Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.12

                                LEASE AGREEMENT

     This Lease Agreement ("Lease"), made as of this 1st day of November, 2000,
between, K.C. Holdings, Inc., whose address is 16190 Laurel Street, Waukee, Iowa
("Landlord"), and EarthWeb Career Solutions, Inc., a Delaware corporation whose
address is 300 Walnut Street, Suite 300, Des Moines, Iowa 50309 ("Tenant").

                                    Article I
                                    Premises

Section 1.1 Building and Leased Premises. Landlord leases to Tenant and Tenant
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leases from Landlord space in the building known as the Earthweb Building
located at 4101 Northwest Urbandale Drive, Urbandale, Iowa (the "Building") to
be constructed by Landlord and identified as "Landlord Work" on Exhibit B. Said
space is shown on Exhibit A (attached hereto and by this reference made a part
hereof) and contains approximately 90,000 square feet (the "Leased Premises")
and 450 parking spaces.

Section 1.2 Tenant Acceptance. During construction of the Building by Landlord,
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Tenant or its designated representative shall be required to make weekly
inspections of the work in progress and sign-off on the work performed to date,
thereby accepting the work. During the first 12 months following the
Commencement Date, Landlord shall take all necessary steps to correct, at its
expense, all defective work reported by Tenant. Landlord represents that all
warranties given by Landlord's subcontractors and suppliers are assignable to
Tenant and Landlord shall assign those warranties to Tenant.

                                   Article II
                                      Term

Section 2.1 Term. The term of this Lease shall be for ten (10) years, commencing
            ----
on the date of issuance of an occupancy permit by the City of Urbandale (the
"Commencement Date"). Tenant shall have the right to immediately occupy the
premises for the first 30 days after the Commencement Date without the payment
of rent. All other amounts due under the lease will be due and payable according
to the terms of this Lease.

Section 2.2 Holding Over. Any holding over after the expiration of the term
            ------------
hereof, or of any renewal, shall be construed to be a tenancy from month to
month, at a monthly rental at one hundred twenty percent (120%) greater than the
monthly rental applicable to the rent due for the last month under this Lease.

Section 2.3 Surrender. At the termination of this Lease, whether through the
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expiration of the term or otherwise, Tenant agrees at once to surrender the
Leased Premises (and all keys) to the Landlord in a condition comparable to the
condition on the Commencement Date, less reasonable wear and tear. If excessive
wear and tear or other

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damage is present, Landlord will notify the Tenant in writing and Tenant shall
have three (3) business days to indicate in what manner it will repair the
damage. If the Tenant has not responded within the three (3) day period, then
Landlord will make the necessary repairs and Tenant agrees to reimburse the
Landlord for the cost of the repairs together with a ten percent (10%) fee for
Landlord's efforts.

Section 2.4 Showing Premises. During the final four (4) months of the Lease
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term, Landlord shall be permitted to show prospective tenants the Leased
Premises upon giving Tenant twenty-four (24) hours' notice.

Section 2.5 Option to Renew. The Tenant shall have an option to renew this Lease
for a 10-year term or longer as hereinafter provided with the rental being 90%
of the fair market value based upon comparable rentals in the immediate area.
Landlord shall be responsible for the selection of comparable rentals and the
calculation of a "fair market value." In the event of a dispute as to Landlord's
calculation as to the "fair market value", an appraiser shall be selected, by
Landlord and Tenant with an average of the two appraisals being determinative of
the fair market value. The renewal term may be longer than 10 years, if Tenant
so elects, so that the renewal term and the term of the expanded area under
Section 20.13 below coincide.

Section 2.6 Landlord shall construct a monument sign at the entrance to the
building for Tenant signage, at the sole cost of the Landlord. Building signage
will also be available at the Tenant's expense.

Section 2.7 The building is fitted with Medico Controlled Key Locking System.
The Tenant access cards is available at an extra charge, included in the Tenant
improvement allowance of $15.00 per square foot.

                                   Article III
                                      Rent

Section 3.1 Annual Rent. During the term of this Lease, and beginning 30 days
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after the Commencement Date, Tenant shall pay to the Landlord a fixed annual
minimum rent of $11.25 per square foot ("Rent") for the finished section of the
building (60,915 square feet). The first monthly payment of rent and expenses
shall be paid at signing. The rent for the unfinished shell (29,085 square feet)
will be $116,340.00 the first 12-month period beginning 30 days after the
Commencement Date, $145,425 the second 12-month period, and $175,000.00 the
third through 10th 12-month periods. When the unfinished space become finished
space and Tenant agrees to occupy the additional space, the lease rate increases
to $11.25 per sq. ft. or $327,206.00 annually. Rent shall be payable in equal
monthly installments, in advance on the first day of each month during this
Lease term, at Landlord's office or any other place designated by it, without
any set-off or deduction except as otherwise provided below. The first monthly
payment of rent and expenses payable at signing shall be based on 90,000 square
feet. If the Commencement Date is not the first day of a calendar month, Tenant
shall pay to Landlord, on the

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Commencement Date, a fraction of the equal monthly installment, the numerator of
which is the number of days from the Commencement Date to the end of the
calendar month in which that date occurs, and the denominator of which is the
total number of days in the calendar month. This payment shall represent the pro
rata rent from the Commencement Date to the end of the calendar month. Tenant
shall have the right to offset rent in the event of a Landlord bankruptcy or
insolvency which prevents Landlord from finishing the work or reconstructing the
premises upon construction and as provided in Section 15.4 below. If any monthly
rental payment is not received by Landlord by the 5th day of the month by check,
cash, wire transfer or other means acceptable to Landlord, Tenant shall, as
Additional Rent, pay penalty of 10% of the monthly payment.

Section 3.2 Building Operating Costs. During the term of this Lease, Tenant
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shall pay on a monthly basis, together with the payment of Rent as specified in
section 3.1, Tenant's share of the Building Operating Costs which has been
determined to be 100 %. Building Operating Costs shall mean all of Landlord's
costs and expenses relating to the use, ownership, operation, maintenance,
repair and insurance of the Building, including without limitation, those
expenses set forth in Exhibit C. Building Operating Costs shall not include
income taxes, promotional or marketing expenses, tenant improvement costs,
depreciation of the Building, loan payments, ground lease payments (if any),
warranty items or real estate leasing commissions.

Section 3.3 Building Operating Cost Adjustments. Tenant shall continue to make
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the monthly payments of the Building Operating Costs until notified by Landlord
of a change in the Building Operating Costs. As soon as practicable after 1st of
each year, Landlord shall deliver to Tenant a statement showing (a) the Building
Operating Costs for the Building for the prior calendar year and Tenant's
allocable share of the Building Operating Costs, and (b) the estimated Building
Operating Costs for the then current year (based on the prior year's experience)
and Tenant's allocable share of the estimated Building Operating Costs for the
then current year. Landlord's determination as to the actual Building Operating
Costs for the prior year shall be binding on Landlord and Tenant unless Landlord
receives written notice from Tenant stating in detail Tenant's disagreement with
Landlord's determination within 30 days after delivery of the statement referred
to above. In calculating Building Operating Costs for any fiscal period, if less
than ninety-five percent (95%) of the Building is occupied by tenants, then the
amount of the Building Operating Costs shall be deemed for the purposes of this
section to be increased to an amount equal to the like Building Operating Costs
which normally would be expected by Landlord to have been incurred had such
occupancy been ninety-five percent (95%) during such entire period. If the total
of the monthly payments which Tenant has made for the prior calendar year is
less than the Tenant's share of the actual Building Operating Costs for that
prior year, then Tenant shall pay Landlord the difference in a lump sum within
10 days after receipt of the statement from Landlord together with the
difference between the monthly payments made in the then current year and the
amount of monthly payments which are calculated by Landlord as Tenant's share of
the estimated Building Operating Costs for the then current year. Any
over-payment by Tenant shall be credited towards the monthly Building Operating
Costs next coming

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due. Even though the Lease term has ended and Tenant has vacated the Leased
Premises, when the final determination is made of Tenant's share of the Building
Operating Costs for the year in which this Lease terminated, Tenant shall
immediately pay any increase over the estimated Building Operating Costs
previously paid and, conversely, any overpayment made shall be immediately
rebated by Landlord to Tenant. Failure of Landlord to submit statements as
called for in this Lease shall not be deemed to be a waiver of Tenant's
requirement to pay sums as provided in this section.

Section 3.4 Additional Rent. All costs, charges, and expenses that Tenant
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assumes, agrees to, or is obligated to Landlord under this Lease shall be deemed
"Additional Rent." In the event of nonpayment, Landlord shall have the same
rights and remedies with respect to the Additional Rent as is provided for
herein in case of nonpayment of Rent. Tenant shall pay Landlord the Rent,
Additional Rent, and adjustments of rent provided for in this Lease, when due
and without notice or demand, at the time and in the manner specified herein.

Section 3.5 Tenant shall be provided a build out allowance of $15.00 per square
foot for the Tenant Work described on Exhibit B. Any unused portion of this
build out allowance should be credited to rent or any other leasehold
improvements. In addition, Tenant shall be provided an allowance of $1.50 per
square of foot of finished space in the Leased Premises to offset Tenant's
architect costs.

Section 3.6 If the work to be performed by Landlord is not completed according
to the construction schedule attached as Exhibit D, Landlord shall pay any rent
due from Tenant on facilities then occupied by Tenant until such time as the
Leased Premises are completed. If the work to be performed by Landlord is not
completed prior to November 1, 2001, Landlord shall pay a penalty of $1,000 per
day until such time as the work is completed plus the rent provided in this
paragraph.

Section 3.7 Letter of Credit. Tenant shall enter into a Letter of Credit (or
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replacement Letter[s] of Credit in the event of termination of the original
Letter of Credit) in a form satisfactory to and with a bank which meets with the
approval of Landlord and Landlord's lender. The Letter of Credit shall be in the
initial amount of one million dollars ($1,000,000.00). So long as Tenant is not
in default of Section 3.1 of this Lease Agreement, that amount may be decreased
by two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000.00) each year for five years until
there is no balance remaining. If Tenant shall fail to make timely payments to
Landlord pursuant to Section 3.1 of this Lease Agreement, Landlord shall be
entitled to draw upon the Letter of Credit in an amount equal to any payment due
Landlord from Tenant if such payment is not made within the time constraints of
this Lease Agreement. In the event of a draw against the Letter of Credit by
Landlord, Tenant shall, within three weeks of any such draw by Landlord, be
required to take whatever steps are necessary to restore the Letter of Credit to
the balance that existed at the time immediately prior to the draw against the
Letter of Credit by Landlord. If the Lease Agreement is terminated as a result
of Tenant's default, the entire balance of the Letter of Credit shall be payable
to Landlord immediately. If Landlord

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receives notice of the bank's intention to terminate the Letter of Credit,
Tenant shall have 21 days to find a replacement letter of credit. If a
replacement is not found, Landlord may declare the lease in default and draw and
retain the balance of the existing Letter of Credit. Payment of the balance of
the Letter of Credit upon Tenant's default shall in no way limit Landlord's
ability to recover all of its damages from Tenant. Landlord shall pay monthly
fees related to maintaining the Letter of Credit for the months of February,
March, April, May, June and July, unless possession is delayed beyond September
1, 2001, in which case, Landlord shall pay such monthly fees until one month
prior to possession by Tenant. All other expenses associated with the
establishment and maintenance of the Letter of Credit shall be the obligation of
Tenant. Except in the event the bank terminates the Letter of Credit or if the
lease is terminated as a result of Tenant's default, if the amount paid to
Landlord under the Letter of Credit exceeds the amount owed by Tenant to
Landlord, upon Tenant's default, then Landlord shall refund the excess to Tenant
within five days. In the event the bank terminates the Letter of Credit,
Landlord shall refund the excess to Tenant when a new Letter of Credit has been
established, or, if no new letter of credit is established, shall refund any
excess to Tenant at such time as any damages have been calculated with
reasonable certainty. If the lease is terminated as a result of Tenant's
default, Landlord shall not be entitled to retain amounts exceeding any actual
damages sustained as a result of the termination of the lease, and Landlord
shall use its best efforts to mitigate its damages. Any refund payable to Tenant
as a result of a termination of the lease shall be paid as soon as the amount
(if any) can be ascertained with reasonable certainty.

                                   Article IV
                                 Use of Premises

Section 4.1 Use. The Tenant shall use the Leased Premises for office use and
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storage and for no other purpose whatsoever.

Section 4.2 Compliance with Laws. Tenant shall comply with all present and
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future laws or ordinances applicable to the Leased Premises and shall not commit
or suffer waste on the Leased Premises, or use or permit anything on the Leased
Premises which may be illegal, or constitute a private or public nuisance, or
conflict with or invalidate or increase the cost of any of Landlord's fire and
extended coverage insurance, or which may be dangerous to persons or the
property of the Landlord or other tenants of Landlord's building, their agents,
servants, employees, and customers. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Tenant's
effecting an increase in the cost of any of Landlord's fire and extended
insurance is curable by Tenant's payment of such increase in cost.

Section 4.3 Liens. Tenant agrees not to permit any liens of any type (including
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mechanic's, materialmen's, vendor's or supplier's liens) to be placed upon the
Leased Premises. Should a lien be filed, Tenant agrees to cause the lien to be
discharged or provide a bond to the Landlord for the benefit of the Landlord
within twenty (20) days of the filing of the lien in the full amount of the
lien. If Tenant fails to discharge the lien or provide the required bond,
Landlord may upon five (5) days' written notice discharge the

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lien and Tenant agrees to immediately pay to Landlord the full cost of
discharging the lien together with Landlord's reasonable and actual legal fees
and a fee of ten percent (10%) of the total cost to Landlord.

                                    Article V
                      Repairs, Maintenance and Alterations

Section 5.1 Repairs and Maintenance. The Landlord shall make all necessary
            -----------------------
repairs to the Building, including the Leased Premises, except that the Tenant
shall be responsible for all repairs and maintenance to tenant improvements and
for any repairs necessitated by the Tenant's neglect or omission. All repairs
shall be in quality and class equal to the original work in order to maintain
the Building and Leased Premises in good condition and repair. If the Tenant
fails to perform any of its obligations of maintenance or repair, the Landlord
is authorized to come onto the Leased Premises and make such repairs, and upon
billing to the Tenant by the Landlord for the costs of such repairs, Tenant
shall reimburse the Landlord.

Section 5.2 Removal of Tenant's Property. Upon the expiration of or prior
            ----------------------------
termination of this Lease, the Tenant shall remove all property of the Tenant
from the premises, except plumbing and other fixtures and leasehold improvements
which may have been installed by the Tenant and except as otherwise provided in
this Lease, and surrender the Leased Premises to the Landlord "broom clean" in
as good order and condition as they were upon Tenant commencing business, or
were placed by Tenant thereafter, ordinary wear and tear excepted. Any property
left on the Leased Premises after the expiration or other termination of this
Lease may be disposed of by Landlord in any manner and without any liability to
the Landlord.

Section 5.3 Alterations. The Tenant shall not make any changes, alterations,
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additions, or improvements to the Leased Premises without the written consent of
the Landlord. Prior to commencing any work or alterations on the Leased
Premises, Tenant shall furnish to Landlord:

         (a) Copies of all governmental permits and authorizations which may be
required in connection with the work.

         (b) A certificate evidencing that Tenant (or its contractors) has
(have) procured workmen's compensation insurance covering all persons employed
in connection with the work who might assert claims for death or bodily injury
against Landlord, Tenant, or the Building.

         (c) All additional personal injury and property damage insurance (over
and above the insurance required to be carried by Tenant under Section 8.1) that
Landlord may require because of the nature of the work to be done by Tenant.

                                   Article VI

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                                      Taxes

Section 6.1 Tenant's Share of Real Estate Taxes. Tenant shall pay a
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proportionate share, as determined in Section 3.2 of this Lease, of any and all
increases in Real Estate Taxes, as hereinafter defined, above those for the
fiscal tax year commencing on July 1, 2002 (hereinafter referred to as the Base
Tax Year) imposed on the land and buildings of which the Leased Premises forms a
part with respect to every calendar year or part thereof during the term of this
Lease, whether any such increase results from a higher tax rate or an increase
in the assessed valuation of the property, or both. Tenant shall not be
responsible for the payment any Real Estate Taxes after termination of this
lease. Real Estate Taxes shall be defined as including the following items: (i)
real estate taxes, (ii) assessments levied, assessed, or imposed against such
land and/or buildings or the rents or profits therefrom to the extent that the
same shall be in lieu of all or any portion of any items hereinabove set forth,
and (iii) all water and sewer rents, charges, taxes, and frontage assessed or
imposed. If due to a change in the method of taxation, any franchise, income,
profit, or other tax, however designated, shall be levied against Landlord's
interest in the property in whole or in part for or in lieu of any tax which
would otherwise constitute Real Estate Taxes, such taxes shall be included in
the term Real Estate Taxes for purposes hereof. All such payments shall be
approximately prorated for any partial calendar years in which the term of this
Lease shall commence or expire. A copy of the tax bill shall be sufficient
evidence of the amount of Real Estate Taxes.

Section 6.2 Tax Reduction. Only Landlord shall be eligible to institute tax
            -------------
reduction or other proceedings to reduce the assessed valuation of the land and
buildings. Should Landlord be successful in any such reduction proceedings and
obtain a rebate for periods during which Tenant has paid its share of increases,
and provided that Tenant is not in default in payment of rent or additional rent
due under this Lease, Landlord shall, after deducting its expenses, including,
without limitation, attorneys' fees and disbursements in connection therewith,
promptly return Tenant's pro rata share of such rebate after Landlord has
received such proceeds. Tenant may not obtain any portion of the benefits which
may accrue to Landlord from any reduction in Real Estate Taxes for any year
below those imposed in the Base Tax Year.

Section 6.3 Notices of Taxes. Along with notification of any increases in Real
            ----------------
Estate Taxes for which the Landlord requests payment from Tenant, Landlord shall
also furnish (i) a copy of the current tax bill, (ii) a copy of the tax bill for
the base year, and (iii) a statement showing calculation of Tenant's
proportionate share of the increase in Real Estate Taxes for which payment is
being requested in sufficient detail to enable Tenant to verify the accuracy of
the amount it is being requested to pay.

Section 6.4 Tax Abatement. Upon Landlord's qualifying to receive property tax
            -------------
abatement from the City of Urbandale or Polk County, Iowa, upon receipt of
reimbursement of Landlord's payment of the previous year's property tax payment,
Tenant shall receive a cash payment of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) on the
15th day of January in the year following the payment, with the first payment
anticipated on January

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15, 2003, and continuing for nine years or for as long as Landlord qualifies for
tax abatement from the City of Urbandale, or Polk County, Iowa.

                                   Article VII
              Laws, Ordinances, Requirements of Public Authorities

Section 7.1 Tenant Compliance. Tenant shall, at its expense, comply with all
            -----------------
federal, state, county, and municipal laws, orders, ordinances and regulations
and with any lawful direction of any public officer or officers which shall,
with respect to the occupancy, use or manner of use of the Lease Premises or to
any abatement of nuisance caused by Tenant, impose any violation, order, or duty
upon Landlord or Tenant arising from Tenant's occupancy, use, or manner of use
of the Leased Premises or any installations made therein by or at Tenant's
request or required by reason of a breach of any of Tenant's covenants or
agreements hereunder.

Section 7.2 Notice of Violations. Tenant shall promptly notify Landlord if it
            --------------------
receives notice of any violation of law, ordinance, rule, order, or regulation
applicable to the Leased Premises. Landlord shall promptly notify Tenant if it
receives notices of any violation of any such law, order, ordinance, or
regulation applicable to the Leased Premises or services, access or other
appurtenances to the Leased Premises, especially, but not limited to, any
creating an obligation of Tenant under Section 7.1.

                                  Article VIII
                                    Insurance

Section 8.1 Tenant's Insurance. Tenant, at its expense, shall maintain insurance
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protecting and indemnifying Landlord and Tenant against all claims for injury or
damage to persons or property or for the loss of life or of property occurring
upon, in or about the Leased Premises, the public portions of the Building used
by Tenant, its employees, agents, contractors, customers, and invitees. The
insurance shall afford minimum protection during the term of this Lease, of not
less than $1,000,000 for bodily injury or death to any one person and not less
than $3,000,000 for any one occurrence or accident, and not less than $100,000
for property damage, or such other limits as Landlord deems necessary. Tenant
shall also procure, at its own expense, coverage for its property in the Leased
Premises against loss, damage, or destruction by fire or other casualty, and
workers' compensation insurance for its own employees, if any.

All such insurance shall be effected under valid and enforceable policies (which
may cover the Leased Premises and other locations), shall be issued by insurers
of recognized responsibility acceptable by Landlord, and shall contain a
provision under which the insurer agrees not to cancel the insurance without 30
days' prior written notice to Landlord.

On or before the Commencement Date, Tenant shall furnish Landlord with a
certificate evidencing the aforesaid insurance coverage. Renewal certificates
shall be furnished to

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Landlord at least 30 days prior to the expiration date of each policy for which
a certificate was furnished.

Section 8.2 Landlord's Insurance. Landlord shall procure, at the expense of the
            --------------------
tenants of the building (as specified in section 3.2), the following insurance:
(a) coverage for the Building and its property therein at replacement cost
against loss, damage, or destruction by fire or other casualty, (b) coverage for
loss to the boiler or machinery, and (c) workers' compensation insurance, if
necessary.

Section 8.3 Waiver of Subrogation. Both parties shall include in their
            ---------------------
respective insurance policies: (a) a waiver of the insurer's right of
subrogation against the other party; (b) an express agreement that the policy
will not be invalidated if the assured waives the right of recovery against any
party responsible for a casualty covered by the policy before the casualty; or
(c) any other form of permission for the other party's release.

                                   Article IX
           Damage to Tenant's Property and Indemnification of Landlord

Section 9.1 Landlord's Limitations on Liability. The Landlord and its agents
            -----------------------------------
shall not be liable in damages, by abatement in rent or otherwise, for any
damage either to the person or the property of the Tenant, or for the loss of or
damage to any property of the Tenant by theft or from any other cause
whatsoever, whether similar or dissimilar to the foregoing. The Landlord or its
agents shall not be liable for any injury or damage to persons or property, or
loss or interruption to business resulting from fire, explosion, falling
plaster, steam, gas, electricity, water, rain, snow, or leaks from any part of
the Building, or from the pipes, appliances, or plumbing works, or from the
roof, street, or subsurface, or from any other place, or by dampness, or by any
cause of whatsoever nature; nor shall the Landlord or its agents be liable for
any damage caused by other tenants or persons in said Building, or caused by
operations in construction of any private or public or quasi-public work. None
of the limitations of the liability of Landlord or its agents provided for in
this subsection (a) shall apply if such loss, injury, or damages are proximately
caused by the gross negligence of the Landlord, its agents or employees.

Section 9.2 Tenant's Negligence. The Tenant shall be liable for any damage to
            -------------------
the Building or property therein which may be caused by its act or negligence,
or the acts of its agents, employees, or customers, and the Landlord may, at its
option, repair such damage, and the said Tenant shall thereupon reimburse and
compensate the Landlord as additional rent, within five (5) days after rendition
of a statement by the Landlord, for the total cost of such repair and damage.

Section 9.3 Indemnification. The Tenant hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold
            ---------------
the Landlord harmless and free from damages sustained by person or property, and
against all claims of third persons for damages arising out of the Tenant's use
of the Leased

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Premises, and for all damages and monies paid out by Landlord in settlement of
any claim or judgments, as well as for all expenses and attorneys' fees incurred
in connection therewith, unless these claims are paid by Tenant's insurance.

                                    Article X
                        Damage or Destruction of Premises

If the Leased Premises or any part thereof are damaged by fire or other
casualty, the Tenant will give prompt written notice thereof to the landlord. In
case 40% or less of the Building is damaged by fire or other casualty, Landlord
shall immediately commence restoration of such damages and shall proceed with
reasonable diligence to restore the Leased Premises within 90 days of receipt of
notice, or Tenant may terminate this Lease. In case over forty percent (40%) of
the Building is damaged by fire or other casualty to the extent that substantial
alteration or reconstruction of the Building is, in the Landlord's sole opinion,
required (whether or not the Leased Premises have been damaged by such fire or
other casualty) or in the event any mortgagee under a mortgage or deed of trust
covering the Building should require that the insurance proceeds payable as a
result of said fire or other casualty be used to retire the mortgage debt, the
Landlord may, at its option, terminate this Lease by notifying the Tenant in
writing of such termination within thirty (30) days after the date the Landlord
receives notice of such damage, in which event the rent will be abated as of the
date of such damage. If the Landlord does not elect to terminate this Lease, the
Landlord will proceed with reasonable diligence to restore the Leased Premises
within one hundred twenty (120) days thereafter (except that the Landlord is not
responsible for delays outside its control) to substantially the same condition
in which the Leased Premises were immediately prior to the happening of the
casualty. If the Leased Premises are not restored within the one hundred twenty
(120) days, Tenant shall have the right to cancel this Lease. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, the Landlord is not required to
rebuild, repair or replace any part of Tenant's furniture or furnishings or
fixtures and equipment removable by the Tenant under the provisions of this
Lease. The restoration will not exceed the scope of the work done by the
Landlord in originally constructing the Building. The Landlord will not be
liable for any inconvenience or annoyance to the Tenant or injury to the
business of Tenant resulting in any way from such damage or the repair thereof,
except that, subject to the provisions of the next paragraph, the Landlord will
allow the Tenant a fair diminution of rent during the time and to the extent the
Leased Premises are unfit for occupancy. Any insurance which may be carried by
the Landlord or the Tenant against loss or damage to the Building or to the
Leased Premises is for the sole benefit of the party carrying such insurance and
under its sole control. The Tenant hereby agrees that the Lease will not
automatically terminate by law upon destruction of the Leased Premises. The
Tenant is not entitled to any compensation or damages from the Landlord except
as provided herein for loss of the use of the whole or any part of the Leased
Premises, the Tenant's personal property or any inconvenience or annoyance
occasioned by such damage, repair, reconstruction or restoration. If such fire
or other casualty results from acts, omissions or neglect of the tenant or its
agents, employees, invitees or visitors

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there will be no abatement of rent as otherwise permitted herein.

                                   Article XI
                                 Eminent Domain

If the whole, or any part, of the Leased Premises shall be taken by any public,
or quasi-public authority under the power of eminent domain, or conveyed to any
such public or quasi-public authority under threat of exercise of the power of
eminent domain, then the terms of this Lease shall cease on that part of the
Premises so taken or conveyed (hereinafter referred to as the "condemned
portion") from the day the possession of the condemned portion shall be taken by
the condemning entity. Unless this Lease is canceled as hereinafter provided,
the rent provided for herein commencing with the date possession is acquired by
the condemning entity, shall be reduced in proportion to the amount of the
Premises taken. In the event of partial condemnation, Tenant may cancel this
entire Lease if the loss of the condemned portion will, in Tenant's reasonable
judgment based upon generally accepted standards applicable to Tenant's business
on the Premises, have a significantly impairing effect on such business as to
render the Premises unfit for its intended use. Such right to cancel may be
exercised by Tenant, only:

         (a) If Tenant gives to Landlord at least ten (10) days prior written
notice of such cancellation and Landlord agrees in writing;

         (b) The effective date of such cancellation of the entire Lease is the
same as the date possession was obtained of the condemned portion by the
condemning entity; and

         (c) Rent is paid in full the effective date of such cancellation.

All damages awarded for any taking shall belong to and be the property of the
Landlord whether such damages shall be awarded as compensation for diminution in
value to the leasehold or the fee of the Premises herein leased; provided,
however, that the Landlord shall not be entitled to any portion of the award
made to Tenant for loss of business, depreciation to and cost of removal of
stock and trade fixtures.

                                   Article XII
                            Assignment and Subletting

Section 12.1 Landlord's Consent. Tenant shall not, by operation of law or
             ------------------
otherwise, assign, mortgage, or encumber this Lease, or sublet or permit the
Leased Premises or any part thereof to be used by others, without Landlord's
prior written consent which consent shall not be unreasonably or arbitrarily
withheld. Landlord's consent to any assignment or subletting shall not in any
manner be construed to relieve Tenant from obtaining Landlord's express written
consent to any other or further assignment or subletting.

                                       11

<PAGE>

Nothing in this provision shall prevent Tenant from assigning this Lease or
subletting the Leased Premises to an affiliated company, parent or subsidiary,
or as the result of a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or acquisition
involving Tenant.

Landlord shall give Tenant notice as to giving or withholding such consent
within 30 days after Tenant furnishes Landlord, in writing, (1) the terms and
conditions of the proposed assignment or subletting, (2) the name of the
proposed assignee or sublessee, (3) the nature and character of the business of
the proposed assignee or sublessee, and (4) any other information reasonably
requested by Landlord.

Section 12.2 No Waiver of Consent. If this Lease is assigned, or all or a part
             --------------------
of the Leased Premises is sublet or occupied by any person or persons other than
Tenant, Landlord may, after default by Tenant, collect rent from the assignee,
subtenant or occupant and apply the net amount collected to the rent herein
reserved. However, no such assignment, subletting, occupancy or collection of
rent shall be deemed a waiver of the covenants in this Article, nor shall it be
deemed acceptance of the assignee subtenant or occupant as a tenant, or a
release of Tenant from the full performance by Tenant of all the terms,
conditions and covenants of this Lease.

Section 12.3 Joint Liability. Each permitted assignee or transferee shall assume
             ---------------
and be deemed to have assumed this Lease and shall be and remain liable jointly
and severally with Tenant for the payment of the rent, additional rent, and
adjustments of rent, and for the due performance of all of Tenant's terms,
covenants, conditions, and agreements for the term of this Lease. No assignment
shall be binding on Landlord unless the assignee or Tenant delivers to Landlord
a duplicate original of the instrument of assignment which contains a covenant
of assumption by the assignee of all of the above obligations and obtains from
Landlord the above written consent prior thereto.

Section 12.4 Assignment by Landlord. Tenant agrees that Landlord will have the
             ----------------------
right to transfer and assign, in whole or in part, its ownership of the Property
and all of its rights and obligations under this Lease. Tenant agrees that
Landlord will have no further obligations to Tenant and Tenant will look solely
to such successor in interest of Landlord for the performance of the Landlord's
obligations under the Lease provided that the assignee assumes Landlord's
obligations under the lease in writing.

                                  Article XIII
                           Tenant Estoppel Agreements

Tenant agrees that at any time and from time to time at reasonable intervals,
within ten (10) business days after written request by Landlord, Tenant will
execute, acknowledge, and deliver to Landlord, Landlord's mortgagee, or others
designated by Landlord, a certificate in such form as may from time to time be
provided, ratifying this Lease and certifying:

         (a) That this Lease is in full force and effect, and has not been
assigned,

                                       12

<PAGE>

modified, supplemented, or amended in any way (or if there has been any
assignment, modification, supplement, or amendment, identifying the same);

         (b) That this Lease represents the entire agreement between Landlord
and Tenant as to the subject matter hereof (or if there has been any assignment,
modification, supplement, or amendment, identifying the same);

         (c) The Commencement Date and the term of this Lease;

         (d) That all conditions under this Lease to be performed by Landlord
have been satisfied (and if not, what conditions remain unperformed);

         (e) That to the knowledge of the signer of such writing, no default
exists in the enforcement of this Lease by Landlord or specifying each default,
defense, or offset of which the signer may have knowledge;

         (f) That no rental has been paid in advance other than for the month in
which such certificate is signed by Tenant; and

         (g) The date to which all rentals due hereunder have been paid under
this Lease.

                                   Article XIV
                  Subordination, Non-Disturbance and Attornment

Section 14.1 Subordination. This Lease is and shall be subject and subordinate
             -------------
to any ground or underlying lease which may now or hereafter affect the
Building, the land, or both, and to any amendment, modification, renewal, or
extension of the ground or underlying lease. This Lease is also subject and
subordinate to all mortgages which may now or hereafter affect any lease of
ground or underlying lease or the land and/or Building and to all renewals,
modifications, amendments, consolidations, replacements, or extensions thereof.
This clause shall be self-operative and no further instrument of subordination
shall be required. In confirmation of such subordination, however, Tenant
without cost or charge to Landlord, shall execute promptly any certificate or
instrument of subordination requested by Landlord or Landlord's Mortgagee. If
Tenant fails upon reasonable request to execute the certificate or instrument,
Tenant hereby constitutes and appoints Landlord its attorney-in-fact to execute
all such certificates or instruments for and on behalf of Tenant.

Section 14.2 Non-Disturbance. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 14.1,
             ---------------
the subordination of this Lease to any later executed superior lease or superior
mortgage or to any later renewal, modification, replacement, or extension of any
superior lease or superior mortgage, or to any existing or future consolidation
or spreader of any superior mortgage, is subject to the express conditions that,
so long as this Lease is in full force and effect and Tenant is not in default
of the terms and provisions of this Lease beyond any applicable grace periods:

<PAGE>

                                       13

         (a) Tenant shall not be joined as a party defendant (1) in any action
or proceeding which may be instituted or taken by the lessor of the superior
lease for the purpose of terminating it by reason of any default thereunder, or
(2) in any foreclosure action or proceeding which may be instituted or taken by
the holder of the superior mortgage; and

         (b) Tenant shall not be evicted from the Leased Premises, Tenant's
leasehold estate under this Lease shall not be terminated or disturbed, nor
shall any of Tenant's rights under this Lease be affected in any way, by reason
of any default under the superior leasehold or superior mortgage.

Section 14.3 Attornment. If the lessor of a superior lease or the holder of a
             ----------
superior mortgage succeeds to Landlord's rights under this Lease, whether
through possession or foreclosure action or delivery of a new lease or deed,
then at the request of the successor party ("successor landlord") and upon such
successor landlord's written agreement to accept Tenant's attornment, Tenant
shall attorn to and recognize the successor landlord as Tenant's landlord under
this Lease, and shall promptly execute and deliver any instrument requested by
the successor landlord to evidence such attornment. If Tenant refuses or fails
promptly upon reasonable request to execute such instrument, Tenant hereby
irrevocably appoints Landlord or the successor landlord its attorney-in-fact to
execute and deliver the instrument on its behalf. Upon such attornment this
Lease shall continue in full force and effect as if it were a direct lease
between the successor landlord and Tenant upon all of the terms, conditions, and
covenants set forth in it and shall be applicable after such attornment.
However, the successor landlord shall not:

         (a) Have any liability for refusal or failure to perform or complete
Landlord's work or otherwise to prepare the Leased Premises for occupancy in
accordance with the provisions of Exhibit "B" of this Lease;

         (b) Be obligated under Article X to repair, restore, replace, or
rebuild the Building or the Leased Premises, in case of total or substantially
total damage or destruction, beyond any repair, restoration, or rebuilding that
can reasonably be accomplished with the net proceeds of insurance actually
received by, or made available to, the successor landlord;

         (c) Be liable for any of Landlord's previous acts or omissions under
this Lease;

         (d) Be subject to any offset, not expressly provided for in this Lease,
which has previously accrued to Tenant against Landlord;

         (e) Be bound by any previous modification of this Lease, or by any
previous prepayment of more than one month's rent, unless the modification or
prepayment has been expressly approved in writing by the lessor of the superior
lease or the holder of the

                                       14

<PAGE>

superior mortgage through or by reason of which the successor landlord has
succeeded to Landlord's rights under this Lease.

                                   Article XV
                                     Default

Section 15.1 Tenant Default. The occurrence of any one (1) or more of the
             --------------
following events shall constitute a default under this Lease by the Tenant:

         (1) The vacation or abandonment of the Leased Premises and discontinued
Rent and Additional Rent payments by the Tenant. Abandonment is defined to
include, but is not limited to, any absence by the Tenant from the Leased
Premises resulting in the Tenant not engaging in its usual customary business
for five (5) business days or longer without Rent being paid;

         (2) The failure by the Tenant to make any payment of Rent, Additional
Rent or any other payment required to be made by the Tenant herein, as and when
due, where such failure continues for a period of ten (10) business days
following written notice of such failure;

         (3) The Tenant's failure to observe or perform any of the covenants,
conditions or provisions of this Lease, other than as described in subparagraph
(ii) above, where such failure continues for a period of thirty (30) days after
written notice thereof by the Landlord to the Tenant; provided, however, that if
the nature of the Tenant's default is such that more than thirty (30) days are
reasonably required for its cure, then the Tenant will not be deemed to be in
default if the Tenant commences such cure within said thirty (30) day period and
thereafter diligently prosecutes such cure to completion;

         (4) The making by the Tenant of any general assignment or general
arrangement for the benefit of creditors; the appointment of a trustee or a
receiver to take possession of substantially all of the Tenant's assets or of
the Tenant's interest in this Lease and possession is not restored to the Tenant
within thirty (30) days; or the attachment, execution or other judicial seizure
of substantially all of the Tenant's assets located at the Leased Premises or of
the Tenant's interest in this Lease and such seizure is not discharged in thirty
(30) days; and

         (5) The filing of any voluntary petition in bankruptcy by the Tenant or
the filing of any involuntary petition by the Tenant's creditors if the
involuntary petition remains undischarged for a period of thirty (30) days. In
the event that under applicable law the trustee in bankruptcy or the Tenant has
the right to affirm this Lease and perform the obligations of the Tenant
hereunder, the trustee or Tenant will, in the time period permitted by the
bankruptcy court having jurisdiction, cure all defaults of the Tenant
outstanding as of the date of the affirmance of this Lease and provide to the
Landlord such adequate assurances as may be necessary to ensure the Landlord of
the continued performance of the Tenant's obligations under this Lease.
"Adequate assurances" of cure

                                       15

<PAGE>

or compensation will only be satisfied by the establishment of an escrow fund
for the amount at issue or by bonding. It is warranted and agreed by the
Landlord and Tenant that the foregoing provision was a material part of the
consideration for this Lease.

Section 15.2 Landlord's Remedies. In the event of any default or breach by the
             -------------------
Tenant, the Landlord may at any time thereafter, with notice and without
limiting the Landlord in the exercise of any right or remedy which the Landlord
may have by reason of such default:

         (1) Terminate the Tenant's right to possession of the Leased Premises
by any lawful means in which case this Lease terminates and the Tenant will
immediately surrender possession of the Leased Premises to the Landlord. In such
event Landlord will be entitled to recover from the Tenant all damages incurred
by the Landlord by reason of the Tenant's default including, but not limited to:
(a) the cost of recovering possession of the Leased Premises; (b) expenses of
reletting including necessary renovation and alteration of the Leased Premises;
(c) reasonable attorneys' fees and any real estate commission actually paid; and
(d) the worth at the time of the award by the court having jurisdiction thereof
of the amount by which the unpaid Rent for the balance of the Lease term after
the time of such award exceeds the amount of such Rent loss for the same period
that the Tenant proves could be reasonably avoided. Unpaid installments of Rent
and other sums will bear interest from the date due at the lesser rate of
eighteen percent (18%) per annum or the maximum allowed by law.

         In the event that the Tenant has abandoned the Leased Premises and
discontinued monthly Rent payments, the Landlord has the option of taking
possession of the Leased Premises and recovering from the Tenant the amount
specified in this subparagraph or proceeding under the provisions of
subparagraph (2) below;

         (2) The Landlord may terminate this Lease and immediately repossess the
Leased Premises and recover as damages a sum of money equal to the excess of the
present value of the Rent required to be paid by the Tenant for the balance of
the Lease term plus any other sum of money and damages owed by the Tenant to the
Landlord less the present value of the fair market rental value of the Leased
Premises for said period. Should the fair market rental value exceed the value
of the Rent required to be paid by the Tenant for the balance of the Lease term,
the Landlord has no obligation to pay to the Tenant the excess of any part
thereof; and

         (3) The Landlord may continue this Lease in full force and effect and
the Lease will continue in effect as long as the Landlord does not terminate the
Tenant's right to possession and the Landlord will have the right to collect
Rent when due. During the period the Tenant is in default, the Landlord may
enter the Leased Premises and relet them, or any part of them, to third parties
for credit to the Tenant's account. The Tenant will be liable immediately to the
Landlord for all costs the Landlord incurs in reletting the Leased Premises,
including, without limitation, brokers' commission, expenses of remodeling the
Leased Premises required by the reletting and all other like costs.

                                       16

<PAGE>

Reletting may be for a period shorter or longer than the remaining term of this
Lease. The Tenant will pay to the Landlord the Rent due under this Lease on the
date the Rent is due less the Rent the Landlord receives from any reletting. No
act by the Landlord allowed by this paragraph will terminate this Lease unless
the Landlord notifies the Tenant that the Landlord has elected to terminate this
Lease.

         (4) The foregoing remedies are not exclusive. The remedies are
cumulative in addition to any remedies now or later allowed by law, to any
equitable remedies the Landlord may have and to any remedies the Landlord may
have under bankruptcy laws or laws affecting creditors' rights generally.

Section 15.3 Landlord Default. The Landlord will not be deemed to be in default
             ----------------
in the performance of any obligation required to be performed by it unless and
until it has failed to perform such obligations within thirty (30) days after
written notice by the Tenant to the Landlord specifying what obligations the
Landlord has failed to perform; provided, however, that if the nature of the
Landlord's obligation is such that more than thirty (30) days are required for
its performance, then the Landlord will not be deemed to be in default if it
commences such performance within such thirty (30) day period and thereafter
diligently prosecutes the same to completion.

Section 15.4 Tenant Remedies. In addition to any other remedy allowed pursuant
             ---------------
to this agreement or permitted by law, in the event of Landlord's failure to
cure any default in the performance of any obligation required to be performed
by it after having received written notice from Tenant and having failed to cure
the default, Tenant may take steps to remedy any deficiency and set off the
reasonable costs of such action against rent due pursuant to this Lease.

                                   Article XVI
                 Landlord's Right to Perform Tenant Obligations

If Tenant defaults in the observance or performance of any term or covenant
under this Lease, Landlord may, without thereby waiving the default, remedy the
default for Tenant's account and at Tenant's expense. If in connection therewith
Landlord makes any expenditures or incurs any obligations for the payment of
money or in instituting, prosecuting, or defending any action or proceedings
commenced before or during the term of this Lease or after the expiration or
termination of the term, including but not limited to legal expenses and
attorneys' fees, Tenant shall pay to Landlord on demand the sums paid or
obligations incurred, together with legal interest and costs. If not paid,
Landlord, in addition to any other remedy, may deem the due payments to be
Additional Rent.

                                  Article XVII
                                 Quiet Enjoyment

Landlord warrants and represents that it has full authority to execute this
Lease for the

                                       17

<PAGE>

above term. Landlord covenants that upon Tenant's paying the Rent and Additional
Rent and performing its covenants, Tenant may peaceably and quietly have, hold,
and enjoy the Leased Premises, subject, nevertheless, to the terms and
conditions of this Lease. This covenant shall bind Landlord only so long as it
is the owner of the premises.

                                  Article XVIII
                                   Arbitration

In the event of any dispute arising between Landlord and the Tenant with
reference to the rights or liabilities of either party under this Lease, the
dispute shall be referred to three arbitrators. One of the arbitrators shall be
chosen by Landlord, another by the Tenant and a third by the first two. The
decision of the arbitrators shall be binding and final. The standards to be used
in the proceedings will be the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American
Arbitration Association. Each party shall initially pay the costs and fees of
the arbitrator it selects, and the costs and fees of the third arbitrator shall
be divided equally by the parties; provided, however, that the prevailing party
in any arbitration proceeding conducted pursuant to this Section shall be
entitled to recover from the other party any costs or expenses incurred by the
prevailing party in connection with the arbitration, including the fees of
arbitrators and the reasonable fees of attorneys, accountants and other experts.
The decision of the arbitrators shall be enforceable by entry of a judgment in
Polk County District Court in Des Moines, Iowa.

                                   Article XIX
                                     Notice

Section 19.1 Form of Notice. All notices to be given under this Lease shall be
             --------------
in writing and shall either be served personally or sent by certified mail,
return receipt requested. All notices mailed as herein provided shall be deemed
received two (2) days after mailing. Notices to Landlord shall be sent to the
address set forth in the preamble hereof or such other address as the Landlord
may specify in written notice to Tenant. Notices to Tenant shall be sent to:

             EarthWeb Career Solutions, Inc.
             4101 Northwest Urbandale Drive
             Des Moines, Iowa 50322

             Attention Director of Finance

with a copy to each of the Director of Facilities and the General Counsel at the
following address:

             EarthWeb, Inc.
             3 Park Avenue
             New York, NY 10016

Section 19.2 Notice to Mortgagee. If there is any act or omission by Landlord
             -------------------
which

                                       18

<PAGE>

would or may give Tenant the right to terminate this Lease or to claim a partial
or total eviction, Tenant will not exercise the right until:

         (a) It has given written notice of any such act or omission to the
holder of any leasehold mortgage or of any fee mortgage and to the Landlord or
Landlords of any ground or underlying lease or leases whose names and addresses
previously have been furnished to Tenant by giving such notice, addressed to the
holders and the Landlord or Landlords at the last addresses so furnished; and

         (b) A reasonable period of time (not less than 60 days) for remedying
such act or omission has elapsed following the giving of notice, during which
any of the parties to whom notice was given has not commenced with reasonable
diligence to remedy, or cause to be remedied, the act or omission.

                                   Article XX
                            Miscellaneous Provisions

Section 20.1 Attorney's Fees. If either Landlord or Tenant should prevail in any
             ---------------
arbitration proceeding by or against the other party related to this Lease, or
if either party should become a party to any litigation instituted by or against
the other with respect to any third party, then as between Landlord and Tenant,
the losing party shall indemnify and hold the prevailing party harmless from all
costs and reasonable attorneys' fees incurred by the prevailing party in
connection with such litigation.

Section 20.2 Inspection. Tenant will permit Landlord, its agents, employees, and
             ----------
contractors to enter all parts of the Leased Premises upon reasonable verbal
notice to inspect the same and to enforce or carry out any provisions of this
Lease. In an emergency, Landlord may enter without notification.

Section 20.3 No Waiver. Landlord's or Tenant's failure to insist upon strict
             ---------
performance of any covenant of this Lease or to exercise any option or right
herein contained shall not be a waiver or relinquishment for the future of such
covenant, right, or option, but the same shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 20.4 Entire Agreement. This Lease together with any Exhibits contains
             ----------------
the entire agreement between the parties. Any executory agreement hereafter made
between them shall be ineffective to change, modify, waive, release, discharge,
terminate, or effect an abandonment of this Lease, in whole or in part, unless
the executory agreement is in writing and signed by the party against whom
enforcement of the change, modification, waiver, release, discharge,
termination, or effecting of the abandonment is sought.

Section 20.5 Severability. If any term or provision of this Lease is to any
             ------------
extent invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Lease shall not be
affected thereby and the remaining terms and provisions shall be valid and
enforceable to the fullest extent either hereunder or as permitted by law.

                                       19

<PAGE>

Section 20.6 Headings. The captions and headings herein are for convenience and
             --------
reference only and should not be used in interpreting any provision of this
Lease.

Section 20.7 Applicable Law. This Lease shall be governed by and construed under
             --------------
the laws of the State of Iowa. If any provision of this Lease, or portion
thereof, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance shall, to any
extent, be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Lease shall not be
affected thereby, and each provision of this Lease shall be valid and
enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law. Time is of the essence in
this Lease.

Section 20.8 Successors. This Lease and the covenants and conditions herein
             ----------
contained shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon Landlord, its
successors, and assigns; and shall be binding upon tenant, its heirs, executors,
administrators, successors, and assigns; and shall inure to the benefit of
Tenant and only such assigns of Tenant to whom the assignment by Tenant has been
consented to by Landlord.

Section 20.9 Modification. Except as herein otherwise provided, no subsequent
             ------------
alteration, amendment, change, or addition to this Lease shall be binding upon
Landlord and Tenant unless reduced to writing and signed by both parties.

Section 20.10 Authority. Tenant agrees that if Tenant is a corporation
              ---------
(including any form of professional association or corporation), partnership
(general or limited), or other form of organization other than an individual,
then each individual executing this Lease covenants, warrants and represents:
(a) that such individual is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Lease on
behalf of Tenant in accordance with Tenant's organizational documents; (b) that
this Lease is binding upon Tenant; (c) that Tenant is duly organized and legally
existing in the state of its organization and is qualified to do business in the
State of Iowa; (d) that (if applicable and required by Landlord) Tenant will
attach hereto a true and correct resolution of Tenant's Board of Directors or
Managing Partner(s) authorizing the execution of this Lease; (e) that upon
request, Tenant will provide Landlord with true and correct copies of all
organization documents and amendments thereto; (f) that the execution and
delivery of this Lease will not result in any breach or constitute a default
under any mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, financing statement, credit
agreement, loan, lease partnership agreement, contract or any other instrument
to which Tenant is a party or by which Tenant may be bound.

Section 20.11 Brokers' Commission. Landlord shall pay all brokers' and real
              -------------------
estate commissions with respect to the transaction and hold the Tenant harmless
therefrom.

Section 20.12 Option to Expand Leased Premises. Upon Tenant's occupying the
              --------------------------------
unfinished shell referenced in Section 3.1, and thereafter; Tenant shall have
the right, upon written notice to Landlord, to expand the Leased Premises up to
30,000 square feet which landlord shall construct according to Tenant's
specifications consistent with the specification of the Leased Premises
("expanded area"). The expanded area shall be

                                       20

<PAGE>

contiguous to and connected with the Leased premises. From the date of issuance
of a Certificate of Occupancy by the City of Urbandale on the expanded area,
Tenant shall pay Annual Rent and Additional Rent as defined in Article III
above, at a rate not exceeding 115% of the existing rate if the Certificate of
Occupancy is issued by the City of Urbandale within the first 5 years of this
Lease Agreement, and 125% of the existing rate if the Certificate of Occupancy
is issued during the second 5 years of this Lease Agreement. Tenant's option to
renew pursuant to Section 2.5 shall apply to space occupied in the unfinished
shell and the expanded area as opted by Tenant. The Annual Rent on the expanded
area shall be fixed for a period of 10 years or for such additional time so that
the term hereof and the renewal term under paragraph 2.5 coincide.

                                       21

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A

                  [DIAGRAM OF BUILDING SHOWING LEASED PREMISES]

                                       22

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT B

     [LIST OF WORK TO BE PERFORMED BY LANDLORD PRIOR TO TENANT'S OCCUPANCY]

     I.     Landlord Work

     II.    Tenant Work

                                       23

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT C

                            Building Operating Costs

         (1) Real Estate Taxes and any increases in Real Estate Taxes as defined
and set forth in Article VI of this Lease.

         (2) All insurance premiums and costs relating to the Building,
including but not limited to the premiums and costs of fire, casualty and
liability coverage, rental abatement, earthquake insurance, and any other
insurance that Landlord reasonably deems necessary for the Building, except loss
of rents coverage.

         (3) All utility costs, including without limitation, water,
electricity, gas, heating, lighting, sewer, waste disposal, security, air
conditioning and ventilating costs and all other charges and expenses relating
to services for the Building, unless those costs and expenses are separately
metered or charged to the Leased Premises, in which event Tenant shall pay those
costs and expenses.

         (4) Maintenance costs incurred by Landlord under section 5.1, including
without limitation, all supplies, material, labor and equipment, and all
maintenance, management and janitorial service agreements.

         (5) All maintenance, repair and other costs relating to the common and
parking areas within and around the Building, including without limitation,
sidewalks, landscaping, service areas, driveways, parking areas, walkways,
building exteriors, including painting, signs and directories, including for
example costs of resurfacing and re-striping parking areas, and repairing and
replacing roofs and walls.

         (6) A reasonable property management fee payable to Landlord.

         (7) Any parking charges, utilities, surcharges, or other costs levied,
assessed or imposed by, or at the direction of, resulting from statutes or
regulations, or interpretations thereof, promulgated by any governmental
authority in connection with the use or occupancy of the Leased Premises or the
parking facilities serving the Leased Premises.

         (8) The cost of professional fees including, but not limited to, legal
and accounting fees and an annual audit, if any, of the Property.

         (9) The deductible amount of any insurance claim.

         (10) All of Landlord's other costs in managing, maintaining, repairing,
operating and insuring the Building.

                                       24<PAGE>

                                  Exhibit 10.6

                       HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP.

                     NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR STOCK OPTION PLAN
                        (as amended as of March 23, 2001)

1.   Purpose.  This Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") is
     -------
intended to promote the interests of Hungarian Telephone and Cable Corp. (the
"Company") by providing an inducement to attract and retain the services of
qualified persons who are neither employees nor officers of the Company to serve
as members of the Board of Directors and by demonstrating the Company's
appreciation for their service on the Company's Board of Directors.

2.   Options to be Granted.  Under the Plan, Options ("Options") are granted
     ---------------------
that give an optionee ("Optionee") the right for a specified time period to
purchase a specified number of shares of Common Stock, par value $.001 per
share, of the Company (the "Common Stock"). The Option price is determined in
each instance in accordance with the terms of this Plan. All Options shall be
"Non-Qualified" or "Non Statutory Options" or options not defined or meeting the
requirements of Section 422(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

3.   Available Shares.  The total number of shares of Common Stock for which
     ----------------
Options may be granted shall not exceed 250,000 shares (the "Option Shares"),
subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 13 hereof. Shares subject to
the Plan are authorized but unissued shares or shares that were once issued and
subsequently reacquired by the Company. If any Options granted under this Plan
are surrendered before exercise or lapse without exercise, in whole or in part,
the shares reserved therefor shall revert to the Option pool and again become
available for grant under the Plan.

4.   Administration.  The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation - Stock
     --------------
Option Committee or its successor of the Board of Directors of the Company (the
"Committee"). The Committee shall, subject to the provisions of the Plan, have
the power to construe and interpret the Plan, to resolve all issues thereunder,
and to adopt and amend such rules and regulations for the administration of the
Plan as it may deem desirable.

5.   Option Agreement.  Each Option granted under the provisions of this Plan
     ----------------
shall be evidenced by an Option Agreement, in such form as may be approved by
the Committee, which Option Agreement shall be duly executed and delivered on
behalf of the Company and by the Optionee to whom such Option is granted. The
Option Agreement shall contain such terms, provisions and conditions not
inconsistent with the Plan as may be determined by the Committee.

6.   Eligibility and Limitations.  Options may be granted pursuant to the Plan
     ---------------------------
only to members of the Board of Directors of the Company who are not officers or
employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries ("Non-Employee Directors").

<PAGE>

7.   Exercise Price.  The exercise price for the purchase of stock covered by an
     --------------
Option granted pursuant to the Plan shall be 100% of the fair market of such
shares on the day the Option is granted. The exercise price will be subject to
adjustment in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 hereof. For purposes
of the Plan, the "fair market value" of a share of Common Stock on any day shall
mean the average of the daily closing prices for the prior twenty (20) trading
days of a share of the Company's Common Stock on the American Stock Exchange,
or, if the shares are not listed or admitted to trading on such Exchange, on the
principal United States securities exchange or on the NASDAQ/NMS on which the
shares are listed or admitted to trading, or if the shares are not listed or
admitted to trading on any such exchange or on the NASDAQ/NMS, the mean between
the closing high bid and low asked quotations with respect to a share on such
dates on the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated
Quotations System, or any similar system then in use, or if no such quotations
are available, the fair market value on such date of a share as the Committee
shall determine.

8.   Grant of Option Awards.
     ----------------------

     (a)   Initial Grant of Options.  Each Non-Employee Director of the Company
           ------------------------
who is serving in such capacity on (i) the date of the adoption of this Plan by
the Board of Directors of the Company and (ii) the date of the 1997 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders of the Company, is hereby granted without further action
by the Board of Directors or the Committee, an Option to purchase 5,000 shares
of Common Stock on the date of the 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the
Company, which Options shall vest in the Optionee on the date of such grant.

     (b)   Automatic Annual Grant of Options.  As of the date each year that any
           ---------------------------------
Non-Employee Director is elected or re-elected to serve as a director by the
stockholders of the Company at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company
(beginning with the 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders), each Non-Employee
Director shall be automatically granted without further action by the Board of
Directors or the Committee an Option to purchase 5,000 shares of Common Stock.
Each Non-Employee Director who is appointed (or elected) to the Board of
Directors after any Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company but prior to
the next following Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company shall be
automatically granted, on the date of the first such appointment (or election)
and without further action by the Board of Directors or the Committee, an Option
to purchase a pro-rata share of 5,000 shares of Common Stock as determined by
the Committee based on the ratio of the number of days actually served from the
date of appointment (or election) to the date of the next Annual Meeting of
Stockholders rounded to the nearest whole share. If on any date for the grant of
Options pursuant to the Plan the aggregate number of shares then remaining
available for Options under the Plan is less than the number of Option Shares
which the Plan provides shall be granted on such date, Options shall be granted
on the following basis: first, ratably (to the nearest whole share) to any
persons entitled to receive on such date a grant pursuant to the first sentence
of this Section 8(b), up to a maximum grant of 1,000 Option Shares

                                       2

<PAGE>

per Optionee; and second, ratably (to the nearest whole share) to any person
entitled to receive on such date a grant pursuant to the second sentence of this
Section 8(b), up to a maximum grant of 1,000 Option Shares per Optionee.

9.   Period of Options.  The Options granted hereunder shall expire on a date
     -----------------
which is ten years after the date of grant of the Options. The Plan shall
terminate when all Options granted hereunder have expired or terminated.

10.  Exercise of Options.  Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and
     -------------------
the Option Agreement, each Option granted hereunder shall, to the extent then
exercisable, be exercisable in whole or in part by giving written notice to the
Company by mail or in person addressed to Hungarian Telephone and Cable Corp.,
32 Center Street, Darien, CT 06820, stating the number of shares with respect to
which the Option is being exercised, accompanied by payment in full of the
exercise price for such shares. Upon notification from the Company, the Transfer
Agent shall, on behalf of the Company, prepare a certificate or certificates
representing the shares acquired pursuant to exercise of the Option, shall
register the Optionee as the owner of such shares on the books of the Company
and shall cause the fully executed certificate(s) representing such shares to be
delivered to the Optionee as soon as practicable after payment of the Option
price in full. The Optionee shall not have any rights of a stockholder with
respect to the shares covered by the Option, except through the due exercise of
the Option.

11.  Vesting of Shares and Non-Transferability of Option
     ---------------------------------------------------

     (a)   Vesting.  Each automatic annual grant of any Option granted under the
           -------
Plan pursuant to Section 8(b) shall vest in the Optionee, and thus become
exercisable, at the earlier of (x) the date of the next Annual Meeting of the
Stockholders of the Company, or (y) one year from the date of such annual grant.

     If either of the following events shall occur, all Options theretofore
granted and not fully exercisable shall become exercisable in full upon the
happening of such event and shall remain so exercisable for a period of 60 days
following such date, after which they shall revert to being exercisable in
accordance with their terms (provided that no Option which has previously been
exercised or has expired or otherwise terminated shall become exercisable):

           (i)     a tender offer or exchange offer for shares of Common Stock
     (other than such an offer by the Company) is commenced, or

           (ii)    the stockholders of the Company approve an agreement
     providing either for a transaction in which the Company will cease to be an
     independent publicly-owned company or for a sale or disposition of all or
     substantially all the assets of the Company.

                                       3

<PAGE>

     (b)   Legend on Certificates.  The certificates representing shares issued
           ----------------------
upon exercise of an Option shall carry such appropriate legends, and such
written instructions shall be given to the Company's Transfer Agent, as may be
deemed necessary or advisable by counsel to the Company in order to comply with
the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 or any federal, state or local
securities laws.

     (c)   Non-Transferability.  Any Option granted pursuant to the Plan shall
           -------------------
not be assignable or transferable other than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution or a qualified domestic relations order, provided however that with
the consent of the Committee acting in its sole discretion, an Optionee may
transfer (a "Family Member Transfer") an Option to (i) a member of the
Optionee's immediate family (which for the purposes of the Plan shall have the
same meaning as defined in Rule 16a-1 promulgated under the Securities Exchange
Act); (ii) a trust (the "Family Trust") the beneficiaries of which consist
exclusively of members of the Optionee's immediate family; and (iii) a
partnership, limited partnership or other limited liability entity ("Family
Entity") the members of which consist exclusively of members of the Optionee's
immediate family or a Family Trust; provided that no consideration is paid for
the transfer and that each Family Transferee execute an instrument agreeing to
be bound by the provisions of the Plan and the restrictions as to the
transferability of the Option. During the lifetime of an Optionee, an Option
shall be exercisable only by the Optionee or his or her Family Transferee. A
("Family Transferee") is a transferee that is a Family Trust, Family Entity or a
member of the immediate family of an Optionee.

12.  Termination of Options.
     ----------------------

     (a)   In the event an Optionee ceases to be a member of the Board of
Directors of the Company for any reason other than death or disability, any
Options not then exercisable shall immediately terminate and become void. Any
Options which are exercisable, but which have not been exercised, at the time
the Optionee so ceases to be a member of the Board of Directors may be exercised
by the Optionee until the earlier of (x) the original expiration date of the
Options or (y) eighteen months following the date the Optionee so ceases to be a
member of the Board of Directors.

     (b)   In the event of the death of an Optionee while a member of the Board
of Directors of the Company or during the relevant period referred to in Section
12(a) hereof, any Options which were not terminated, whether or not exercisable
at the time of death, may be exercised (by the Optionee's personal
representative, heir or legatee or a permitted Family Transferee) during the
period ending one year after the date of such death. Following the death of any
person to whom an Option was granted under the Plan, the Committee may, as an
alternative means of settlement of such Option, elect to pay to the person to
whom such Option is transferred by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution or by a permitted Family Member Transfer the amount by which the
fair market value per share on the date of exercise of such Option shall exceed
the exercise price of such Option, multiplied by the number of shares to which
such Option is properly exercised. Any such settlement of an Option shall be
considered an exercise of such Option for all purposes of the Plan.

                                       4

<PAGE>

13.  Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization and Other Matters.  In the event
     ------------------------------------------------------------
that the outstanding shares of Common Stock are changed into or exchanged for a
different number or kind of shares of other securities of the Company or of
another corporation by reason of any reorganization, merger, consolidation,
recapitalization or reclassification, or in the event of a stock split,
combination of shares or dividends payable in capital stock, automatic
adjustment shall be made in the number and kind of shares as to which
outstanding Options or portions thereof then unexercised shall be exercisable
and in the available shares set forth in Section 3 hereof, to the end that the
proportionate interest of the Optionee shall be maintained as before the
occurrence of such event. Such adjustment in outstanding Options shall be made
without charge in the total price applicable to the unexercised portion of such
Options and with a corresponding adjustment in the exercise price per share.

     If an Option hereunder shall be assumed, or a new Option substituted
therefor, as a result of sale of the Company, whether by a corporate merger,
consolidation or sale of property or stock, then membership on the Board of
Directors of such assuming or substituting corporation, or a parent corporation
thereof, shall be considered for purposes of the Plan to be membership on the
Board of Directors of the Company.

14.  Delivery and Registration of Stock.  The Company's obligations to deliver
     ----------------------------------
shares of Common Stock upon exercise of an Option shall, if the Committee so
requests, be conditioned upon the receipt of a representation as to the
investment intention of the Optionee to whom such shares are to be delivered, in
such form as the Committee shall determine to be necessary or advisable to
comply with the provision of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any
other Federal, state or local securities laws. It may be provided that any
representation requirements shall become inoperative upon a registration of the
shares or other action eliminating the necessity of such representation under
such Securities Act or other securities laws. The Company shall not be required
to deliver any shares under the Plan prior to (i) the admission of such shares
to listing on a stock exchange on which shares may then be listed, and (ii) the
completion of such registration or other qualification of such shares under any
state or Federal law, rule or regulation, as the Committee shall determine to be
necessary or advisable.

15.  Withholding Tax.  Where an Optionee or other person is entitled to receive
     ---------------
shares pursuant to the exercise of an Option pursuant to the Plan, the Company
shall have the right in its sole discretion to require the Optionee or such
other person to pay the Company the amount of any taxes which the Company is
required to withhold with respect to such shares.

16.  Effectiveness.  Anything in the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, the
     -------------
effectiveness of the Plan and of the grant of all Options hereunder is in all
respects subject to, and the Plan and Options granted under it shall be of no
force and effect unless and until, and no Option granted hereunder shall in any
way vest or become exercisable in any respect unless and until, the approval of
the Plan by the Company's Board of Directors.

                                       5

<PAGE>

17.  Compliance with Section 16.  This Plan is intended to comply with Rule 16
     --------------------------
promulgated under the Exchange Act ("Rule 16b-3") to the fullest extent
possible. Any provision of the Plan which is inconsistent with said Rule shall,
to the extent of such inconsistency, be inoperative and shall not affect the
validity of the remaining provisions of the Plan.

18.  Termination and Amendment of Plan.  The Board may at any time terminate the
     ---------------------------------
Plan or make such modification or amendment thereof as it deems advisable.
Termination or any modification or amendment of the Plan shall not, without the
consent of an Optionee, affect his or her rights under an Option previously
granted.

                                       6

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