Document:

2005 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended

 Exhibit 10.10 
 ATRICURE, INC. 
 2005 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN 

(As Amended through March 6, 2013) 
 1. Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this Plan are: 
  

	 	•	 	 to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility, 

 

	 	•	 	 to provide additional incentive to Employees, Directors and Consultants, and 

 

	 	•	 	 to promote the success of the Company’s business. 

The Plan permits the grant of Incentive Stock Options, Nonstatutory Stock Options, Restricted Stock, Stock Appreciation
Rights, Performance Units and Performance Shares. 
 2. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions will
apply: 
 (a) “Administrator” means the Board or any of its Committees as will be administering the
Plan, in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan. 
 (b) “Applicable Laws” means the requirements
relating to the administration of equity-based awards under state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any
foreign country or jurisdiction where Awards are, or will be, granted under the Plan. 
 (c) “Award”
means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Performance Units or Performance Shares. 
 (d) “Award Agreement” means the written or electronic agreement setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to each Award granted under the Plan. The Award Agreement is subject to the
terms and conditions of the Plan. 
 (e) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 (f) “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events: 

(i) Any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes the
“beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then
outstanding voting securities; or 
 (ii) The consummation of the sale or disposition by the Company of all or
substantially all of the Company’s assets; or 
 (iii) A change in the composition of the Board occurring
within a two-year period, as a result of which fewer than a majority of the directors are Incumbent Directors. “Incumbent Directors” means directors who either (A) are Directors as of the effective date of the Plan, or (B) are
elected, or nominated for election, to the Board with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors at the time of such election or nomination (but will not include an individual whose election or nomination is in
connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest relating to the election of directors to the Company); or 

(iv) The consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or
consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its
parent) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity or its parent outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation. 

 (g) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Any reference to a section of the Code herein will be a reference to any successor or amended section of the Code. 
 (h) “Committee” means a committee of Directors or of other individuals satisfying Applicable Laws appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 4 hereof. 

(i) “Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company. 

(j) “Company” means AtriCure, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor thereto. 

(k) “Consultant” means any person, including an advisor, engaged by the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary to
render services to such entity. 
 (l) “Director” means a member of the Board. 

(m) “Disability” means total and permanent disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, provided
that in the case of Awards other than Incentive Stock Options, the Administrator in its discretion may determine whether a permanent and total disability exists in accordance with uniform and non-discriminatory standards adopted by the Administrator
from time to time. 
 (n) “Employee” means any person, including Officers and Directors, employed by
the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director’s fee by the Company will be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company. 

(o) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 

(p) “Exchange Program” means a program under which (i) outstanding Awards are surrendered or cancelled in
exchange for Awards of the same type (which may have lower exercise prices and different terms), Awards of a different type, and/or cash, and/or (ii) the exercise price of an outstanding Award is reduced. The Administrator will determine the
terms and conditions of any Exchange Program in its sole discretion. 
 (q) “Fair Market Value” means,
as of any date, the value of Common Stock determined as follows: 
 (i) If the Common Stock is listed on any
established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the Nasdaq National Market or The Nasdaq SmallCap Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market, its Fair Market Value will be the closing sales price for such stock (or the
closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system on the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; 

(ii) If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the
Fair Market Value of a Share will be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Common Stock on the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; 

(iii) For purposes of any Awards granted on the Registration Date, the Fair Market Value will be the initial price to the
public as set forth in the final prospectus included within the registration statement in Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the initial public offering of the Company’s Common Stock; or 

(iv) In the absence of an established market for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value will be determined in good faith
by the Administrator. 
 (r) “Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Company. 

(s) “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the
meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder. 
 (t) “Inside
Director” means a Director who is an Employee. 

  
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 (u) “Nonstatutory Stock Option” means an Option that by its terms
does not qualify or is not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option. 
 (v) “Officer” means a
person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. 
 (w) “Option” means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan. 
 (x) “Optioned Stock” means the Common Stock subject to an Award. 
 (y) “Outside Director” means a Director who is not an Employee. 
 (z) “Parent” means a “parent corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code. 

(aa) “Participant” means the holder of an outstanding Award. 

(bb) “Performance Share” means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 9. 

(cc) “Performance Unit” means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 9. 

(dd) “Period of Restriction” means the period during which the transfer of Shares of Restricted Stock are
subject to restrictions and therefore, the Shares are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. Such restrictions may be based on the passage of time, the achievement of target levels of performance, or the occurrence of other events as
determined by the Administrator. 
 (ee) “Plan” means this 2005 Equity Incentive Plan. 

(ff) “Registration Date” means the effective date of the first registration statement that is filed by the
Company and declared effective pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act, with respect to any class of the Company’s securities. 
 (gg) “Restricted Stock” means Shares issued pursuant to a Restricted Stock award under Section 7 of the Plan, or issued pursuant to the early exercise of an Option. 

(hh) “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect when
discretion is being exercised with respect to the Plan. 
 (ii) “Section 16(b)” means
Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act. 
 (jj) “Service Provider” means an Employee, Director or
Consultant. 
 (kk) “Share” means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with
Section 13 of the Plan. 
 (ll) “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means an Award,
granted alone or in connection with an Option, that pursuant to Section 8 is designated as a SAR. 
 (mm)
“Subsidiary” means a “subsidiary corporation”, whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code. 
 3. Stock Subject to the Plan. 
 (a) Stock Subject to the
Plan. Subject to the provisions of Section 13 of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be optioned and sold under the Plan is 1,750,000 Shares plus the number of Shares which have been reserved but not issued under the
Company’s 2001 Stock Option Plan (the “2001 Plan”) as of the Registration Date, (ii) any Shares returned to the 2001 Plan as a result of termination of options or repurchase of Shares issued under such plan, and

  
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(iii) an annual increase to be added on the first day of the Company’s fiscal year beginning in 2006, equal to the lesser of (A) 825,000 Shares, (B) 3.25% of the outstanding
Shares on such date or (C) an amount determined by the Board. The Shares may be authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock. Shares will not be deemed to have been issued pursuant to the Plan with respect to any portion of an Award
that is settled in cash. Upon payment in Shares pursuant to the exercise of an SAR, only the number of Shares actually issued in such payment will reduce the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan. If the exercise price of an Option
is paid by tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, of Shares owned by the Participant, the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan will be reduced by the gross number of Shares for which the Option is exercised.

 (b) Lapsed Awards. If an Award expires or becomes unexercisable without having been exercised in full,
or is surrendered pursuant to an Exchange Program, the unpurchased Shares which were subject thereto will become available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has terminated); provided, however, that Shares that have actually
been issued under the Plan, whether upon exercise of an Award, will not be returned to the Plan and will not become available for future distribution under the Plan, except that if unvested Shares are forfeited or repurchased by the Company, such
Shares will become available for future grant under the Plan. 
 (c) Share Reserve. The Company, during
the term of this Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as will be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan. 
 4. Administration of the Plan. 
 (a) Procedure.

 (i) Multiple Administrative Bodies. Different Committees with respect to different groups of Service
Providers may administer the Plan. 
 (ii) Section 162(m). To the extent that the Administrator
determines it to be desirable to qualify Options granted hereunder as “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Plan will be administered by a Committee of two or more “outside
directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. 
 (iii) Rule 16b-3. To the extent
desirable to qualify transactions hereunder as exempt under Rule 16b-3, the transactions contemplated hereunder will be structured to satisfy the requirements for exemption under Rule 16b-3. 

(iv) Other Administration. Other than as provided above, the Plan will be administered by (A) the Board or
(B) a Committee, which committee will be constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws. 
 (b) Powers of the
Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, and in the case of a Committee, subject to the specific duties delegated by the Board to such Committee, the Administrator will have the authority, in its discretion: 

(i) to determine the Fair Market Value; 

(ii) to select the Service Providers to whom Awards may be granted hereunder; 

(iii) to determine the number of Shares to be covered by each Award granted hereunder; 

(iv) to approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan; 

(v) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder.
Such terms and conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise price, the time or times when Awards may be exercised (which may be based on performance criteria), any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, and any
restriction or limitation regarding any Award or the Shares relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Administrator will determine; 
 (vi) to institute an Exchange Program; 
 (vii) to construe and
interpret the terms of the Plan and Awards granted pursuant to the Plan; 

  
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 (viii) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the
Plan, including rules and regulations relating to sub-plans established for the purpose of satisfying applicable foreign laws; 
 (ix) to modify or amend each Award (subject to Section 18(c) of the Plan), including the discretionary authority to extend the post-termination exercisability period of Awards longer than is
otherwise provided for in the Plan; 
 (x) to allow Participants to satisfy withholding tax obligations in such
manner as prescribed in Section 14; 
 (xi) to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any
instrument required to effect the grant of an Award previously granted by the Administrator; 
 (xii) to allow a
Participant to defer the receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of Shares that would otherwise be due to such Participant under an Award; 
 (xiii) to delegate to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, with the required approval of the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, the authority to grant new hire and recognition Awards to
Service Providers other than Directors and Officers representing up to an annual aggregate amount of 250,000 Shares; and 
 (xiv) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering the Plan. 
 (c) Effect of Administrator’s Decision. The Administrator’s decisions, determinations and interpretations will be final and binding on all Participants and any other holders of Awards.

 5. Eligibility. Nonstatutory Stock Options, Restricted Stock, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Units and
Performance Shares may be granted to Service Providers. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees. 
 6. Stock
Options. 
 (a) Limitations. 

(i) Each Option will be designated in the Award Agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock
Option. However, notwithstanding such designation, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by the Participant during any calendar year (under
all plans of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, such Options will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 6(a), Incentive Stock Options will be taken into account in the order in which
they were granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares will be determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted. 
 (ii) The following limitations will apply to grants of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights: 
  

	 	(1)	 No Service Provider will be granted, in any Fiscal Year, Options and/or Stock Appreciation Rights to first purchase more than 1,500,000 Shares.

  

	 	(2)	 In connection with his or her initial service, a Service Provider may be granted Options and/or Stock Appreciation Rights to purchase up to an
additional 500,000 Shares, which will not count against the limit set forth in Section 6(a)(ii)(1) above. 

  

	 	(3)	 The foregoing limitations will be adjusted proportionately in connection with any change in the Company’s capitalization as described in
Section 13. 

  

	 	(4)	 If an Option and/or Stock Appreciation Right, as applicable, is cancelled in the same Fiscal Year in which it was granted (other than in connection
with a transaction described in Section 13), the cancelled Option and/or Stock Appreciation Right, as applicable, will be counted against the limits set forth in subsections (1) and (2) above. For this purpose, if the exercise price
of an Option and/or Stock Appreciation Right, as applicable, is reduced, the transaction will be treated as a cancellation of the Option and/or Stock Appreciation Right and the grant of a new Option and/or Stock Appreciation Right, as applicable.

  
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 (b) Term of Option. The term of each Option will be stated in the
Award Agreement. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the term will be ten (10) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the Award Agreement. Moreover, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a
Participant who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the
Incentive Stock Option will be five (5) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the Award Agreement. 
 (c) Option Exercise Price and Consideration. 
 (i) Exercise
Price. The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option will be determined by the Administrator, subject to the following: 
  

	 	(1)	 In the case of an Incentive Stock Option: 

  

	 	a)	 granted to an Employee who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the
voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price will be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant. 

 

	 	b)	 granted to any Employee other than an Employee described in paragraph (A) immediately above, the per Share exercise price will be no less than
100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant. 

  

	 	c)	 Notwithstanding the foregoing, Incentive Stock Options may be granted with a per Share exercise price of less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per
Share on the date of grant pursuant to a transaction described in, and in a manner consistent with, Section 424(a) of the Code. 

  

	 	(2)	 In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option, the per Share exercise price will be determined by the Administrator. In the case of a Nonstatutory
Stock Option intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the per Share exercise price will be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.

 (ii) Waiting Period and Exercise Dates. At the time an Option is granted, the
Administrator will fix the period within which the Option may be exercised and will determine any conditions that must be satisfied before the Option may be exercised. 

(iii) Form of Consideration. The Administrator will determine the acceptable form of consideration for exercising
an Option, including the method of payment. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Administrator will determine the acceptable form of consideration at the time of grant. Such consideration may consist entirely of: (1) cash;
(2) check; (3) promissory note; (4) other Shares, provided Shares acquired directly or indirectly from the Company, (A) have been owned by the Participant and not subject to substantial risk of forfeiture for more than six months
on the date of surrender, and (B) have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said Option will be exercised; (5) consideration received by the Company under a cashless
exercise program implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan; (6) a reduction in the amount of any Company liability to the Participant, including any liability attributable to the Participant’s participation in any
Company-sponsored deferred compensation program or arrangement; (7) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment; or (8) such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable
Laws. 

  
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 (d) Exercise of Option. 

(i) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Stockholder. Any Option granted hereunder will be exercisable according to
the terms of the Plan and at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Award Agreement. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share. 

An Option will be deemed exercised when the Company receives: (i) notice of exercise (in such form as the
Administrator specifies from time to time) from the person entitled to exercise the Option; and (ii) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised (together with an applicable withholding taxes). Full payment may
consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the Administrator and permitted by the Award Agreement and the Plan. Shares issued upon exercise of an Option will be issued in the name of the Participant or, if requested by the
Participant, in the name of the Participant and his or her spouse. Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive
dividends or any other rights as a stockholder will exist with respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company will issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares promptly after the Option is exercised. No
adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 13 of the Plan. 

Exercising an Option in any manner will decrease the number of Shares thereafter available, both for purposes of the Plan
and for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised. 
 (ii)
Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider. If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider, other than upon the Participant’s death or Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is
specified in the Award Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the
Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for three (3) months following the Participant’s termination. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if on the date of termination the Participant is not vested as to his or her
entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will revert to the Plan. If after termination the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified by the Administrator, the Option will terminate, and
the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan. 
 (iii) Disability of Participant. If a
Participant ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of the Participant’s Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent the Option is vested on the
date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for twelve (12) months
following the Participant’s termination. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if on the date of termination the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will
revert to the Plan. If after termination the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan. 

(iv) Death of Participant. If a Participant dies while a Service Provider, the Option may be exercised following
the Participant’s death within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of death (but in no event may the option be exercised later than the expiration of the term of such
Option as set forth in the Award Agreement), by the Participant’s designated beneficiary, provided such beneficiary has been designated prior to Participant’s death in a form acceptable to the Administrator. If no such beneficiary has been
designated by the Participant, then such Option may be exercised by the personal representative of the Participant’s estate or by the person(s) to whom the Option is transferred pursuant to the Participant’s will or in accordance with the
laws of descent and distribution. In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following Participant’s death. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if at the
time of death Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will immediately revert to the Plan. If the Option is not so exercised within the time specified herein, the Option will
terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan. 
 7. Restricted Stock. 

(a) Grant of Restricted Stock. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Administrator, at any time and
from time to time, may grant Shares of Restricted Stock to Service Providers in such amounts as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine. 

  
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 (b) Restricted Stock Agreement. Each Award of Restricted Stock will
be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the Period of Restriction, the number of Shares granted, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine. Unless the Administrator determines
otherwise, the Company as escrow agent will hold Shares of Restricted Stock until the restrictions on such Shares have lapsed. 
 (c) Transferability. Except as provided in this Section 7, Shares of Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated until the end of
the applicable Period of Restriction. 
 (d) Other Restrictions. The Administrator, in its sole
discretion, may impose such other restrictions on Shares of Restricted Stock as it may deem advisable or appropriate. 
 (e) Removal of Restrictions. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 7, Shares of Restricted Stock covered by each Restricted Stock grant made under the Plan will be released from escrow
as soon as practicable after the last day of the Period of Restriction. The Administrator, in its discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions will lapse or be removed. 

(f) Voting Rights. During the Period of Restriction, Service Providers holding Shares of Restricted Stock granted
hereunder may exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares, unless the Administrator determines otherwise. 
 (g) Dividends and Other Distributions. During the Period of Restriction, Service Providers holding Shares of Restricted Stock will be entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid
with respect to such Shares unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement. If any such dividends or distributions are paid in Shares, the Shares will be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Shares of
Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid. 
 (h) Return of Restricted Stock to Company. On
the date set forth in the Award Agreement, the Restricted Stock for which restrictions have not lapsed will revert to the Company and again will become available for grant under the Plan. 

8. Stock Appreciation Rights. 
 (a) Grant of SARs. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, a SAR may be granted to Service Providers at any time and from time to time as will be determined by the Administrator, in its
sole discretion. 
 (b) Number of Shares. The Administrator will have complete discretion to determine
the number of SARs granted to any Service Provider, subject to the limits set forth in Section 6(a)(ii). 

(c) Exercise Price and Other Terms. The Administrator, subject to the provisions of the Plan, will have complete
discretion to determine the terms and conditions of SARs granted under the Plan. 
 (d) SAR Agreement.
Each SAR grant will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the exercise price, the term of the SAR, the conditions of exercise, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.

 (e) Expiration of SARs. A SAR granted under the Plan will expire upon the date determined by the
Administrator, in its sole discretion, and set forth in the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rules of Section 6(d) also will apply to SARs. 

(f) Payment of SAR Amount. Upon exercise of a SAR, a Participant will be entitled to receive payment from the
Company in an amount determined by multiplying: 
 (i) The difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share on
the date of exercise over the exercise price; times 
 (ii) The number of Shares with respect to which the SAR
is exercised. 

  
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 At the discretion of the Administrator, the payment upon SAR exercise may be
in cash, in Shares of equivalent value, or in some combination thereof. 
 9. Performance Units and Performance Shares.

 (a) Grant of Performance Units/Shares. Performance Units and Performance Shares may be granted to
Service Providers at any time and from time to time, as will be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion. The Administrator will have complete discretion in determining the number of Performance Units and Performance Shares granted to
each Participant. 
 (b) Value of Performance Units/Shares. Each Performance Unit will have an initial
value that is established by the Administrator on or before the date of grant. Each Performance Share will have an initial value equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant. 

(c) Performance Objectives and Other Terms. The Administrator will set performance objectives or other vesting
provisions (including, without limitation, continued status as a Service Provider) in its discretion which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the number or value of Performance Units/Shares that will be paid out to the
Service Providers. The time period during which the performance objectives or other vesting provisions must be met will be called the “Performance Period.” Each Award of Performance Units/Shares will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that
will specify the Performance Period, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine. The Administrator may set performance objectives based upon the achievement of Company-wide, divisional, or
individual goals, applicable federal or state securities laws, or any other basis determined by the Administrator in its discretion. 
 (d) Earning of Performance Units/Shares. After the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of Performance Units/Shares will be entitled to receive a payout of the number of Performance
Units/Shares earned by the Participant over the Performance Period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding performance objectives or other vesting provisions have been achieved. After the grant of a Performance
Unit/Share, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any performance objectives or other vesting provisions for such Performance Unit/Share. 

(e) Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Units/Shares. Payment of earned Performance Units/Shares will be
made as soon as practicable after the expiration of the applicable Performance Period. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Performance Units/Shares in the form of cash, in Shares (which have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal
to the value of the earned Performance Units/Shares at the close of the applicable Performance Period) or in a combination thereof. 
 (f) Cancellation of Performance Units/Shares. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, all unearned or unvested Performance Units/Shares will be forfeited to the Company, and again will be
available for grant under the Plan. 
 10. Formula Option Grants to Outside Directors. 

All grants of Options to Outside Directors pursuant to this Section will be automatic and nondiscretionary, except as
otherwise provided herein, and will be made in accordance with the following provisions: 
 (a) Type of
Option. All Options granted pursuant to this Section will be Nonstatutory Stock Options and, except as otherwise provided herein, will be subject to the other terms and conditions of the Plan. 

(b) No Discretion. No person will have any discretion to select which Outside Directors will be granted Options
under this Section or to determine the number of Shares to be covered by such Options (except as provided in Sections 10(f) and 13). 
 (c) Initial Option. Each person who first becomes an Outside Director following the Registration Date will be automatically granted an Option to purchase 20,000 Shares (the “Initial
Option”) on or about the date on which such person first becomes an Outside Director, whether through election by the stockholders of the Company or appointment by the Board to fill a vacancy; provided, however, that an Inside Director who
ceases to be an Inside Director, but who remains a Director, will not receive an Initial Option; and provided, further, that the Initial Option for the existing Outside Directors on the Registration Date shall be an Option to purchase 10,000 shares,
which Option shall be granted to such existing Outside Directors on or about the Registration Date. 

  
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 (d) Annual Option. Each Outside Director will be automatically
granted an Option to purchase 3,000 Shares (an “Annual Option”) on each date of the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Company beginning in 2006, if as of such date, he or she will have served on the Board for at least the preceding
six (6) months. 
 (e) Terms. The terms of each Option granted pursuant to this Section will be as
follows: 
 (i) The term of the Option will be ten (10) years. 

(ii) The exercise price per Share will be 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant of the Option.

 (iii) Subject to Section 13, the Initial Option will vest and become exercisable as to one-quarter
(1/4) of the Shares upon each one (1) year anniversary of the vesting commencement date, provided that the Participant continues to serve as a Director through each such date. 

(iv) Subject to Section 13, the Annual Option will vest and become exercisable as to one-half (1/2) of the
Shares upon each one (1) year anniversary of the vesting commencement date, provided that the Participant continues to serve as a Director through each such date. 

(f) Amendment. The Administrator in its discretion may change the number and vesting of Shares subject to the
Initial Options and Annual Options. 
 11. Leaves of Absence. Unless the Administrator provides otherwise, vesting of
Awards granted hereunder will be suspended during any unpaid leave of absence. A Service Provider will not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the
Company or between the Company, its Parent, or any Subsidiary. For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such leave may exceed ninety (90) days, unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or contract. If
reemployment upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the Company is not so guaranteed, then three (3) months following the 91st day of such leave any Incentive Stock Option held by the Participant will cease to be treated as an
Incentive Stock Option and will be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option. 
 12. Transferability of
Awards. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, an Award may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised,
during the lifetime of the Participant, only by the Participant. If the Administrator makes an Award transferable, such Award will contain such additional terms and conditions as the Administrator deems appropriate. 

13. Adjustments; Dissolution or Liquidation; Merger or Change in Control. 

(a) Adjustments. In the event that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, other
securities, or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, or other change in the
corporate structure of the Company affecting the Shares occurs, the Administrator, in order to prevent diminution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, shall appropriately adjust the
number and class of Shares that may be delivered under the Plan and/or the number, class, and price of Shares covered by each outstanding Award, the numerical Share limits in Sections 3 and 6 of the Plan and the number of Shares issuable pursuant to
Options to be granted under Section 10. 
 (b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the
proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator will notify each Participant as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction. To the extent it has not been previously exercised, an Award will
terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action. 
 (c) Change in Control. In the
event of a Change in Control, each outstanding Award will be assumed or an equivalent option or right substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation. In

  
 10 

 
the event that the successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the Award, the Participant will fully vest in and have the right to exercise all of his or her outstanding Options and
Stock Appreciation Rights, including Shares as to which such Awards would not otherwise be vested or exercisable, all restrictions on Restricted Stock will lapse, and, with respect to Performance Shares and Performance Units, all performance goals
or other vesting criteria will be deemed achieved at target levels and all other terms and conditions met. In addition, if an Option or Stock Appreciation Right becomes fully vested and exercisable in lieu of assumption or substitution in the event
of a Change in Control, the Administrator will notify the Participant in writing or electronically that the Option or Stock Appreciation Right will be fully vested and exercisable for a period of time determined by the Administrator in its sole
discretion, and the Option or Stock Appreciation Right will terminate upon the expiration of such period. 
 For
the purposes of this subsection (c), an Award will be considered assumed if, following the Change in Control, the Award confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Award immediately prior to the Change in Control, the
consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) or, in the case of a Stock Appreciation Right upon the exercise of which the Administrator determines to pay cash or a Performance Share or Performance Unit which the Administrator
can determine to pay in cash, the fair market value of the consideration received in the merger or Change in Control by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of
consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the Change in Control is not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its
Parent, the Administrator may, with the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right or upon the payout of a Performance Share or Performance Unit, for
each Share subject to such Award (or in the case of Performance Units, the number of implied shares determined by dividing the value of the Performance Units by the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the Change in
Control), to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the Change in Control. 

Notwithstanding anything in this Section 13(c) to the contrary, an Award that vests, is earned or paid-out upon the
satisfaction of one or more performance goals will not be considered assumed if the Company or its successor modifies any of such performance goals without the Participant’s consent; provided, however, a modification to such performance goals
only to reflect the successor corporation’s post-Change in Control corporate structure will not be deemed to invalidate an otherwise valid Award assumption. 

(d) Termination Following Change of Control. With respect to Awards granted to an Outside Director that are
assumed or substituted for, if on the date of or following such assumption or substitution the Participant’s status as a Director or a director of the successor corporation, as applicable, is terminated other than upon a voluntary resignation
by the Participant, then the Participant will fully vest in and have the right to exercise Options and/or Stock Appreciation Rights as to all of the Optioned Stock, including Shares as to which such Awards would not otherwise be vested or
exercisable, all restrictions on Restricted Stock will lapse, and, with respect to Performance Shares and Performance Units, all performance goals or other vesting criteria will be deemed achieved at target levels and all other terms and conditions
met. 
 14. Tax Withholding. 
 (a) Withholding Requirements. Prior to the delivery of any Shares or cash pursuant to an Award (or exercise thereof), the Company will have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require
a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local, foreign or other taxes (including the Participant’s FICA obligation) required to be withheld with respect to such Award (or exercise thereof).

 (b) Withholding Arrangements. The Administrator, in its sole discretion and pursuant to such
procedures as it may specify from time to time, may permit a Participant to satisfy such tax withholding obligation, in whole or in part by (a) paying cash, (b) electing to have the Company withhold otherwise deliverable cash or Shares
having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum amount required to be withheld, or (c) delivering to the Company already-owned Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum amount required to be withheld. The amount of the withholding
requirement will be deemed to include any amount which the Administrator agrees may be withheld at the time the election is made, not to exceed the amount determined by using the maximum federal, state or local marginal income tax rates applicable
to the Participant with respect to the Award on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. The Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld or delivered will be determined as of the date that the taxes are required to be
withheld. 
 15. No Effect on Employment or Service. Neither the Plan nor any Award will confer upon a Participant any
right with respect to continuing the Participant’s relationship as a Service Provider with the Company, nor will they interfere in any way with the Participant’s right or the Company’s right to terminate such relationship at any time,
with or without cause, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws. 

  
 11 

 16. Date of Grant. The date of grant of an Award will be, for all purposes, the date
on which the Administrator makes the determination granting such Award, or such other later date as is determined by the Administrator. Notice of the determination will be provided to each Participant within a reasonable time after the date of such
grant. 
 17. Term of Plan. Subject to Section 21 of the Plan, the Plan will become effective upon its adoption by
the Board. It will continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years unless terminated earlier under Section 18 of the Plan. 
 18. Amendment and Termination of the Plan. 
 (a)
Amendment and Termination. The Board may at any time amend, alter, suspend or terminate the Plan. 
 (b)
Stockholder Approval. The Company will obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Applicable Laws. 

(c) Effect of Amendment or Termination. No amendment, alteration, suspension or termination of the Plan will
impair the rights of any Participant, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Participant and the Administrator, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Participant and the Company. Termination of the Plan will not affect the
Administrator’s ability to exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Awards granted under the Plan prior to the date of such termination. 
 19. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares. 
 (a) Legal
Compliance. Shares will not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Award unless the exercise of such Award and the issuance and delivery of such Shares will comply with Applicable Laws and will be further subject to the approval of counsel for
the Company with respect to such compliance. 
 (b) Investment Representations. As a condition to the
exercise of an Award, the Company may require the person exercising such Award to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute
such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required. 
 20. Inability to Obtain
Authority. The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, will
relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority will not have been obtained. 
 21. Stockholder Approval. The Plan will be subject to approval by the stockholders of the Company within twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is adopted. Such stockholder approval will
be obtained in the manner and to the degree required under Applicable Laws. 

  
 12Form of Change in Control Agreement

 Exhibit 10.14 
 CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT 
 THIS CHANGE IN CONTROL
AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”), is effective as of February     , 2013 between AtriCure, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and
            (“Executive”). 
 WHEREAS, the
Company considers it in the best interests of its shareholders to foster the continued employment of key management personnel; and 
 WHEREAS, the Board recognizes that, as is the case with many publicly held corporations, the possibility of a Change in Control exists and that such possibility, and the uncertainty and questions which it
may raise among management, may result in the departure or distraction of key management personnel to the detriment of the Company and its shareholders; and 
 WHEREAS, the Board has determined that appropriate steps should be taken to reinforce and encourage the continued attention and dedication of members of the Company’s key management personnel,
including the Executive, to their assigned duties without distraction in the face of the possibility of a Change in Control; 
 NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants herein contained, the Company and the Executive hereby agree as follows: 

1. Defined Terms. The definitions of capitalized terms used in this Agreement are provided in the last Section
hereof. 
 2. Term of Agreement. The Term of this Agreement shall commence on the date hereof and shall
continue in effect through December 31, 2013; provided, however, that effective January 1, 2014 and each January 1 thereafter, the Term that is then in effect shall automatically be extended for one additional year unless the Company
has given no less than thirty (30) days written notice before the January 1 in question that the Term that is in effect at the time such notice is given will not be extended; and further provided, however, that if a Change in Control
occurs during the Term, the Term shall expire no earlier than twelve (12) calendar months after the calendar month in which such Change in Control occurs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement shall terminate if the Executive ceases to
be an employee of the Company and its subsidiaries for any reason prior to a Change in Control. However, anything in this Agreement (including the preceding sentence) to the contrary notwithstanding, if a Change in Control occurs and if, within
three months prior to the date on which such Change in Control occurs, the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated by the Company without Cause or an event occurs that would, if it took place after the Change in Control,
constitute Good Reason for termination of employment by the Executive, and if it is reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that such termination of employment by the Company or event constituting Good Reason for termination of employment by the
Executive (a) was undertaken at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect the Change in Control, or (b) otherwise arose in connection with or in anticipation of the Change in Control, then for
purposes of this Agreement such termination of employment by the Company without Cause or event constituting Good Reason shall be deemed to occur during the 12 month period following the Change in Control and, if the Executive terminates his
employment for such Good Reason before the Change in Control, such termination of employment by the Executive shall likewise be deemed to occur during the 12 month period following the Change in Control. 

3. Company’s Covenants Summarized. In order to induce the Executive to remain in the employ of the Company
and in consideration of the Executive’s covenants set forth in Section 4 hereof, the Company agrees, under the conditions described herein, to pay the Executive the Severance Payments and the other payments and benefits described herein.
Except as provided in Section 2, Section 6.3, Section 9.1 or Section 14.3 hereof, no amounts shall be payable under this Agreement unless the Executive’s employment with the Company terminates following a Change in Control and during
the Term. This Agreement shall not be construed as creating an express or implied contract of employment enforceable against the Company nor, except as provided in Section 4 below, enforceable against the Executive, and, except as otherwise
agreed in writing between the Executive and the Company, the Executive shall not have any right to be retained in the employ of the Company. 
 4. The Executive’s Covenants. The Executive agrees to remain in the employ of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, if a Potential Change in Control occurs during
the Term and the Executive is then in the employ of the Company, until the earliest of (a) the date which is six (6) months from the date of such Potential Change in Control, (b) the date of a Change in Control, (c) the date of
termination by the Executive of the Executive’s employment for 

  
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Good Reason or by reason of death, Disability or Retirement, or (d) the termination by the Company of the Executive’s employment for any reason; provided that Executive’s agreement
to remain in the employ of the Company shall be subject to the condition that no adverse change occurs after the Potential Change in Control in his title, duties, responsibilities, authority, reporting relationships, work location, compensation,
benefits or indemnification rights. 
 5. Certain Compensation Other Than Severance Payments. 

5.1 If the Executive’s employment shall be terminated for any reason following a Change in Control and during the
Term, the Company shall pay the Executive his full salary through the date of termination at the rate in effect immediately prior to the date of termination or, if higher, the rate in effect immediately prior to the first occurrence of an event or
circumstance constituting Good Reason, together with all compensation and benefits payable to the Executive through the date of termination under the terms of the Company’s compensation and benefit plans, programs and arrangements as in effect
immediately prior to the date of termination or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect immediately prior to the first occurrence of an event or circumstance constituting Good Reason. 

5.2 If the Executive’s employment shall be terminated for any reason following a Change in
Control and during the Term, the Company shall pay the Executive his annual bonus for the fiscal year of the Company preceding the fiscal year of the Company in which the termination occurs, if unpaid at the time of the termination, the amount of
such bonus to be determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board on a basis no less favorable to the Executive than its bonus determinations with respect to the Executive prior to the Change in Control, unless the Committee made no bonus
determinations with respect to the Executive before the Change in Control, in which case on a basis no less favorable to the Executive than its bonus determinations with respect to other executives of comparable rank before the Change in Control.
Such bonus shall be paid at such time provided in the bonus plan, or if no time is provided for in the bonus plan, then no later than the 15th day of the third month following the end of the calendar year in which the Executive’s right to the bonus is no
longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. 
 5.3 Subject to Section 6.1 hereof, if the
Executive’s employment shall be terminated for any reason following a Change in Control and during the Term, the Company shall pay to the Executive the Executive’s normal post–termination compensation and benefits as such payments
become due. Any such post–termination compensation and benefits shall be determined under, and paid in accordance with, the Company’s retirement, insurance and other compensation and benefit plans, programs and arrangements as in effect
immediately prior to the date of termination or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect immediately prior to the occurrence of the first event or circumstance constituting Good Reason. 

6. Severance Payments. 
 6.1 Subject to Section 6.2 and Section 6.3 hereof, if the Executive has a Separation from Service following a Change in Control and during the Term either by the Company or by the Executive, other than
(a) by the Company for Cause, (b) by reason of death or Disability, or (c) by the Executive without Good Reason (any such Separation from Service being hereafter sometimes referred to as a “Compensable Termination”), then
the Company shall pay the Executive the amounts, and provide the Executive the benefits, described in this Section 6.1 (“Severance Payments”), in addition to any payments and benefits to which the Executive is entitled under Sections 5 and
6.3 hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive shall not be eligible to receive any payment or benefit provided for in this Section 6.1 unless the Executive shall have executed a release substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto
effective as of the date of the Compensable Termination or a date subsequent thereto and shall not have revoked said release. No later than the latest date for payment provided for in Section 6.2, the Executive must have properly executed the
release and returned it to the Company, and such release must have become fully effective and irrevocable. If that condition is not met, the Executive shall not be entitled at any time to any payment or benefit provided for in this Section 6.1.
The Severance Payments are in lieu of any severance benefits that would otherwise be payable or provided pursuant to any severance plan or practice of the Company other than those payments and benefits to which the Executive is entitled under
Sections 5 and 6.3 hereof. 
 (i) The Company shall pay the Executive, at the time provided in
Section 6.2 below, a lump sum cash payment equal to the full amount of the Executive’s Target Bonus (as defined in the Company’s management incentive program (or similar plan)) and Target Commission (as referenced in any commission plan or
program of the Company) for the fiscal year of the Company in which the Compensable Termination occurs. 
 (ii) The Company shall pay the Executive, at the time provided in Section 6.2 below, a lump sum cash payment equal to             times
the Executive’s annual base salary at the rate in effect immediately prior to the Compensable Termination or, if higher, in effect immediately prior to the first occurrence of an event or circumstance constituting Good Reason (“Base
Salary”). 

  
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 (iii) The Company will pay the Executive for all earned but
unused vacation leave at the time of the Compensable Termination. 
 6.2 All payments to be made pursuant to
subsections (i) through (iii) of Section 6.1 above shall be made within thirty (30) calendar days after the date on which a Compensable Termination occurs. It is the intention of the parties that the condition of a Compensable
Termination constitutes a “substantial risk of forfeiture” within the meaning of the Treasury Regulations under section 409A of the Code and that the payments pursuant to subsection (i) through (iii) of Section 6.1 above
meet the “short-term deferral” exception under such Treasury Regulations; and the parties shall interpret this Agreement accordingly. 
 6.3 In the event that the severance and other benefits provided for in this Agreement or otherwise payable to Executive (i) constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of
Section 280G of the Code, and (ii) would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then Executive’s benefits under this Agreement shall be either 

(i) delivered in full, or 

(ii) delivered as to such lesser extent which would result in no portion of such benefits being subject to
the Excise Tax, whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the Excise Tax, results in the receipt by Executive on an after–tax basis, of the greatest amount of benefits,
notwithstanding that all or some portion of such benefits may be taxable under Section 4999 of the Code. If a reduction in severance and other benefits constituting “parachute payments” is necessary so that benefits are delivered to a
lesser extent, reduction will occur in the following order: reduction of cash payments, cancellation of equity awards granted within the twelve (12) month period prior to a “change in control” (as determined under Code
Section 280G) that are deemed to have been granted contingent upon the change in control (as determined under Code Section 280G), cancellation of accelerated vesting of equity awards, reduction of employee benefits. 

Unless the Company and Executive otherwise agree in writing, any determination required under this Section shall be made in writing by
the Company’s independent public accountants (the “Accountants”), whose determination shall be conclusive and binding upon Executive and the Company for all purposes. For purposes of making the calculations required by this Section,
the Accountants may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Section 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Company and Executive
shall furnish to the Accountants such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section. The Company shall bear all costs the Accountants may reasonably incur in connection with
any calculations contemplated by this Section. 
 7. Payments During Dispute. Any payments to which the
Executive may be entitled under this Agreement, including, without limitation, under sections 5 and 6 hereof, shall be made forthwith on the applicable date(s) for payment specified in this Agreement. If for any reason the amount of any payment due
to the Executive cannot be finally determined on that date, such amount shall be estimated on a good faith basis by the Company and the estimated amount shall be paid no later than 10 days after such date. As soon as practicable thereafter, the
final determination of the amount due shall be made and any adjustment requiring a payment to or from the Executive shall be made as promptly as practicable. 
 8. No Mitigation. The Company agrees that, if the Executive’s employment with the Company terminates during the Term, the Executive is not required to seek other employment or to attempt in
any way to reduce any amounts payable to the Executive by the Company pursuant to Section 6 hereof or any other provision of this Agreement. Further, the amount of any payment or benefit provided for in this Agreement shall not be reduced
(a) by any compensation earned by the Executive as the result of employment by another employer, (b) by retirement benefits, (c) by offset against any amount claimed to be owed by the Executive to the Company, or (d) otherwise.

 9. Successors; Binding Agreement. 

9.1 In addition to any obligations imposed by law upon any successor to the Company, the Company will require any
successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially 

  
 - 3 -

 
all of the business and/or assets of the Company to expressly assume and agree to perform the Company’s obligations under this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the
Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place. Failure of the Company to obtain such assumption and agreement prior to the effectiveness of any such succession during the Term shall be a breach of this Agreement and
shall entitle the Executive to compensation from the Company in the same amount and on the same terms as the Executive would be entitled to hereunder if the Executive were to terminate the Executive’s employment for Good Reason after a Change
in Control and during the Term, except that, for purposes of implementing the foregoing, the date on which the Executive’s employment terminates (for any reason other than Cause) within 30 days before, or at any time during the Term and on or
after, the date on which any such succession becomes effective during the Term shall be deemed the date of the Compensable Termination. 
 9.2 This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and
legatees. If the Executive shall die while any amount would still be payable to the Executive hereunder (other than amounts which, by their terms, terminate upon the death of the Executive) if the Executive had continued to live, all such amounts,
unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the executors, personal representatives or administrators of the Executive’s estate. 

10. Notices. For the purpose of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in the Agreement
shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by United States registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed, if to the Executive, to his most recent address shown on the books and
records of the Company at the time notice is given and, if to the Company, to the address set forth below, or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notice of change of
address shall be effective only upon actual receipt: 
 To the Company: 

AtriCure, Inc. 

6217 Centre Park Drive 
 West Chester Ohio 45069 
 Attention: Chief Executive Officer 

With a required copy (which shall not constitute notice) to: 
 Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL 
 One East Fourth Street, Suite 1400

 Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 
 Attention: F. Mark Reuter, Esq. 
 11. Miscellaneous. No
provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive and such officer as may be specifically designated by the Board. No waiver by either
party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or of any lack of compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or
conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties concerning the specific subject matter addressed by this Agreement and supersedes all prior agreements addressing the terms and
conditions contained herein. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to amend or otherwise alter the change in control provisions or any other provisions of any (a) stock option or other compensation or incentive award that may heretofore have
been or may hereafter be granted to the Executive, or (b) employee benefit or fringe benefit plan in which the Executive may heretofore have been or may hereafter be a participant. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of
this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Ohio. All references to sections of the Code or the Exchange Act shall be deemed also to refer to any successor provisions to such sections and to IRS or SEC regulations and official
guidance published thereunder. Any payments provided for hereunder shall be subject to any applicable withholding required under federal, state or local law and any additional withholding to which the Executive has agreed. The obligations of the
Company and the Executive under this Agreement which by their nature may require either partial or total performance after the expiration of the Term (including, without limitation, those under Sections 6 and 7 hereof) shall survive such expiration.

  
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 12. Validity. 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. 
 13. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

 14. Settlement of Disputes; Arbitration. 

14.1 All claims by the Executive for benefits under this Agreement shall be directed to and determined by the Board and
shall be in writing. Any denial by the Board of a claim for benefits under this Agreement shall be delivered to the Executive in writing and shall set forth the specific reasons for the denial and the specific provisions of this Agreement relied
upon. The Board shall afford a reasonable opportunity to the Executive for a review of the decision denying a claim and shall further allow the Executive to appeal to the Board a decision of the Board within sixty (60) days after notification
by the Board that the Executive’s claim has been denied. 
 14.2 Any further dispute or controversy arising
under or in connection with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration in the Cincinnati, Ohio metropolitan area in accordance with the employment dispute resolution rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. The
arbitrator shall have the authority to require that the Company reimburse the Executive for the payment of all or any portion of the legal fees and expenses incurred by the Executive in connection with such dispute or controversy. Judgment may be
entered on the arbitrator’s award in any court having jurisdiction. 
 15. Definitions. For purposes
of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated below: 
 (A) “Affiliate”
shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b–2 promulgated under Section 12 of the Exchange Act. 

(B) “Base Salary” shall have the meaning set forth in subsection (iii) of Section 6.1. 

(C) “Beneficial Owner” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 13d–3 under the Exchange Act. 

(D) “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company. 

(E) “Cause” for termination by the Company of the Executive’s employment shall mean any of the following:
(i) indictment for, conviction of, or plea of guilty or no contest by the Executive to a felony, or of any criminal act, that has an adverse effect on the Executive’s qualifications or ability to perform his duties; (ii) the
unreasonable deliberate and material failure or refusal by the Executive to perform his employment duties (other than as a result of PTO, sickness, disability, illness or injury), and the failure to rectify the same within thirty (30) days
after the Company shall have given notice to the Executive identifying such failure or refusal and demanding that it be rectified; (iii) the Executive’s commission of any act of fraud, embezzlement, dishonesty or other misconduct that has
caused, or would reasonably be expected to cause, material injury or economic harm to the Company; (iv) an act of gross negligence on the part of the Executive that has caused, or would reasonably be expected to cause, material injury or
economic harm to the Company; (v) a deliberate and material violation of a written material Company policy; or (vi) a material breach of this Agreement or any non-disclosure agreement to which Executive and the Company may be parties (or,
in each case, any successor thereto or amendment thereof) which (and only if the same shall be curable) Executive fails to cure within thirty (30) days after the Company shall have given notice to the Executive identifying such breach and
demanding that it be cured. Any purported termination of employment by the Company for Cause which does not satisfy the applicable requirements of this Section (E) shall be conclusively deemed to be a termination of employment by the Company
without Cause for purposes of this Agreement. 
 (F) A “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence
of any of the following events: 
 (i) Any Person becomes the Beneficial Owner directly or
indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting securities; or 

(ii) The consummation of the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the
Company’s assets; or 

  
 - 5 -

 (iii) A change in the composition of the Board occurring
within a two-year period, as a result of which fewer than a majority of the directors are Incumbent Directors. “Incumbent Directors” means directors who either (A) are Directors as of the date of this Agreement, or (B) are
elected, or nominated for election, to the Board with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors at the time of such election or nomination (but will not include an individual whose election or nomination is in
connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest relating to the election of directors to the Company); or 
 (iv) The consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding
immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its parent) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the
voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity or its parent outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation. 
 (G) “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time. 
 (H) “Company” shall mean AtriCure, Inc. and, except in determining under Section (F) hereof whether or not any Change in Control of the Company has occurred, shall include any successor to
its business and/or assets which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise. 
 (I) “Compensable Termination” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.1. 
 (J) “Disability” shall be deemed the reason for the termination by the Company of the Executive’s employment, if, as determined by the Company, (i) he is deemed “totally
disabled” (or other words to such effect) under any long-term disability plan maintained by the Company or (ii) he is unable, by reason of physical or mental disability, to perform, in all material respects the essential duties and
responsibilities under this Agreement with reasonable accommodations. If requested by the Company, and at its expense, the Executive shall submit to one or more examinations by one or more physicians selected by the Company in connection with the
Company’s attempts to determine whether the Executive is Disabled. 
 (K) “Exchange Act” shall
mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time. 
 (L) “Executive” shall mean
the individual named in the first paragraph of this Agreement. 
 (M) “Good Reason” for termination by
the Executive of the Executive’s employment shall mean the occurrence (without the Executive’s express written consent) after any Change in Control, of any one of the following acts by the Company, or failures by the Company to act:

 (i) a material diminution in the Executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities;

 (ii) a material diminution in the Executive’s annual base salary as in effect on the date
of this Agreement or as the same may be increased from time to time; 
 (iii) a material
diminution in the budget over which the Executive retains authority; 
 (iv) the Company fails to
pay or provide any amount or benefit that the Company is obligated to pay or provide under this Agreement or any other employment, compensation, benefit or reimbursement plan, agreement or arrangement of the Company to which the Executive is a party
or in which the Executive participates; 
 (v) the relocation of the Executive’s principal
place of employment to a location which increases the Executive’s one–way commuting distance by more than 40 miles, or the Company’s requiring the Executive to travel on business other than to an extent substantially consistent with
the Executive’s business travel obligations prior to the Change in Control; 
 (vi) a
significant adverse change occurs, whether of a quantitative or qualitative nature, in the indemnification protection provided to the Executive for acts and omissions arising out of his service on behalf of the Company or any other entity at the
request of the Company; or 

  
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 (vii) the Company fails to obtain the assumption of this
Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1. 
 The Executive’s right to terminate the Executive’s employment for Good Reason
shall not be affected by the Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness. The Executive must notify the Company of the existence of a condition described in (i) through (vii) above within ninety (90) days of the
initial existence of the condition, and the Company may remedy the condition within thirty (30) days and not be required to pay any amount hereunder due to such condition. 

(N) “Person” shall have the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in
Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, except that such term shall not include (i) the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its
Affiliates, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, or (iv) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as
their ownership of stock of the Company. 
 (O) “Potential Change in Control” shall be deemed to have
occurred if the event set forth in any one of the following paragraphs shall have occurred: 

(i) the Company enters into an agreement, the consummation of which would result in the occurrence of a
Change in Control; 
 (ii) the Company or any Person publicly announces an intention to take or
to consider taking actions which, if consummated, would constitute a Change in Control; 
 (iii)
any Person becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing twenty-five percent (25%) or more of either the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company or the combined voting power of
the Company’s then outstanding securities (not including in the securities beneficially owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company or its Affiliates); or 

(iv) the Board adopts a resolution to the effect that, for purposes of this Agreement, a Potential Change
in Control has occurred. 
 (P) “Retirement” shall be deemed the reason for the termination by the
Executive of the Executive’s employment if such employment is terminated in accordance with the Company’s retirement policy, including early retirement, generally applicable to its salaried employees. 

(Q) “Separation from Service” means termination of employment with the Company. However, the Executive shall
not be deemed to have a Separation from Service if he continues to provide services to the Company in a capacity other than as an employee and if he is providing services at an annual rate that is fifty percent (50%) or more of the services he
rendered, on average, during the immediately preceding three (3) full calendar years of employment with the Company (or if employed by the Company less than three years, such lesser period) and the annual remuneration for his services is fifty
percent (50%) or more of the annual remuneration earned during the final three (3) full calendar years of employment (of if less, such lesser period); provided, however, that a Separation from Service will be deemed to have occurred if his
service with the Company is reduced to an annual rate that is less than Fifty percent (50%) of the services he rendered, on average, during the immediately preceding three (3) full calendar years of employment with the Company (or if
employed by the Company less than three (3) years, such lesser period) or the annual remuneration for his services is less than fifty percent (50%) of the annual remuneration earned during the three (3) full calendar years of
employment with the Company (or if less, such lesser period). 
 (R) “Severance Payments” shall have
the meaning set forth in Section 0 hereof. 
 (S) “Subsidiary” means a corporation or other form of
business association of which shares (or other ownership interests) having more than 50% of the voting power are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company. 

(T) “Term” shall mean the period of time described in Section 2 hereof (including any extension or
continuation described therein). 

  
 - 7 -

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

			
	 ATRICURE, INC.

		
	 By:
	 	 
		 	 Name: Michael H. Carrel

		 	 Title: CEO and President

 
	
	
	 
	 [Executive]

  
 - 8 -

 EXHIBIT A 
 ATRICURE, INC. 
 RELEASE OF CLAIMS 

This Release of Claims (“Agreement”) is made by and between AtriCure, Inc. (the “Company”), and
(“Executive”). 
 WHEREAS, Executive has agreed to enter into a release of claims in favor of the Company upon certain
events specified in the Severance Benefits Agreement by and between Company and Executive, as amended (the “Severance Agreement”) entered into pursuant to the Change in Control Agreement by and between the Company and Executive (the
“Change in Control Agreement”). 
 NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises made herein, the Parties
hereby agree as follows: 
 1. Termination. Executive’s employment from the Company terminated on
[DATE]. 
 2. Confidential Information. Executive shall continue to maintain the confidentiality of all
confidential and proprietary information of the Company and shall continue to comply with the terms and conditions of the [Proprietary Information and Nondisclosure Agreement] between Executive and the Company (the “Confidentiality
Agreement”), as well as the Severance Agreement. Executive shall return all the Company property and confidential and proprietary information in his possession to the Company on the Effective Date of this Agreement. 

3. Payment of Salary. Executive acknowledges and represents that the Company has paid all salary, wages, bonuses,
accrued vacation, commissions and any and all other benefits due to Executive. 
 4. Release of Claims.
Except as set forth in the last paragraph of this Section 4, Executive agrees that the foregoing consideration represents settlement in full of all outstanding obligations owed to Executive by the Company. Executive, on behalf of himself, and
his respective heirs, family members, executors and assigns, hereby fully and forever releases the Company and its past, present and future officers, agents, directors, employees, investors, shareholders, administrators, affiliates, divisions,
subsidiaries, parents, predecessor and successor corporations, and assigns, from, and agrees not to sue or otherwise institute or cause to be instituted any legal or administrative proceedings concerning any claim, duty, obligation or cause of
action relating to any matters of any kind, whether presently known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, that he may possess arising from any omissions, acts or facts that have occurred up until and including the Effective Date of this Agreement
including, without limitation, 
 (a) any and all claims relating to or arising from Executive’s employment
relationship with the Company and the termination of that relationship; 
 (b) any and all claims relating to,
or arising from, Executive’s right to purchase, or actual purchase of shares of stock of the Company, including, without limitation, any claims for fraud, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of duty under applicable state
corporate law, and securities fraud under any state or federal law; 
 (c) any and all claims for wrongful
discharge of employment; termination in violation of public policy; discrimination; breach of contract, both express and implied; breach of a covenant of good faith and fair dealing, both express and implied; promissory estoppel; negligent or
intentional infliction of emotional distress; negligent or intentional misrepresentation; negligent or intentional interference with contract or prospective economic advantage; unfair business practices; defamation; libel; slander; negligence;
personal injury; assault; battery; invasion of privacy; false imprisonment; and conversion; 
 (d) any and all
claims for violation of any federal, state or municipal statute, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; 

(e) any and all claims for violation of the federal, or any state, constitution; 

  
 - A-1 -

 (f) any and all claims arising out of any other laws and regulations
relating to employment or employment discrimination; and 
 (g) any and all claims for attorneys’ fees and
costs. 
 Executive agrees that the release set forth in this section shall be and remain in effect in all respects as a
complete general release as to the matters released. Nothing in this Agreement waives Executive’s rights to indemnification or any payments under any fiduciary insurance policy, if any, provided by any act or agreement of the Company, state or
federal law or policy of insurance. 
 5. Acknowledgment of Waiver of Claims under ADEA. Executive
acknowledges that he is waiving and releasing any rights he may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ADEA”) and that this waiver and release is knowing and voluntary. Executive and the Company agree that this
waiver and release does not apply to any rights or claims that may arise under the ADEA after the Effective Date of this Agreement. Executive acknowledges that the consideration given for this waiver and release Agreement is in addition to anything
of value to which Executive was already entitled. Executive further acknowledges that he has been advised by this writing that (a) he should consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement; (b) he has at least twenty–one
(21) days within which to consider this Agreement; (c) he has seven (7) days following the execution of this Agreement by the parties to revoke the Agreement; (d) this Agreement shall not be effective until the revocation period
has expired; and (e) nothing in this Agreement prevents or precludes Executive from challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of this waiver under the ADEA, nor does it impose any condition precedent, penalties or
costs for doing so, unless specifically authorized by federal law. Any revocation should be in writing and delivered to [HR Contact Name] at the Company by close of business on the seventh day from the date that Executive signs this Agreement.

 6. No Pending or Future Lawsuits. Executive represents that he has no lawsuits, claims, or actions
pending in his name, or on behalf of any other person or entity, against the Company or any other person or entity referred to herein. Executive also represents that he does not intend to bring any claims on his own behalf or on behalf of any other
person or entity against the Company or any other person or entity referred to herein. 
 7. Application for
Employment. Executive understands and agrees that, as a condition of this Agreement, he shall not be entitled to any employment with the Company, its subsidiaries, or any successor, and he hereby waives any right, or alleged right, of employment
or re–employment with the Company. 
 8. No Cooperation. Executive agrees that he will not counsel
or assist any attorneys or their clients in the presentation or prosecution of any disputes, differences, grievances, claims, charges, or complaints by any third party against the Company and/or any officer, director, employee, agent,
representative, shareholder or attorney of the Company, unless under a subpoena or other court order to do so. 

9. Cooperation with Company. Executive agrees to cooperate, at the request of the Company, in the defense and/or
prosecution of any charges, claims, investigations (internal or external), administrative proceedings and/or lawsuits relating to matters occurring during or relating to Executive’s period of employment about which Executive may have relevant
information. Executive shall further reasonably cooperate with regard to the transition of Executive’s job duties and business relationships. Executive agrees to respond to reasonable requests for information from the Company in a timely
manner. 
 10. Non-Disparagement. Executive shall not engage, except as required by applicable law, in
any conduct that involves the making or publishing of written or oral statements or remarks (including the repetition or distribution of derogatory rumors, allegations, negative reports or comments) that are disparaging, deleterious or damaging to
the integrity, reputation or goodwill of the Company. 
 11. No Admission of Liability. No action taken
by the Company, either previously or in connection with this Agreement shall be deemed or construed to be (a) an admission of the truth or falsity of any claims heretofore made or (b) an acknowledgment or admission by the Company of any
fault or liability whatsoever to the Executive or to any third party. 
 12. Costs. The Parties shall
each bear their own costs, expert fees, attorneys’ fees and other fees incurred in connection with this Agreement. 

  
 - A-2 -

 13. Authority. Executive represents and warrants that he has the
capacity to act on his own behalf and on behalf of all who might claim through him to bind them to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. 
 14. No Representations. Executive represents that he has had the opportunity to consult with an attorney, and has carefully read and understands the scope and effect of the provisions of this
Agreement. Neither party has relied upon any representations or statements made by the other party hereto which are not specifically set forth in this Agreement. 

15. Severability. In the event that any provision hereof becomes or is declared by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect without said provision. 
 16. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, along with the Confidentiality Agreement, and Executive’s written equity compensation agreements with the Company, represents the entire agreement and
understanding between the Company and Executive concerning Executive’s separation from the Company. 
 17.
No Oral Modification. This Agreement may only be amended in writing signed by Executive and a duly authorized officer of the Company (other than Executive). 

18. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the internal substantive laws, but not the choice of law
rules, of the State of Ohio. 
 19. Effective Date. Each Party has seven (7) days after that Party
signs this Agreement to revoke it. This Agreement will become effective on the eighth (8th) day after Executive signed this Agreement, so long as it has been signed by both Parties. 

20. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and each counterpart shall have the same force
and effect as an original and shall constitute an effective, binding agreement on the part of each of the undersigned. 
 21. Voluntary Execution of Agreement. This Agreement is executed voluntarily and without any duress or undue influence on the part or behalf of the Parties hereto, with the full intent of releasing
all claims. The Parties acknowledge that: 
 (a) They have read this Agreement; 

(b) They have had the opportunity of being represented in the preparation, negotiation, and execution of this Agreement
by legal counsel of their own choice or that they have voluntarily declined to seek such counsel; 
 (c) They
understand the terms and consequences of this Agreement and of the releases it contains; 
 (d) They are fully
aware of the legal and binding effect of this Agreement. 
 [Remainder of page intentionally left blank. Signature page
follows.] 

  
 - A-3 -

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement on the respective dates set
forth below. 
 [Company Name] 
  

			
	 Dated: [MONTH], 20        

		
	 By:
	 	 
	
	 [Name], an individual

	
	 Dated: [MONTH], 20        

		
	 By:
	 	  

	
	 [            ]

  
 - A-4 -

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