (if known) to which or
with which the Offered Securities are to be offered, issued, sold or exchanged
and (iv) offer to issue and sell to or exchange with such Purchaser (A) a pro
rata portion of the Offered Securities determined by dividing the aggregate
number of shares of Common Stock then held by such Purchaser (giving effect to
the conversion of all

                                      -12-
<PAGE>

shares of convertible preferred stock then held) by the total number of shares
of Common Stock then outstanding (giving effect to the conversion of all
outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock) (the "Basic Amount"), and (B)
any additional portion of the Offered Securities attributable to the Basic
Amounts of other Purchasers as such Purchaser shall indicate it will purchase or
acquire should the other Purchasers subscribe for less than their Basic Amounts
(the "Undersubscription Amount").

                  (b) To accept an Offer, in whole or in part, a Purchaser must
deliver a written notice to the Company prior to 30 days after the date of
delivery of the Offer, setting forth the portion of the Purchaser's Basic Amount
that such Purchaser elects to purchase and, if such Purchaser shall elect to
purchase all of its Basic Amount, the Undersubscription Amount (if any) that
such Purchaser elects to purchase (the "Notice of Acceptance"). If the Basic
Amounts subscribed for by all Purchasers are less than the total of all of the
Basic Amounts available for purchase, then each Purchaser who has set forth an
Undersubscription Amount in its Notice of Acceptance shall be entitled to
purchase, in addition to the Basic Amounts subscribed for, the Undersubscription
Amount it has subscribed for; provided, however, that if the Undersubscription
                              --------  -------
Amounts subscribed for exceed the difference between the total of all of the
Basic Amounts available for purchase and the Basic Amounts subscribed for (the
"Available Undersubscription Amount"), each Purchaser who has subscribed for any
Undersubscription Amount shall be entitled to purchase only that portion of the
Available Undersubscription Amount as the Undersubscription Amount subscribed
for by such Purchaser bears to the total Undersubscription Amounts subscribed
for by all Purchasers, subject to rounding by the Board of Directors to the
extent it deems reasonably necessary.

                  (c) The Company shall have 90 days from the expiration of the
period set forth in Section 3.1(b) above to issue, sell or exchange all or any
part of such Offered Securities which are not purchased by the Purchasers
pursuant to Section 3.1(b) (the "Refused Securities"), but only to the offerees
or purchasers described in the Offer (if so described therein) and only upon
terms and conditions (including, without limitation, unit prices and interest
rates) which are not more favorable, in the aggregate, to the acquiring person
or persons or less favorable to the Company than those set forth in the Offer.

                  (d) In the event the Company shall propose to sell less than
all the Refused Securities (any such sale to be in the manner and on the terms
specified in Section 3.1(c) above), then each Purchaser may, at its sole option
and in its sole discretion, reduce the number or amount of the Offered
Securities specified in its Notice of Acceptance to an amount that shall be not
less than the number or amount of the Offered Securities that the Purchaser
elected to purchase pursuant to Section 3.1(b) above multiplied by a fraction,
(i) the numerator of which shall be the number or amount of Offered Securities
the Company actually proposes to issue, sell or exchange (including Offered
Securities to be issued or sold to Purchasers pursuant to Section 3.1(b) above
prior to such reduction) and (ii) the denominator of which shall be the original
amount of the Offered Securities. In the event that any Purchaser so elects to
reduce the number or amount of Offered Securities specified in its Notice of
Acceptance, the Company may not issue, sell or exchange more than the reduced
number or amount of the Offered Securities unless and until such securities have
again been offered to the Purchasers in accordance with Section 3.1(a) above.

                                      -13-
<PAGE>

                  (e) Upon the closing of the issuance, sale or exchange of all
or less than all of the Refused Securities, the Purchasers shall acquire from
the Company, and the Company shall issue to the Purchasers, the number or amount
of Offered Securities specified in the Notices of Acceptance, as reduced
pursuant to Section 3.1(d) above if the Purchasers have so elected, upon the
terms and conditions specified in the Offer. The purchase by the Purchasers of
any Offered Securities is subject in all cases to the preparation, execution and
delivery by the Company and the Purchasers of a purchase agreement relating to
such Offered Securities reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the
Purchasers and their respective counsel.

                  (f) Any Offered Securities not acquired by the Purchasers or
other persons in accordance with Section 3.1(c) above may not be issued, sold or
exchanged until they are again offered to the Purchasers under the procedures
specified in this Agreement.

                  (g) The rights of the Purchasers under this Section 3 shall
not apply to:

                        (1) Common Stock issued as a stock dividend to holders
of Common Stock or upon any subdivision or combination of shares of Common
Stock;

                        (2) the issuance of any shares of Common Stock upon
conversion of shares of convertible preferred stock;

                        (3) the issuance of Common Stock upon exercise,
conversion or exchange of stock or other securities convertible or exchangeable
for shares of Common Stock, including, without limitation, options, warrants and
other rights to acquire shares of Common Stock or securities convertible into or
exchangeable for shares of Common Stock;

                        (4) the issuance, at any time after the original date of
incorporation of the Company's predecessor (a Massachusetts corporation of the
same name), of up to 2,049,161 shares of Common Stock, or at any time after the
date hereof, of up to 1,613,411 shares of Common Stock, or such greater number
as is approved by vote of not less than a majority of the non-employee directors
of the Company, or the grant of options, restricted stock or other stock-based
awards therefor, including shares issued upon exercise of options outstanding on
the date of this Agreement (such number to be proportionately adjusted in the
event of any stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations or similar events
occurring on or after the date of this Agreement) to officers, directors,
consultants and employees of the Company or any subsidiary pursuant to any plan,
agreement or arrangement approved by a vote of not less than a majority of the
Board of Directors of the Company (it being understood that any shares subject
to options that expire or terminate unexercised or shares that are repurchased
pursuant to a restricted stock agreement shall not count towards the maximum
number set forth in this clause (3));

                        (5) any issuance of securities to a bank or other
institution providing debt financing to the Company, if such issuance is
approved by the Board of Directors of the Company, including the affirmative
vote or consent of one director nominated by the Majority Series A Holders, one
director nominated by the Majority Series C Holders and one director nominated
by the Majority Series D Holders;

                                      -14-
<PAGE>

                        (6) securities issued solely in consideration for the
acquisition (whether by merger or otherwise) by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries of all or substantially all of the stock or assets of any other
entity;

                        (7) any other issuance of securities solely for non-cash
consideration, if such issuance is approved by the Board of Directors of the
Company, including the affirmative vote or consent of one director nominated by
the Majority Series A Holders, one director nominated by the Majority Series C
Holders and one director nominated by the Majority Series D Holders, and such
vote or consent makes specific reference to the waiver of the rights of the
Purchasers under this Section 3; or

                        (8) shares of Common Stock sold by the Company in an
underwritten public offering pursuant to an effective registration statement
under the Securities Act.

            3.2 Termination. This Section 3 shall terminate upon the earlier of
                -----------
the following events:

            (a) The sale of all or substantially all of the assets or business
of the Company, by merger, sale of assets or otherwise; or

            (b) The closing of the Initial Public Offering.

      4. Transfers of Rights. This Agreement, and the rights and obligations of
         -------------------
each Purchaser hereunder, may be assigned by such Purchaser to (i) any person or
entity to which at least 250,000 Shares are transferred by such Purchaser
(except for any transfer requested at any time prior to 120 days after the date
of this Agreement, in which case fewer that 250,000 shares may be transferred),
(ii) any of such Purchaser's stockholders, affiliates, partners, retired
partners, members, general partners or managing members of such Purchaser, (iii)
any liquidating trust established for the benefit of any partners or members of
such Purchaser, or (iv) any investment fund or other entity controlled or
managed by an affiliate of such Purchaser, and such transferee shall be deemed a
"Purchaser" for purposes of this Agreement; provided that the transferee
provides written notice of such assignment to the Company and agrees in writing
to be bound hereby.

      5. General.
         -------

                  (a) Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any
                      ------------
provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of
any other provision of this Agreement.

                  (b) Specific Performance. In addition to any and all other
                      --------------------
remedies that may be available at law in the event of any breach of this
Agreement, each Purchaser shall be entitled to specific performance of the
agreements and obligations of the Company hereunder and to such other injunctive
or other equitable relief as may be granted by a court of competent
jurisdiction.

                                      -15-
<PAGE>

                  (c) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
                      -------------
construed in accordance with the internal laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts (without reference to the conflicts of law provisions thereof).

                  (d) Notices. All notices, requests, consents, and other
                      -------
communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed
delivered (i) three business days after being sent by registered or certified
mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid or (ii) one business day after
being sent via a reputable nationwide overnight courier service guaranteeing
next business day delivery, in each case to the intended recipient as set forth
below:

      If to the Company, at Network Engines, Inc., 61 Pleasant Street, Randolph,
Massachusetts 02368-4137, Attention: President and CEO, or at such other address
or addresses as may have been furnished in writing by the Company to the
Purchasers, with a copy to Hale and Dorr LLP, 60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109,
Attention: Philip P. Rossetti, Esq.;

      If to a Purchaser, at the address set forth on Exhibit A for such
                                                     ---------
Purchaser, or at such other address or addresses as may have been furnished to
the Company in writing by such Purchaser, with a copy to Debevoise & Plimpton,
875 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022, Attention: David Schwartz, Esq.

      Any party may give any notice, request, consent or other communication
under this Agreement using any other means (including, without limitation,
personal delivery, messenger service, telecopy, first class mail or electronic
mail), but no such notice, request, consent or other communication shall be
deemed to have been duly given unless and until it is actually received by the
party for whom it is intended. Any party may change the address to which
notices, requests, consents or other communications hereunder are to be
delivered by giving the other parties notice in the manner set forth in this
Section.

                  (e) Complete Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire
                      ------------------
agreement and understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject
matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to
such subject matter.

                  (f) Amendments and Waivers. Any term of this Agreement may be
                      ----------------------
amended or terminated and the observance of any term of this Agreement may be
waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or
prospectively), with the written consent of the Company and the holders of at
least a majority of the Registrable Shares held by all of the Stockholders;
provided, that this Agreement may be amended with the consent of the holders of
--------
less than all Registrable Shares only in a manner which applies to all such
holders in the same fashion. Any such amendment, termination or waiver effected
in accordance with this Section 5(f) shall be binding on all parties hereto,
even if they do not execute such consent. No waivers of or exceptions to any
term, condition or provision of this Agreement, in any one or more instances,
shall be deemed to be, or construed as, a further or continuing waiver of any
such term, condition or provision.

                  (g) Pronouns. Whenever the context may require, any pronouns
                      --------
used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or
neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns and pronouns shall include the
plural, and vice versa.

                                      -16-
<PAGE>

                  (h) Counterparts; Facsimile Signatures. This Agreement may be
                      ----------------------------------
executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an
original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same document.
This Agreement may be executed by facsimile signatures.

                  (i) Section Headings. The section headings are for the
                      ----------------
convenience of the parties and in no way alter, modify, amend, limit or restrict
the contractual obligations of the parties.

              [The rest of this page is intentionally left blank.]

                                      -17-
<PAGE>

      Executed as of the date first written above.

                                    "The Company"

                                    NETWORK ENGINES, INC.

                                    By:  /s/ Lawrence A. Genovesi
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                         Lawrence A. Genovesi
                                         President and Chief Executive Officer

                                    "The Series D Purchasers"

                                    HARBOURVEST PARTNERS VI - DIRECT FUND, L.P.

                                    By:  HVP VI- DIRECT ASSOCIATES LLC,
                                         as general partner

                                         By: HARBOURVEST PARTNERS, LLC,
                                         its managing member

                                         By: /s/ Ofer Nemirovsky
                                            ------------------------------------
                                             Name:  Ofer Nemirovsky
                                             Title:  Managing Director

                                    CANAAN EQUITY II L.P. (QP)

                                    By:  CANAAN EQUITY PARTNERS II LLC

                                         By: /s/ James Furnivall
                                            ------------------------------------
                                             its Member/Manager

                                      -18-
<PAGE>

                                    LANDMARK CO-INVESTMENT PARTNERS, L.P.

                                    By:  LANDMARK PARTNERS VIII, LLC
                                         its General Partner

                                         By: LANDMARK EQUITY ADVISORS, LLC
                                             its Managing Member

                                             By:/s/ Robert J. Sharfeld
                                                --------------------------------
                                                its Member

                                    ASCENT VENTURE PARTNERS III, L.P.

                                    By:  ASCENT VENTURE MANAGEMENT III, LLC
                                         its General Partner

                                    By:      /s/ Frank S. Polestra
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Frank M. Polestra
                                         Manager

                                    MD CO.

                                    By:      /s/ Charles A. Levin
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Name:  Charles A. Levin
                                         Partner

                                    EGAN-MANAGED CAPITAL, LP.

                                    By:  EMC PARTNERS, L.P.,
                                         its General Partner

                                         By:    /s/ Michael H. Shanahan
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Michael H. Shanahan
                                             its General Partner

                                      -19-
<PAGE>

                                    CORNING TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS II, L.P.

                                    By:  CC VENTURES LLP,
                                         its Managing Partner

                                         By:    /s/ Dwight B. Corning
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Dwight B. Corning
                                             its General Partner

                                    CORNING CAPITAL VENTURES, LLC

                                    By:  CC VENTURES LLP,
                                         its Managing Member

                                         By     /s/ Dwight B. Corning
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Dwight B. Corning,
                                             its General Partner

                                             /s/  Michael Barza
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Michael Barza

                                    PROPRIETORS OF FOREST HILLS CEMETERY

                                    By:      /s/ Robert W. Macleod
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Name:  Robert W. Macleod
                                         its Trustee

                                             /s/ Micheal J. Egan
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Fitzgerald Partners III, L.P.

                                             /s/ Dr. Per Eldh
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Dr. Per Eldh

                                      -20-
<PAGE>

                                             /s/ Richard Golemme
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Richard Golemme

                                    FIRST TRUST CORPORATION F/B/O LINDA WILEY

                                    By:      /s/ Linda E. Wiley
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Name:  Julie Kornnier
                                         Title:  Senior CSR

                                    FIRST TRUST CORPORATION F/B/O ROBERT WILEY

                                    By:      /s/ Robert Wiley
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Name:  Julie Kornnier
                                         Title:  Senior CSR

                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    James Minchello

                                         /s/ Alexander Levine
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Waterline Capital

                                         /s/ Dennis A. Kirshy
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Dennis A. Kirshy

                                         /s/ Joseph Golemme
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Joseph Golemme

                                         /s/ Chris Clifford
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    C. Clifford

                                      -21-
<PAGE>

                                    "The Prior Purchasers"

                                    ASCENT VENTURE PARTNERS, L.P.

                                    By:  ASCENT VENTURE MANAGEMENT, LLC
                                         its General Partner

                                         By:    /s/ Frank M. Polestra
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Frank M. Polestra
                                             its Manager

                                    ASCENT VENTURE PARTNERS II, L.P.

                                    By:  ASCENT VENTURE MANAGEMENT II, L.P.
                                         its General Partner

                                    By:  ASCENT MANAGEMENT SBIC CORP., L.P.
                                         its General Partner

                                         By:    /s/ Frank M. Polestra
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Frank M. Polestra
                                             President

                                         /s/ Nancy S. Anthony
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Nancy S. Anthony

                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Walter Foss

                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Leonard J. Umina

                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Patrick S. Harris

                                      -22-
<PAGE>

                                         /s/ Frank M. Polestra
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Frank M. Polestra

                                    LE SERRE

                                    By:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Name:
                                         Title:

                                     /s/ Ernest Godshalk
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Ernest Godshalk

                                         /s/ Howard Salwen
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Howard Salwen

                                    DWIGHT B. CORNING #3 TRUST

                                    By:      /s/ Dwight B. Corning
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Name:  Dwight B. Corning
                                         Title:  Trustee

                                         /s/ Paul V. Cox
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Paul V. Cox

                                    NEEDHAM RADIOLOGY ASSOCIATES PROFIT
                                         SHARING F/B/O DR. PER ELDH

                                    By:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Name:
                                         Title:

                                      -23-
<PAGE>

                                         /s/ Linda Blackington
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Linda Blackington

                                         /s/ Timothy G. Clifford
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Timothy G. Clifford

                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Michael E.A. O'Malley

                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Lawrence Kernan

                                     /s/ Charles A. Levin
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Charles A. Levin

                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    R. Schorr Berman

                                         /s/ Christopher W. Lynch
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Christopher W. Lynch

                                         /s/ C. W. Dick
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    C.W. Dick

                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Leigh E. Michl

                                      -24-
<PAGE>

                                    NICHOLES J. BOLOGNA FAMILY TRUST

                                    By:      /s/ Nicholes J. Bologna
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Name:  Nicholes J. Bologna
                                         Title:  Trustee

                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Jay V. Senerchi

                                      -25-

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00007-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00007-of-00352.parquet"}]]