UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K/A

(Amendment No. 1)

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 29, 2021

 

AppHarvest, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware 001-39288 82-5042965
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)

  

500 Appalachian Way

Morehead, KY

  40351
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (606) 653-6100

 

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligations of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $0.0001 par value

per share

  APPH   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
         
Warrants, each whole warrant exercisable for one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share   APPHW   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company x

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

 

 

 

 

 

INTRODUCTORY NOTE

 

This Amendment No. 1 on Form 8-K/A (this “Amendment No. 1”) amends Item 9.01 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by AppHarvest, Inc. (the “Company”) on February 2, 2021 (the “Original Report”), in which the Company reported, among other events, the completion of the Business Combination. This Amendment No. 1 amends (i) Item 2.01 in the Original Report to replace the subsection titled "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" with the disclosure included in Item 2.01 of this Amendment No. 1, (ii) Item 9.01(a) in the Original Report to include the audited consolidated financial statements of Legacy AppHarvest as of and for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 and related notes, (iii) Item 9.01(b) in the Original Report to include the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020 and (iv) Item 9.01(d) in the Original Report to include the Legacy AppHarvest 2018 Equity Incentive Plan and forms of award agreements thereunder, the Equity Incentive Plan and forms of award agreements thereunder and the ESPP. This Amendment No. 1 does not amend any other item of the Original Report or purport to provide an update or a discussion of any developments at the Company subsequent to the filing date of the Original Report.

 

Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings given in the Original Report. 

 

Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition of Disposition of Assets.

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

 

The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock as of the Closing Date, after giving effect to the Closing, by:

 

· each person known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of Common Stock upon the Closing of the Business Combination;

 

· each of the Company’s executive officers and directors; and

 

· all of the Company’s executive officers and directors as a group upon the Closing.

 

Beneficial ownership is determined according to the rules of the SEC, which generally provide that a person has beneficial ownership of a security if he, she or it possesses sole or shared voting or investment power over that security, including options and restricted stock units that are currently exercisable or vested or that will become exercisable or vest within 60 days. This table is based upon information supplied by officers, directors and principal stockholders and Schedules 13G or 13D filed with the SEC. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to this table and subject to community property laws where applicable, the Company believes that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by them. The beneficial ownership percentages set forth in the table below are based on approximately 97,924,743 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of the Closing Date.

 

 

 

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1)   Number of
Shares
    % of
Shares
 
5% and Greater Stockholders                
Jonathan Webb     18,341,499       18.7 %
Entities Affiliated with FMR, LLC(2)     12,500,000       12.8  
Inclusive Capital Partners Spring Master Fund, L.P.(3)     11,798,704       12.0  
Alyeska Master Fund, L.P.(4)     6,000,000       6.1  
Rise of the Rest Seed Fund, LP(5)     5,396,594       5.5  
Directors and Executive Officers                
Jonathan Webb     18,341,499       18.7  
Loren Eggleton(6)     271,040       *  

Marcella Butler

         
David Lee(7)     35,838       *  
Kiran Bhatraju     550,663       *  
Dave Chen(8)     3,293,985       3.4  
Greg Couch(9)     256,316       *  
Robert J. Laikin     439,135       *  
Anna Mason            
Martha Stewart(10)     147,158       *  
Jeffrey Ubben(3)     11,798,704       12.0  
J.D. Vance(11)     2,939,577       3.0  
All directors and executive officers (12 individuals) as a group(12)     38,073,915       38.9 %

 

 

* Less than 1%.
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each of the directors and executive officers of the Company is C/O AppHarvest, Inc., 500 Appalachian Way, Morehead, KY 40351.
(2) Consists of (i) 485,276 shares of Common Stock purchased in the PIPE by Fidelity Mt. Vernon Street Trust: Fidelity Series Growth Company Fund, (ii) 2,170,878 shares of Common Stock purchased in the PIPE by Fidelity Mt. Vernon Street Trust: Fidelity Growth Company Fund, (iii) 2,041,529 shares of Common Stock purchased in the PIPE by Fidelity Growth Company Commingled Pool, (iv) 302,318 shares of Common Stock purchased in the PIPE by Fidelity Mt. Vernon Street Trust: Fidelity Growth Company K6 Fund, (v) 1,824,864 shares of Common Stock purchased in the PIPE by Fidelity Securities Fund: Fidelity Blue Chip Growth Fund, (vi) 56,448 shares of Common Stock purchased in the PIPE by Fidelity Blue Chip Growth Commingled Pool, (vii) 3,042 shares of Common Stock purchased in the PIPE by Fidelity Securities Fund: Fidelity Flex Large Cap Growth Fund, (viii) 195,665 shares of Common Stock purchased in the PIPE by Fidelity Securities Fund: Fidelity Blue Chip Growth K6 Fund, (ix) 5,509 shares of Common Stock purchased in the PIPE by Fidelity Blue Chip Growth Institutional Trust, (x) 251,069 shares of Common Stock purchased in the PIPE by Fidelity Securities Fund: Fidelity Series Blue Chip Growth Fund, (xi) 163,402 shares of Common Stock purchased in the PIPE by FIAM Target Date Blue Chip Growth Commingled Pool, (xii) 608,885 shares of Common Stock purchased in the PIPE by Variable Insurance Products Fund III: Growth Opportunities Portfolio, (xiii) 3,990,851 shares of Common Stock purchased in the PIPE by Fidelity Advisor Series I: Fidelity Advisor Growth Opportunities Fund, (xiv) 117,259 shares of Common Stock purchased in the PIPE by Fidelity Advisory Series I: Fidelity Advisor Series Growth Opportunities Fund, (xv) 104,394 shares of Common Stock purchased in the PIPE by Fidelity U.S. Growth Opportunities Investment Trust and (xvi) 178,611 shares of Common Stock purchased in the PIPE by Fidelity NorthStar Fund. These accounts are managed by direct or indirect subsidiaries of FMR LLC. Abigail P. Johnson is a director, the chairman, the chief executive officer and the president of FMR LLC. Members of the Johnson family, including Abigail P. Johnson, are the predominant owners, directly or through trusts, of Series B voting common shares of FMR LLC, representing 49% of the voting power of FMR LLC. The Johnson family group and all other Series B shareholders of FMR LLC have entered into a shareholders’ voting agreement under which all Series B voting common shares will be voted in accordance with the majority vote of Series B voting common shares. Accordingly, through their ownership of voting common shares and the execution of the shareholders’ voting agreement, members of the Johnson family may be deemed, under the Investment Company Act of 1940, to form a controlling group with respect to FMR LLC. Neither FMR LLC nor Abigail P. Johnson has the sole power to vote or direct the voting of the shares owned directly by the various investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Fidelity Funds”) advised by Fidelity Management & Research Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of FMR LLC, which power resides with the Fidelity Funds’ Boards of Trustees. Fidelity Management & Research Company carries out the voting of the shares under written guidelines established by the Fidelity Funds’ Boards of Trustees. The principal business address for each person and entity named in this footnote is 245 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02110.

(3) These shares are held by Inclusive Capital Partners Spring Master Fund, L.P. Jeffrey Ubben is the controlling member of the management committee of Inclusive Capital Partners, L.L.C., the general partner of Inclusive Capital Partners, L.P., the investment manager to Inclusive Capital Partners Spring Master Fund, L.P. The principal business address of In-Cap Spring Master Fund is 572 Ruger Street, Suite B, San Francisco, CA 94129.
(4) Alyeska Investment Group, L.P., the investment manager of Alyeska Master Fund, L.P., has voting and investment control of these shares. Anand Parekh is the Chief Executive Officer of Alyeska Investment Group, L.P. and may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of such shares. Mr. Parekh, however, disclaims beneficial ownership of shares held by Alyeska Master Fund, L.P. The principal business address of Alyeska Master Fund, L.P. is 77 W. Wacker, Suite 700, Chicago, IL 60601.
(5) Stephen M. Case holds sole voting and dispositive power over the shares held by Rise of the Rest Seed Fund, LP (“ROTR”). The principal business address of ROTR is 1717 Rhode Island Avenue NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20036.
(6) Consists of (i) 234,080 shares of Common Stock and (ii) 36,960 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of the Closing Date.
(7) Consists of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the settlement of restricted stock units that will vest within 60 days of the Closing Date.
(8) These shares are held by CEFF AppHarvest Equity Holdings, LLC (“CEFF AppHarvest”). Dave Chen is the CEO and Chairman of Equilibrium Controlled Environment Foods Fund, LLC. CEFF AppHarvest is a subsidiary of Controlled Environment Foods Fund (AIV II), LLC, both of which are managed by EqCEF I, LLC (“Eq Manager”). Eq Manager appoints an investment committee which holds voting and dispositive power over the shares held by CEFF AppHarvest and is currently comprised of R. Thomas Amis, Dave Chen, John J. Pierrepont and Marco de Bruin. The principal business address of CEFF AppHarvest is 411 NW Park Ave., Suite 401, Portland, OR 97209.

(9) These shares are held by Couch Holdings II, LLC (“Couch Holdings”). Greg Couch is the Managing Member of Couch Holdings. The principal business address of Couch Holdings is 250 West Main Street, Suite 3150, Lexington, KY 40507.
(10) Consists of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of the Closing Date.
(11) These shares are held by Narya Capital Fund I, L.P. (“Narya”). J.D. Vance is a Partner of Narya. The principal business address of Narya is 1435 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202.
(12) Consists of (i) 37,853,959 shares of Common Stock, (ii) 184,118 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of the Closing Date and (iii) 35,838 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the settlement of restricted stock units that will vest within 60 days of the Closing Date.

 

 

 

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(a) Financial Statements of Business Acquired.

 

The audited consolidated financial statements of Legacy AppHarvest as of and for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 and related notes are filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Also included herewith as Exhibit 99.2 and incorporated herein by reference is the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Legacy AppHarvest for the year ended December 31, 2020. 

 

(b) Pro Forma Financial Information.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020 is set forth in Exhibit 99.3 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

     

Exhibit No.

 

Description

   
10.1   Legacy AppHarvest 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended.
10.2   Forms of Notice of Grant, Stock Option Agreement, Notice of Exercise and Notice of Early Exercise under Legacy AppHarvest 2018 Equity Incentive Plan.
10.3   Forms of Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice and Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under Legacy AppHarvest 2018 Equity Incentive Plan.
10.4   2021 Equity Incentive Plan.
10.5   Forms of Stock Option Grant Notice and Stock Option Agreement under the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan.
10.6  

Forms of Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant Notice and Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan.

10.7   2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
99.1   Audited Consolidated Financial Statements of Legacy AppHarvest as of and for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
99.2   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for Legacy AppHarvest for the year ended December 31, 2020.
99.3   Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020.

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

        AppHarvest, Inc.
     
Dated: March 2, 2021        
       
        By:   /s/ Loren Eggleton
             
            Loren Eggleton
            Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

APPHARVEST OPERATIONS, INC. (f/k/a AppHarvest, Inc.)

 

2018 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

(as amended)

 

ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: January 18, 2018

APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: January 18, 2018

TERMINATION DATE: January 18, 2028

 

1.            General.

 

(a)           Eligible Stock Award Recipients. Employees, Directors and Consultants are eligible to receive Stock Awards.

 

(b)      Available Stock Awards. The Plan provides for the grant of the following types of Stock Awards: (i) Incentive Stock Options, (ii) Nonstatutory Stock Options, (iii) Stock Appreciation Rights, (iv) Restricted Stock Awards, (v) Restricted Stock Unit Awards and (vi) Other Stock Awards.

 

(c)         Purpose. The Plan, through the grant of Stock Awards, is intended to help the Company secure and retain the services of eligible award recipients, provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and any Affiliate and provide a means by which the eligible recipients may benefit from increases in value of the Common Stock.

 

2.            Administration.

 

(a)        Administration by the Board. The Board will administer the Plan. The Board may delegate administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees, as provided in Section 2(c).

 

(b)          Powers of the Board. The Board will have the power, subject to, and within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:

 

(i)            To determine (A) who will be granted Stock Awards; (B) when and how each Stock Award will be granted; (C) what type of Stock Award will be granted; (D) the provisions of each Stock Award (which need not be identical), including when a person will be permitted to exercise or otherwise receive cash or Common Stock under the Stock Award; (E) the number of shares of Common Stock subject to, or the cash value of, a Stock Award; and (F) the Fair Market Value applicable to a Stock Award.

 

(ii)            To construe and interpret the Plan and Stock Awards granted under it, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for administration of the Plan and Stock Awards. The Board, in the exercise of these powers, may correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan or in any Stock Award Agreement, in a manner and to the extent it will deem necessary or expedient to make the Plan or Stock Award fully effective.

 

(iii)            To settle all controversies regarding the Plan and Stock Awards granted under it.

 

  1.  

 

 

(iv)            To accelerate, in whole or in part, the time at which a Stock Award may be exercised or vest (or the time at which cash or shares of Common Stock may be issued in settlement thereof).

 

(v)             To suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or a Stock Award Agreement, suspension or termination of the Plan will not impair a Participant’s rights under the Participant’s then-outstanding Stock Award without the Participant’s written consent except as provided in subsection (viii) below.

 

(vi)            To amend the Plan in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable, including, without limitation, by adopting amendments relating to Incentive Stock Options and certain nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code and/or bringing the Plan or Stock Awards granted under the Plan into compliance with the requirements for Incentive Stock Options or ensuring that they are exempt from, or compliant with, the requirements for nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code, subject to the limitations, if any, of applicable law. If required by applicable law or listing requirements, and except as provided in Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the Company will seek stockholder approval of any amendment of the Plan that (A) materially increases the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan, (B) materially expands the class of individuals eligible to receive Stock Awards under the Plan, (C) materially increases the benefits accruing to Participants under the Plan, (D) materially reduces the price at which shares of Common Stock may be issued or purchased under the Plan, (E) materially extends the term of the Plan, or (F) materially expands the types of Stock Awards available for issuance under the Plan. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or a Stock Award Agreement, no amendment of the Plan will materially impair a Participant’s rights under an outstanding Stock Award without the Participant’s written consent.

 

(vii)           To submit any amendment to the Plan for stockholder approval, including, but not limited to, amendments to the Plan intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Code regarding Incentive Stock Options.

 

(viii)         To approve forms of Stock Award Agreements for use under the Plan and to amend the terms of any one or more Stock Awards, including, but not limited to, amendments to provide terms more favorable to the Participant than previously provided in the Stock Award Agreement, subject to any specified limits in the Plan that are not subject to Board discretion; provided however, that a Participant’s rights under any Stock Award will not be impaired by any such amendment unless (A) the Company requests the consent of the affected Participant, and (B) such Participant consents in writing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) a Participant’s rights will not be deemed to have been impaired by any such amendment if the Board, in its sole discretion, determines that the amendment, taken as a whole, does not materially impair the Participant’s rights, and (2) subject to the limitations of applicable law, if any, the Board may amend the terms of any one or more Stock Awards without the affected Participant’s consent (A) to maintain the qualified status of the Stock Award as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code; (B) to change the terms of an Incentive Stock Option, if such change results in impairment of the Stock Award solely because it impairs the qualified status of the Stock Award as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code; (C) to clarify the manner of exemption from, or to bring the Stock Award into compliance with, Section 409A of the Code; or (D) to comply with other applicable laws.

 

  2.  

 

 

(ix)          Generally, to exercise such powers and to perform such acts as the Board deems necessary or expedient to promote the best interests of the Company and that are not in conflict with the provisions of the Plan or Stock Awards.

 

(x)           To adopt such procedures and sub-plans as are necessary or appropriate to permit participation in the Plan by Employees, Directors or Consultants who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States (provided that Board approval will not be necessary for immaterial modifications to the Plan or any Stock Award Agreement that are required for compliance with the laws of the relevant foreign jurisdiction).

 

(xi)         To effect, with the consent of any adversely affected Participant, (A) the reduction of the exercise, purchase or strike price of any outstanding Stock Award; (B) the cancellation of any outstanding Stock Award and the grant in substitution therefor of a new (1) Option or SAR, (2) Restricted Stock Award, (3) Restricted Stock Unit Award, (4) Other Stock Award, (5) cash and/or (6) other valuable consideration determined by the Board, in its sole discretion, with any such substituted award (x) covering the same or a different number of shares of Common Stock as the cancelled Stock Award and (y) granted under the Plan or another equity or compensatory plan of the Company; or (C) any other action that is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles.

 

(c)      Delegation to Committee. The Board may delegate some or all of the administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees. If administration of the Plan is delegated to a Committee, the Committee will have, in connection with the administration of the Plan, the powers theretofore possessed by the Board that have been delegated to the Committee, including the power to delegate to a subcommittee of the Committee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan to the Board will thereafter be to the Committee or subcommittee, as applicable). Any delegation of administrative powers will be reflected in resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, adopted from time to time by the Board or Committee (as applicable). The Board may retain the authority to concurrently administer the Plan with the Committee and may, at any time, revest in the Board some or all of the powers previously delegated.

 

(d)       Delegation to an Officer. The Board may delegate to one or more Officers the authority to do one or both of the following: (i) designate Employees who are not Officers to be recipients of Options and SARs (and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, other Stock Awards) and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the terms of such Stock Awards, and (ii) determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be subject to such Stock Awards granted to such Employees; provided, however, that the Board resolutions regarding such delegation will specify the total number of shares of Common Stock that may be subject to the Stock Awards granted by such Officer and that such Officer may not grant a Stock Award to himself or herself. Any such Stock Awards will be granted on the form of Stock Award Agreement most recently approved for use by the Committee or the Board, unless otherwise provided in the resolutions approving the delegation authority. The Board may not delegate authority to an Officer who is acting solely in the capacity of an Officer (and not also as a Director) to determine the Fair Market Value pursuant to Section 13(t) below.

 

(e)        Effect of Board’s Decision. All determinations, interpretations and constructions made by the Board in good faith will not be subject to review by any person and will be final, binding and conclusive on all persons.

 

  3.  

 

 

3.            Shares Subject to the Plan.

 

  (a) Share Reserve.

 

(i)            Subject to Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Stock Awards from and after the Effective Date will not exceed 6,140,217 shares (the “Share Reserve”).1

 

(ii)          For clarity, the Share Reserve in this Section 3(a) is a limitation on the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the Plan. Accordingly, this Section 3(a) does not limit the granting of Stock Awards except as provided in Section 7(a).

 

(b)        Reversion of Shares to the Share Reserve. If a Stock Award or any portion thereof (i) expires or otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by such Stock Award having been issued or (ii) is settled in cash (i.e., the Participant receives cash rather than stock), such expiration, termination or settlement will not reduce (or otherwise offset) the number of shares of Common Stock that may be available for issuance under the Plan. If any shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to a Stock Award are forfeited back to or repurchased by the Company because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required to vest such shares in the Participant, then the shares that are forfeited or repurchased will revert to and again become available for issuance under the Plan. Any shares reacquired by the Company in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations on a Stock Award or as consideration for the exercise or purchase price of a Stock Award will again become available for issuance under the Plan.

 

(c)        Incentive Stock Option Limit. Subject to the Share Reserve and Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options will be a number of shares of Common Stock equal to three multiplied by the Share Reserve.

 

(d)         Source of Shares. The stock issuable under the Plan will be shares of authorized but unissued or reacquired Common Stock, including shares repurchased by the Company on the open market or otherwise.

 

4.            Eligibility.

 

(a)         Eligibility for Specific Stock Awards. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the Company or a “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” thereof (as such terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and 424(f) of the Code). Stock Awards other than Incentive Stock Options may be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants; provided, however, that Stock Awards may not be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants who are providing Continuous Service only to any “parent” of the Company, as such term is defined in Rule 405, unless (i) the stock underlying such Stock Awards is treated as “service recipient stock” under Section 409A of the Code (for example, because the Stock Awards are granted pursuant to a corporate transaction such as a spin off transaction), (ii) the Company, in consultation with its legal counsel, has determined that such Stock Awards are otherwise exempt from Section 409A of the Code, or (iii) the Company, in consultation with its legal counsel, has determined that such Stock Awards comply with the distribution requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

 

 

1 Adjusted to reflect the conversion and exchange of every share of common stock of AppHarvest Operations, Inc. (f/k/a AppHarvest, Inc., “Legacy AppHarvest”) into 2.1504 shares of common stock of AppHarvest, Inc. (f/k/a Novus Capital Corporation, “AppHarvest”) in connection with the closing of that certain Business Combination Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated September 28, 2020, by and among AppHarvest, Legacy AppHarvest and ORGA, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of AppHarvest.

 

  4.  

 

 

(b)         Ten Percent Stockholders. A Ten Percent Stockholder will not be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless the exercise price of such Option is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant and the Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date of grant.

 

(c)          Consultants. A Consultant will not be eligible for the grant of a Stock Award if, at the time of grant, either the offer or sale of the Company’s securities to such Consultant is not exempt under Rule 701 because of the nature of the services that the Consultant is providing to the Company, because the Consultant is not a natural person, or because of any other provision of Rule 701, unless the Company determines that such grant need not comply with the requirements of Rule 701 and will satisfy another exemption under the Securities Act as well as comply with the securities laws of all other relevant jurisdictions.

 

5.           Provisions Relating to Options and Stock Appreciation Rights.

 

Each Option or SAR will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board deems appropriate. All Options will be separately designated Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options at the time of grant, and, if certificates are issued, a separate certificate or certificates will be issued for shares of Common Stock purchased on exercise of each type of Option. If an Option is not specifically designated as an Incentive Stock Option, or if an Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option but some portion or all of the Option fails to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under the applicable rules, then the Option (or portion thereof) will be a Nonstatutory Stock Option. The provisions of separate Options or SARs need not be identical; provided, however, that each Stock Award Agreement will conform to (through incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in the applicable Stock Award Agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

 

(a)         Term. Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, no Option or SAR will be exercisable after the expiration of 10 years from the date of its grant or such shorter period specified in the Stock Award Agreement.

 

(b)         Exercise Price. Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, the exercise or strike price of each Option or SAR will be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option or SAR on the date the Stock Award is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option or SAR may be granted with an exercise or strike price lower than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Stock Award if such Stock Award is granted pursuant to an assumption of or substitution for another option or stock appreciation right pursuant to a Corporate Transaction and in a manner consistent with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code and, if applicable, Section 424(a) of the Code. Each SAR will be denominated in shares of Common Stock equivalents.

 

(c)          Purchase Price for Options. The purchase price of Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option may be paid, to the extent permitted by applicable law and as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, by any combination of the methods of payment set forth below. The Board will have the authority to grant Options that do not permit all of the following methods of payment (or otherwise restrict the ability to use certain methods) and to grant Options that require the consent of the Company to use a particular method of payment. The permitted methods of payment are as follows:

 

  5.  

 

 

(i)             by cash, check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company;

 

(ii)            pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board that, prior to the issuance of the stock subject to the Option, results in either the receipt of cash (or check) by the Company or the receipt of irrevocable instructions to pay the aggregate exercise price to the Company from the sales proceeds;

 

(iii)           by delivery to the Company (either by actual delivery or attestation) of shares of Common Stock;

 

(iv)         if an Option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price; provided, however, that the Company will accept a cash or other payment from the Participant to the extent of any remaining balance of the aggregate exercise price not satisfied by such reduction in the number of whole shares to be issued. Shares of Common Stock will no longer be subject to an Option and will not be exercisable thereafter to the extent that (A) shares issuable upon exercise are used to pay the exercise price pursuant to the “net exercise,” (B) shares are delivered to the Participant as a result of such exercise, and (C) shares are withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations;

 

(v)          according to a deferred payment or similar arrangement with the Optionholder; provided, however, that interest will compound at least annually and will be charged at the minimum rate of interest necessary to avoid (A) the imputation of interest income to the Company and compensation income to the Optionholder under any applicable provisions of the Code, and (B) the classification of the Option as a liability for financial accounting purposes; or

 

(vi)         in any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board and specified in the applicable Stock Award Agreement.

 

(d)         Exercise and Payment of a SAR. To exercise any outstanding SAR, the Participant must provide written notice of exercise to the Company in compliance with the provisions of the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement evidencing such SAR. The appreciation distribution payable on the exercise of a SAR will be not greater than an amount equal to the excess of (A) the aggregate Fair Market Value (on the date of the exercise of the SAR) of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Common Stock equivalents in which the Participant is vested under such SAR, and with respect to which the Participant is exercising the SAR on such date, over (B) the aggregate strike price of the number of Common Stock equivalents with respect to which the Participant is exercising the SAR on such date. The appreciation distribution may be paid in Common Stock, in cash, in any combination of the two or in any other form of consideration, as determined by the Board and contained in the Stock Award Agreement evidencing such SAR.

 

(e)         Transferability of Options and SARs. The Board may, in its sole discretion, impose such limitations on the transferability of Options and SARs as the Board will determine. In the absence of such a determination by the Board to the contrary, the following restrictions on the transferability of Options and SARs will apply:

 

(i)           Restrictions on Transfer. An Option or SAR will not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution (or pursuant to subsections (ii) and (iii) below), and will be exercisable during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant. The Board may permit transfer of the Option or SAR in a manner that is not prohibited by applicable tax and securities laws. Except as explicitly provided in the Plan, neither an Option nor a SAR may be transferred for consideration.

 

  6.  

 

 

(ii)        Domestic Relations Orders. Subject to the approval of the Board or a duly authorized Officer, an Option or SAR may be transferred pursuant to the terms of a domestic relations order, official marital settlement agreement or other divorce or separation instrument as permitted by Treasury Regulation 1.421-1(b)(2). If an Option is an Incentive Stock Option, such Option may be deemed to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option as a result of such transfer.

 

(iii)       Beneficiary Designation. Subject to the approval of the Board or a duly authorized Officer, a Participant may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form approved by the Company (or the designated broker), designate a third party who, upon the death of the Participant, will thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option or SAR and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise. In the absence of such a designation, upon the death of the Participant, the executor or administrator of the Participant’s estate will be entitled to exercise the Option or SAR and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise. However, the Company may prohibit designation of a beneficiary at any time, including due to any conclusion by the Company that such designation would be inconsistent with the provisions of applicable laws.

 

(f)         Vesting Generally. The total number of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option or SAR may vest and therefore become exercisable in periodic installments that may or may not be equal. The Option or SAR may be subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may or may not be exercised (which may be based on the satisfaction of performance goals or other criteria) as the Board may deem appropriate. The vesting provisions of individual Options or SARs may vary. The provisions of this Section 5(f) are subject to any Option or SAR provisions governing the minimum number of shares of Common Stock as to which an Option or SAR may be exercised.

 

(g)        Termination of Continuous Service. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Stock Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates (other than for Cause and other than upon the Participant’s death or Disability), the Participant may exercise his or her Option or SAR (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Stock Award as of the date of termination of Continuous Service) within the period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date three months following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the applicable Stock Award Agreement, which period will not be less than 30 days if necessary to comply with applicable laws unless such termination is for Cause) and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the Stock Award Agreement. If, after termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option or SAR (as applicable) within the applicable time frame, the Option or SAR will terminate.

 

(h)         Extension of Termination Date. If the exercise of an Option or SAR following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (other than for Cause and other than upon the Participant’s death or Disability) would be prohibited at any time solely because the issuance of shares of Common Stock would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act, then the Option or SAR will terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of a total period of time (that need not be consecutive) equal to the applicable post-termination exercise period after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service during which the exercise of the Option or SAR would not be in violation of such registration requirements, and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the applicable Stock Award Agreement. In addition, unless otherwise provided in a Participant’s Stock Award Agreement, if the sale of any Common Stock received upon exercise of an Option or SAR following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (other than for Cause) would violate the Company’s insider trading policy, then the Option or SAR will terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of the period of time (that need not be consecutive) equal to the applicable post-termination exercise period after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service during which the sale of the Common Stock received upon exercise of the Option or SAR would not be in violation of the Company’s insider trading policy, and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the applicable Stock Award Agreement.

 

  7.  

 

 

(i)        Disability of Participant. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Stock Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option or SAR (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option or SAR as of the date of termination of Continuous Service), but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date 12 months following such termination of Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Stock Award Agreement, which period will not be less than six months if necessary to comply with applicable laws unless such termination is for Cause), and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the Stock Award Agreement. If, after termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option or SAR within the applicable time frame, the Option or SAR (as applicable) will terminate.

 

(j)        Death of Participant. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Stock Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, if (i) a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s death, or (ii) the Participant dies within the period (if any) specified in the Stock Award Agreement for exercisability after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (for a reason other than death), then the Option or SAR may be exercised (to the extent the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option or SAR as of the date of death) by the Participant’s estate, by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option or SAR by bequest or inheritance or by a person designated to exercise the Option or SAR upon the Participant’s death, but only within the period ending on the earlier of (i) the date 18 months following the date of death (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Stock Award Agreement, which period will not be less than six months if necessary to comply with applicable laws unless such termination is for Cause), and (ii) the expiration of the term of such Option or SAR as set forth in the Stock Award Agreement. If, after the Participant’s death, the Option or SAR is not exercised within the applicable time frame, the Option or SAR (as applicable) will terminate.

 

(k)    Termination for Cause. Except as explicitly provided otherwise in a Participant’s Stock Award Agreement or other individual written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant, if a Participant’s Continuous Service is terminated for Cause, the Option or SAR will terminate immediately upon such Participant’s termination of Continuous Service, and the Participant will be prohibited from exercising his or her Option or SAR from and after the date of such termination of Continuous Service.

 

  8.  

 

 

(l)          Non-Exempt Employees. If an Option or SAR is granted to an Employee who is a non-exempt employee for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, the Option or SAR will not be first exercisable for any shares of Common Stock until at least six months following the date of grant of the Option or SAR (although the Stock Award may vest prior to such date). Consistent with the provisions of the Worker Economic Opportunity Act, (i) if such non-exempt Employee dies or suffers a Disability, (ii) upon a Corporate Transaction in which such Option or SAR is not assumed, continued, or substituted, (iii) upon a Change in Control, or (iv) upon the Participant’s retirement (as such term may be defined in the Participant’s Stock Award Agreement, in another agreement between the Participant and the Company, or, if no such definition, in accordance with the Company's then current employment policies and guidelines), the vested portion of any Options and SARs may be exercised earlier than six months following the date of grant. The foregoing provision is intended to operate so that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise or vesting of an Option or SAR will be exempt from his or her regular rate of pay. To the extent permitted and/or required for compliance with the Worker Economic Opportunity Act to ensure that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise, vesting or issuance of any shares under any other Stock Award will be exempt from the employee’s regular rate of pay, the provisions of this Section 5(l) will apply to all Stock Awards and are hereby incorporated by reference into such Stock Award Agreements.

 

(m)         Early Exercise of Options. An Option may, but need not, include a provision whereby the Optionholder may elect at any time before the Optionholder’s Continuous Service terminates to exercise the Option as to any part or all of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option prior to the full vesting of the Option. Subject to the “Repurchase Limitation” in Section 8(l), any unvested shares of Common Stock so purchased may be subject to a repurchase right in favor of the Company or to any other restriction the Board determines to be appropriate. Provided that the “Repurchase Limitation” in Section 8(l) is not violated, the Company will not be required to exercise its repurchase right until at least six months (or such longer or shorter period of time required to avoid classification of the Option as a liability for financial accounting purposes) have elapsed following exercise of the Option unless the Board otherwise specifically provides in the Option Agreement.

 

(n)        Right of Repurchase. Subject to the “Repurchase Limitation” in Section 8(l), the Option or SAR may include a provision whereby the Company may elect to repurchase all or any part of the vested shares of Common Stock acquired by the Participant pursuant to the exercise of the Option or SAR.

 

(o)         Right of First Refusal. The Option or SAR may include a provision whereby the Company may elect to exercise a right of first refusal following receipt of notice from the Participant of the intent to transfer all or any part of the shares of Common Stock received upon the exercise of the Option or SAR. Such right of first refusal will be subject to the “Repurchase Limitation” in Section 8(l). Except as expressly provided in this Section 5(o) or in the Stock Award Agreement, such right of first refusal will otherwise comply with any applicable provisions of the bylaws of the Company.

 

6.            Provisions of Stock Awards Other than Options and SARs.

 

(a)           Restricted Stock Awards. Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board will deem appropriate. To the extent consistent with the Company’s bylaws, at the Board’s election, shares of Common Stock underlying a Restricted Stock Award may be (i) held in book entry form subject to the Company’s instructions until any restrictions relating to the Restricted Stock Award lapse; or (ii) evidenced by a certificate, which certificate will be held in such form and manner as determined by the Board. The terms and conditions of Restricted Stock Award Agreements may change from time to time, and the terms and conditions of separate Restricted Stock Award Agreements need not be identical. Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement will conform to (through incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

 

  9.  

 

 

(i)         Consideration. A Restricted Stock Award may be awarded in consideration for (A) cash, check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company, (B) past services to the Company or an Affiliate, or (C) any other form of legal consideration (including future services) that may be acceptable to the Board, in its sole discretion, and permissible under applicable law.

 

(ii)         Vesting. Subject to the “Repurchase Limitation” in Section 8(l), shares of Common Stock awarded under the Restricted Stock Award Agreement may be subject to forfeiture to the Company in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by the Board.

 

(iii)       Termination of Participant’s Continuous Service. If a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates, the Company may receive through a forfeiture condition or a repurchase right, any or all of the shares of Common Stock held by the Participant that have not vested as of the date of termination of Continuous Service under the terms of the Restricted Stock Award Agreement.

 

(iv)        Transferability. Rights to acquire shares of Common Stock under the Restricted Stock Award Agreement will be transferable by the Participant only upon such terms and conditions as are set forth in the Restricted Stock Award Agreement, as the Board will determine in its sole discretion, so long as Common Stock awarded under the Restricted Stock Award Agreement remains subject to the terms of the Restricted Stock Award Agreement.

 

(v)         Dividends. A Restricted Stock Award Agreement may provide that any dividends paid on Restricted Stock will be subject to the same vesting and forfeiture restrictions as apply to the shares subject to the Restricted Stock Award to which they relate.

 

(b)        Restricted Stock Unit Awards. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the will Board deem appropriate. The terms and conditions of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreements may change from time to time, and the terms and conditions of separate Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreements need not be identical. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement will conform to (through incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the Agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

 

(i)           Consideration. At the time of grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board will determine the consideration, if any, to be paid by the Participant upon delivery of each share of Common Stock subject to the Restricted Stock Unit Award. The consideration to be paid (if any) by the Participant for each share of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award may be paid in any form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board, in its sole discretion, and permissible under applicable law.

 

(ii)         Vesting. At the time of the grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board may impose such restrictions on or conditions to the vesting of the Restricted Stock Unit Award as it, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate.

 

(iii)        Payment. A Restricted Stock Unit Award may be settled by the delivery of shares of Common Stock, their cash equivalent, any combination thereof or in any other form of consideration, as determined by the Board and contained in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement.

 

(iv)          Additional Restrictions. At the time of the grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board, as it deems appropriate, may impose such restrictions or conditions that delay the delivery of the shares of Common Stock (or their cash equivalent) subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award to a time after the vesting of such Restricted Stock Unit Award.

 

  10.  

 

 

(v)          Dividend Equivalents. Dividend equivalents may be credited in respect of shares of Common Stock covered by a Restricted Stock Unit Award, as determined by the Board and contained in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement. At the sole discretion of the Board, such dividend equivalents may be converted into additional shares of Common Stock covered by the Restricted Stock Unit Award in such manner as determined by the Board. Any additional shares covered by the Restricted Stock Unit Award credited by reason of such dividend equivalents will be subject to all of the same terms and conditions of the underlying Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement to which they relate.

 

(vi)        Termination of Participant’s Continuous Service. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, such portion of the Restricted Stock Unit Award that has not vested will be forfeited upon the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service.

 

(vii)        Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, any Restricted Stock Unit Award granted under the Plan that is not exempt from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code shall contain such provisions so that such Restricted Stock Unit Award will comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. Such restrictions, if any, shall be determined by the Board and contained in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement evidencing such Restricted Stock Unit Award. For example, such restrictions may include, without limitation, a requirement that any Common Stock that is to be issued in a year following the year in which the Restricted Stock Unit Award vests must be issued in accordance with a fixed pre-determined schedule.

 

(c)       Other Stock Awards. Other forms of Stock Awards valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, Common Stock, including the appreciation in value thereof (e.g., options or stock rights with an exercise price or strike price less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the time of grant) may be granted either alone or in addition to Stock Awards provided for under Section 5 and the preceding provisions of this Section 6. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board will have sole and complete authority to determine the persons to whom and the time or times at which such Other Stock Awards will be granted, the number of shares of Common Stock (or the cash equivalent thereof) to be granted pursuant to such Other Stock Awards and all other terms and conditions of such Other Stock Awards.

 

7.            Covenants of the Company.

 

(a)         Availability of Shares. The Company will keep available at all times the number of shares of Common Stock reasonably required to satisfy then-outstanding Stock Awards.

 

(b)          Securities Law Compliance. The Company will seek to obtain from each regulatory commission or agency having jurisdiction over the Plan such authority as may be required to grant Stock Awards and to issue and sell shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Stock Awards; provided, however, that this undertaking will not require the Company to register under the Securities Act the Plan, any Stock Award or any Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to any such Stock Award. If, after reasonable efforts and at a reasonable cost, the Company is unable to obtain from any such regulatory commission or agency the authority that counsel for the Company deems necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of Common Stock under the Plan, the Company will be relieved from any liability for failure to issue and sell Common Stock upon exercise of such Stock Awards unless and until such authority is obtained. A Participant will not be eligible for the grant of a Stock Award or the subsequent issuance of cash or Common Stock pursuant to the Stock Award if such grant or issuance would be in violation of any applicable securities law.

 

  11.  

 

 

(c)          No Obligation to Notify or Minimize Taxes. The Company will have no duty or obligation to any Participant to advise such holder as to the time or manner of exercising such Stock Award. Furthermore, the Company will have no duty or obligation to warn or otherwise advise such holder of a pending termination or expiration of a Stock Award or a possible period in which the Stock Award may not be exercised. The Company has no duty or obligation to minimize the tax consequences of a Stock Award to the holder of such Stock Award.

 

8.            Miscellaneous.

 

(a)         Use of Proceeds from Sales of Common Stock. Proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock pursuant to Stock Awards will constitute general funds of the Company.

 

(b)        Corporate Action Constituting Grant of Stock Awards. Corporate action constituting a grant by the Company of a Stock Award to any Participant will be deemed completed as of the date of such corporate action, unless otherwise determined by the Board, regardless of when the instrument, certificate, or letter evidencing the Stock Award is communicated to, or actually received or accepted by, the Participant. In the event that the corporate records (e.g., Board consents, resolutions or minutes) documenting the corporate action constituting the grant contain terms (e.g., exercise price, vesting schedule or number of shares) that are inconsistent with those in the Stock Award Agreement or related grant documents as a result of a clerical error in the papering of the Stock Award Agreement or related grant documents, the corporate records will control and the Participant will have no legally binding right to the incorrect term in the Stock Award Agreement or related grant documents.

 

(c)         Stockholder Rights. No Participant will be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares of Common Stock subject to a Stock Award unless and until (i) such Participant has satisfied all requirements for exercise of, or the issuance of shares of Common Stock under, the Stock Award pursuant to its terms, and (ii) the issuance of the Common Stock subject to the Stock Award has been entered into the books and records of the Company.

 

(d)         No Employment or Other Service Rights. Nothing in the Plan, any Stock Award Agreement or any other instrument executed thereunder or in connection with any Stock Award granted pursuant thereto will confer upon any Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate in the capacity in effect at the time the Stock Award was granted or will affect the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate (i) the employment of an Employee with or without notice and with or without cause, (ii) the service of a Consultant pursuant to the terms of such Consultant’s agreement with the Company or an Affiliate, or (iii) the service of a Director pursuant to the bylaws of the Company or an Affiliate, and any applicable provisions of the corporate law of the state in which the Company or the Affiliate is incorporated, as the case may be.

 

(e)         Change in Time Commitment. In the event a Participant’s regular level of time commitment in the performance of his or her services for the Company and any Affiliates is reduced (for example, and without limitation, if the Participant is an Employee of the Company and the Employee has a change in status from a full-time Employee to a part-time Employee or takes an extended leave of absence) after the date of grant of any Stock Award to the Participant, the Board has the right in its sole discretion to (x) make a corresponding reduction in the number of shares subject to any portion of such Stock Award that is scheduled to vest or become payable after the date of such change in time commitment, and (y) in lieu of or in combination with such a reduction, extend the vesting or payment schedule applicable to such Stock Award. In the event of any such reduction, the Participant will have no right with respect to any portion of the Stock Award that is so reduced or extended.

 

  12.  

 

 

(f)           Incentive Stock Option Limitations. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Optionholder during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Affiliates) exceeds $100,000 (or such other limit established in the Code) or otherwise does not comply with the rules governing Incentive Stock Options, the Options or portions thereof that exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) or otherwise do not comply with such rules will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options, notwithstanding any contrary provision of the applicable Option Agreement(s).

 

(g)          Investment Assurances. The Company may require a Participant, as a condition of exercising or acquiring Common Stock under any Stock Award, (i) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company as to the Participant’s knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and/or to employ a purchaser representative reasonably satisfactory to the Company who is knowledgeable and experienced in financial and business matters and that the Participant is capable of evaluating, alone or together with the purchaser representative, the merits and risks of exercising the Stock Award; and (ii) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company stating that the Participant is acquiring Common Stock subject to the Stock Award for the Participant’s own account and not with any present intention of selling or otherwise distributing the Common Stock. The foregoing requirements, and any assurances given pursuant to such requirements, will be inoperative if (A) the issuance of the shares upon the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under the Stock Award has been registered under a then currently effective registration statement under the Securities Act, or (B) as to any particular requirement, a determination is made by counsel for the Company that such requirement need not be met in the circumstances under the then applicable securities laws. The Company may, upon advice of counsel to the Company, place legends on stock certificates issued under the Plan as such counsel deems necessary or appropriate in order to comply with applicable securities laws, including, but not limited to, legends restricting the transfer of the Common Stock.

 

(h)           Withholding Obligations. Unless prohibited by the terms of a Stock Award Agreement, the Company may, in its sole discretion, satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding obligation relating to a Stock Award by any of the following means or by a combination of such means: (i) causing the Participant to tender a cash payment; (ii) withholding shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock issued or otherwise issuable to the Participant in connection with the Stock Award; provided, however, that no shares of Common Stock are withheld with a value exceeding the minimum amount of tax required to be withheld by law (or such lesser amount as may be necessary to avoid classification of the Stock Award as a liability for financial accounting purposes); (iii) withholding cash from a Stock Award settled in cash; (iv) withholding payment from any amounts otherwise payable to the Participant; or (v) by such other method as may be set forth in the Stock Award Agreement.

 

(i)        Electronic Delivery. Any reference herein to a “written” agreement or document will include any agreement or document delivered electronically or posted on the Company’s intranet (or other shared electronic medium controlled by the Company to which the Participant has access).

 

  13.  

 

 

(j)          Deferrals. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board, in its sole discretion, may determine that the delivery of Common Stock or the payment of cash, upon the exercise, vesting or settlement of all or a portion of any Stock Award may be deferred and may establish programs and procedures for deferral elections to be made by Participants. Deferrals by Participants will be made in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. Consistent with Section 409A of the Code, the Board may provide for distributions while a Participant is still an employee or otherwise providing services to the Company. The Board is authorized to make deferrals of Stock Awards and determine when, and in what annual percentages, Participants may receive payments, including lump sum payments, following the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service, and implement such other terms and conditions consistent with the provisions of the Plan and in accordance with applicable law.

 

(k)         Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. To the extent that the Board determines that any Stock Award granted hereunder is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Stock Award Agreement evidencing such Stock Award shall incorporate the terms and conditions necessary to avoid the consequences specified in Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code. To the extent applicable, the Plan and Stock Award Agreements shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan (and unless the Stock Award Agreement specifically provides otherwise), if the shares of Common Stock are publicly traded, and if a Participant holding a Stock Award that constitutes “deferred compensation” under Section 409A of the Code is a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, no distribution or payment of any amount that is due because of a “separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code without regard to alternative definitions thereunder) will be issued or paid before the date that is six months following the date of such Participant’s “separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code without regard to alternative definitions thereunder) or, if earlier, the date of the Participant’s death, unless such distribution or payment can be made in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code, and any amounts so deferred will be paid in a lump sum on the day after such six month period elapses, with the balance paid thereafter on the original schedule.

 

(l)            Repurchase Limitation. The terms of any repurchase right will be specified in the Stock Award Agreement. The repurchase price for vested shares of Common Stock will be the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock on the date of repurchase. The repurchase price for unvested shares of Common Stock will be the lower of (i) the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock on the date of repurchase or (ii) their original purchase price. However, the Company will not exercise its repurchase right until at least six months (or such longer or shorter period of time necessary to avoid classification of the Stock Award as a liability for financial accounting purposes) have elapsed following delivery of shares of Common Stock subject to the Stock Award, unless otherwise specifically provided by the Board.

 

9.            Adjustments upon Changes in Common Stock; Other Corporate Events.

 

(a)          Capitalization Adjustments. In the event of a Capitalization Adjustment, the Board will appropriately and proportionately adjust: (i) the class(es) and maximum number of securities subject to the Plan pursuant to Section 3(a), (ii) the class(es) and maximum number of securities that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options pursuant to Section 3(c), and (iii) the class(es) and number of securities and price per share of stock subject to outstanding Stock Awards. The Board will make such adjustments, and its determination will be final, binding and conclusive.

 

  14.  

 

 

(b)         Dissolution or Liquidation. Except as otherwise provided in the Stock Award Agreement, in the event of a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, all outstanding Stock Awards (other than Stock Awards consisting of vested and outstanding shares of Common Stock not subject to a forfeiture condition or the Company’s right of repurchase) will terminate immediately prior to the completion of such dissolution or liquidation, and the shares of Common Stock subject to the Company’s repurchase rights or subject to a forfeiture condition may be repurchased or reacquired by the Company notwithstanding the fact that the holder of such Stock Award is providing Continuous Service, provided, however, that the Board may, in its sole discretion, cause some or all Stock Awards to become fully vested, exercisable and/or no longer subject to repurchase or forfeiture (to the extent such Stock Awards have not previously expired or terminated) before the dissolution or liquidation is completed but contingent on its completion.

 

(c)       Corporate Transaction. The following provisions will apply to Stock Awards in the event of a Corporate Transaction unless otherwise provided in the instrument evidencing the Stock Award or any other written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant or unless otherwise expressly provided by the Board at the time of grant of a Stock Award. In the event of a Corporate Transaction, then, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Board may take one or more of the following actions with respect to Stock Awards, contingent upon the closing or completion of the Corporate Transaction:

 

(i)        arrange for the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company) to assume or continue the Stock Award or to substitute a similar stock award for the Stock Award (including, but not limited to, an award to acquire the same consideration paid to the stockholders of the Company pursuant to the Corporate Transaction);

 

(ii)       arrange for the assignment of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company in respect of Common Stock issued pursuant to the Stock Award to the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company);

 

(iii)      accelerate the vesting, in whole or in part, of the Stock Award (and, if applicable, the time at which the Stock Award may be exercised) to a date prior to the effective time of such Corporate Transaction as the Board determines (or, if the Board does not determine such a date, to the date that is five days prior to the effective date of the Corporate Transaction), with such Stock Award terminating if not exercised (if applicable) at or prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction; provided, however, that the Board may require Participants to complete and deliver to the Company a notice of exercise before the effective date of a Corporate Transaction, which exercise is contingent upon the effectiveness of such Corporate Transaction;

 

(iv)        arrange for the lapse, in whole or in part, of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to the Stock Award;

 

(v)          cancel or arrange for the cancellation of the Stock Award, to the extent not vested or not exercised prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction, in exchange for such cash consideration (including no consideration) as the Board, in its sole discretion, may consider appropriate; and

 

(vi)         make a payment, in such form as may be determined by the Board equal to the excess, if any, of (A) the value of the property the Participant would have received upon the exercise of the Stock Award immediately prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction, over (B) any exercise price payable by such holder in connection with such exercise. For clarity, this payment may be zero ($0) if the value of the property is equal to or less than the exercise price. Payments under this provision may be delayed to the same extent that payment of consideration to the holders of the Company’s Common Stock in connection with the Corporate Transaction is delayed as a result of escrows, earn outs, holdbacks or any other contingencies.

 

  15.  

 

 

The Board need not take the same action or actions with respect to all Stock Awards or portions thereof or with respect to all Participants. The Board may take different actions with respect to the vested and unvested portions of a Stock Award.

 

(d)         Change in Control. A Stock Award may be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability upon or after a Change in Control as may be provided in the Stock Award Agreement for such Stock Award or as may be provided in any other written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant, but in the absence of such provision, no such acceleration will occur.

 

10.         Plan Term; Earlier Termination or Suspension of the Plan.

 

(a)         Plan Term. The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Unless terminated sooner by the Board, the Plan will automatically terminate on the day before the 10th anniversary of the earlier of (i) the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, or (ii) the date the Plan is approved by the stockholders of the Company. No Stock Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.

 

(b)        No Impairment of Rights. Suspension or termination of the Plan will not impair rights and obligations under any Stock Award granted while the Plan is in effect except with the written consent of the affected Participant or as otherwise permitted in the Plan.

 

11.          Effective Date of Plan.

 

This Plan will become effective on the Effective Date.

 

12.          Choice of Law.

 

The laws of the State of Delaware will govern all questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Plan, without regard to that state’s conflict of laws rules.

 

13.          Definitions. As used in the Plan, the following definitions will apply to the capitalized terms indicated below:

 

(a)        Affiliate” means, at the time of determination, any “parent” or “majority-owned subsidiary” of the Company, as such terms are defined in Rule 405. The Board will have the authority to determine the time or times at which “parent” or “majority-owned subsidiary” status is determined within the foregoing definition.

 

(b)          Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

(c)          Capitalization Adjustment” means any change that is made in, or other events that occur with respect to, the Common Stock subject to the Plan or subject to any Stock Award after the Effective Date without the receipt of consideration by the Company through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, large nonrecurring cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure, or any similar equity restructuring transaction, as that term is used in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (or any successor thereto). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the conversion of any convertible securities of the Company will not be treated as a Capitalization Adjustment.

 

  16.  

 

 

(d)        Cause” will have the meaning ascribed to such term in any written agreement between the Participant and the Company defining such term and, in the absence of such agreement, such term means, with respect to a Participant, the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) such Participant’s commission of any felony or any crime involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude under the laws of the United States or any state thereof; (ii) such Participant’s attempted commission of, or participation in, a fraud or act of dishonesty against the Company; (iii) such Participant’s intentional, material violation of any contract or agreement between the Participant and the Company or of any statutory duty owed to the Company; (iv) such Participant’s unauthorized use or disclosure of the Company’s confidential information or trade secrets; or (v) such Participant’s gross misconduct. The determination that a termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service is either for Cause or without Cause will be made by the Company, in its sole discretion. Any determination by the Company that the Continuous Service of a Participant was terminated with or without Cause for the purposes of outstanding Stock Awards held by such Participant will have no effect upon any determination of the rights or obligations of the Company or such Participant for any other purpose.

 

(e)         Change in Control” means the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:

 

(i)          any Exchange Act Person becomes the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities other than by virtue of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control will not be deemed to occur (A) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company directly from the Company, (B) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company by an investor, any affiliate thereof or any other Exchange Act Person that acquires the Company’s securities in a transaction or series of related transactions the primary purpose of which is to obtain financing for the Company through the issuance of equity securities or (C) solely because the level of Ownership held by any Exchange Act Person (the “Subject Person”) exceeds the designated percentage threshold of the outstanding voting securities as a result of a repurchase or other acquisition of voting securities by the Company reducing the number of shares outstanding, provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of voting securities by the Company, and after such share acquisition, the Subject Person becomes the Owner of any additional voting securities that, assuming the repurchase or other acquisition had not occurred, increases the percentage of the then outstanding voting securities Owned by the Subject Person over the designated percentage threshold, then a Change in Control will be deemed to occur;

 

(ii)         there is consummated a merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving (directly or indirectly) the Company and, immediately after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, the stockholders of the Company immediately prior thereto do not Own, directly or indirectly, either (A) outstanding voting securities representing more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting power of the surviving Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction or (B) more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting power of the parent of the surviving Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, in each case in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such transaction; or

 

  17.  

 

 

(iii)        there is consummated a sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, other than a sale, lease, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries to an Entity, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are Owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such sale, lease, license or other disposition.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing definition or any other provision of this Plan, (A) the term Change in Control will not include a sale of assets, merger or other transaction effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the domicile of the Company, and (B) the definition of Change in Control (or any analogous term) in an individual written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant will supersede the foregoing definition with respect to Stock Awards subject to such agreement; provided, however, that if no definition of Change in Control or any analogous term is set forth in such an individual written agreement, the foregoing definition will apply.

 

(f)          Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including any applicable regulations and guidance thereunder.

 

(g)        Committee” means a committee of one or more Directors to whom authority has been delegated by the Board in accordance with Section 2(c).

 

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

 

(i)          Company” means AppHarvest, Inc., a Delaware public benefit corporation.

 

(j)         Consultant” means any person, including an advisor, who is (i) engaged by the Company or an Affiliate to render consulting or advisory services and is compensated for such services, or (ii) serving as a member of the board of directors of an Affiliate and is compensated for such services. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such service, will not cause a Director to be considered a “Consultant” for purposes of the Plan.

 

(k)         Continuous Service” means that the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, whether as an Employee, Director or Consultant, is not interrupted or terminated. A change in the capacity in which the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee, Director or Consultant or a change in the Entity for which the Participant renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, will not terminate a Participant’s Continuous Service; provided, however, that if the Entity for which a Participant is rendering services ceases to qualify as an Affiliate, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, such Participant’s Continuous Service will be considered to have terminated on the date such Entity ceases to qualify as an Affiliate. For example, a change in status from an Employee of the Company to a Consultant of an Affiliate or to a Director will not constitute an interruption of Continuous Service. To the extent permitted by law, the Board or the chief executive officer of the Company, in that party’s sole discretion, may determine whether Continuous Service will be considered interrupted in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Board or chief executive officer, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal leave, or (ii) transfers between the Company, an Affiliate, or their successors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a leave of absence will be treated as Continuous Service for purposes of vesting in a Stock Award only to such extent as may be provided in the Company’s leave of absence policy, in the written terms of any leave of absence agreement or policy applicable to the Participant, or as otherwise required by law.

 

  18.  

 

 

(l)        Corporate Transaction” means the consummation, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:

 

(i)         a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries;

 

(ii)         a sale or other disposition of more than 50% of the outstanding securities of the Company;

 

(iii)        a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is not the surviving corporation; or

 

(iv)        a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is the surviving corporation but the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger, consolidation or similar transaction are converted or exchanged by virtue of the merger, consolidation or similar transaction into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise.

 

(m)        Director” means a member of the Board.

 

(n)         Disability” means, with respect to a Participant, the inability of such Participant to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months as provided in Sections 22(e)(3) and 409A(a)(2)(c)(i) of the Code, and will be determined by the Board on the basis of such medical evidence as the Board deems warranted under the circumstances.

 

(o)        Effective Date” means the effective date of this Plan, which is the earlier of (i) the date that this Plan is first approved by the Company’s stockholders, and (ii) the date this Plan is adopted by the Board.

 

(p)          Employee” means any person employed by the Company or an Affiliate. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such services, will not cause a Director to be considered an “Employee” for purposes of the Plan.

 

(q)          Entity” means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity.

 

(r)          Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(s)         Exchange Act Person” means any natural person, Entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act), except that “Exchange Act Person” will not include (i) the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (ii) any employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to a registered public offering of such securities, (iv) an Entity Owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of stock of the Company; or (v) any natural person, Entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act) that, as of the Effective Date, is the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities.

 

  19.  

 

 

(t)          Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of the Common Stock determined by the Board in compliance with Section 409A of the Code or, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, in compliance with Section 422 of the Code.

 

(u)          Incentive Stock Option” means an option granted pursuant to Section 5 of the Plan that is intended to be, and that qualifies as, an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

 

(v)          Nonstatutory Stock Option” means an option granted pursuant to Section 5 of the Plan that does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

 

(w)          Officer” means any person designated by the Company as an officer.

 

(x)          Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to the Plan.

 

(y)         Option Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and an Optionholder evidencing the terms and conditions of an Option grant. Each Option Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(z)        Optionholder” means a person to whom an Option is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Option.

 

(aa)         Other Stock Award” means an award based in whole or in part by reference to the Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(c).

 

(bb)        Other Stock Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of an Other Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of an Other Stock Award grant. Each Other Stock Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(cc)         Own,” “Owned,” “Owner,” “Ownership” A person or Entity will be deemed to “Own,” to have “Owned,” to be the “Owner” of, or to have acquired “Ownership” of securities if such person or Entity, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting, with respect to such securities.

 

(dd)       Participant” means a person to whom a Stock Award is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Stock Award.

 

(ee)         Plan” means this 2018 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

(ff)          Restricted Stock Award” means an award of shares of Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(a).

 

  20.  

 

 

(gg)        Restricted Stock Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Restricted Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Award grant. Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(hh)       Restricted Stock Unit Award” means a right to receive shares of Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(b).

 

(ii)           Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Restricted Stock Unit Award evidencing the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Unit Award grant. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(jj)          Rule 405” means Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

(kk)        Rule 701” means Rule 701 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

(ll)          Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

(mm)      Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means a right to receive the appreciation on Common Stock that is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 5.

 

(nn)      Stock Appreciation Right Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Stock Appreciation Right evidencing the terms and conditions of a Stock Appreciation Right grant. Each Stock Appreciation Right Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(oo)        Stock Award” means any right to receive Common Stock granted under the Plan, including an Incentive Stock Option, a Nonstatutory Stock Option, a Restricted Stock Award, a Restricted Stock Unit Award, a Stock Appreciation Right or any Other Stock Award.

 

(pp)       Stock Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of a Stock Award grant. Each Stock Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(qq)       Subsidiary” means, with respect to the Company, (i) any corporation of which more than 50% of the outstanding capital stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether, at the time, stock of any other class or classes of such corporation will have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time, directly or indirectly, Owned by the Company, and (ii) any partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which the Company has a direct or indirect interest (whether in the form of voting or participation in profits or capital contribution) of more than 50%.

 

(rr)       Ten Percent Stockholder” means a person who Owns (or is deemed to Own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Affiliate.

 

  21.  

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

APPHARVEST, INC.

 

STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE
(2018 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN)

 

AppHarvest, Inc. (the “Company”), pursuant to its 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), hereby grants to Optionholder an option to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock set forth below. This option is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth in this notice, in the Option Agreement, the Plan and the Notice of Exercise, all of which are attached hereto and incorporated herein in their entirety. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined herein but defined in the Plan or the Option Agreement will have the same definitions as in the Plan or the Option Agreement. If there is any conflict between the terms in this notice and the Plan, the terms of the Plan will control.

 

Optionholder:
Date of Grant:
Vesting Commencement Date:
Number of Shares Subject to Option:
Exercise Price (Per Share):
Total Exercise Price:
Expiration Date:

 

Type of Grant: ¨ Incentive Stock Option1 ¨ Nonstatutory Stock Option
     
Exercise Schedule: ¨ Same as Vesting Schedule ¨ Early Exercise Permitted

 

 

 

Vesting Schedule: [Sample of standard vesting. One-fourth (1/4th) of the shares vest one year after the Vesting Commencement Date; the balance of the shares vest in a series of 36 successive equal monthly installments measured from the first anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date, subject to Optionholder’s Continuous Service as of each such date.]

 

Payment: By one or a combination of the following items (described in the Option Agreement):

 

¨     By cash, check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company

¨     Pursuant to a Regulation T Program if the shares are publicly traded

¨     By delivery of already-owned shares if the shares are publicly traded

¨     If and only to the extent this option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, and subject to the Company’s consent at the time of exercise, by a “net exercise” arrangement

 

 

1 If this is an Incentive Stock Option, it (plus other outstanding Incentive Stock Options) cannot be first exercisable for more than $100,000 in value (measured by exercise price) in any calendar year. Any excess over $100,000 is a Nonstatutory Stock Option.

 

 

 

 

Additional Terms/Acknowledgements: Optionholder acknowledges receipt of, and understands and agrees to, this Stock Option Grant Notice, the Option Agreement and the Plan. Optionholder acknowledges and agrees that this Stock Option Grant Notice and the Option Agreement may not be modified, amended or revised except as provided in the Plan. Optionholder further acknowledges that as of the Date of Grant, this Stock Option Grant Notice, the Option Agreement, and the Plan set forth the entire understanding between Optionholder and the Company regarding this option award and supersede all prior oral and written agreements, promises and/or representations on that subject with the exception of (i) options previously granted and delivered to Optionholder, and (ii) the following agreements only. This Stock Option Grant Notice and any notices, agreements or other documents related thereto may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable law) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.

 

Other Agreements:  
   
   

 

By accepting this option, you consent to receive such documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.

 

APPHARVEST, INC.   OPTIONHOLDER:
     
By:                                 
Signature   Signature
Title:     Email:                        
Email:     Date:    
Date:      

 

Attachments: Option Agreement, 2018 Equity Incentive Plan and Notice of Exercise

 

 

 

 

ATTACHMENT I

 

OPTION AGREEMENT

 

 

 

 

ATTACHMENT II

 

2018 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

 

 

 

ATTACHMENT III

 

NOTICE OF EXERCISE

 

 

 

APPHARVEST, INC.

 

2018 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

OPTION AGREEMENT
(INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION OR NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION)

 

Pursuant to your Stock Option Grant Notice (“Grant Notice”) and this Option Agreement, AppHarvest, Inc. (the “Company”) has granted you an option under its 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock indicated in your Grant Notice at the exercise price indicated in your Grant Notice. The option is granted to you effective as of the date of grant set forth in the Grant Notice (the “Date of Grant”). If there is any conflict between the terms in this Option Agreement and the Plan, the terms of the Plan will control. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined in this Option Agreement or in the Grant Notice but defined in the Plan will have the same definitions as in the Plan.

 

The details of your option, in addition to those set forth in the Grant Notice and the Plan, are as follows:

 

1.            Vesting. Your option will vest as provided in your Grant Notice. Vesting will cease upon the termination of your Continuous Service.

 

2.            Number of Shares and Exercise Price. The number of shares of Common Stock subject to your option and your exercise price per share in your Grant Notice will be adjusted for Capitalization Adjustments.

 

3.           Exercise Restriction for Non-Exempt Employees. If you are an Employee eligible for overtime compensation under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended (that is, a “Non-Exempt Employee”), and except as otherwise provided in the Plan, you may not exercise your option until you have completed at least six months of Continuous Service measured from the Date of Grant, even if you have already been an employee for more than six months. Consistent with the provisions of the Worker Economic Opportunity Act, you may exercise your option as to any vested portion prior to such six month anniversary in the case of (i) your death or disability, (ii) a Corporate Transaction in which your option is not assumed, continued or substituted, (iii) a Change in Control or (iv) your termination of Continuous Service on your “retirement” (as defined in the Company’s benefit plans).

 

4.           Exercise prior to Vesting (“Early Exercise”). If permitted in your Grant Notice (i.e., the “Exercise Schedule” indicates “Early Exercise Permitted”) and subject to the provisions of your option, you may elect at any time that is both (i) during the period of your Continuous Service and (ii) during the term of your option, to exercise all or part of your option, including the unvested portion of your option; provided, however, that:

 

(a)           a partial exercise of your option will be deemed to cover first vested shares of Common Stock and then the earliest vesting installment of unvested shares of Common Stock;

 

(b)            any shares of Common Stock so purchased from installments that have not vested as of the date of exercise will be subject to the purchase option in favor of the Company as described in the Company’s form of Early Exercise Stock Purchase Agreement;

 

1.

 

 

(c)            you will enter into the Company’s form of Early Exercise Stock Purchase Agreement with a vesting schedule that will result in the same vesting as if no early exercise had occurred; and

 

(d)          if your option is an Incentive Stock Option, then, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the Date of Grant) of the shares of Common Stock with respect to which your option plus all other Incentive Stock Options you hold are exercisable for the first time by you during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and its Affiliates) exceeds $100,000, your option(s) or portions thereof that exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options.

 

5.          Method of Payment. You must pay the full amount of the exercise price for the shares you wish to exercise. You may pay the exercise price in cash or by check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company or in any other manner permitted by your Grant Notice, which may include one or more of the following:

 

(a)            Provided that at the time of exercise the Common Stock is publicly traded, pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board that, prior to the issuance of Common Stock, results in either the receipt of cash (or check) by the Company or the receipt of irrevocable instructions to pay the aggregate exercise price to the Company from the sales proceeds. This manner of payment is also known as a “broker-assisted exercise”, “same day sale”, or “sell to cover”.

 

(b)            Provided that at the time of exercise the Common Stock is publicly traded, by delivery to the Company (either by actual delivery or attestation) of already-owned shares of Common Stock that are owned free and clear of any liens, claims, encumbrances or security interests, and that are valued at Fair Market Value on the date of exercise. “Delivery” for these purposes, in the sole discretion of the Company at the time you exercise your option, will include delivery to the Company of your attestation of ownership of such shares of Common Stock in a form approved by the Company. You may not exercise your option by delivery to the Company of Common Stock if doing so would violate the provisions of any law, regulation or agreement restricting the redemption of the Company’s stock.

 

(c)           If this option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, subject to the consent of the Company at the time of exercise, by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise of your option by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price. You must pay any remaining balance of the aggregate exercise price not satisfied by the “net exercise” in cash or other permitted form of payment. Shares of Common Stock will no longer be outstanding under your option and will not be exercisable thereafter if those shares (i) are used to pay the exercise price pursuant to the “net exercise,” (ii) are delivered to you as a result of such exercise, and (iii) are withheld to satisfy your tax withholding obligations.

 

6.           Whole Shares. You may exercise your option only for whole shares of Common Stock.

 

7.           Securities Law Compliance. In no event may you exercise your option unless the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise are then registered under the Securities Act or, if not registered, the Company has determined that your exercise and the issuance of the shares would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The exercise of your option also must comply with all other applicable laws and regulations governing your option, and you may not exercise your option if the Company determines that such exercise would not be in material compliance with such laws and regulations (including any restrictions on exercise required for compliance with Treas. Reg. 1.401(k)-1(d)(3), if applicable).

 

2.

 

 

8.           Term. You may not exercise your option before the Date of Grant or after the expiration of the option’s term. Except as set forth in your Grant Notice, the term of your option expires, subject to the provisions of Section 5(h) of the Plan, upon the earliest of the following:

 

(a)           immediately upon the termination of your Continuous Service for Cause;

 

(b)          three months after the termination of your Continuous Service for any reason other than Cause, your Disability or your death (except as otherwise provided in Section 8(d) below); provided, however, that if during any part of such three month period your option is not exercisable solely because of the condition set forth in the section above relating to “Securities Law Compliance,” your option will not expire until the earlier of the Expiration Date or until it has been exercisable for an aggregate period of three months after the termination of your Continuous Service; provided further, that if (i) you are a Non-Exempt Employee, (ii) your Continuous Service terminates within six months after the Date of Grant, and (iii) you have vested in a portion of your option at the time of your termination of Continuous Service, your option will not expire until the earlier of (x) the later of (A) the date that is seven months after the Date of Grant, and (B) the date that is three months after the termination of your Continuous Service, and (y) the Expiration Date;

 

(c)           12 months after the termination of your Continuous Service due to your Disability (except as otherwise provided in Section 8(d)) below;

 

(d)          18 months after your death if you die either during your Continuous Service or within three (3) months after your Continuous Service terminates for any reason other than Cause;

 

(e)           the Expiration Date indicated in your Grant Notice; or

 

(f)            the day before the 10th anniversary of the Date of Grant.

 

If your option is an Incentive Stock Option, note that to obtain the federal income tax advantages associated with an Incentive Stock Option, the Code requires that at all times beginning on the Date of Grant and ending on the day three months before the date of your option’s exercise, you must be an employee of the Company or an Affiliate, except in the event of your death or Disability. The Company has provided for extended exercisability of your option under certain circumstances for your benefit but cannot guarantee that your option will necessarily be treated as an Incentive Stock Option if you continue to provide services to the Company or an Affiliate as a Consultant or Director after your employment terminates or if you otherwise exercise your option more than three months after the date your employment with the Company or an Affiliate terminates.

 

9.             Exercise.

 

(a)         You may exercise the vested portion of your option (and the unvested portion of your option if your Grant Notice so permits) during its term by delivering a Notice of Exercise (in a form designated by the Company) together with the exercise price to the Secretary of the Company, or to such other person as the Company may designate, during regular business hours, together with such additional documents as the Company may then require (including, without limitation, any voting agreement or other agreement between the Company and certain of its stockholders).

 

3.

 

 

(b)           By exercising your option you agree that, as a condition to any exercise of your option, the Company may require you to enter into an arrangement providing for the payment by you to the Company of any tax withholding obligation of the Company arising by reason of (i) the exercise of your option, (ii) the lapse of any substantial risk of forfeiture to which the shares of Common Stock are subject at the time of exercise, or (iii) the disposition of shares of Common Stock acquired upon such exercise.

 

(c)          If your option is an Incentive Stock Option, by exercising your option you agree that you will notify the Company in writing within 15 days after the date of any disposition of any of the shares of the Common Stock issued upon exercise of your option that occurs within two years after the Date of Grant or within one year after such shares of Common Stock are transferred upon exercise of your option.

 

(d)          By exercising your option you agree that you will not sell, dispose of, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale with respect to any shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company held by you, for a period of 180 days following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act or such longer period as the underwriters or the Company will request to facilitate compliance with FINRA Rule 2711 or NYSE Member Rule 472 or any successor or similar rules or regulation (the “Lock-Up Period”); provided, however, that nothing contained in this section will prevent the exercise of a repurchase option, if any, in favor of the Company during the Lock-Up Period. You further agree to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company or the underwriters that are consistent with the foregoing or that are necessary to give further effect thereto. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to your shares of Common Stock until the end of such period. You also agree that any transferee of any shares of Common Stock (or other securities) of the Company held by you will be bound by this Section 9(d). The underwriters of the Company’s stock are intended third party beneficiaries of this Section 9(d) and will have the right, power and authority to enforce the provisions hereof as though they were a party hereto.

 

10.        Transferability. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 10, your option is not transferable, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and is exercisable during your life only by you.

 

(a)          Certain Trusts. Upon receiving written permission from the Board or its duly authorized designee, you may transfer your option to a trust if you are considered to be the sole beneficial owner (determined under Section 671 of the Code and applicable state law) while the option is held in the trust. You and the trustee must enter into transfer and other agreements required by the Company.

 

(b)            Domestic Relations Orders. Upon receiving written permission from the Board or its duly authorized designee, and provided that you and the designated transferee enter into transfer and other agreements required by the Company, you may transfer your option pursuant to the terms of a domestic relations order, official marital settlement agreement or other divorce or separation instrument as permitted by Treasury Regulation 1.421-1(b)(2) that contains the information required by the Company to effectuate the transfer. You are encouraged to discuss the proposed terms of any division of this option with the Company prior to finalizing the domestic relations order or marital settlement agreement to help ensure the required information is contained within the domestic relations order or marital settlement agreement. If this option is an Incentive Stock Option, this option may be deemed to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option as a result of such transfer.

 

4.

 

 

(c)          Beneficiary Designation. Upon receiving written permission from the Board or its duly authorized designee, you may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form approved by the Company and any broker designated by the Company to handle option exercises, designate a third party who, on your death, will thereafter be entitled to exercise this option and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise. In the absence of such a designation, your executor or administrator of your estate will be entitled to exercise this option and receive, on behalf of your estate, the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise.

 

11.        Option not a Service Contract. Your option is not an employment or service contract, and nothing in your option will be deemed to create in any way whatsoever any obligation on your part to continue in the employ of the Company or an Affiliate, or of the Company or an Affiliate to continue your employment. In addition, nothing in your option will obligate the Company or an Affiliate, their respective stockholders, boards of directors, officers or employees to continue any relationship that you might have as a Director or Consultant for the Company or an Affiliate.

 

12.         Withholding Obligations.

 

(a)            At the time you exercise your option, in whole or in part, and at any time thereafter as requested by the Company, you hereby authorize withholding from payroll and any other amounts payable to you, and otherwise agree to make adequate provision for (including by means of a “same day sale” pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board to the extent permitted by the Company), any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax withholding obligations of the Company or an Affiliate, if any, which arise in connection with the exercise of your option.

 

(b)           If this option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, then upon your request and subject to approval by the Company, and compliance with any applicable legal conditions or restrictions, the Company may withhold from fully vested shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to you upon the exercise of your option a number of whole shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value, determined by the Company as of the date of exercise, not in excess of the minimum amount of tax required to be withheld by law (or such lower amount as may be necessary to avoid classification of your option as a liability for financial accounting purposes). If the date of determination of any tax withholding obligation is deferred to a date later than the date of exercise of your option, share withholding pursuant to the preceding sentence shall not be permitted unless you make a proper and timely election under Section 83(b) of the Code, covering the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock acquired upon such exercise with respect to which such determination is otherwise deferred, to accelerate the determination of such tax withholding obligation to the date of exercise of your option. Notwithstanding the filing of such election, shares of Common Stock shall be withheld solely from fully vested shares of Common Stock determined as of the date of exercise of your option that are otherwise issuable to you upon such exercise. Any adverse consequences to you arising in connection with such share withholding procedure shall be your sole responsibility.

 

(c)          You may not exercise your option unless the tax withholding obligations of the Company and/or any Affiliate are satisfied. Accordingly, you may not be able to exercise your option when desired even though your option is vested, and the Company will have no obligation to issue a certificate for such shares of Common Stock or release such shares of Common Stock from any escrow provided for herein, if applicable, unless such obligations are satisfied.

 

5.

 

 

13.         Tax Consequences. You hereby agree that the Company does not have a duty to design or administer the Plan or its other compensation programs in a manner that minimizes your tax liabilities. You will not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates related to tax liabilities arising from your option or your other compensation. In particular, you acknowledge that this option is exempt from Section 409A of the Code only if the exercise price per share specified in the Grant Notice is at least equal to the “fair market value” per share of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant and there is no other impermissible deferral of compensation associated with the option. Because the Common Stock is not traded on an established securities market, the Fair Market Value is determined by the Board, perhaps in consultation with an independent valuation firm retained by the Company. You acknowledge that there is no guarantee that the Internal Revenue Service will agree with the valuation as determined by the Board, and you will not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates in the event that the Internal Revenue Service asserts that the valuation determined by the Board is less than the “fair market value” as subsequently determined by the Internal Revenue Service.

 

14.         Notices. Any notices provided for in your option or the Plan will be given in writing (including electronically) and will be deemed effectively given upon receipt or, in the case of notices delivered by mail by the Company to you, five days after deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to you at the last address you provided to the Company. The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to participation in the Plan and this option by electronic means or to request your consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. By accepting this option, you consent to receive such documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.

 

15.         Governing Plan Document. Your option is subject to all the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of which are hereby made a part of your option, and is further subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations, which may from time to time be promulgated and adopted pursuant to the Plan. If there is any conflict between the provisions of your option and those of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan will control.

 

6.

 

 

 

APPHARVEST, INC.
NOTICE OF EXERCISE

 

AppHarvest, Inc.

500 Appalachian Way

Morehead, KY 40351

 

Date of Exercise: _______________

 

This constitutes notice to AppHarvest, Inc. (the “Company”) under my stock option that I elect to purchase the below number of shares of Common Stock of the Company (the “Shares”) for the price set forth below.

 

Type of option (check one): Incentive  ¨ Nonstatutory  ¨
     
Stock option dated: _______________ _______________
     
Number of Shares as to which option is exercised: _______________ _______________
     
Certificates to be issued in name of: _______________ _______________
     
Total exercise price: $______________ $______________
     
Cash payment delivered herewith: $______________ $______________
     
Regulation T Program (cashless exercise1) $______________ $______________
     
Value of _________ Shares delivered herewith2: $______________ $______________

 

By this exercise, I agree (i) to provide such additional documents as you may require pursuant to the terms of the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, (ii) to provide for the payment by me to you (in the manner designated by you) of your withholding obligation, if any, relating to the exercise of this option, and (iii) if this exercise relates to an incentive stock option, to notify you in writing within 15 days after the date of any disposition of any of the Shares issued upon exercise of this option that occurs within two years after the date of grant of this option or within one year after such Shares are issued upon exercise of this option. I further agree that this Notice of Exercise may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable law) or other transmission method and shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.

 

 

1 Shares must meet the public trading requirements set forth in the option agreement.

2 Shares must meet the public trading requirements set forth in the option. Shares must be valued in accordance with the terms of the option being exercised, and must be owned free and clear of any liens, claims, encumbrances or security interests. Certificates must be endorsed or accompanied by an executed assignment separate from certificate.

 

 

 

 

I hereby make the following certifications and representations with respect to the number of Shares listed above, which are being acquired by me for my own account upon exercise of the option as set forth above:

 

I acknowledge that the Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and are deemed to constitute “restricted securities” under Rule 701 and Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act. I warrant and represent to the Company that I have no present intention of distributing or selling said Shares, except as permitted under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws.

 

I further acknowledge and agree that, except for such information as required to be delivered to me by the Company pursuant to the option or the Plan (if any), I will have no right to receive any information from the Company by virtue of the grant of the option or the purchase of shares of Common Stock through exercise of the option, ownership of such shares of Common Stock, or as a result of my being a holder of record of stock of the Company. Without limiting the foregoing, to the fullest extent permitted by law, I hereby waive all inspection rights under Section 220 of the Delaware General Corporation Law and all such similar information and/or inspection rights that may be provided under the law of any jurisdiction, or any federal, state or foreign regulation, that are, or may become, applicable to the Company or the Company’s capital stock (the “Inspection Rights”). I hereby covenant and agree never to directly or indirectly commence, voluntarily aid in any way, prosecute, assign, transfer, or cause to be commenced any claim, action, cause of action, or other proceeding to pursue or exercise the Inspection Rights.

 

I further acknowledge that I will not be able to resell the Shares for at least 90 days after the stock of the Company becomes publicly traded (i.e., subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) under Rule 701 and that more restrictive conditions apply to affiliates of the Company under Rule 144.

 

I further acknowledge that all certificates representing any of the Shares subject to the provisions of the option shall have endorsed thereon appropriate legends reflecting the foregoing limitations, as well as any legends reflecting restrictions pursuant to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and/or applicable securities laws.

 

I further agree that, if required by the Company (or a representative of the underwriters) in connection with the first underwritten registration of the offering of any securities of the Company under the Securities Act, I will not sell, dispose of, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale with respect to any shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company for a period of 180 days following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act (or such longer period as the underwriters or the Company shall request to facilitate compliance with FINRA Rule 2711 or NYSE Member Rule 472 or any successor or similar rule or regulation) (the “Lock-Up Period”). I further agree to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company or the underwriters that are consistent with the foregoing or that are necessary to give further effect thereto. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to securities subject to the foregoing restrictions until the end of such period.

 

Very truly yours,

 

   
  (Signature)
   
   
  Name (Please Print)
   
Address of Record:  
   
   
   
Email:  

 

 

 

 

APPHARVEST, INC.

 

EARLY EXERCISE STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

UNDER THE 2018 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

This Agreement is made by and between AppHarvest, Inc., a Delaware public benefit corporation (the “Company”), and the individual designated on the signature page hereto as a Purchaser (“Purchaser”).

 

Recitals:

 

A.          Purchaser holds a stock option dated _______________ to purchase shares of common stock (“Common Stock”) of the Company (the “Option”) pursuant to the Company’s 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).

 

B.           The Option consists of a Stock Option Grant Notice and a Stock Option Agreement.

 

C.           Purchaser desires to exercise the Option on the terms and conditions contained herein.

 

D.           Purchaser wishes to take advantage of the early exercise provision of Purchaser’s Option and therefore to enter into this Agreement.

 

The parties agree as follows:

 

1.            Incorporation of Plan and Option by Reference. This Agreement is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth in the Plan and the Option. If there is a conflict between the terms of this Agreement and/or the Option and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall control. If there is a conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of the Option, the terms of the Option shall control. Defined terms not explicitly defined in this Agreement but defined in the Plan shall have the same definitions as in the Plan. Defined terms not explicitly defined in this Agreement or the Plan but defined in the Option shall have the same definitions as in the Option.

 

2.            Purchase and Sale of Common Stock.

 

(a)          Agreement to purchase and sell Common Stock. Purchaser hereby agrees to purchase from the Company, and the Company hereby agrees to sell to Purchaser, shares of the Common Stock of the Company in accordance with the Notice of Exercise duly executed by Purchaser and attached hereto as Exhibit A.

 

(b)          Closing. The closing hereunder, including payment for and delivery of the Common Stock, shall occur at the offices of the Company immediately following the execution of this Agreement, or at such other time and place as the parties may mutually agree; provided, however, that if stockholder approval of the Plan is required before the Option may be exercised, then the Option may not be exercised, and the closing shall be delayed, until such stockholder approval is obtained. If such stockholder approval is not obtained within the time limit specified in the Plan, then this Agreement shall be null and void.

 

 

 

 

3.            Unvested Share Repurchase Option.

 

(a)            Repurchase Option. In the event Purchaser’s Continuous Service terminates, then the Company shall have an irrevocable option (the “Repurchase Option”) for a period of six months after said termination (or in the case of shares issued upon exercise of the Option after such date of termination, within six months after the date of the exercise), or such longer period as may be agreed to by the Company and Purchaser (the “Repurchase Period”), to repurchase from Purchaser or Purchaser’s personal representative, as the case may be, those shares that Purchaser received pursuant to the exercise of the Option that have not as yet vested as of such termination date in accordance with the Vesting Schedule indicated on Purchaser’s Stock Option Grant Notice (the “Unvested Shares”).

 

(b)           Share Repurchase Price. The Company may repurchase all or any of the Unvested Shares at the lower of (i) the Fair Market Value of the such shares (as determined under the Plan) on the date of repurchase, or (ii) the price equal to Purchaser’s Exercise Price for such shares as indicated on Purchaser’s Stock Option Grant Notice.

 

4.           Exercise of Repurchase Option. The Repurchase Option shall be exercised by written notice signed by such person as designated by the Company, and delivered or mailed as provided herein. Such notice shall identify the number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased and shall notify Purchaser of the time, place and date for settlement of such purchase, which shall be scheduled by the Company within the term of the Repurchase Option set forth above. In addition, the Company shall be deemed to have exercised the Repurchase Option as of the last day of the Repurchase Period, unless an officer of the Company notifies the holder of the Unvested Shares during the Repurchase Period in writing (delivered or mailed as provided herein) that the Company expressly declines to exercise its Repurchase Option for some or all of the Unvested Shares. The Company shall be entitled to pay for any shares of Common Stock purchased pursuant to its Repurchase Option at the Company’s option in cash or by offset against any indebtedness owing to the Company by Purchaser (including without limitation any Promissory Note given in payment for the Common Stock), or by a combination of both. Upon exercise of the Repurchase Option and payment of the purchase price in any of the ways described above, the Company shall become the legal and beneficial owner of the Common Stock being repurchased and all rights and interest therein or related thereto, and the Company shall have the right to transfer to its own name the Common Stock being repurchased by the Company, without further action by Purchaser.

 

5.          Capitalization Adjustments to Common Stock. In the event of a Capitalization Adjustment, then any and all new, substituted or additional securities or other property to which Purchaser is entitled by reason of Purchaser’s ownership of Common Stock shall be immediately subject to the Repurchase Option and be included in the word “Common Stock” for all purposes of the Repurchase Option with the same force and effect as the shares of the Common Stock presently subject to the Repurchase Option, but only to the extent the Common Stock is, at the time, covered by such Repurchase Option. While the total Option Price shall remain the same after each such event, the Option Price per share of Common Stock upon exercise of the Repurchase Option shall be appropriately adjusted.

 

6.            Corporate Transactions. In the event of a Corporate Transaction, then the Repurchase Option may be assigned by the Company to the successor of the Company (or such successor’s parent company), if any, in connection with such Corporate Transaction. To the extent the Repurchase Option remains in effect following such Corporate Transaction, it shall apply to the new capital stock or other property received in exchange for the Common Stock in consummation of the Corporate Transaction, but only to the extent the Common Stock was at the time covered by such right. Appropriate adjustments shall be made to the price per share payable upon exercise of the Repurchase Option to reflect the Corporate Transaction upon the Company’s capital structure; provided, however, that the aggregate price payable upon exercise of the Repurchase Option shall remain the same.

 

2

 

 

7.          Escrow of Unvested Common Stock. As security for Purchaser’s faithful performance of the terms of this Agreement and to insure the availability for delivery of Purchaser’s Common Stock upon exercise of the Repurchase Option herein provided for, Purchaser agrees, at the closing hereunder, to deliver to and deposit with the Secretary of the Company or the Secretary’s designee (“Escrow Agent”), as Escrow Agent in this transaction, three stock assignments duly endorsed (with date and number of shares blank) in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B, together with a certificate or certificates evidencing all of the Common Stock subject to the Repurchase Option; said documents are to be held by the Escrow Agent and delivered by said Escrow Agent pursuant to the Joint Escrow Instructions of the Company and Purchaser set forth in Exhibit C, attached hereto and incorporated by this reference, which instructions also shall be delivered to the Escrow Agent at the closing hereunder.

 

8.          Rights of Purchaser. Subject to the provisions of the Option, Purchaser shall exercise all rights and privileges of a stockholder of the Company with respect to the shares deposited in escrow. Purchaser shall be deemed to be the holder of the shares for purposes of receiving any dividends that may be paid with respect to such shares and for purposes of exercising any voting rights relating to such shares, even if some or all of such shares have not yet vested and been released from the Company’s Repurchase Option.

 

9.          Limitations on Transfer. In addition to any other limitation on transfer created by applicable securities laws, Purchaser shall not sell, assign, hypothecate, donate, encumber or otherwise dispose of any interest in the Common Stock while the Common Stock is subject to the Repurchase Option. After any Common Stock has been released from the Repurchase Option, Purchaser shall not sell, assign, hypothecate, donate, encumber or otherwise dispose of any interest in the Common Stock except in compliance with the provisions herein and applicable securities laws. Furthermore, the Common Stock shall be subject to any right of first refusal in favor of the Company or its assignees or other transfer restrictions that may be contained in the Company’s Bylaws.

 

10.         Restrictive Legends. All certificates representing the Common Stock shall have endorsed thereon legends in substantially the following forms (in addition to any other legend which may be required by other agreements between the parties hereto):

 

(a)          “THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO AN OPTION SET FORTH IN AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE REGISTERED HOLDER, OR SUCH HOLDER’S PREDECESSOR IN INTEREST, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THIS COMPANY. ANY TRANSFER OR ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF ANY SHARES SUBJECT TO SUCH OPTION IS VOID WITHOUT THE PRIOR EXPRESS WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY.”

 

(b)            “THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AS AMENDED. THEY MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AS TO THE SECURITIES UNDER SAID ACT OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.”

 

(c)            “THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO A RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL OPTION IN FAVOR OF THE COMPANY AND/OR ITS ASSIGNEE(S) AS PROVIDED IN THE BYLAWS OF THE COMPANY AND IN AN AGREEMENT WITH THE COMPANY.”

 

(d)           “THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE WERE ISSUED PURSUANT TO THE EXERCISE OF [AN INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION/ A NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION].”

 

3

 

 

(e)            “THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO A TRANSFER RESTRICTION, AS PROVIDED IN THE BYLAWS OF THE COMPANY.”

 

(f)            Any legend required by appropriate blue sky officials.

 

11.         Investment Representations. In connection with the purchase of the Common Stock, Purchaser represents to the Company the following:

 

(a)           Purchaser is aware of the Company’s business affairs and financial condition and has acquired sufficient information about the Company to reach an informed and knowledgeable decision to acquire the Common Stock. Purchaser is acquiring the Common Stock for investment for Purchaser’s own account only and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any “distribution” thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act.

 

(b)            Purchaser understands that the Common Stock has not been registered under the Securities Act by reason of a specific exemption therefrom, which exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of Purchaser’s investment intent as expressed herein.

 

(c)            Purchaser further acknowledges and understands that the Common Stock must be held indefinitely unless the Common Stock is subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available. Purchaser further acknowledges and understands that the Company is under no obligation to register the Common Stock. Purchaser understands that the certificate evidencing the Common Stock will be imprinted with a legend that prohibits the transfer of the Common Stock unless the Common Stock is registered or such registration is not required in the opinion of counsel for the Company.

 

(d)            Purchaser is familiar with the provisions of Rules 144 and 701, under the Securities Act, as in effect from time to time, which, in substance, permit limited public resale of “restricted securities” acquired, directly or indirectly, from the issuer thereof (or from an affiliate of such issuer), in a non-public offering subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. Rule 701 provides that if the issuer qualifies under Rule 701 at the time of issuance of the securities, such issuance will be exempt from registration under the Securities Act. In the event the Company becomes subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the securities exempt under Rule 701 may be sold by Purchaser 90 days thereafter, subject to the satisfaction of certain of the conditions specified by Rule 144 and the market stand-off provision described in Purchaser’s Stock Option Agreement.

 

(e)            In the event that the sale of the Common Stock does not qualify under Rule 701 at the time of purchase, then the Common Stock may be resold by Purchaser in certain limited circumstances subject to the provisions of Rule 144, which requires, among other things: (i) the availability of certain public information about the Company, and (ii) the resale occurring following the required holding period under Rule 144 after Purchaser has purchased, and made full payment of (within the meaning of Rule 144), the securities to be sold.

 

(f)            Purchaser further understands that at the time Purchaser wishes to sell the Common Stock there may be no public market upon which to make such a sale, and that, even if such a public market then exists, the Company may not be satisfying the current public current information requirements of Rule 144 or 701, and that, in such event, Purchaser would be precluded from selling the Common Stock under Rule 144 or 701 even if the minimum holding period requirement had been satisfied.

 

4

 

 

(g)            Purchaser further warrants and represents that Purchaser has either (i) preexisting personal or business relationships, with the Company or any of its officers, directors or controlling persons, or (ii) the capacity to protect his own interests in connection with the purchase of the Common Stock by virtue of the business or financial expertise of Purchaser or of professional advisors to Purchaser who are unaffiliated with and who are not compensated by the Company or any of its affiliates, directly or indirectly. Purchaser further warrants and represents that Purchaser’s purchase the Common Stock was not accomplished by the publication of any advertisement.

 

12.        Section 83(b) Election. Purchaser understands that Section 83(a) of the Code taxes as ordinary income the difference between the amount paid for the Common Stock and the fair market value of the Common Stock as of the date any restrictions on the Common Stock lapse. In this context, “restriction” includes the right of the Company to buy back the Common Stock pursuant to the Repurchase Option set forth above. Purchaser understands that Purchaser may elect to be taxed at the time the Common Stock is purchased, rather than when and as the Repurchase Option expires, by filing an election under Section 83(b) (an “83(b) Election”) of the Code with the Internal Revenue Service within 30 days of the date of purchase, a copy of which is included as Exhibit D. Even if the fair market value of the Common Stock at the time of the execution of this Agreement equals the amount paid for the Common Stock, the 83(b) Election must be made to avoid income under Section 83(a) in the future. Purchaser understands that failure to file such an 83(b) Election in a timely manner may result in adverse tax consequences for Purchaser. Purchaser further understands that Purchaser must file an additional copy of such 83(b) Election with his or her federal income tax return for the calendar year in which the date of this Agreement falls. Purchaser acknowledges that the foregoing is only a summary of the effect of United States federal income taxation with respect to purchase of the Common Stock hereunder, and does not purport to be complete. Purchaser further acknowledges that the Company has directed Purchaser to seek independent advice regarding the applicable provisions of the Code, the income tax laws of any municipality, state or foreign country in which Purchaser may reside, and the tax consequences of Purchaser’s death. Purchaser assumes all responsibility for filing an 83(b) Election and paying all taxes resulting from such election or the lapse of the restrictions on the Common Stock.

 

13.         Refusal to Transfer. The Company shall not be required (a) to transfer on its books any shares of Common Stock of the Company which shall have been transferred in violation of any of the provisions set forth in this Agreement, or (b) to treat as owner of such shares or to accord the right to vote as such owner or to pay dividends to any transferee to whom such shares shall have been so transferred.

 

14.       No Employment Rights. This Agreement is not an employment contract and nothing in this Agreement shall affect in any manner whatsoever the right or power of the Company or its Affiliates to terminate Purchaser’s employment for any reason at any time, with or without cause and with or without notice.

 

15.         Miscellaneous.

 

(a)            Notices. All notices required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given: (i) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified, (ii) when sent by confirmed facsimile if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not during normal business hours of the recipient, then on the next business day, (iii) five calendar days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (iv) one business day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent to the other party hereto at such party’s address hereinafter set forth on the signature page hereof, or at such other address as such party may designate by 10 days advance written notice to the other party hereto.

 

5

 

 

(b)          Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company and, subject to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth, be binding upon Purchaser, Purchaser’s successors, and assigns. The Company may assign the Repurchase Option hereunder at any time or from time to time, in whole or in part.

 

(c)          Attorneys’ Fees; Specific Performance. Purchaser shall reimburse the Company for all costs incurred by the Company in enforcing the performance of, or protecting its rights under, any part of this Agreement, including reasonable costs of investigation and attorneys’ fees. It is the intention of the parties that the Company, upon exercise of the Repurchase Option and payment for the shares repurchased, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, shall be entitled to receive the Common Stock, in specie, in order to have such Common Stock available for future issuance without dilution of the holdings of other stockholders. Furthermore, it is expressly agreed between the parties that money damages are inadequate to compensate the Company for the Common Stock and that the Company shall, upon proper exercise of the Repurchase Option, be entitled to specific enforcement of its rights to purchase and receive said Common Stock.

 

(d)         Governing Law; Venue. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware. The parties agree that any action brought by either party to interpret or enforce any provision of this Agreement shall be brought in, and each party agrees to, and does hereby, submit to the jurisdiction and venue of, the appropriate state or federal court for the district encompassing the Company’s principal place of business.

 

(e)          Further Execution. The parties agree to take all such further action(s) as may reasonably be necessary to carry out and consummate this Agreement as soon as practicable, and to take whatever steps may be necessary to obtain any governmental approval in connection with or otherwise qualify the issuance of the securities that are the subject of this Agreement.

 

(f)           Independent Counsel. Purchaser acknowledges that this Agreement has been prepared on behalf of the Company by Cooley LLP, counsel to the Company and that Cooley LLP does not represent, and is not acting on behalf of, Purchaser. Purchaser has been provided with an opportunity to consult with Purchaser’s own counsel with respect to this Agreement.

 

(g)           Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and merges all prior agreements or understandings, whether written or oral. This Agreement may not be amended, modified or revoked, in whole or in part, except by an agreement in writing signed by each of the parties hereto.

 

(h)           Severability. If one or more provisions of this Agreement are held to be unenforceable under applicable law, the parties agree to renegotiate such provision in good faith. In the event that the parties cannot reach a mutually agreeable and enforceable replacement for such provision, then (i) such provision shall be excluded from this Agreement, (ii) the balance of the Agreement shall be interpreted as if such provision were so excluded and (iii) the balance of the Agreement shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.

 

(i)           Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable law) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.

 

6

 

 

The parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of _______________.

 

  COMPANY:
   
 

AppHarvest, Inc.

 

   
By:  
     
    Name:  
    Title:  
     
  Email:  
   
   
  PURCHASER:
   
   
  (Signature)
   
   
  Name (Please Print)
   
   
  Email

 

Attachments:

 

Exhibit A Notice of Exercise  
Exhibit B Assignment Separate from Certificate  
Exhibit C Joint Escrow Instructions  
Exhibit D Form of 83(b) Election  

 

[Signature Page to Early Exercise Stock Purchase Agreement]

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

NOTICE OF EXERCISE

 

 

 

 

NOTICE OF EXERCISE

 

AppHarvest, Inc.

500 Appalachian Way

Morehead, KY 40351

 

Date of Exercise: _______________

 

This constitutes notice to AppHarvest, Inc. (the “Company”) under my stock option that I elect to purchase the below number of shares of Common Stock of the Company (the “Shares”) for the price set forth below.

 

Type of option (check one): Incentive  ¨ Nonstatutory  ¨
     
Stock option dated: _______________ _______________
     
Number of Shares as to which option is exercised: _______________ _______________
     
Certificates to be issued in name of: _______________ _______________
     
Total exercise price: $______________ $______________
     
Cash payment delivered herewith: $______________ $______________
     
Regulation T Program (cashless exercise1) $______________ $______________
     
Value of _________ Shares delivered herewith2: $______________ $______________

 

By this exercise, I agree (i) to provide such additional documents as you may require pursuant to the terms of the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, (ii) to provide for the payment by me to you (in the manner designated by you) of your withholding obligation, if any, relating to the exercise of this option, and (iii) if this exercise relates to an incentive stock option, to notify you in writing within fifteen (15) days after the date of any disposition of any of the Shares issued upon exercise of this option that occurs within two (2) years after the date of grant of this option or within one (1) year after such Shares are issued upon exercise of this option.

 

 

1 Shares must meet the public trading requirements set forth in the option agreement.

2 Shares must meet the public trading requirements set forth in the option. Shares must be valued in accordance with the terms of the option being exercised, and must be owned free and clear of any liens, claims, encumbrances or security interests. Certificates must be endorsed or accompanied by an executed assignment separate from certificate.

 

 

 

 

I further acknowledge and agree that, except for such information as required to be delivered to me by the Company pursuant to the option or the Plan (if any), I will have no right to receive any information from the Company by virtue of the grant of the option or the purchase of shares of Common Stock through exercise of the option, ownership of such shares of Common Stock, or as a result of my being a holder of record of stock of the Company. Without limiting the foregoing, to the fullest extent permitted by law, I hereby waive all inspection rights under Section 220 of the Delaware General Corporation Law and all such similar information and/or inspection rights that may be provided under the law of any jurisdiction, or any federal, state or foreign regulation, that are, or may become, applicable to the Company or the Company’s capital stock (the “Inspection Rights”). I hereby covenant and agree never to directly or indirectly commence, voluntarily aid in any way, prosecute, assign, transfer, or cause to be commenced any claim, action, cause of action, or other proceeding to pursue or exercise the Inspection Rights.

 

I further agree that, if required by the Company (or a representative of the underwriters) in connection with the first underwritten registration of the offering of any securities of the Company under the Securities Act, I will not sell, dispose of, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale with respect to any shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act (or such longer period as the underwriters or the Company shall request to facilitate compliance with FINRA Rule 2711 or NYSE Member Rule 472 or any successor or similar rule or regulation) (the “Lock-Up Period”). I further agree to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company or the underwriters that are consistent with the foregoing or that are necessary to give further effect thereto. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to securities subject to the foregoing restrictions until the end of such period.

 

Very truly yours,

 

   
  (Signature)
   
   
  Name (Please Print)
   
Address of Record:  
   
   

 

2

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

STOCK ASSIGNMENT SEPARATE FROM CERTIFICATE

 

For Value Received, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto AppHarvest, Inc., a Delaware public benefit corporation (the “Company”), pursuant to the Repurchase Option under that certain Early Exercise Stock Purchase Agreement, dated [______________], by and between the undersigned and the Company (the “Agreement”) __________________ shares of Common Stock of the Company standing in the undersigned’s name on the books of the Company represented by Certificate No[s] ________________ and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint both the Company’s Secretary and the Company’s attorney, or either of them, to transfer said stock on the books of the Company with full power of substitution in the premises. This Assignment may be used only in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement, in connection with the repurchase of shares of Common Stock issued to the undersigned pursuant to the Agreement, and only to the extent that such shares remain subject to the Company’s Repurchase Option under the Agreement.

 

Dated:      
  (leave blank)    
       
      (Signature)
       
       
      Name (Please Print)

 

Instruction: Please do not fill in any blanks other than the signature line. Do not fill in the date line. The purpose of this Assignment is to enable the Company to exercise its Repurchase Option set forth in the Agreement without requiring additional signatures on the part of Purchaser.

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT C

 

JOINT ESCROW INSTRUCTIONS

 

 

 

 

JOINT ESCROW INSTRUCTIONS

 

________, 20__

 

Secretary
AppHarvest, Inc.
500 Appalachian Way

Morehead, KY 40351

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

As Escrow Agent for both AppHarvest, Inc., a Delaware public benefit corporation (“Company”) and the purchaser listed on the signature page hereto (“Purchaser”), you are hereby authorized and directed to hold the documents delivered to you pursuant to the terms of that certain Early Exercise Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of _______________ (“Agreement”), to which a copy of these Joint Escrow Instructions is attached as an Exhibit, in accordance with the following instructions:

 

1.         In the event Company or an assignee shall elect to exercise the Repurchase Option set forth in the Agreement, the Company or its assignee will give to Purchaser and you a written notice specifying the number of shares of stock to be acquired and the time for a closing thereunder at the principal office of the Company. Purchaser and the Company hereby irrevocably authorize and direct you to close the transaction contemplated by such notice in accordance with the terms of said notice.

 

2.         At the closing, you are directed (a) to date the stock assignments necessary for the transfer in question, (b) to fill in the number of shares being transferred, and (c) to deliver the same, together with the certificate evidencing the shares of stock to be transferred, to the Company.

 

3.         Purchaser irrevocably authorizes the Company to deposit with you any certificates evidencing shares of stock to be held by you hereunder and any additions and substitutions to said shares as specified in the Agreement. Purchaser does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint you as his attorney-in-fact and agent for the term of this escrow to execute with respect to such securities all documents necessary or appropriate to make such securities negotiable and complete any transaction herein contemplated, including but not limited to any appropriate filing with state or government officials or bank officials. Subject to the provisions of this paragraph 3, Purchaser shall exercise all rights and privileges of a stockholder of the Company while the stock is held by you.

 

4.         This escrow shall terminate and the shares of stock held hereunder shall be released in full upon the exercise or expiration in full of the Repurchase Option, whichever occurs first.

 

5.         If at the time of termination of this escrow under Section 4 herein you should have in your possession any documents, securities, or other property belonging to Purchaser, you shall deliver all of the same to Purchaser and shall be discharged of all further obligations hereunder; provided, however, that if at the time of termination of this escrow you are advised by the Company that any property subject to this escrow is the subject of a pledge or other security agreement, you shall deliver all such property to the pledgeholder or other person designated by the Company.

 

6.         Except as otherwise provided in these Joint Escrow Instructions, your duties hereunder may be altered, amended, modified or revoked only by a writing signed by all of the parties hereto.

 

 

 

7.         You shall be obligated only for the performance of such duties as are specifically set forth herein and may rely and shall be protected in relying or refraining from acting on any instrument reasonably believed by you to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. You shall not be personally liable for any act you may do or omit to do hereunder as Escrow Agent or as attorney-in-fact for Purchaser while acting in good faith and in the exercise of your own good judgment, and any act done or omitted by you pursuant to the advice of your own attorneys shall be conclusive evidence of such good faith.

 

8.         You are hereby expressly authorized to disregard any and all warnings given by any of the parties hereto or by any other person or entity, excepting only orders or process of courts of law, and are hereby expressly authorized to comply with and obey orders, judgments or decrees of any court. In case you obey or comply with any such order, judgment or decree of any court, you shall not be liable to any of the parties hereto or to any other person, firm or corporation by reason of such compliance, notwithstanding any such order, judgment or decree being subsequently reversed, modified, annulled, set aside, vacated or found to have been entered without jurisdiction.

 

9.         You shall not be liable in any respect on account of the identity, authorities or rights of the parties executing or delivering or purporting to execute or deliver these Joint Escrow Instructions documents or papers deposited or called for hereunder.

 

10.         You shall not be liable for the outlawing of any rights under any statute of limitations with respect to these Joint Escrow Instructions or any documents deposited with you.

 

11.         Your responsibilities as Escrow Agent hereunder shall terminate if you shall cease to be Secretary of the Company or if you shall resign by written notice to the Company. In the event of any such termination, the Secretary of the Company shall automatically become the successor Escrow Agent unless the Company shall appoint another successor Escrow Agent, and Purchaser hereby confirms the appointment of such successor as Purchaser’s attorney-in-fact and agent to the full extent of your appointment.

 

12.         If you reasonably require other or further instruments in connection with these Joint Escrow Instructions or obligations in respect hereto, the necessary parties hereto shall join in furnishing such instruments.

 

13.        It is understood and agreed that should any dispute arise with respect to the delivery and/or ownership or right of possession of the securities held by you hereunder, you are authorized and directed to retain in your possession without liability to anyone all or any part of said securities until such dispute shall have been settled either by mutual written agreement of the parties concerned or by a final order, decree or judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction after the time for appeal has expired and no appeal has been perfected, but you shall be under no duty whatsoever to institute or defend any such proceedings.

 

14.         All notices required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given: (a) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) when sent by confirmed telex or facsimile if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not during normal business hours of the recipient, then on the next business day, (c) five (5) calendar days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (d) one (1) business day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent to the other party hereto at such party’s address set forth below, or at such other address as such party may designate by ten (10) days advance written notice to the other party hereto.

 

2.

 

 

  Company: AppHarvest, Inc.  
       
    500 Appalachian Way

 
    Morehead, KY 40351  
    Attn: Chief Executive Officer  
       
  Purchaser:    
       
       
       
  Escrow Agent: AppHarvest, Inc.  
   

500 Appalachian Way

 
    Morehead, KY 40351  
    Attn: Secretary  

 

15.            By signing these Joint Escrow Instructions, you become a party hereto only for the purpose of said Joint Escrow Instructions; you do not become a party to the Agreement.

 

16.            You shall be entitled to employ such legal counsel and other experts (including, without limitation, the firm of Cooley LLP) as you may deem necessary properly to advise you in connection with your obligations hereunder. You may rely upon the advice of such counsel, and you may pay such counsel reasonable compensation therefor. The Company shall be responsible for all fees generated by such legal counsel in connection with your obligations hereunder.

 

17.            This instrument shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. It is understood and agreed that references to “you” and “your” herein refer to the original Escrow Agents and to any and all successor Escrow Agents. It is understood and agreed that the Company may at any time or from time to time assign its rights under the Agreement and these Joint Escrow Instructions in whole or in part.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

3.

 

 

18.            These Joint Escrow Instructions shall be governed by and interpreted and determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, as such laws are applied by Delaware courts to contracts made and to be performed entirely in Delaware by residents of that state. The parties hereby expressly consent to the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in the county in which the Company has its principal offices for any lawsuit arising from or related to this Agreement.

 

Very truly yours,

 

  COMPANY:
   
 

AppHarvest, Inc.

 

   
  By:  
     
    Name:  
    Title:  
   
  PURCHASER:
   
   
  (Signature)
   
   
  Name (Please Print)

 

Escrow Agent:

 

 

Jonathan Michael Webb, Secretary  

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO JOINT ESCROW INSTRUCTIONS]

 

 

 

 

Exhibit D

 

83(b) Election

 

 

 

 

[This Form is designed for Individual purchasers. Corporate or Trust purchasers should contact their Tax Professional to review before submitting.]

Instructions for Filing Section 83(b) Election

 

Attached is a form of election under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code and an accompanying IRS cover letter. Please fill in your [social security number][taxpayer identification number] and sign the election and cover letter, then proceed as follows:

 

(a) Make three copies of the completed election form and one copy of the IRS cover letter.

 

(b) Send the original signed election form and cover letter, the copy of the cover letter, and a self-addressed stamped return envelope to the Internal Revenue Service Center where you would otherwise file your tax return3. Even if an address for an Internal Revenue Service Center is already included in the forms below, it is your obligation to verify such address. This can be done by searching for the term “where to file” on www.irs.gov or by calling 1 (800) 829-1040.

 

Sending the election via certified mail, requesting a return receipt, with the certified mail number written on the cover letter is also recommended.

 

(c) Deliver one copy of the completed election form to the Company.

 

(d) Applicable state law may require that you attach a copy of the completed election form to your 201[_] state personal income tax return(s) when you file it for the year (assuming you file a state personal income tax return).4

 

Please consult your personal tax advisor(s) to determine whether or not a copy of this Section 83(b) election should be filed with your state personal income tax return(s).

 

(e) Retain one copy of the completed election form for your personal permanent records.

 

Note: An additional copy of the completed election form must be delivered to the transferee (recipient) of the property if the service provider and the transferee are not the same person.

 

 

3 Note: Per Treasury Regulation § 1.83-2(c), the Section 83(b) election must be filed with the IRS office where the person otherwise files his or her tax return. As of October 2016, if you live in a foreign country or are a dual status alien (foreigners that will have lived both in their home country and the United States during the year in which they make the election) you should send the 83(b) election to Austin, TX 73301-0215. You can verify this is still the correct address at: http://www.irs.gov/uac/Where-to-File-Addresses-for--Taxpayers-and--Tax-Professionals-Filing-Form-1040.

4 Note: Pursuant to Treasury Regulations finalized in July 2016 (Treas. Reg. § 1.83-2(c); T.D. 9779), taxpayers are no longer required to submit a copy of a Code Sec. 83(b) election with their federal personal income tax returns for the year in which the property subject to the election was transferred. However, you are strongly encouraged to retain a copy of the completed election form and the IRS filed-stamped copy of your cover letter along with a copy of the federal personal income tax return for the year in which the property subject to the election was transferred for your personal permanent records in case you ever need to demonstrate proper and timely filing (a common requirement imposed by acquirers in M&A transactions).

 

 

 

 

Please note that the election must be filed with the IRS within 30 days of the date of your restricted stock grant. Failure to file within that time will render the election void and you may recognize ordinary taxable income as your vesting restrictions lapse. The Company and its counsel cannot assume responsibility for failure to file the election in a timely manner under any circumstances.

 

 

 

 

Section 83(b) Election

 

____________, 201_

 

Department of the Treasury

Internal Revenue Service

[City, State Zip]5[Austin, TX 73301-0215

USA]6

 

Re: Election Under Section 83(b)

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

The undersigned taxpayer hereby elects, pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, to include in gross income as compensation for services the excess (if any) of the fair market value of the shares described below over the amount paid for those shares. The following information is supplied in accordance with Treasury Regulation § 1.83-2:

 

1. The name, [social security number][taxpayer identification number], address of the undersigned, and the taxable year for which this election is being made are:

 

  Name:    

  [Social Security Number][Tax Identification Number]:          7
         

  Address:    
         

Taxable year: Calendar year 201_.8

 

2. The property that is the subject of this election: [#] shares of common stock of [Company], a [State] corporation (the “Company”).

 

3. The property was transferred on: [], 201_.

 

 

5 Note: Per Treasury Regulation § 1.83-2(c), the Section 83(b) election must be filed with the IRS office where the person otherwise files his or her tax return. Assuming these are individual taxpayers who would file a Form 1040, see http://www.irs.gov/uac/Where-to-File-Addresses-for--Taxpayers-and--Tax-Professionals-Filing-Form-1040. Use the address in the row which includes the state in which the service provider lives and in the column entitled “And you ARE NOT enclosing a payment”.

6 Note: Per Treasury Regulation § 1.83-2(c), the Section 83(b) election must be filed with the IRS office where the person otherwise files his or her tax return. As of October 2016, if you live in a foreign country or are a dual status alien (foreigners that will have lived both in their home country and the United States during the year in which they make the election) you should send the 83(b) election to Austin, TX 73301-0215. You can verify this is still the correct address at: http://www.irs.gov/uac/Where-to-File-Addresses-for--Taxpayers-and--Tax-Professionals-Filing-Form-1040.

7 Note: If you do not have a taxpayer ID number (TIN), put “None –non-US taxpayer” and include in the cover letter to the IRS a statement explaining that the Section 83(b) election is being filed because the individual may become a US taxpayer before the stock vests. If the individual is applying for a TIN, instead include “applied for” and enclose a copy of the W-7 application. Note that there may be important factors to consider before applying for a TIN, including immigration status, etc.

8 Note: If an entity is the service provider, instead use “Fiscal year ending ___.”

 

 

 

 

4. The property is subject to the following restrictions: Some or all of the shares are subject to forfeiture or repurchase at less than their fair market value if the undersigned does not continue to provide services for the Company for a designated period of time. The risk of forfeiture or repurchase lapses over a specified vesting period.

 

5. The fair market value of the property at the time of transfer (determined without regard to any restriction other than a nonlapse restriction as defined in Treasury Regulation § 1.83-3(h)): $[] per share x [#] shares = $[].

 

6. For the property transferred, the undersigned paid: $[] per share x [#] shares = $[].

 

7. The amount to include in gross income is: $[].9

 

The undersigned taxpayer will file this election with the Internal Revenue Service office with which taxpayer files his or her annual income tax return not later than 30 days after the date of transfer of the property. A copy of the election also will be furnished to the person for whom the services were performed and the transferee of the property. Additionally, the undersigned will include a copy of the election with his or her income tax return for the taxable year in which the property is transferred. The undersigned is the person performing the services in connection with which the property was transferred.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  [Name]

 

 

9 Note: This should equal the amount in Item 5 minus the amount in Item 6, and in many cases will be $0.00.

 

 

 

 

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

 

Department of the Treasury

Internal Revenue Service

[City, State, ZIP][Austin, TX 73301-0215

USA]

 

Re: Election Under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code

 

Dear Sir or Madam:

 

Enclosed please find an executed form of election under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, filed with respect to an interest in AppHarvest, Inc.

 

[Please note, the undersigned does not currently have a Tax Identification Number because the undersigned is not a U.S. taxpayer, but may become a U.S. resident before the stock vests. ]

 

Also enclosed is a copy of the signed form of election under Section 83(b). Please acknowledge receipt of these materials by marking the copy when received and returning it in the enclosed stamped, self-addressed envelope.

 

Thank you very much for your assistance.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  [Name]

 

Enclosures

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.3

 

AppHarvest, Inc.
Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice
2018 Equity Incentive Plan)

 

AppHarvest, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby awards to Participant a Restricted Stock Unit Award for the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock set forth below (the “Award”). The Award is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth herein and in the Company’s 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (the “Award Agreement”), both of which are attached hereto and incorporated herein in their entirety. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined herein but defined in the Plan or the Award Agreement will have the meanings set forth in the Plan or the Award Agreement. Except as explicitly provided herein or in the Award Agreement, in the event of any conflict between the terms in the Award and the Plan, the terms of the Plan will control.

 

Participant:  
Date of Grant:  
Vesting Commencement Date:  
Number of restricted stock units (“RSUs”):  
Liquidity Event Deadline Tenth Anniversary of the Date of Grant
Expiration Date: The Expiration Date for an RSU is the earlier of: (i) the date of termination of Participant’s Continuous Service or (ii) the Liquidity Event Deadline.

 

Vesting Schedule: Participant will receive a benefit with respect to the RSUs only if the RSUs vest. Two vesting requirements must be satisfied on or before the Expiration Date specified above in order for a RSU to vest — a time and service-based requirement (the “Service-Based Requirement”) and the “Liquidity Event Requirement” (described below). The RSUs will not vest (in whole or in part) if only one (or if neither) of such requirements is satisfied on or before the Expiration Date. If both the Service-Based Requirement and the Liquidity Event Requirement are satisfied on or before the Expiration Date, the vesting date (“Vesting Date”) of a RSU (a “Vested RSU”) will be the first date upon which both of those requirements were satisfied with respect to that particular RSU. All RSUs that are not Vested RSUs as of the Expiration Date will be forfeited without consideration on such date.
   
Liquidity Event Requirement: The Liquidity Event Requirement will be satisfied as to any then-outstanding RSUs on the first to occur of: (1) a Change in Control; (2) the date that is six months and one day following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act for the sale of the Company’s Common Stock (the “IPO”); or (3) the date that is six months and one day following the closing of a merger of the Company pursuant to which the stockholders of the Company receive registered securities as merger consideration. To the extent any payment hereunder upon such Change in Control is deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code, and not otherwise exempt from complying with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code, then a Change in Control shall only be deemed to occur if the Change in Control also qualifies as a change in ownership or effective control of a corporation, or a change in ownership of a substantial portion of a corporation’s assets as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5).

 

 

 

 

Service-Based Requirement: The Service-Based Requirement will be satisfied in installments as to the RSUs as follows: [25% of the total number of RSUs awarded will satisfy the Service-Based Requirement on the first anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date and the remaining 75% of RSUs awarded will satisfy the Service-Based Requirement in twelve (12) equal quarterly installments of six and twenty-five-one hundredths percent (6.25%) on each calendar quarter following the first anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date], subject to the Participant’s Continuous Service on each such date, such that if the Participant’s Continuous Service remains uninterrupted through the fourth anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date, all of the RSUs awarded under this Award will have satisfied the Service-Based Requirement. For purposes of calculating the number of shares which have satisfied the Service-Based Requirement for any particular period, such number shall be equal to the total number of RSUs granted under this Award which have satisfied the Service-Based Requirement as of the end of such particular period less the number of RSUs granted under this Award which had previously satisfied the Service-Based Requirements as of the start of such particular period (rounding up to the nearest whole RSU). Upon termination of Participant’s Continuous Service, any unvested RSUs, including RSUs that have met the Service-Based Requirement, will be forfeited at no cost to the Company and Participant will have no further right, title or interest in or to such RSUs or the shares of Common Stock underlying such RSUs.
   
Settlement: If an RSU vests as provided for above, then the Company will deliver one share of Common Stock (or its cash equivalent, at the discretion of the Company) for each Vested RSU. The shares will be issued in accordance with the issuance schedule set forth in Section 6 of the Award Agreement.

 

Additional Terms/Acknowledgements: The undersigned Participant acknowledges receipt of, and understands and agrees to, this Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice, the Award Agreement and the Plan. Participant further acknowledges that as of the Date of Grant, this Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice, the Award Agreement and the Plan set forth the entire understanding between Participant and the Company regarding the Award and supersedes all prior oral and written agreements, promises and/or representations on that subject, with the exception of (i) restricted stock units or other stock awards previously granted and delivered to Participant, (ii) any compensation recovery policy that is adopted by the Company or is otherwise required by applicable law and (iii) any written employment or severance arrangement that would provide for vesting acceleration of this Award upon the terms and conditions set forth therein.

 

Notices may be delivered to the Participant by electronic transmission by email and in such instance, such notices shall be sent to the electronic mail address set forth below the Participant’s signature or to such other electronic mail address as shall be designated by the Participant in a written notice sent to:

 

AppHarvest, Inc.

401 W Main Street, Ste 321

Lexington, KY 40507

Attention: Corporate Secretary

 

This consent applies to any and all notices required to be given to the Participant for any purposes relating to this Award, Participant’s RSU or any Common Stock issuable upon vesting of the RSU.

 

[signature page follows]

 

 

 

 

By accepting this Award, the undersigned Participant acknowledges having received and read this Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice, the Award Agreement and the Plan and agrees to all of the terms and conditions set forth in these documents. Participant consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.

 

AppHarvest, Inc.   Participant:
     
By:                                                        
Signature   Signature
     
Name:     Name:                                                   
         
Title:     Date:  
         
Date:     Designated Email Address:
       

 

Attachments: Award Agreement, 2018 Equity Incentive Plan

 

 1

 

 

AppHarvest, Inc.

2018 Equity Incentive Plan

 

Restricted Stock Unit Agreement

 

Pursuant to the Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) and this Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (the “Agreement”) and in consideration of your services, AppHarvest, Inc. (the “Company”) has awarded you a Restricted Stock Unit Award (the “Award”) under its 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) for the number of restricted stock units set forth on the Grant Notice. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined in this Agreement will have the same meanings given to them in the Plan or the Grant Notice, as applicable. Except as otherwise explicitly provided herein, in the event of any conflict between the terms in this Agreement and the Plan, the terms of the Plan will control.

 

The details of your Award, in addition to those set forth in the Grant Notice and the Plan, are as follows.

 

1.           Grant of the Award. This Award represents your right to be issued on a future date (as described below) the number of shares of Common Stock that is equal to the number of restricted stock units indicated in the Grant Notice (the “RSUs”). As of the Date of Grant, the Company will credit to a bookkeeping account maintained by the Company for your benefit (the “Account”) the number of RSUs subject to the Award. This Award was granted in consideration of your services to the Company. Except as otherwise provided herein, you will not be required to make any payment to the Company (other than past and future services to the Company) with respect to your receipt of the Award, the vesting of the RSUs or the delivery of the Common Stock to be issued in respect of the Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company reserves the right to issue you the cash equivalent of Common Stock, in part or in full satisfaction of the delivery of Common Stock upon vesting of your RSUs, and, to the extent applicable, references in this Agreement and the Grant Notice to Common Stock issuable in connection with your RSUs will include the potential issuance of its cash equivalent pursuant to such right.

 

2.           Vesting. Subject to the limitations contained herein, your Award will vest, if at all, in accordance with the vesting schedule provided in the Grant Notice.

 

3.           Number of RSUs and Shares of Common stock.

 

(a)            The number of RSUs subject to your Award may be adjusted from time to time for Capitalization Adjustments, as provided in the Plan.

 

(b)            Any additional RSUs, shares, cash or other property that become subject to the Award pursuant to this Section 3, if any, will be subject, in a manner determined by the Board, to the same forfeiture restrictions, restrictions on transferability, and time and manner of delivery as applicable to the other RSUs covered by your Award.

 

 1.

 

 

(c)            Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 3, no fractional shares or rights for fractional shares of Common Stock will be created pursuant to this Section 3. The Board will, in its discretion, determine an equivalent benefit for any fractional shares or fractional shares that might be created by the adjustments referred to in this Section 3.

 

4.           Securities Law Compliance. You may not be issued any shares of Common Stock in respect of your Award unless either (i) the shares are registered under the Securities Act; or (ii) the Company has determined that such issuance would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Your Award also must comply with other applicable laws and regulations governing the Award, and you will not receive such shares if the Company determines that such receipt would not be in material compliance with such laws and regulations. To the extent the Company is unable to issue shares of Common Stock pursuant to this Section 4, the Company may issue you the cash equivalent of such Common Stock as provided in Section 6(a).

 

5.           Transfer Restrictions. Your Award is not transferable, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. In addition to any other limitation on transfer created by applicable securities laws, you agree not to assign, hypothecate, donate, encumber or otherwise dispose of any interest in any of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Award until the shares are issued to you in accordance with Section 6 of this Agreement. After the shares have been issued to you, you cannot assign, hypothecate, donate, encumber or otherwise dispose of any interest in such shares except in compliance with the Company’s Bylaws, any Company Right of First Refusal and Co-Sale Agreement, or any other agreement required to be entered into by you and provided that any such actions are in compliance with the provisions herein, any applicable Company policies (including, but not limited to, insider trading and window period policies) and applicable securities laws. Notwithstanding the foregoing, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form satisfactory to the Company, you may designate a third party who, in the event of your death, will thereafter be entitled to receive any distribution of Common Stock to which you were entitled at the time of your death pursuant to this Agreement.

 

6.           Date of Issuance.

 

(a)            Subject to the satisfaction of the Tax-Related Items set forth in Section 10 of this Agreement, the Company will deliver to you a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of vested RSUs subject to your Award, including any additional RSUs received pursuant to Section 3 above that relate to those vested RSUs, on the applicable vesting date. However, if a scheduled delivery date falls on a date that is not a business day, such delivery date will instead fall on the next following business day. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent applicable at a vesting date when shares are registered under the Securities Act, in the event that (i) any shares covered by your Award are scheduled to be delivered on a day (the “Original Distribution Date”) that does not occur: (A) during an open “window period” applicable to you under the Company’s policy permitting officers, directors and other designated individuals to sell shares only during certain “window” periods, in effect from time to time (the “Policy”), (B) on a day on which you are permitted to sell shares of Common Stock pursuant to a written plan that meets the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, as determined by the Company in accordance with the Policy, or (C) on a date when you are otherwise permitted to sell shares of Common Stock on the open market, and (ii) either a withholding obligation does not apply, or the Company elects not to satisfy its obligations for Tax-Related Items (as defined in Section 10) by withholding shares from your distribution or withholding from other compensation otherwise payable to you by the Company, then such shares will not be delivered on such Original Distribution Date and will instead be delivered on the first business day of the next occurring open “window period” applicable to you pursuant to such Policy (regardless of whether you are still providing Continuous Service at such time) or the next business day when you are not prohibited from selling shares of Common Stock in the open market but in no event later than December 31 of the calendar year in which the Original Distribution Date occurs (that is, the last day of your taxable year in which the Original Distribution Date occurs), or, if and only if permitted in a manner that complies with Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), no later than the date that is the 15th day of the third calendar month of the applicable year following the year in which the shares of Common Stock under this Award are no longer subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(d) (such applicable deadline, the “Issuance Deadline”). The form of such delivery of the shares (e.g., a stock certificate or electronic entry evidencing such shares) will be determined by the Company.

 

 2.

 

 

(b)            If the Company elects to issue you cash in part or in full satisfaction of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon vesting of your RSUs, then the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(a) will not apply and such cash will be paid to you in a lump sum at any time on or after the vesting date of your RSUs, but in no event later than the Issuance Deadline.

 

7.           Dividends. You will receive no benefit or adjustment to your Award with respect to any cash dividend, stock dividend or other distribution that does not result from a Capitalization Adjustment as provided in the Plan; provided, however, that this sentence will not apply with respect to any shares of Common Stock that are delivered to you in connection with your Award after such shares have been delivered to you.

 

8.           Restrictive Legends. The shares issued in respect of your Award will be endorsed with appropriate legends determined by the Company.

 

9.           Award not an Employment or Service Contract.

 

(a)            Your Continuous Service with the Company or an Affiliate is not for any specified term and may be terminated by you or by the Company or an Affiliate at any time, for any reason, with or without cause and with or without notice. Nothing in this Agreement (including, but not limited to, the vesting of your Award pursuant to the schedule set forth in the Grant Notice herein or the issuance of the shares in respect of your Award), the Plan or any covenant of good faith and fair dealing that may be found implicit in this Agreement or the Plan will: (i) confer upon you any right to continue in the employ of, or affiliation with, the Company or an Affiliate; (ii) constitute any promise or commitment by the Company or an Affiliate regarding the fact or nature of future positions, future work assignments, future compensation or any other term or condition of employment or affiliation; (iii) confer any right or benefit under this Agreement or the Plan unless such right or benefit has specifically accrued under the terms of this Agreement or Plan; or (iv) deprive the Company or an Affiliate of the right to terminate you at will and without regard to any future vesting opportunity that you may have.

 

 3.

 

 

(b)            By accepting this Award, you acknowledge and agree that the right to continue vesting in the Award pursuant to the vesting schedule set forth in Section 2 and in the Grant Notice is earned only by continuing as an employee, director or consultant at the will of the Company or an Affiliate (not through the act of being hired, being granted this Award or any other award or benefit) and that the Company has the right to reorganize, sell, spin-out or otherwise restructure one or more of its businesses or Affiliates at any time or from time to time, as it deems appropriate (a “reorganization”). You further acknowledge and agree that such a reorganization could result in the termination of your Continuous Service, or the termination of Affiliate status of your employer and the loss of benefits available to you under this Agreement, including but not limited to, the termination of the right to continue vesting in the Award. You further acknowledge and agree that this Agreement, the Plan, the transactions contemplated hereunder and the vesting schedule set forth in the Grant Notice or any covenant of good faith and fair dealing that may be found implicit in any of them do not constitute an express or implied promise of continued engagement as an employee or consultant with the Company or an Affiliate for the term of this Agreement, for any period, or at all, and will not interfere in any way with your right or the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate your Continuous Service at any time, with or without cause and with or without notice.

 

(c)            Your Award is made at the discretion of the Company and the Plan may be suspended or terminated by the Company at any time. The grant of an Award in one year or at one time does not in any way entitle you to an Award in the future. The Plan is wholly discretionary and is not to be considered part of your normal or expected compensation subject to severance, resignation, redundancy or similar compensation. The value of your Award is an extraordinary item of compensation which is outside the scope of your service contract (if any).

 

10.         Responsibility for Taxes.

 

(a)            On or before the time you receive a distribution of the shares of Common Stock underlying the RSUs or a cash payment, or at any time thereafter as requested by the Company, you hereby authorize any required withholding from the Common Stock issuable to you or the cash payment and/or otherwise agrees to make adequate provision in cash for any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax withholding obligations of the Company or any Affiliate that arise in connection with the Award (the “Withholding Taxes”). Subject to Section 10(d) of this Agreement, if applicable, and notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, the Company may, in its sole discretion, satisfy all or any portion of the Withholding Taxes obligation relating to the Award by any of the following means or by a combination of such means: (i) withholding from any compensation otherwise payable to you by the Company; (ii) causing you to tender a cash payment; (iii) withholding shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock issued or otherwise issuable to you in connection with the RSUs with a Fair Market Value (measured as of the date shares of Common Stock are issued pursuant to Section 6) equal to the amount of such Withholding Taxes; provided, however, that the number of such shares of Common Stock so withheld shall not exceed the amount necessary to satisfy the Company’s required tax withholding obligations using the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state, local and foreign tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to supplemental taxable income (or such lesser amount as may be necessary to avoid classification of the RSUs as a liability for financial accounting purposes); or (iv) withholding cash from the Award settled in cash.

 

 4.

 

 

(b)            Unless the tax withholding obligations of the Company and/or any Affiliate are satisfied, the Company shall have no obligation to deliver to you any Common Stock or make a cash payment.

 

(c)            In the event the Company’s obligation to withhold arises prior to the delivery to you of Common Stock or the cash payment or it is determined after the delivery of Common Stock or the cash payment to you that the amount of the Company’s withholding obligation was greater than the amount withheld by the Company, you agree to indemnify and hold the Company harmless from any failure by the Company to withhold the proper amount.

 

(d)            If specified in the Grant Notice, you may direct the Company to withhold shares of Common Stock with a Fair Market Value (measured as of the date shares of Common Stock are issued pursuant to Section 6) equal to the amount of such Withholding Taxes; provided, however, that the number of such shares of Common Stock so withheld shall not exceed the amount necessary to satisfy the Company’s required tax withholding obligations using the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state, local and foreign tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to supplemental taxable income.

 

11.            Lock-Up Period. By accepting your Award, you agree that you will not sell, dispose of, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale with respect to any shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company held by you, for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act (the “Lock-Up Period”); provided, however, that nothing contained in this section shall prevent the exercise of a repurchase option, if any, in favor of the Company during the Lock-Up Period. You further agree to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company or the underwriters that are consistent with the foregoing or that are necessary to give further effect thereto. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to your shares of Common Stock until the end of such period. You also agree that any transferee of any shares of Common Stock (or other securities) of the Company held by you will be bound by this Section. The underwriters of the Company’s stock are intended third party beneficiaries of this Section and shall have the right, power and authority to enforce the provisions hereof as though they were a party hereto.

 

12.            Transfer Restrictions. In addition to any other limitation on transfer created by applicable laws and the restrictions in Section 10, as applicable, you will not sell, assign, hypothecate, donate, encumber or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the shares subject to your Award or any interest in such shares except in compliance with this Agreement (including without limitation Sections 8 and 13), the Company’s bylaws and applicable securities laws.

 

 5.

 

 

13.            Data Transfer. You explicitly and unambiguously consent to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of your personal data as described in this document by and among, as applicable, your employer, and the Company and its Affiliates for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing your participation in the Plan. You understand that the Company, its Affiliates and your employer hold certain personal information about you, including, but not limited to, name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social security number (or other identification number), salary, nationality, job title, any shares of stock or directorships held in the Company, details of all options or any other entitlement to shares of stock awarded, canceled, purchased, exercised, vested, unvested or outstanding in your favor for the purpose of implementing, managing and administering the Plan (“Data”). You understand that the Data may be transferred to any third parties assisting in the implementation, administration and management of the Plan, that these recipients may be located in your country or elsewhere and that the recipient country may have different data privacy laws and protections than your country. You may request a list with the names and addresses of any potential recipients of the Data by contacting the Stock Plan Administrator at the Company (the “Stock Plan Administrator”). You authorize the recipients to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the purposes of implementing, administering and managing your participation in the Plan, including any requisite transfer of such Data, as may be required to a broker or other third party with whom you may elect to deposit any shares of Common Stock acquired upon the vesting of the Award. You understand that Data will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, administer and manage participation in the Plan. You may, at any time, view Data, request additional information about the storage and processing of the Data, require any necessary amendments to the Data or refuse or withdraw the consents herein, in any case without cost, by contacting the Stock Plan Administrator in writing. You understand that refusing or withdrawing consent may affect your ability to participate in the Plan. For more information on the consequences of refusing to consent or withdrawing consent, you may contact the Stock Plan Administrator.

 

14.            Right of First Refusal. The shares of Common Stock issued to you pursuant to your Award are subject to any right of first refusal that may be described in the Company’s bylaws in effect at such time the Company elects to exercise its right. The Company’s right of first refusal shall expire on the first date upon which any security of the Company is listed (or approved for listing) upon notice of issuance on a national securities exchange or quotation system.

 

15.            Unsecured Obligation. Your Award is unfunded, and as a holder of a vested Award, you will be considered an unsecured creditor of the Company with respect to the Company’s obligation, if any, to issue shares pursuant to this Agreement. You will not have voting or any other rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to the shares to be issued pursuant to this Agreement until such shares are issued to you pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement. Upon such issuance, you will obtain full voting and other rights as a stockholder of the Company. Nothing contained in this Agreement, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, will create or be construed to create a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between you and the Company or any other person.

 

16.            Notices. Any notices provided for in your Award or the Plan will be given in writing (including electronically) and will be deemed effectively given upon receipt or, in the case of notices delivered by the Company to you, five (5) days after deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to you at the last address you provided to the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to participation in the Plan and this Award by electronic means or to request your consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. By accepting this Award you consent to receive such documents by electronic delivery and, if requested, to agree to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.

 

 6.

 

 

17.            Language. If you have received this Agreement, or any other document related to this Award and/or the Plan translated into a language other than English and if the meaning of the translated version is different than the English version, the English version will control.

 

18.            Insider Trading Restrictions/Market Abuse Laws. You acknowledge that, depending on your country, you may be subject to insider trading restrictions and/or market abuse laws, which may affect your ability to acquire or sell the shares of Common Stock or rights to the shares of Common Stock under the Plan during such times as you are considered to have “inside information” regarding the Company (as defined by the laws in your country or any country in which the Company’s shares of Common Stock are registered or listed). Any restrictions under these laws or regulations are separate from and in addition to any restrictions that may be imposed under any applicable Company insider trading policy. You acknowledge that it is your responsibility to comply with any applicable restrictions, and you are advised to speak to your personal advisor on this matter.

 

19.            Imposition of Other Requirements. The Company reserves the right to impose other requirements on your participation in the Plan, on any shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan, to the extent the Company determines it is necessary or advisable for legal administrative reasons, and to require you to sign any additional agreements or undertakings that may be necessary to accomplish the foregoing.

 

20.            Miscellaneous.

 

(a)            The rights and obligations of the Company under your Award may be transferred to any one or more persons or entities, and all covenants and agreements hereunder will inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by the Company’s successors and assigns. Your rights and obligations under your Award may only be assigned with the prior written consent of the Company.

 

(b)            You agree upon request to execute any further documents or instruments necessary or desirable in the sole determination of the Company to carry out the purposes or intent of your Award.

 

(c)            You acknowledge and agree that you have reviewed your Award in its entirety, have had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing and accepting your Award, and fully understand all provisions of your Award.

 

(d)            This Agreement will be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required.

 

(e)            All obligations of the Company under the Plan and this Agreement will be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company.

 

 7.

 

 

21.            Governing Plan Document. Your Award is subject to all the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of which are hereby made a part of your Award, and is further subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations which may from time to time be promulgated and adopted pursuant to the Plan. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, in the event of any conflict between the provisions of your Award and those of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan will control. In addition, to the extent applicable, your Award (and any compensation paid or shares issued under your Award) is subject to recoupment in accordance with The Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any implementing regulations thereunder, any clawback policy adopted by the Company and any compensation recovery policy otherwise required by applicable law.

 

22.            Severability. If all or any part of this Agreement or the Plan is declared by any court or governmental authority to be unlawful or invalid, such unlawfulness or invalidity will not invalidate any portion of this Agreement or the Plan not declared to be unlawful or invalid. Any Section of this Agreement (or part of such a Section) so declared to be unlawful or invalid will, if possible, be construed in a manner which will give effect to the terms of such Section or part of a Section to the fullest extent possible while remaining lawful and valid.

 

23.            Effect on Other Employee Benefit Plans. The value of the Award subject to this Agreement will not be included as compensation, earnings, salaries, or other similar terms used when calculating the Employee’s benefits under any employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company or any Affiliate, except as such plan otherwise expressly provides. The Company expressly reserves its rights to amend, modify, or terminate any of the Company’s or any Affiliate’s employee benefit plans.

 

24.            Amendment. This Agreement may not be modified, amended or terminated except by an instrument in writing, signed by you and by a duly authorized representative of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be amended solely by the Board by a writing which specifically states that it is amending this Agreement, so long as a copy of such amendment is delivered to you, and provided that no such amendment adversely affecting your rights hereunder may be made without your written consent. Without limiting the foregoing, the Board reserves the right to change, by written notice to you, the provisions of this Agreement in any way it may deem necessary or advisable to carry out the purpose of the grant as a result of any change in applicable laws or regulations or any future law, regulation, ruling, or judicial decision, provided that any such change will be applicable only to rights relating to that portion of the Award which is then subject to restrictions as provided herein.

 

25.            No Obligation to Minimize Taxes. The Company has no duty or obligation to minimize the tax consequences to you of this Award and will not be liable to you for any adverse tax consequences to you arising in connection with this Award. You are hereby advised to consult with your own personal tax, financial and/or legal advisors regarding the tax consequences of this Award and by signing the Grant Notice, you have agreed that you have done so or knowingly and voluntarily declined to do so.

 

26.            Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. This Award is intended to comply with the “short-term deferral” rule set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if it is determined that the Award fails to satisfy the requirements of the short-term deferral rule and is otherwise deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code and any state law of similar effect (collectively, “Section 409A”), and if you are a “Specified Employee” (within the meaning set forth Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code) as of the date of your separation from service (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)), then the issuance of any shares that would otherwise be made upon the date of the separation from service or within the first six months thereafter will not be made on the originally scheduled date(s) and will instead be issued in a lump sum on the date that is six months and one day after the date of the separation from service, with the balance of the shares issued thereafter in accordance with the original vesting and issuance schedule set forth above, but if and only if such delay in the issuance of the shares is necessary to avoid the imposition of taxation on you in respect of the shares under Section 409A of the Code. Each installment of shares that vests is intended to constitute a “separate payment” for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2).

 

* * *

 

This Agreement will be deemed to be signed by you upon the signing by you of the Grant Notice to which it is attached.

 

 8.

 

 

Exhibit 10.4

 

APPHARVEST, INC.

2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: January 10, 2021
APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: January 29, 2021

 

1. GENERAL.

 

(a)            Plan Purpose. The Company, by means of the Plan, seeks to secure and retain the services of Employees, Directors and Consultants, to provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and any Affiliate and to provide a means by which such persons may be given an opportunity to benefit from increases in value of the Common Stock through the granting of Awards.

 

(b)            Available Awards. The Plan provides for the grant of the following Awards: (i) Incentive Stock Options; (ii) Nonstatutory Stock Options; (iii) SARs; (iv) Restricted Stock Awards; (v) RSU Awards;

 

(vi) Performance Awards; and (vii) Other Awards.

 

(c)            Adoption Date; Effective Date. The Plan will come into existence on the Adoption Date, but no Award may be granted prior to the Effective Date.

 

2. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.

 

(a)            Share Reserve. Subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 2(c) and any adjustments as necessary to implement any Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Awards will not exceed 10,026,958 shares. In addition, subject to any adjustments as necessary to implement any Capitalization Adjustments, such aggregate number of shares of Common Stock will automatically increase on January 1 of each year for a period of ten years commencing on January 1, 2022 and ending on (and including) January 1, 2031, in an amount equal to 2.5% of the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on December 31 of the preceding year; provided, however, that the Board may act prior to January 1st of a given year to provide that the increase for such year will be a lesser number of shares of Common Stock.

 

(b)            Aggregate Incentive Stock Option Limit. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 2(a) and subject to any adjustments as necessary to implement any Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options is 30,080,874 shares.

 

(c) Share Reserve Operation.

 

(i)    Limit Applies to Common Stock Issued Pursuant to Awards. For clarity, the Share Reserve is a limit on the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Awards and does not limit the granting of Awards, except that the Company will keep available at all times the number of shares of Common Stock reasonably required to satisfy its obligations to issue shares pursuant to such Awards. Shares may be issued in connection with a merger or acquisition as permitted by, as applicable, Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c), NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.08, NYSE American Company Guide Section 711 or other applicable rule, and such issuance will not reduce the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan.

 

(ii)   Actions that Do Not Constitute Issuance of Common Stock and Do Not Reduce Share Reserve. The following actions do not result in an issuance of shares under the Plan and accordingly do not reduce the number of shares subject to the Share Reserve and available for issuance under the Plan: (1) the expiration or termination of any portion of an Award without the shares covered by such portion of the Award having been issued, (2) the settlement of any portion of an Award in cash (i.e., the Participant receives cash rather than Common Stock), (3) the withholding of shares that would otherwise be issued by the Company to satisfy the exercise, strike or purchase price of an Award; or (4) the withholding of shares that would otherwise be issued by the Company to satisfy a tax withholding obligation in connection with an Award.

 

1

 

 

(iii)  Reversion of Previously Issued Shares of Common Stock to Share Reserve. The following shares of Common Stock previously issued pursuant to an Award and accordingly initially deducted from the Share Reserve will be added back to the Share Reserve and again become available for issuance under the Plan: (1) any shares that are forfeited back to or repurchased by the Company because of a failure to meet a contingency or condition required for the vesting of such shares; (2) any shares that are reacquired by the Company to satisfy the exercise, strike or purchase price of an Award; and (3) any shares that are reacquired by the Company to satisfy a tax withholding obligation in connection with an Award.

 

3. ELIGIBILITY AND LIMITATIONS.

 

(a) Eligible Award Recipients. Subject to the terms of the Plan, Employees, Directors and Consultants are eligible to receive Awards.

 

(b) Specific Award Limitations.

 

(i)    Limitations on Incentive Stock Option Recipients. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees of the Company or a “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” thereof (as such terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code).

 

(ii)  Incentive Stock Option $100,000 Limitation. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Optionholder during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Affiliates) exceeds $100,000 (or such other limit established in the Code) or otherwise does not comply with the rules governing Incentive Stock Options, the Options or portions thereof that exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) or otherwise do not comply with such rules will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options, notwithstanding any contrary provision of the applicable Option Agreement(s).

 

(iii) Limitations on Incentive Stock Options Granted to Ten Percent Stockholders. A Ten Percent Stockholder may not be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless (i) the exercise price of such Option is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant of such Option and (ii) the Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date of grant of such Option.

 

(iv)  Limitations on Nonstatutory Stock Options and SARs. Nonstatutory Stock Options and SARs may not be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants unless the stock underlying such Awards is treated as “service recipient stock” under Section 409A or unless such Awards otherwise comply with the requirements of Section 409A.

 

(c)   Non-Employee Director Compensation Limit. The aggregate value of all compensation granted or paid, as applicable, to any individual for service as a Non-Employee Director with respect to any calendar year, including Awards granted and cash fees paid by the Company to such Non-Employee Director, will not exceed (i) $650,000 in total value or (ii) in the event such Non-Employee Director is first appointed or elected to the Board during such calendar year, $900,000 in total value, in each case, calculating the value of any equity awards based on the grant date fair value of such equity awards for financial reporting purposes.

 

4. OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.

 

Each Option and SAR will have such terms and conditions as determined by the Board. Each Option will be designated in writing as an Incentive Stock Option or Nonstatutory Stock Option at the time of grant; provided, however, that if an Option is not so designated or if an Option designated as an Incentive Stock Option fails to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, then such Option will be a Nonstatutory Stock Option, and the shares purchased upon exercise of each type of Option will be separately accounted for. Each SAR will be denominated in shares of Common Stock equivalents. The terms and conditions of separate Options and SARs need not be identical; provided, however, that each Option Agreement and SAR Agreement will conform (through incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in the Award Agreement or otherwise) to the substance of each of the following provisions:

 

(a)   Term. Subject to Section 3(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, no Option or SAR will be exercisable after the expiration of ten years from the date of grant of such Award or such shorter period specified in the Award Agreement.

 

2

 

 

(b)   Exercise or Strike Price. Subject to Section 3(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, the exercise or strike price of each Option or SAR will not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant of such Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option or SAR may be granted with an exercise or strike price lower than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant of such Award if such Award is granted pursuant to an assumption of or substitution for another option or stock appreciation right pursuant to a Corporate Transaction and in a manner consistent with the provisions of Sections 409A and, if applicable, 424(a) of the Code.

 

(c)   Exercise Procedure and Payment of Exercise Price for Options. In order to exercise an Option, the Participant must provide notice of exercise to the Plan Administrator in accordance with the procedures specified in the Option Agreement or otherwise provided by the Company. The Board has the authority to grant Options that do not permit all of the following methods of payment (or otherwise restrict the ability to use certain methods) and to grant Options that require the consent of the Company to utilize a particular method of payment. The exercise price of an Option may be paid, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law and as determined by the Board, by one or more of the following methods of payment to the extent set forth in the Option Agreement:

 

(i) by cash or check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company;

 

(ii)   pursuant to a “cashless exercise” program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board that, prior to the issuance of the Common Stock subject to the Option, results in either the receipt of cash (or check) by the Company or the receipt of irrevocable instructions to pay the exercise price to the Company from the sales proceeds;

 

(iii)  by delivery to the Company (either by actual delivery or attestation) of shares of Common Stock that are already owned by the Participant free and clear of any liens, claims, encumbrances or security interests, with a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise that does not exceed the exercise price, provided that (1) at the time of exercise the Common Stock is publicly traded, (2) any remaining balance of the exercise price not satisfied by such delivery is paid by the Participant in cash or other permitted form of payment, (3) such delivery would not violate any Applicable Law or agreement restricting the redemption of the Common Stock, (4) any certificated shares are endorsed or accompanied by an executed assignment separate from certificate, and (5) such shares have been held by the Participant for any minimum period necessary to avoid adverse accounting treatment as a result of such delivery;

 

(iv)   if the Option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise that does not exceed the exercise price, provided that (1) such shares used to pay the exercise price will not be exercisable thereafter and (2) any remaining balance of the exercise price not satisfied by such net exercise is paid by the Participant in cash or other permitted form of payment; or

 

(v)    in any other form of consideration that may be acceptable to the Board and permissible under Applicable Law.

 

(d)   Exercise Procedure and Payment of Appreciation Distribution for SARs. In order to exercise any SAR, the Participant must provide notice of exercise to the Plan Administrator in accordance with the SAR Agreement. The appreciation distribution payable to a Participant upon the exercise of a SAR will not be greater than an amount equal to the excess of (i) the aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Common Stock equivalents that are vested and being exercised under such SAR, over (ii) the strike price of such SAR. Such appreciation distribution may be paid to the Participant in the form of Common Stock or cash (or any combination of Common Stock and cash) or in any other form of payment, as determined by the Board and specified in the SAR Agreement.

 

(e)   Transferability. Options and SARs may not be transferred to third party financial institutions for value. The Board may impose such additional limitations on the transferability of an Option or SAR as it determines. In the absence of any such determination by the Board, the following restrictions on the transferability of Options and SARs will apply, provided that except as explicitly provided herein, neither an Option nor a SAR may be transferred for consideration and provided, further, that if an Option is an Incentive Stock Option, such Option may be deemed to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option as a result of such transfer:

 

3

 

 

(i)    Restrictions on Transfer. An Option or SAR will not be transferable, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and will be exercisable during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant; provided, however, that the Board may permit transfer of an Option or SAR in a manner that is not prohibited by applicable tax and securities laws upon the Participant’s request, including to a trust if the Participant is considered to be the sole beneficial owner of such trust (as determined under Section 671 of the Code and applicable state law) while such Option or SAR is held in such trust, provided that the Participant and the trustee enter into a transfer and other agreements required by the Company.

 

(ii)   Domestic Relations Orders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to the execution of transfer documentation in a format acceptable to the Company and subject to the approval of the Board or a duly authorized Officer, an Option or SAR may be transferred pursuant to a domestic relations order.

 

(f)    Vesting. The Board may impose such restrictions on or conditions to the vesting and/or exercisability of an Option or SAR as determined by the Board. Except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, vesting of Options and SARs will cease upon termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service.

 

(g)   Termination of Continuous Service for Cause. Except as explicitly otherwise provided in the Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if a Participant’s Continuous Service is terminated for Cause, the Participant’s Options and SARs will terminate and be forfeited immediately upon such termination of Continuous Service, and the Participant will be prohibited from exercising any portion (including any vested portion) of such Awards on and after the date of such termination of Continuous Service and the Participant will have no further right, title or interest

 

in such forfeited Award, the shares of Common Stock subject to the forfeited Award, or any consideration in respect of the forfeited Award.

 

(h)   Post-Termination Exercise Period Following Termination of Continuous Service for Reasons Other than Cause. Subject to Section 4(i), if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates for any reason other than for Cause, the Participant may exercise his or her Option or SAR to the extent vested, but only within the following period of time or, if applicable, such other period of time provided in the Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate; provided, however, that in no event may such Award be exercised after the expiration of its maximum term (as set forth in

 

Section 4(a)):

 

(i)    three months following the date of such termination if such termination is a termination without Cause (other than any termination due to the Participant’s Disability or death);

 

(ii)   12 months following the date of such termination if such termination is due to the Participant’s Disability;

 

(iii)  18 months following the date of such termination if such termination is due to the Participant’s death; or

 

(iv)   18 months following the date of the Participant’s death if such death occurs following the date of such termination but during the period such Award is otherwise exercisable (as provided in (i) or (ii) above).

 

Following the date of such termination, to the extent the Participant does not exercise such Award within the applicable Post-Termination Exercise Period (or, if earlier, prior to the expiration of the maximum term of such Award), such unexercised portion of the Award will terminate, and the Participant will have no further right, title or interest in terminated Award, the shares of Common Stock subject to the terminated Award, or any consideration in respect of the terminated Award.

 

4

 

 

(i)    Restrictions on Exercise; Extension of Exercisability. A Participant may not exercise an Option or SAR at any time that the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon such exercise would violate Applicable Law. Except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates for any reason other than for Cause and, at any time during the last thirty days of the applicable Post-Termination Exercise Period: (i) the exercise of the Participant’s Option or SAR would be prohibited solely because the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon such exercise would violate Applicable Law, or (ii) the immediate sale of any shares of Common Stock issued upon such exercise would violate the Company’s Trading Policy, then the applicable Post-Termination Exercise Period will be extended to the last day of the calendar month that commences following the date the Award would otherwise expire, with an additional extension of the exercise period to the last day of the next calendar month to apply if any of the foregoing restrictions apply at any time during such extended exercise period, generally without limitation as to the maximum permitted number of extensions); provided, however, that in no event may such Award be exercised after the expiration of its maximum term (as set forth in Section 4(a)).

 

(j)    Non-Exempt Employees. No Option or SAR, whether or not vested, granted to an Employee who is a non-exempt employee for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, will be first exercisable for any shares of Common Stock until at least six months following the date of grant of such Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in accordance with the provisions of the Worker Economic Opportunity Act, any vested portion of such Award may be exercised earlier than six months following the date of grant of such Award in the event of (i) such Participant’s death or Disability, (ii) a Corporate Transaction in which such Award is not assumed, continued or substituted, (iii) a Change in Control, or (iv) such Participant’s retirement (as such term may be defined in the Award Agreement or another applicable agreement or, in the absence of any such definition, in accordance with the Company’s then current employment policies and guidelines). This Section 4(j) is intended to operate so that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise or vesting of an Option or SAR will be exempt from his or her regular rate of pay.

 

(k)   Whole Shares. Options and SARs may be exercised only with respect to whole shares of Common Stock or their equivalents.

 

5. AWARDS OTHER THAN OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.

 

(a)   Restricted Stock Awards and RSU Awards. Each Restricted Stock Award and RSU Award will have such terms and conditions as determined by the Board; provided, however, that each Restricted Stock Award Agreement and RSU Award Agreement will conform (through incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the Award Agreement or otherwise) to the substance of each of the following provisions:

 

(i) Form of Award.

 

(1)       Restricted Stock Awards: To the extent consistent with the Company’s Bylaws, at the Board’s election, shares of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award may be (i) held in book entry form subject to the Company’s instructions until such shares become vested or any other restrictions lapse, or (ii) evidenced by a certificate, which certificate will be held in such form and manner as determined by the Board. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, a Participant will have voting and other rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to any shares subject to a Restricted Stock Award.

 

(2)        RSU Awards: A RSU Award represents a Participant’s right to be issued on a future date the number of shares of Common Stock that is equal to the number of restricted stock units subject to the RSU Award. As a holder of a RSU Award, a Participant is an unsecured creditor of the Company with respect to the Company’s unfunded obligation, if any, to issue shares of Common Stock in settlement of such Award and nothing contained in the Plan or any RSU Agreement, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, will create or be construed to create a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate or any other person. A Participant will not have voting or any other rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to any RSU Award (unless and until shares are actually issued in settlement of a vested RSU Award).

 

5

 

 

(ii) Consideration.

 

(1)    Restricted Stock Awards: A Restricted Stock Award may be granted in consideration for (A) cash or check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company, (B) services to the Company or an Affiliate, or (C) any other form of consideration as the Board may determine and permissible under Applicable Law.

 

(2)   RSU Awards: Unless otherwise determined by the Board at the time of grant, a RSU Award will be granted in consideration for the Participant’s services to the Company or an Affiliate, such that the Participant will not be required to make any payment to the Company (other than such services) with respect to the grant or vesting of the RSU Award, or the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to the RSU Award. If, at the time of grant, the Board determines that any consideration must be paid by the Participant (in a form other than the Participant’s services to the Company or an Affiliate) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock in settlement of the RSU Award, such consideration may be paid in any form of consideration as the Board may determine and permissible under Applicable Law.

 

(iii)  Vesting. The Board may impose such restrictions on or conditions to the vesting of a Restricted Stock Award or RSU Award as determined by the Board. Except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, vesting of Restricted Stock Awards and RSU Awards will cease upon termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service.

 

(iv)  Termination of Continuous Service.Except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates for any reason, (i) the Company may receive through a forfeiture condition or a repurchase right any or all of the shares of Common Stock held by the Participant under his or her Restricted Stock Award that have not vested as of the date of such termination as set forth in the Restricted Stock Award Agreement and the Participant will have no further right, title or interest in the Restricted Stock Award, the shares of Common Stock subject to the Restricted Stock Award, or any consideration in respect of the Restricted Stock Award and (ii) any portion of his or her RSU Award that has not vested will be forfeited upon such termination and the Participant will have no further right, title or interest in the RSU Award, the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the RSU Award, or any consideration in respect of the RSU Award.

 

(v)    Dividends and Dividend Equivalents. Dividends or dividend equivalents may be paid or credited, as applicable, with respect to any shares of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award or RSU Award, as determined by the Board and specified in the Award Agreement.

 

(vi)  Settlement of RSU Awards. A RSU Award may be settled by the issuance of shares of Common Stock or cash (or any combination thereof) or in any other form of payment, as determined by the Board and specified in the RSU Award Agreement. At the time of grant, the Board may determine to impose such restrictions or conditions that delay such delivery to a date following the vesting of the RSU Award.

 

(b)   Performance Awards. With respect to any Performance Award, the length of any Performance Period, the Performance Goals to be achieved during the Performance Period, the other terms and conditions of such Award, and the measure of whether and to what degree such Performance Goals have been attained will be determined by the Board.

 

(c)   Other Awards. Other Awards may be granted either alone or in addition to Awards provided for under Section 4 and the preceding provisions of this Section 5. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board will have sole and complete discretion to determine the persons to whom and the time or times at which such Other Awards will be granted, the number of shares of Common Stock (or the cash equivalent thereof) to be granted pursuant to such Other Awards and all other terms and conditions of such Other Awards.

 

6

 

 

6. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN COMMON STOCK; OTHER CORPORATE EVENTS.

 

(a)   Capitalization Adjustments. In the event of a Capitalization Adjustment, the Board shall appropriately and proportionately adjust: (i) the class(es) and maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Plan, (ii) the class(es) and maximum number of shares that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options pursuant to Section 2(b), and (iii) the class(es) and number of securities and exercise price, strike price or purchase price of Common Stock subject to outstanding Awards. The Board shall make such adjustments, and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no fractional shares or rights for fractional shares of Common Stock shall be created in order to implement any Capitalization Adjustment. The Board shall determine an appropriate equivalent benefit, if any, for any fractional shares or rights to fractional shares that might be created by the adjustments referred to in the preceding provisions of this Section.

 

(b)    Dissolution or Liquidation. Except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, in the event of a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, all outstanding Awards (other than Awards consisting of vested and outstanding shares of Common Stock not subject to a forfeiture condition or the Company’s right of repurchase) will terminate immediately prior to the completion of such dissolution or liquidation, and the shares of Common Stock subject to the Company’s repurchase rights or subject to a forfeiture condition may be repurchased or reacquired by the Company notwithstanding the fact that the holder of such Award is providing Continuous Service; provided, however, that the Board may determine to cause some or all Awards to become fully vested, exercisable and/or no longer subject to repurchase or forfeiture (to the extent such Awards have not previously expired or terminated) before the dissolution or liquidation is completed but contingent on its completion.

 

(c)   Corporate Transaction. The following provisions will apply to Awards in the event of a Corporate Transaction unless otherwise provided in the instrument evidencing the Award or any other written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant or unless otherwise expressly provided by the Board at the time of grant of an Award.

 

(i)    Awards May Be Assumed. In the event of a Corporate Transaction, any surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company) may assume or continue any or all Awards outstanding under the Plan or may substitute similar awards for Awards outstanding under the Plan (including but not limited to, awards to acquire the same consideration paid to the stockholders of the Company pursuant to the Corporate Transaction), and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company in respect of Common Stock issued pursuant to Awards may be assigned by the Company to the successor of the Company (or the successor’s parent company, if any), in connection with such Corporate Transaction. A surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or its parent) may choose to assume or continue only a portion of an Award or substitute a similar award for only a portion of an Award, or may choose to assume or continue the Awards held by some, but not all Participants. The terms of any assumption, continuation or substitution will be set by the Board.

 

(ii)   Awards Held by Current Participants. In the event of a Corporate Transaction in which the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does not assume or continue such outstanding Awards or substitute similar awards for such outstanding Awards, then with respect to Awards that have not been assumed, continued or substituted and that are held by Participants whose Continuous Service has not terminated prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction (referred to as the “Current Participants”), the vesting of such Awards (and, with respect to Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, the time when such Awards may be exercised) will be accelerated in full to a date prior to the effective time of such Corporate Transaction (contingent upon the effectiveness of the Corporate Transaction) as the Board determines (or, if the Board does not determine such a date, to the date that is five days prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction), and such Awards will terminate if not exercised (if applicable) at or prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction, and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to such Awards will lapse (contingent upon the effectiveness of the Corporate Transaction). With respect to the vesting of Performance Awards that will accelerate upon the occurrence of a Corporate Transaction pursuant to this subsection (ii) and that have multiple vesting levels depending on the level of performance, unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, the vesting of such Performance Awards will accelerate at 100% of the target level upon the occurrence of the Corporate Transaction in which the Awards are not assumed in accordance with Section 6(c)(i). With respect to the vesting of Awards that will accelerate upon the occurrence of a Corporate Transaction pursuant to this subsection (ii) and are settled in the form of a cash payment, such cash payment will be made no later than 30 days following the occurrence of the Corporate Transaction or such later date as required to comply with Section 409A of the Code.

 

7

 

 

(iii)  Awards Held by Persons other than Current Participants. In the event of a Corporate Transaction in which the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does not assume or continue such outstanding Awards or substitute similar awards for such outstanding Awards, then with respect to Awards that have not been assumed, continued or substituted and that are held by persons other than Current Participants, such Awards will terminate if not exercised (if applicable) prior to the occurrence of the Corporate Transaction; provided, however, that any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to such Awards will not terminate and may continue to be exercised notwithstanding the Corporate Transaction.

 

(iv)  Payment for Awards in Lieu of Exercise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event an Award will terminate if not exercised prior to the effective time of a Corporate Transaction, the Board may provide, in its sole discretion, that the holder of such Award may not exercise such Award but will receive a payment, in such form as may be determined by the Board, equal in value, at the effective time, to the excess, if any, of (1) the value of the property the Participant would have received upon the exercise of the Award (including, at the discretion of the Board, any unvested portion of such Award), over (2) any exercise price payable by such holder in connection with such exercise.

 

(d)   Appointment of Stockholder Representative. As a condition to the receipt of an Award under this Plan, a Participant will be deemed to have agreed that the Award will be subject to the terms of any agreement governing a Corporate Transaction involving the Company, including, without limitation, a provision for the appointment of a stockholder representative that is authorized to act on the Participant’s behalf with respect to any escrow, indemnities and any contingent consideration.

 

(e)   No Restriction on Right to Undertake Transactions. The grant of any Award under the Plan and the issuance of shares pursuant to any Award does not affect or restrict in any way the right or power of the Company or the stockholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, any merger or consolidation of the Company, any issue of stock or of options, rights or options to purchase stock or of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stocks whose rights are superior to or affect the Common Stock or the rights thereof or which are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise.

 

7. ADMINISTRATION.

 

(a)   Administration by Board. The Board will administer the Plan unless and until the Board delegates administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees, as provided in subsection (c) below.

 

(b)    Powers of Board. The Board will have the power, subject to, and within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:

 

(i)    To determine from time to time: (1) which of the persons eligible under the Plan will be granted Awards; (2) when and how each Award will be granted; (3) what type or combination of types of Award will be granted; (4) the provisions of each Award granted (which need not be identical), including the time or times when a person will be permitted to receive an issuance of Common Stock or other payment pursuant to an Award; (5) the number of shares of Common Stock or cash equivalent with respect to which an Award will be granted to each such person; (6) the Fair Market Value applicable to an Award; and (7) the terms of any Performance Award that is not valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, the Common Stock, including the amount of cash payment or other property that may be earned and the timing of payment.

 

8

 

 

(ii)   To construe and interpret the Plan and Awards granted under it, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for its administration. The Board, in the exercise of this power, may correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan or in any Award Agreement, in a manner and to the extent it deems necessary or expedient to make the Plan or Award fully effective.

 

(iii) To settle all controversies regarding the Plan and Awards granted under it.

 

(iv)  To accelerate the time at which an Award may first be exercised or the time during which an Award or any part thereof will vest, notwithstanding the provisions in the Award Agreement stating the time at which it may first be exercised or the time during which it will vest.

 

(v)    To prohibit the exercise of any Option, SAR or other exercisable Award during a period of up to 30 days prior to the consummation of any pending stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to stockholders, or any other change affecting the shares of Common Stock or the share price of the Common Stock including any Corporate Transaction, for reasons of administrative convenience.

 

(vi)   To suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Suspension or termination of the Plan will not Materially Impair rights and obligations under any Award granted while the Plan is in effect except with the written consent of the affected Participant.

 

(vii) To amend the Plan in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable; provided, however, that stockholder approval will be required for any amendment to the extent required by Applicable Law. Except as provided above, rights under any Award granted before amendment of the Plan will not be Materially Impaired by any amendment of the Plan unless (1) the Company requests the consent of the affected Participant, and (2) such Participant consents in writing.

 

(viii) To submit any amendment to the Plan for stockholder approval.

 

(ix)  To approve forms of Award Agreements for use under the Plan and to amend the terms of any one or more Awards, including, but not limited to, amendments to provide terms more favorable to the Participant than previously provided in the Award Agreement, subject to any specified limits in the Plan that are not subject to Board discretion; provided however, that, a Participant’s rights under any Award will not be Materially Impaired by any such amendment unless (1) the Company requests the consent of the affected Participant, and (2) such Participant consents in writing.

 

(x)   Generally, to exercise such powers and to perform such acts as the Board deems necessary or expedient to promote the best interests of the Company and that are not in conflict with the provisions of the Plan or Awards.

 

(xi)  To adopt such procedures and sub-plans as are necessary or appropriate to permit and facilitate participation in the Plan by, or take advantage of specific tax treatment for Awards granted to, Employees, Directors or Consultants who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States (provided that Board approval will not be necessary for immaterial modifications to the Plan or any Award Agreement to ensure or facilitate compliance with the laws of the relevant foreign jurisdiction).

 

(xii)  To effect, at any time and from time to time, subject to the consent of any Participant whose Award is Materially Impaired by such action, (1) the reduction of the exercise price (or strike price) of any outstanding Option or SAR; (2) the cancellation of any outstanding Option or SAR and the grant in substitution therefor of (A) a new Option, SAR, Restricted Stock Award, RSU Award or Other Award, under the Plan or another equity plan of the Company, covering the same or a different number of shares of Common Stock, (B) cash and/or (C) other valuable consideration (as determined by the Board); or (3) any other action that is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles.

 

9

 

 

(c) Delegation to Committee.

 

(i)    General. The Board may delegate some or all of the administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees. If administration of the Plan is delegated to a Committee, the Committee will have, in connection with the administration of the Plan, the powers theretofore possessed by the Board that have been delegated to the Committee, including the power to delegate to another Committee or a subcommittee of the Committee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan to the Board will thereafter be to the Committee or subcommittee), subject, however, to such resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as may be adopted from time to time by the Board. Each Committee may retain the authority to concurrently administer the Plan with Committee or subcommittee to which it has delegated its authority hereunder and may, at any time, revest in such Committee some or all of the powers previously delegated. The Board may retain the authority to concurrently administer the Plan with any Committee and may, at any time, revest in the Board some or all of the powers previously delegated.

 

(ii)   Rule 16b-3 Compliance. To the extent an Award is intended to qualify for the exemption from Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act that is available under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, the Award will be granted by the Board or a Committee that consists solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors, as determined under Rule 16b-3(b)(3) of the Exchange Act and thereafter any action establishing or modifying the terms of the Award will be approved by the Board or a Committee meeting such requirements to the extent necessary for such exemption to remain available.

 

(d)   Effect of Board’s Decision. All determinations, interpretations and constructions made by the Board or any Committee in good faith will not be subject to review by any person and will be final, binding and conclusive on all persons.

 

(e)   Delegation to an Officer. The Board or any Committee may delegate to one or more Officers the authority to do one or both of the following (i) designate Employees who are not Officers to be recipients of Options and SARs (and, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, other types of Awards) and, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the terms thereof, and (ii) determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be subject to such Awards granted to such Employees; provided, however, that the resolutions or charter adopted by the Board or any Committee evidencing such delegation will specify the total number of shares of Common Stock that may be subject to the Awards granted by such Officer and that such Officer may not grant an Award to himself or herself. Any such Awards will be granted on the applicable form of Award Agreement most recently approved for use by the Board or the Committee, unless otherwise provided in the resolutions approving the delegation authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, neither the Board nor any Committee may delegate to an Officer who is acting solely in the capacity of an Officer (and not also as a Director) the authority to determine the Fair Market Value.

 

8. TAX WITHHOLDING

 

(a)   Withholding Authorization. As a condition to acceptance of any Award under the Plan, a Participant authorizes withholding from payroll and any other amounts payable to such Participant, and otherwise agree to make adequate provision for (including), any sums required to satisfy any U.S. federal, state, local and/or foreign tax or social insurance contribution withholding obligations of the Company or an Affiliate, if any, which arise in connection with the exercise, vesting or settlement of such Award, as applicable. Accordingly, a Participant may not be able to exercise an Award even though the Award is vested, and the Company shall have no obligation to issue shares of Common Stock subject to an Award, unless and until such obligations are satisfied.

 

(b)    Satisfaction of Withholding Obligation. To the extent permitted by the terms of an Award Agreement, the Company may, in its sole discretion, satisfy any U.S. federal, state, local and/or foreign tax or social insurance withholding obligation relating to an Award by any of the following means or by a combination of such means: (i) causing the Participant to tender a cash payment; (ii) withholding shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock issued or otherwise issuable to the Participant in connection with the Award; (iii) withholding cash from an Award settled in cash; (iv) withholding payment from any amounts otherwise payable to the Participant; (v) by allowing a Participant to effectuate a “cashless exercise” pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board, or (vi) by such other method as may be set forth in the Award Agreement.

 

(c)   No Obligation to Notify or Minimize Taxes; No Liability to Claims. Except as required by Applicable Law the Company has no duty or obligation to any Participant to advise such holder as to the time or manner of exercising such Award. Furthermore, the Company has no duty or obligation to warn or otherwise advise such holder of a pending termination or expiration of an Award or a possible period in which the Award may not be exercised. The Company has no duty or obligation to minimize the tax consequences of an Award to the holder of such Award and will not be liable to any holder of an Award for any adverse tax consequences to such holder in connection with an Award. As a condition to accepting an Award under the Plan, each Participant (i) agrees to not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates related to tax liabilities arising from such Award or other Company compensation and (ii) acknowledges that such Participant was advised to consult with his or her own personal tax, financial and other legal advisors regarding the tax consequences of the Award and has either done so or knowingly and voluntarily declined to do so. Additionally, each Participant acknowledges any Option or SAR granted under the Plan is exempt from Section 409A only if the exercise or strike price is at least equal to the “fair market value” of the Common Stock on the date of grant as determined by the Internal Revenue Service and there is no other impermissible deferral of compensation associated with the Award. Additionally, as a condition to accepting an Option or SAR granted under the Plan, each Participant agrees not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates in the event that the Internal Revenue Service asserts that such exercise price or strike price is less than the “fair market value” of the Common Stock on the date of grant as subsequently determined by the Internal Revenue Service.

 

10

 

 

(d)   Withholding Indemnification. As a condition to accepting an Award under the Plan, in the event that the amount of the Company’s and/or its Affiliate’s withholding obligation in connection with such Award was greater than the amount actually withheld by the Company and/or its Affiliates, each Participant agrees to indemnify and hold the Company and/or its Affiliates harmless from any failure by the Company and/or its Affiliates to withhold the proper amount.

 

9. MISCELLANEOUS.

 

(a)   Source of Shares. The stock issuable under the Plan will be shares of authorized but unissued or reacquired Common Stock, including shares repurchased by the Company on the open market or otherwise.

 

(b)   Use of Proceeds from Sales of Common Stock. Proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock pursuant to Awards will constitute general funds of the Company.

 

(c)   Corporate Action Constituting Grant of Awards. Corporate action constituting a grant by the Company of an Award to any Participant will be deemed completed as of the date of such corporate action, unless otherwise determined by the Board, regardless of when the instrument, certificate, or letter evidencing the Award is communicated to, or actually received or accepted by, the Participant. In the event that the corporate records (e.g., Board consents, resolutions or minutes) documenting the corporate action approving the grant contain terms (e.g., exercise price, vesting schedule or number of shares) that are inconsistent with those in the Award Agreement or related grant documents as a result of a clerical error in the Award Agreement or related grant documents, the corporate records will control and the Participant will have no legally binding right to the incorrect term in the Award Agreement or related grant documents.

 

(d)   Stockholder Rights. No Participant will be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares of Common Stock subject to such Award unless and until (i) such Participant has satisfied all requirements for exercise of the Award pursuant to its terms, if applicable, and

(ii) the issuance of the Common Stock subject to such Award is reflected in the records of the Company.

 

(e)   No Employment or Other Service Rights. Nothing in the Plan, any Award Agreement or any other instrument executed thereunder or in connection with any Award granted pursuant thereto will confer upon any Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate in the capacity in effect at the time the Award was granted or affect the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate at will and without regard to any future vesting opportunity that a Participant may have with respect to any Award (i) the employment of an Employee with or without notice and with or without cause, (ii) the service of a Consultant pursuant to the terms of such Consultant’s agreement with the Company or an Affiliate, or (iii) the service of a Director pursuant to the Bylaws of the Company or an Affiliate, and any applicable provisions of the corporate law of the state or foreign jurisdiction in which the Company or the Affiliate is incorporated, as the case may be. Further, nothing in the Plan, any Award Agreement or any other instrument executed thereunder or in connection with any Award will constitute any promise or commitment by the Company or an Affiliate regarding the fact or nature of future positions, future work assignments, future compensation or any other term or condition of employment or service or confer any right or benefit under the Award or the Plan unless such right or benefit has specifically accrued under the terms of the Award Agreement and/or Plan.

 

11

 

 

(f)    Change in Time Commitment. In the event a Participant’s regular level of time commitment in the performance of his or her services for the Company and any Affiliates is reduced (for example, and without limitation, if the Participant is an Employee of the Company and the Employee has a change in status from a full-time Employee to a part-time Employee or takes an extended leave of absence) after the date of grant of any Award to the Participant, the Board may determine, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, to (i) make a corresponding reduction in the number of shares or cash amount subject to any portion of such Award that is scheduled to vest or become payable after the date of such change in time commitment, and (ii) in lieu of or in combination with such a reduction, extend the vesting or payment schedule applicable to such Award. In the event of any such reduction, the Participant will have no right with respect to any portion of the Award that is so reduced or extended.

 

(g)   Execution of Additional Documents. As a condition to accepting an Award under the Plan, the Participant agrees to execute any additional documents or instruments necessary or desirable, as determined in the Plan Administrator’s sole discretion, to carry out the purposes or intent of the Award, or facilitate compliance with securities and/or other regulatory requirements, in each case at the Plan Administrator’s request.

 

(h)   Electronic Delivery and Participation. Any reference herein or in an Award Agreement to a “written” agreement or document will include any agreement or document delivered electronically, filed publicly at www.sec.gov (or any successor website thereto) or posted on the Company’s intranet (or other shared electronic medium controlled by the Company to which the Participant has access). By accepting any Award the Participant consents to receive documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through any on-line electronic system established and maintained by the Plan Administrator or another third party selected by the Plan Administrator. The form of delivery of any Common Stock (e.g., a stock certificate or electronic entry evidencing such shares) shall be determined by the Company.

 

(i)    Clawback/Recovery. All Awards granted under the Plan will be subject to recoupment in accordance with any clawback policy that the Company is required to adopt pursuant to the listing standards of any national securities exchange or association on which the Company’s securities are listed or as is otherwise required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or other Applicable Law and any clawback policy that the Company otherwise adopts, to the extent applicable and permissible under Applicable Law. In addition, the Board may impose such other clawback, recovery or recoupment provisions in an Award Agreement as the Board determines necessary or appropriate, including but not limited to a reacquisition right in respect of previously acquired shares of Common Stock or other cash or property upon the occurrence of Cause. No recovery of compensation under such a clawback policy will be an event giving rise to a Participant’s right to voluntary terminate employment upon a “resignation for good reason,” or for a “constructive termination” or any similar term under any plan of or agreement with the Company.

 

(j)    Securities Law Compliance. A Participant will not be issued any shares in respect of an Award unless either (i) the shares are registered under the Securities Act; or (ii) the Company has determined that such issuance would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Each Award also must comply with other Applicable Law governing the Award, and a Participant will not receive such shares if the Company determines that such receipt would not be in material compliance with Applicable Law.

 

(k)   Transfer or Assignment of Awards; Issued Shares. Except as expressly provided in the Plan or the form of Award Agreement, Awards granted under the Plan may not be transferred or assigned by the Participant. After the vested shares subject to an Award have been issued, or in the case of Restricted Stock and similar awards, after the issued shares have vested, the holder of such shares is free to assign, hypothecate, donate, encumber or otherwise dispose of any interest in such shares provided that any such actions are in compliance with the provisions herein, the terms of the Trading Policy and Applicable Law.

 

12

 

 

(l)    Effect on Other Employee Benefit Plans. The value of any Award granted under the Plan, as determined upon grant, vesting or settlement, shall not be included as compensation, earnings, salaries, or other similar terms used when calculating any Participant’s benefits under any employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company or any Affiliate, except as such plan otherwise expressly provides. The Company expressly reserves its rights to amend, modify, or terminate any of the Company’s or any Affiliate’s employee benefit plans.

 

(m)  Deferrals. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Board, in its sole discretion, may determine that the delivery of Common Stock or the payment of cash, upon the exercise, vesting or settlement of all or a portion of any Award may be deferred and may also establish programs and procedures for deferral elections to be made by Participants. Deferrals will be made in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A.

 

(n)   Section 409A. Unless otherwise expressly provided for in an Award Agreement, the Plan and Award Agreements will be interpreted to the greatest extent possible in a manner that makes the Plan and the Awards granted hereunder exempt from Section 409A, and, to the extent not so exempt, in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A. If the Board determines that any Award granted hereunder is not exempt from and is therefore subject to Section 409A, the Award Agreement evidencing such Award will incorporate the terms and conditions necessary to avoid the consequences specified in Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code, and to the extent an Award Agreement is silent on terms necessary for compliance, such terms are hereby incorporated by reference into the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan (and unless the Award Agreement specifically provides otherwise), if the shares of Common Stock are publicly traded, and if a Participant holding an Award that constitutes “deferred compensation” under Section 409A is a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A, no distribution or payment of any amount that is due because of a “separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A without regard to alternative definitions thereunder) will be issued or paid before the date that is six months and one day following the date of such Participant’s “separation from service” or, if earlier, the date of the Participant’s death, unless such distribution or payment can be made in a manner that complies with Section 409A, and any amounts so deferred will be paid in a lump sum on the day after such six month period elapses, with the balance paid thereafter on the original schedule.

 

(o)   Choice of Law. This Plan and any controversy arising out of or relating to this Plan shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict of law principles that would result in any application of any law other than the law of the State of Delaware.

 

10. COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.

 

(a)   Compliance with Law. The Company will seek to obtain from each regulatory commission or agency, as may be deemed to be necessary, having jurisdiction over the Plan such authority as may be required to grant Awards and to issue and sell shares of Common Stock upon exercise or vesting of the Awards; provided, however, that this undertaking will not require the Company to register under the Securities Act the Plan, any Award or any Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to any such Award. If, after reasonable efforts and at a reasonable cost, the Company is unable to obtain from any such regulatory commission or agency the authority that counsel for the Company deems necessary or advisable for the lawful issuance and sale of Common Stock under the Plan, the Company will be relieved from any liability for failure to issue and sell Common Stock upon exercise or vesting of such Awards unless and until such authority is obtained. A Participant is not eligible for the grant of an Award or the subsequent issuance of Common Stock pursuant to the Award if such grant or issuance would be in violation of any Applicable Law.

 

11. ADDITIONAL RULES FOR AWARDS SUBJECT TO SECTION 409A.

 

(a)   Application. Unless the provisions of this Section of the Plan are expressly superseded by the provisions in the form of Award Agreement, the provisions of this Section shall apply and shall supersede anything to the contrary set forth in the Award Agreement for a Non-Exempt Award.

 

(b)   Non-Exempt Awards Subject to Non-Exempt Severance Arrangements. To the extent a Non- Exempt Award is subject to Section 409A due to application of a Non-Exempt Severance Arrangement, the following provisions of this subsection (b) apply.

 

13

 

 

(i)    If the Non-Exempt Award vests in the ordinary course during the Participant’s Continuous Service in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth in the Award Agreement, and does not accelerate vesting under the terms of a Non-Exempt Severance Arrangement, in no event will the shares be issued in respect of such Non-Exempt Award any later than the later of: (i) December 31st of the calendar year that includes the applicable vesting date, or (ii) the 60th day that follows the applicable vesting date.

 

(ii)   If vesting of the Non-Exempt Award accelerates under the terms of a Non-Exempt Severance Arrangement in connection with the Participant’s Separation from Service, and such vesting acceleration provisions were in effect as of the date of grant of the Non-Exempt Award and, therefore, are part of the terms of such Non-Exempt Award as of the date of grant, then the shares will be earlier issued in settlement of such Non-Exempt Award upon the Participant’s Separation from Service in accordance with the terms of the Non-Exempt Severance Arrangement, but in no event later than the 60th day that follows the date of the Participant’s Separation from Service. However, if at the time the shares would otherwise be issued the Participant is subject to the distribution limitations contained in Section 409A applicable to “specified employees,” as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, such shares shall not be issued before the date that is six months following the date of such Participant’s Separation from Service, or, if earlier, the date of the Participant’s death that occurs within such six month period.

 

(iii)  If vesting of a Non-Exempt Award accelerates under the terms of a Non-Exempt Severance Arrangement in connection with a Participant’s Separation from Service, and such vesting acceleration provisions were not in effect as of the date of grant of the Non-Exempt Award and, therefore, are not a part of the terms of such Non-Exempt Award on the date of grant, then such acceleration of vesting of the Non-Exempt Award shall not accelerate the issuance date of the shares, but the shares shall instead be issued on the same schedule as set forth in the Grant Notice as if they had vested in the ordinary course during the Participant’s Continuous Service, notwithstanding the vesting acceleration of the Non-Exempt Award. Such issuance schedule is intended to satisfy the requirements of payment on a specified date or pursuant to a fixed schedule, as provided under Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A- 3(a)(4).

 

(c)   Treatment of Non-Exempt Awards Upon a Corporate Transaction for Employees and Consultants. The provisions of this subsection (c) shall apply and shall supersede anything to the contrary set forth in the Plan with respect to the permitted treatment of any Non-Exempt Award in connection with a Corporate Transaction if the Participant was either an Employee or Consultant upon the applicable date of grant of the Non-Exempt Award.

 

(i)    Vested Non-Exempt Awards. The following provisions shall apply to any Vested Non-Exempt Award in connection with a Corporate Transaction:

 

(1)   If the Corporate Transaction is also a Section 409A Change in Control then the Acquiring Entity may not assume, continue or substitute the Vested Non-Exempt Award. Upon the Section 409A Change in Control the settlement of the Vested Non-Exempt Award will automatically be accelerated and the shares will be immediately issued in respect of the Vested Non-Exempt Award. Alternatively, the Company may instead provide that the Participant will receive a cash settlement equal to the Fair Market Value of the shares that would otherwise be issued to the Participant upon the Section 409A Change in Control.

 

(2)   If the Corporate Transaction is not also a Section 409A Change in Control, then the Acquiring Entity must either assume, continue or substitute each Vested Non-Exempt Award. The shares to be issued in respect of the Vested Non-Exempt Award shall be issued to the Participant by the Acquiring Entity on the same schedule that the shares would have been issued to the Participant if the Corporate Transaction had not occurred. In the Acquiring Entity’s discretion, in lieu of an issuance of shares, the Acquiring Entity may instead substitute a cash payment on each applicable issuance date, equal to the Fair Market Value of the shares that would otherwise be issued to the Participant on such issuance dates, with the determination of the Fair Market Value of the shares made on the date of the Corporate Transaction.

 

14

 

 

(ii)  Unvested Non-Exempt Awards. The following provisions shall apply to any Unvested Non- Exempt Award unless otherwise determined by the Board pursuant to subsection (e) of this Section.

 

(1)   In the event of a Corporate Transaction, the Acquiring Entity shall assume, continue or substitute any Unvested Non-Exempt Award. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, any Unvested Non-Exempt Award will remain subject to the same vesting and forfeiture restrictions that were applicable to the Award prior to the Corporate Transaction. The shares to be issued in respect of any Unvested Non-Exempt Award shall be issued to the Participant by the Acquiring Entity on the same schedule that the shares would have been issued to the Participant if the Corporate Transaction had not occurred. In the Acquiring Entity’s discretion, in lieu of an issuance of shares, the Acquiring Entity may instead substitute a cash payment on each applicable issuance date, equal to the Fair Market Value of the shares that would otherwise be issued to the Participant on such issuance dates, with the determination of Fair Market Value of the shares made on the date of the Corporate Transaction.

 

(2)   If the Acquiring Entity will not assume, substitute or continue any Unvested Non- Exempt Award in connection with a Corporate Transaction, then such Award shall automatically terminate and be forfeited upon the Corporate Transaction with no consideration payable to any Participant in respect of such forfeited Unvested Non-Exempt Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent permitted and in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A, the Board may in its discretion determine to elect to accelerate the vesting and settlement of the Unvested Non-Exempt Award upon the Corporate Transaction, or instead substitute a cash payment equal to the Fair Market Value of such shares that would otherwise be issued to the Participant, as further provided in subsection (e)(ii) below. In the absence of such discretionary election by the Board, any Unvested Non-Exempt Award shall be forfeited without payment of any consideration to the affected Participants if the Acquiring Entity will not assume, substitute or continue the Unvested Non-Exempt Awards in connection with the Corporate Transaction.

 

(3)   The foregoing treatment shall apply with respect to all Unvested Non-Exempt Awards upon any Corporate Transaction, and regardless of whether or not such Corporate Transaction is also a Section 409A Change in Control.

 

(d)   Treatment of Non-Exempt Awards Upon a Corporate Transaction for Non-Employee Directors. The following provisions of this subsection (d) shall apply and shall supersede anything to the contrary that may be set forth in the Plan with respect to the permitted treatment of a Non-Exempt Director Award in connection with a Corporate Transaction.

 

(i)   If the Corporate Transaction is also a Section 409A Change in Control then the Acquiring Entity may not assume, continue or substitute the Non-Exempt Director Award. Upon the Section 409A Change in Control the vesting and settlement of any Non-Exempt Director Award will automatically be accelerated and the shares will be immediately issued to the Participant in respect of the Non- Exempt Director Award. Alternatively, the Company may provide that the Participant will instead receive a cash settlement equal to the Fair Market Value of the shares that would otherwise be issued to the Participant upon the Section 409A Change in Control pursuant to the preceding provision.

 

(ii)   If the Corporate Transaction is not also a Section 409A Change in Control, then the Acquiring Entity must either assume, continue or substitute the Non-Exempt Director Award. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Non-Exempt Director Award will remain subject to the same vesting and forfeiture restrictions that were applicable to the Award prior to the Corporate Transaction. The shares to be issued in respect of the Non-Exempt Director Award shall be issued to the Participant by the Acquiring Entity on the same schedule that the shares would have been issued to the Participant if the Corporate Transaction had not occurred. In the Acquiring Entity’s discretion, in lieu of an issuance of shares, the Acquiring Entity may instead substitute a cash payment on each applicable issuance date, equal to the Fair Market Value of the shares that would otherwise be issued to the Participant on such issuance dates, with the determination of Fair Market Value made on the date of the Corporate Transaction.

 

15

 

 

(e)   If the RSU Award is a Non-Exempt Award, then the provisions in this Section 11(e) shall apply and supersede anything to the contrary that may be set forth in the Plan or the Award Agreement with respect to the permitted treatment of such Non-Exempt Award:

 

(i)     Any exercise by the Board of discretion to accelerate the vesting of a Non-Exempt Award shall not result in any acceleration of the scheduled issuance dates for the shares in respect of the Non- Exempt Award unless earlier issuance of the shares upon the applicable vesting dates would be in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A.

 

(ii)   The Company explicitly reserves the right to earlier settle any Non-Exempt Award to the extent permitted and in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A, including pursuant to any of the exemptions available in Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(ix).

 

(iii)  To the extent the terms of any Non-Exempt Award provide that it will be settled upon a Change in Control or Corporate Transaction, to the extent it is required for compliance with the requirements of Section 409A, the Change in Control or Corporate Transaction event triggering settlement must also constitute a Section 409A Change in Control. To the extent the terms of a Non- Exempt Award provides that it will be settled upon a termination of employment or termination of Continuous Service, to the extent it is required for compliance with the requirements of Section 409A, the termination event triggering settlement must also constitute a Separation From Service. However, if at the time the shares would otherwise be issued to a Participant in connection with a “separation from service” such Participant is subject to the distribution limitations contained in Section 409A applicable to “specified employees,” as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, such shares shall not be issued before the date that is six months following the date of the Participant’s Separation From Service, or, if earlier, the date of the Participant’s death that occurs within such six month period.

 

(iv)  The provisions in this subsection (e) for delivery of the shares in respect of the settlement of a RSU Award that is a Non-Exempt Award are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A so that the delivery of the shares to the Participant in respect of such Non-Exempt Award will not trigger the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities herein will be so interpreted.

 

12. SEVERABILITY.

 

If all or any part of the Plan or any Award Agreement is declared by any court or governmental authority to be unlawful or invalid, such unlawfulness or invalidity shall not invalidate any portion of the Plan or such Award Agreement not declared to be unlawful or invalid. Any Section of the Plan or any Award Agreement (or part of such a Section) so declared to be unlawful or invalid shall, if possible, be construed in a manner which will give effect to the terms of such Section or part of a Section to the fullest extent possible while remaining lawful and valid.

 

13. TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.

 

The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. No Incentive Stock Options may be granted after the tenth anniversary of the earlier of: (i) the Adoption Date, or (ii) the date the Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders. No Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.

 

14. DEFINITIONS.

 

As used in the Plan, the following definitions apply to the capitalized terms indicated below:

 

(a)            Acquiring Entity” means the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) in connection with a Corporate Transaction.

 

(b)            Adoption Date” means the date the Plan is first approved by the Board or Compensation Committee.

 

(c)            Affiliate” means, at the time of determination, any “parent” or “subsidiary” of the Company as such terms are defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act. The Board may determine the time or times at which “parent” or “subsidiary” status is determined within the foregoing definition.

 

(d)            Applicable Law” means any applicable securities, federal, state, foreign, material local or municipal or other law, statute, constitution, principle of common law, resolution, ordinance, code, edict, decree, rule, listing rule, regulation, judicial decision, ruling or requirement issued, enacted, adopted, promulgated, implemented or otherwise put into effect by or under the authority of any Governmental Body (including under the authority of any applicable self-regulating organization such as the Nasdaq Stock Market, New York Stock Exchange, or the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority).

 

16

 

 

(e)            Award” means any right to receive Common Stock, cash or other property granted under the Plan (including an Incentive Stock Option, a Nonstatutory Stock Option, a Restricted Stock Award, a RSU Award, a SAR, a Performance Award or any Other Award).

 

(f)            Award Agreement” means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of an Award. The Award Agreement generally consists of the Grant Notice and the agreement containing the written summary of the general terms and conditions applicable to the Award and which is provided, including through electronic means, to a Participant along with the Grant Notice.

 

(g)            Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company (or its designee). Any decision or determination made by the Board shall be a decision or determination that is made in the sole discretion of the Board (or its designee), and such decision or determination shall be final and binding on all Participants

 

(h)            Capitalization Adjustment” means any change that is made in, or other events that occur with respect to, the Common Stock subject to the Plan or subject to any Award after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board without the receipt of consideration by the Company through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, large nonrecurring cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure or any similar equity restructuring transaction, as that term is used in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (or any successor thereto). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the conversion of any convertible securities of the Company will not be treated as a Capitalization Adjustment.

 

(i)    Cause” has the meaning ascribed to such term in any written agreement between a Participant and the Company defining such term and, in the absence of such agreement, such term means, with respect to a Participant, the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) the Participant’s dishonest statements or acts with respect to the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, or any current or prospective customers, suppliers, vendors or other third parties with which such entity does business; (ii) the Participant’s commission of (A) a felony or (B) any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, deceit, dishonesty or fraud; (iii) the Participant’s failure to perform the Participant’s assigned duties and responsibilities to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company which failure continues, in the reasonable judgment of the Company, after written notice given to the Participant by the Company; (iv) the Participant’s gross negligence, willful misconduct or insubordination with respect to the Company or any affiliate of the Company; or (v) the Participant’s material violation of any provision of any agreement(s) between the Participant and the Company relating to noncompetition, nonsolicitation, nondisclosure and/or assignment of inventions. The determination that a termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service is either for Cause or without Cause will be made by the Board with respect to Participants who are executive officers of the Company and by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer with respect to Participants who are not executive officers of the Company. Any determination by the Company that the Continuous Service of a Participant was terminated with or without Cause for the purposes of outstanding Awards held by such Participant will have no effect upon any determination of the rights or obligations of the Company or such Participant for any other purpose.

 

(j)    Change in Control” or “Change of Control” means the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:

 

(i)    any Exchange Act Person becomes the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities other than by virtue of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur (A) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company directly from the Company, (B) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company by an investor, any affiliate thereof or any other Exchange Act Person that acquires the Company’s securities in a transaction or series of related transactions the primary purpose of which is to obtain financing for the Company through the issuance of equity securities, or (C) solely because the level of Ownership held by any Exchange Act Person (the “Subject Person”) exceeds the designated percentage threshold of the outstanding voting securities as a result of a repurchase or other acquisition of voting securities by the Company reducing the number of shares outstanding, provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of voting securities by the Company, and after such share acquisition,the Subject Person becomes the Owner of any additional voting securities that, assuming the repurchase or other acquisition had not occurred, increases the percentage of the then outstanding voting securities Owned by the Subject Person over the designated percentage threshold, then a Change in Control shall be deemed to occur;

 

17

 

 

(ii)  there is consummated a merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving (directly or indirectly) the Company and, immediately after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, the stockholders of the Company immediately prior thereto do not Own, directly or indirectly, either (A) outstanding voting securities representing more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting power of the Acquiring Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction or (B) more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting power of the parent of the Acquiring Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, in each case in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such transaction;

 

(iii)  there is consummated a sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, other than a sale, lease, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries to an Entity, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are Owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such sale, lease, license or other disposition; or

 

(iv)   individuals who, on the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, are members of the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board; provided, however, that if the appointment or election (or nomination for election) of any new Board member was approved or recommended by a majority vote of the members of the Incumbent Board then still in office, such new member shall, for purposes of this Plan, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Plan, (A) the term Change in Control shall not include a sale of assets, merger or other transaction effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the domicile of the Company, (B) the definition of Change in Control (or any analogous term) in an individual written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant shall supersede the foregoing definition with respect to Awards subject to such agreement; provided, however, that if no definition of Change in Control or any analogous term is set forth in such an individual written agreement, the foregoing definition shall apply, and (C) respect to any nonqualified deferred compensation that becomes payable on account of the Change in Control, the transaction or event described in clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) also constitutes a Section 409A Change in Control if required in order for the payment not to violate Section 409A of the Code.

 

(k)   Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including any applicable regulations and guidance thereunder.

 

(l)    Committee” means the Compensation Committee and any other committee of one or more Directors to whom authority has been delegated by the Board or Compensation Committee in accordance with the Plan.

 

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

 

(n) Company” means AppHarvest, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

(o) Compensation Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board.

 

18

 

 

(p)    Consultant” means any person, including an advisor, who is (i) engaged by the Company or an Affiliate to render consulting or advisory services and is compensated for such services, or (ii) serving as a member of the board of directors of an Affiliate and is compensated for such services. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such service, will not cause a Director to be considered a “Consultant” for purposes of the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a person is treated as a Consultant under this Plan only if a Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act is available to register either the offer or the sale of the Company’s securities to such person.

 

(q)   Continuous Service” means that the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, whether as an Employee, Director or Consultant, is not interrupted or terminated. A change in the capacity in which the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee, Director or Consultant or a change in the Entity for which the Participant renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, will not terminate a Participant’s Continuous Service; provided, however, that if the Entity for which a Participant is rendering services ceases to qualify as an Affiliate, as determined by the Board, such Participant’s Continuous Service will be considered to have terminated on the date such Entity ceases to qualify as an Affiliate. For example, a change in status from an Employee of the Company to a Consultant of an Affiliate or to a Director will not constitute an interruption of Continuous Service. To the extent permitted by law, the Board or the chief executive officer of the Company, in that party’s sole discretion, may determine whether Continuous Service will be considered interrupted in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Board or chief executive officer, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal leave, or (ii) transfers between the Company, an Affiliate, or their successors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a leave of absence will be treated as Continuous Service for purposes of vesting in an Award only to such extent as may be provided in the Company’s leave of absence policy, in the written terms of any leave of absence agreement or policy applicable to the Participant, or as otherwise required by law. In addition, to the extent required for exemption from or compliance with Section 409A, the determination of whether there has been a termination of Continuous Service will be made, and such term will be construed, in a manner that is consistent with the definition of “separation from service” as defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h) (without regard to any alternative definition thereunder).

 

(r)    Corporate Transaction” means the consummation, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:

 

(i) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all, as determined by the Board, of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries;

 

(ii) a sale or other disposition of at least 50% of the outstanding securities of the Company;

 

(iii) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is not the surviving corporation; or

 

(iv)  a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is the surviving corporation but the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger, consolidation or similar transaction are converted or exchanged by virtue of the merger, consolidation or similar transaction into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Plan, (A) the term Corporate Transaction shall not include a sale of assets, merger or other transaction effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the domicile of the Company, (B) the definition of Corporate Transaction (or any analogous term) in an individual written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant shall supersede the foregoing definition with respect to Awards subject to such agreement; provided, however, that if no definition of Corporate Transaction or any analogous term is set forth in such an individual written agreement, the foregoing definition shall apply, and (C) respect to any nonqualified deferred compensation that becomes payable on account of the Corporate Transaction, the transaction or event described in clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) also constitutes a Section 409A Change in Control if required in order for the payment not to violate Section 409A of the Code.

 

19

 

 

(s) Director” means a member of the Board.

 

(t) determineor determined” means as determined by the Board or the Committee (or its designee) in its sole discretion.

 

(u)   Disability” means, with respect to a Participant, such Participant is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, as provided in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, and will be determined by the Board on the basis of such medical evidence as the Board deems warranted under the circumstances.

 

(v)    Effective Date” means the effective date of this Plan, which is the date of the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement and Plan of Reorganization by and among Novus Capital Corporation, Orga, Inc. and AppHarvest, Inc., dated as of September 28, 2020, provided that this Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders prior to such date.

 

(w)   Employee” means any person employed by the Company or an Affiliate. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such services, will not cause a Director to be considered an “Employee” for purposes of the Plan.

 

(x) Employer” means the Company or the Affiliate of the Company that employs the Participant.

 

(y) Entity” means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity.

 

(z)    Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(aa) Exchange Act Person” means any natural person, Entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act), except that “Exchange Act Person” will not include (i) the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (ii) any employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to a registered public offering of such securities, (iv) an Entity Owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of stock of the Company; or (v) any natural person, Entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act) that, as of the Effective Date, is the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities.

 

(bb) Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, unless otherwise determined by the Board, the value of the Common Stock (as determined on a per share or aggregate basis, as applicable) determined as follows:

 

(i)    If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or traded on any established market, the Fair Market Value will be the closing sales price for such stock as quoted on such exchange or market (or the exchange or market with the greatest volume of trading in the Common Stock) on the date of determination, as reported in a source the Board deems reliable.

 

(ii)   If there is no closing sales price for the Common Stock on the date of determination, then the Fair Market Value will be the closing selling price on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists.

 

(iii)  In the absence of such markets for the Common Stock, or if otherwise determined by the Board, the Fair Market Value will be determined by the Board in good faith and in a manner that complies with Sections 409A and 422 of the Code.

 

(cc) Governmental Body” means any: (a) nation, state, commonwealth, province, territory, county, municipality, district or other jurisdiction of any nature; (b) federal, state, local, municipal, foreign or other government; (c) governmental or regulatory body, or quasi-governmental body of any nature (including any governmental division, department, administrative agency or bureau, commission, authority, instrumentality, official, ministry, fund, foundation, center, organization, unit, body or Entity and any court or other tribunal, and for the avoidance of doubt, any Tax authority) or other body exercising similar powers or authority; or (d) self-regulatory organization (including the Nasdaq Stock Market, New York Stock Exchange, and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority).

 

20

 

 

(dd) Grant Notice” means the notice provided to a Participant that he or she has been granted an Award under the Plan and which includes the name of the Participant, the type of Award, the date of grant of the Award, number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Award or potential cash payment right, (if any), the vesting schedule for the Award (if any) and other key terms applicable to the Award.

 

(ee) Incentive Stock Option” means an option granted pursuant to Section 4 of the Plan that is intended to be, and qualifies as, an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

 

(ff) Materially Impair” means any amendment to the terms of the Award that materially adversely affects the Participant’s rights under the Award. A Participant’s rights under an Award will not be deemed to have been Materially Impaired by any such amendment if the Board, in its sole discretion, determines that the amendment, taken as a whole, does not materially impair the Participant’s rights. For example, the following types of amendments to the terms of an Award do not Materially Impair the Participant’s rights under the Award: (i) imposition of reasonable restrictions on the minimum number of shares subject to an Option or SAR that may be exercised, (ii) to maintain the qualified status of the Award as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code; (iii) to change the terms of an Incentive Stock Option in a manner that disqualifies, impairs or otherwise affects the qualified status of the Award as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code; (iv) to clarify the manner of exemption from, or to bring the Award into compliance with or qualify it for an exemption from, Section 409A; or (v) to comply with other Applicable Laws.

 

(gg) Non-Employee Director” means a Director who either (i) is not a current employee or officer of the Company or an Affiliate, does not receive compensation, either directly or indirectly, from the Company or an Affiliate for services rendered as a consultant or in any capacity other than as a Director (except for an amount as to which disclosure would not be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act (“Regulation S-K”)), does not possess an interest in any other transaction for which disclosure would be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, and is not engaged in a business relationship for which disclosure would be required pursuant to Item 404(b) of Regulation S-K; or (ii) is otherwise considered a “non-employee director” for purposes of Rule 16b-3.

 

(hh) Non-Exempt Award” means any Award that is subject to, and not exempt from, Section 409A, including as the result of (i) a deferral of the issuance of the shares subject to the Award which is elected by the Participant or imposed by the Company or (ii) the terms of any Non-Exempt Severance Agreement.

 

(ii) Non-Exempt Director Award” means a Non-Exempt Award granted to a Participant who was a Director but not an Employee on the applicable grant date.

 

(jj) Non-Exempt Severance Arrangement means a severance arrangement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company that provides for acceleration of vesting of an Award and issuance of the shares in respect of such Award upon the Participant’s termination of employment or separation from service (as such term is defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code (and without regard to any alternative definition thereunder) (“Separation from Service”) and such severance benefit does not satisfy the requirements for an exemption from application of Section 409A provided under Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), 1.409A-1(b)(9) or otherwise.

 

(kk) Nonstatutory Stock Option” means any option granted pursuant to Section 4 of the Plan that does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

 

(ll) Officer” means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

 

(mm) Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to the Plan.

 

(nn) Option Agreement” means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and the Optionholder evidencing the terms and conditions of the Option grant. The Option Agreement includes the Grant Notice for the Option and the agreement containing the written summary of the general terms and

conditions applicable to the Option and which is provided, including through electronic means, to a Participant along with the Grant Notice. Each Option Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

21

 

 

(oo) Optionholder” means a person to whom an Option is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Option.

 

(pp) Other Award” means an award valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, Common Stock, including the appreciation in value thereof (e.g., options or stock rights with an exercise price or strike price less than 100% of the Fair Market Value at the time of grant) that is not an Incentive Stock Options, Nonstatutory Stock Option, SAR, Restricted Stock Award, RSU Award or Performance Award.

 

(qq) Other Award Agreement” means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and a holder of an Other Award evidencing the terms and conditions of an Other Award grant. Each Other Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(rr) Own,” “Owned,” “Owner,” “Ownership” means that a person or Entity will be deemed to “Own,” to have “Owned,” to be the “Owner” of, or to have acquired “Ownership” of securities if such person or Entity, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting, with respect to such securities.

 

(ss) Participant” means an Employee, Director or Consultant to whom an Award is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Award.

 

(tt) Performance Award” means an Award that may vest or may be exercised or a cash award that may vest or become earned and paid contingent upon the attainment during a Performance Period of certain Performance Goals and which is granted under the terms and conditions of Section 5(b) pursuant to such terms as are approved by the Board. In addition, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, the Board may determine that cash or other property may be used in payment of Performance Awards. Performance Awards that are settled in cash or other property are not required to be valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, the Common Stock.

 

(uu) Performance Criteria” means the one or more criteria that the Board will select for purposes of establishing the Performance Goals for a Performance Period. The Performance Criteria that will be used to establish such Performance Goals may be based on any one of, or combination of, the following as determined by the Board: earnings (including earnings per share and net earnings); earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation; earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; total stockholder return; return on equity or average stockholder’s equity; return on assets, investment, or capital employed; stock price; margin (including gross margin); income (before or after taxes); operating income; operating income after taxes; pre-tax profit; operating cash flow; sales or revenue targets; increases in revenue or product revenue; expenses and cost reduction goals; improvement in or attainment of working capital levels; economic value added (or an equivalent metric); market share; cash flow; cash flow per share; share price performance; debt reduction; customer satisfaction; stockholders’ equity; capital expenditures; debt levels; operating profit or net operating profit; workforce diversity; growth of net income or operating income; billings; financing; regulatory milestones; stockholder liquidity; corporate governance and compliance; intellectual property; personnel matters; progress of internal research; progress of partnered programs; partner satisfaction; budget management; partner or collaborator achievements; internal controls, including those related to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; investor relations, analysts and communication; implementation or completion of projects or processes; employee retention; number of users, including unique users; strategic partnerships or transactions (including in-licensing and out-licensing of intellectual property); establishing relationships with respect to the marketing, distribution and sale of the Company’s products; supply chain achievements; co-development, co-marketing, profit sharing, joint venture or other similar arrangements; individual performance goals; corporate development and planning goals; and other measures of performance selected by the Board or Committee whether or not listed herein.

 

22

 

 

(vv) Performance Goals” means, for a Performance Period, the one or more goals established by the Board for the Performance Period based upon the Performance Criteria. Performance Goals may be based on a Company-wide basis, with respect to one or more business units, divisions, Affiliates, or business segments, and in either absolute terms or relative to the performance of one or more comparable companies or the performance of one or more relevant indices. Unless specified otherwise by the Board (i) in the Award Agreement at the time the Award is granted or (ii) in such other document setting forth the Performance Goals at the time the Performance Goals are established, the Board will appropriately make adjustments in the method of calculating the attainment of Performance Goals for a Performance Period as follows: (1) to exclude restructuring and/or other nonrecurring charges; (2) to exclude exchange rate effects; (3) to exclude the effects of changes to generally accepted accounting principles; (4) to exclude the effects of any statutory adjustments to corporate tax rates; (5) to exclude the effects of items that are “unusual” in nature or occur “infrequently” as determined under generally accepted accounting principles; (6) to exclude the dilutive effects of acquisitions or joint ventures; (7) to assume that any business divested by the Company achieved performance objectives at targeted levels during the balance of a Performance Period following such divestiture; (8) to exclude the effect of any change in the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company by reason of any stock dividend or split, stock repurchase, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares or other similar corporate change, or any distributions to common stockholders other than regular cash dividends; (9) to exclude the effects of stock based compensation and the award of bonuses under the Company’s bonus plans; (10) to exclude costs incurred in connection with potential acquisitions or divestitures that are required to be expensed under generally accepted accounting principles; and (11) to exclude the goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges that are required to be recorded under generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, the Board may establish or provide for other adjustment items in the Award Agreement at the time the Award is granted or in such other document setting forth the Performance Goals at the time the Performance Goals are established. In addition, the Board retains the discretion to reduce or eliminate the compensation or economic benefit due upon attainment of Performance Goals and to define the manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for such Performance Period. Partial achievement of the specified criteria may result in the payment or vesting corresponding to the degree of achievement as specified in the Award Agreement or the written terms of a Performance Cash Award.

 

(ww) Performance Period” means the period of time selected by the Board over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant’s right to vesting or exercise of an Award. Performance Periods may be of varying and overlapping duration, at the sole discretion of the Board.

 

(xx) Plan” means this AppHarvest, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

(yy) Plan Administrator” means the person, persons, and/or third-party administrator designated by the Company to administer the day to day operations of the Plan and the Company’s other equity incentive programs.

 

(zz) Post-Termination Exercise Period” means the period following termination of a Participant’s Continuous Service within which an Option or SAR is exercisable, as specified in Section 4(h).

 

(aaa) Restricted Stock Award” or “RSA” means an Award of shares of Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 5(a).

 

(bbb) Restricted Stock Award Agreement” means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and a holder of a Restricted Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Award grant. The Restricted Stock Award Agreement includes the Grant Notice for the Restricted Stock Award and the agreement containing the written summary of the general terms and conditions applicable to the Restricted Stock Award and which is provided, including by electronic means, to a Participant along with the Grant Notice. Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(ccc) RSU Award” or “RSU” means an Award of restricted stock units representing the right to receive an issuance of shares of Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 5(a).

 

23

 

 

(ddd) RSU Award Agreement” means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and a holder of a RSU Award evidencing the terms and conditions of a RSU Award. The RSU Award Agreement includes the Grant Notice for the RSU Award and the agreement containing the written summary of the general terms and conditions applicable to the RSU Award and which is provided, including by electronic means, to a Participant along with the Grant Notice. Each RSU Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(eee) Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect from time to time.

 

(fff) Rule 405” means Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

(ggg) Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and other guidance thereunder.

 

(hhh) Section 409A Change in Control” means a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets, as provided in Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) (without regard to any alternative definition thereunder).

 

(iii) Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

(jjj) Share Reserve” means the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan as set forth in Section 2(a).

 

(kkk) Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means a right to receive the appreciation on Common Stock that is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 4.

 

(lll) SAR Agreement” means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and a holder of a SAR evidencing the terms and conditions of a SAR grant. The SAR Agreement includes the Grant Notice for the SAR and the agreement containing the written summary of the general terms and conditions applicable to the SAR and which is provided, including by electronic means, to a Participant along with the Grant Notice. Each SAR Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(mmm) Subsidiary” means, with respect to the Company, (i) any corporation of which more than 50% of the outstanding capital stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether, at the time, stock of any other class or classes of such corporation will have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time, directly or indirectly, Owned by the Company, and (ii) any partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which the Company has a direct or indirect interest (whether in the form of voting or participation in profits or capital contribution) of more than 50%.

 

(nnn) Ten Percent Stockholder” means a person who Owns (or is deemed to Own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Affiliate.

 

(ooo) Trading Policy” means the Company’s policy permitting certain individuals to sell Company shares only during certain “window” periods and/or otherwise restricts the ability of certain individuals to transfer or encumber Company shares, as in effect from time to time.

 

(ppp) Unvested Non-Exempt Award” means the portion of any Non-Exempt Award that had not vested in accordance with its terms upon or prior to the date of any Corporate Transaction.

 

(qqq) Vested Non-Exempt Award” means the portion of any Non-Exempt Award that had vested in accordance with its terms upon or prior to the date of a Corporate Transaction.

 

24

 

Exhibit 10.5

 

AppHarvest, Inc.
Stock Option Grant Notice
(2021 Equity Incentive Plan)

 

AppHarvest, Inc. (the “Company”), pursuant to its 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), has granted to you (“Optionholder”) an option to purchase the number of shares of the Common Stock set forth below (the “Option”). Your Option is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth herein and in the Plan and the Stock Option Agreement, all of which are attached hereto and incorporated herein in their entirety. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined herein but defined in the Plan or the Stock Option Agreement shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan or the Stock Option Agreement, as applicable.

 

Optionholder:

 
Date of Grant:
 
Vesting Commencement Date:
 
Number of Shares of Common Stock Subject to Option:
 
Exercise Price (Per Share):
 
Total Exercise Price:
 
Expiration Date:
 

 

Type of Grant: [Incentive Stock Option] OR [Nonstatutory Stock Option]

 

Exercise and Vesting Schedule: Subject to the Optionholder’s Continuous Service through each applicable vesting date, the Option will vest as follows:

 

  [__________]

 

Optionholder Acknowledgements: By your signature below or by electronic acceptance or authentication in a form authorized by the Company, you understand and agree that:

 

· The Option is governed by this Stock Option Grant Notice, and the provisions of the Plan and the Stock Option Agreement, all of which are made a part of this document. Unless otherwise provided in the Plan, this Grant Notice and the Stock Option Agreement (together, the “Option Agreement”) may not be modified, amended or revised except in a writing signed by you and a duly authorized officer of the Company.

 

· If the Option is an Incentive Stock Option, it (plus other outstanding Incentive Stock Options granted to you) cannot be first exercisable for more than $100,000 in value (measured by exercise price) in any calendar year. Any excess over $100,000 is a Nonstatutory Stock Option.

 

· You consent to receive this Grant Notice, the Stock Option Agreement, the Plan, the Prospectus and any other Plan-related documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.

 

· You have read and are familiar with the provisions of the Plan, the Stock Option Agreement, and the Prospectus. In the event of any conflict between the provisions in this Grant Notice, the Option Agreement, or the Prospectus and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall control.

 

· The Option Agreement sets forth the entire understanding between you and the Company regarding the acquisition of Common Stock and supersedes all prior oral and written agreements, promises and/or representations on that subject with the exception of other equity awards previously granted to you and any written employment agreement, offer letter, severance agreement, written severance plan or policy, or other written agreement between the Company and you in each case that specifies the terms that should govern this Option.

 

 

 

 

· Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable law) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered will be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.

 

AppHarvest, Inc.   Optionholder:
     
By:                            
Signature   Signature
Title:     Date:               
         
Date:      
     
     

 

 

 

 

AppHarvest, Inc.
2021 Equity Incentive Plan

 

Stock Option Agreement

 

As reflected by your Stock Option Grant Notice (“Grant Notice”) AppHarvest, Inc. (the “Company”) has granted you an option under its 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock at the exercise price indicated in your Grant Notice (the “Option”). Capitalized terms not explicitly defined in this Agreement but defined in the Grant Notice or the Plan shall have the meanings set forth in the Grant Notice or Plan, as applicable. The terms of your Option as specified in the Grant Notice and this Stock Option Agreement constitute your Option Agreement.

 

The general terms and conditions applicable to your Option are as follows:

 

1.            Governing Plan Document. Your Option is subject to all the provisions of the Plan. Your Option is further subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations, which may from time to time be promulgated and adopted pursuant to the Plan. In the event of any conflict between the Option Agreement and the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall control.

 

2.            Exercise.

 

(a)           You may generally exercise the vested portion of your Option for whole shares of Common Stock at any time during its term by delivery of payment of the exercise price and applicable withholding taxes and other required documentation to the Plan Administrator in accordance with the exercise procedures established by the Plan Administrator, which may include an electronic submission. Please review the Plan, which may restrict or prohibit your ability to exercise your Option during certain periods.

 

(b)           To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, you may pay your Option exercise price as follows:

 

(i)            cash, check, bank draft or money order;

 

(ii)           subject to Company and/or Committee consent at the time of exercise, pursuant to a “cashless exercise” program as further described in the Plan if at the time of exercise the Common Stock is publicly traded;

 

(iii)          subject to Company and/or Committee consent at the time of exercise, by delivery of previously owned shares of Common Stock as further described in the Plan; or

 

(iv)           subject to Company and/or Committee consent at the time of exercise, if the Option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, by a “net exercise” arrangement as further described in the Plan.

 

1

 

 

3.            Term. You may not exercise your Option before the commencement of its term or after its term expires. The term of your option commences on the Date of Grant and expires upon the earliest of the following:

 

(a)            immediately upon the termination of your Continuous Service for Cause;

 

(b)            three months after the termination of your Continuous Service for any reason other than Cause, Disability or death;

 

(c)            12 months after the termination of your Continuous Service due to your Disability;

 

(d)            18 months after your death if you die during your Continuous Service;

 

(e)            immediately upon a Corporate Transaction if the Board has determined that the Option will terminate in connection with a Corporate Transaction,

 

(f)            the Expiration Date indicated in your Grant Notice; or

 

(g)           the day before the 10th anniversary of the Date of Grant.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if you die during the period provided in Section 3(b) or 3(c) above, the term of your Option shall not expire until the earlier of (i) eighteen months after your death, (ii) upon any termination of the Option in connection with a Corporate Transaction, (iii) the Expiration Date indicated in your Grant Notice, or (iv) the day before the tenth anniversary of the Date of Grant. Additionally, the Post-Termination Exercise Period of your Option may be extended as provided in the Plan.

 

To obtain the federal income tax advantages associated with an Incentive Stock Option, the Code requires that at all times beginning on the date of grant of your Option and ending on the day three months before the date of your Option’s exercise, you must be an employee of the Company or an Affiliate, except in the event of your death or Disability. If the Company provides for the extended exercisability of your Option under certain circumstances for your benefit, your Option will not necessarily be treated as an Incentive Stock Option if you exercise your Option more than three months after the date your employment terminates.

 

4.            Withholding Obligations.

 

(a)            Regardless of any action taken by the Company or, if different, the Affiliate to which you provide Continuous Service (the “Service Recipient”) with respect to any income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, fringe benefits tax, payment on account, or other tax-related items associated with the grant, vesting or exercise of the Option or sale of the underlying Common Stock or other tax-related items related to your participation in the Plan and legally applicable to you (the “Tax Liability”), you hereby acknowledge and agree that the Tax Liability is your ultimate responsibility and may exceed the amount, if any, actually withheld by the Company or the Service Recipient. You further acknowledge that the Company and the Service Recipient (i) make no representations or undertakings regarding any Tax Liability in connection with any aspect of this Option, including, but not limited to, the grant, vesting or exercise of the Option, the issuance of Common Stock pursuant to such exercise, the subsequent sale of shares of Common Stock, and the payment of any dividends on the shares; and (ii) do not commit to and are under no obligation to structure the terms of the grant or any aspect of the Option to reduce or eliminate your Tax Liability or achieve a particular tax result. Further, if you are subject to Tax Liability in more than one jurisdiction, you acknowledge that the Company and/or the Service Recipient (or former service recipient, as applicable) may be required to withhold or account for Tax Liability in more than one jurisdiction.

 

2

 

 

(b)            Prior to any relevant taxable or tax withholding event, as applicable, you agree to make adequate arrangements satisfactory to the Company and/or the Service Recipient to satisfy all Tax Liability. As further provided in Section 8 of the Plan, you hereby authorize the Company and any applicable Service Recipient to satisfy any applicable withholding obligations with regard to the Tax Liability by one or a combination of the following methods: (i) causing you to pay any portion of the Tax Liability in cash or cash equivalent in a form acceptable to the Company; (ii) withholding from any compensation otherwise payable to you by the Company or the Service Recipient; (iii) withholding from the proceeds of the sale of shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise of the Option (including by means of a “cashless exercise” pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board to the extent permitted by the Company, or by means of the Company acting as your agent to sell sufficient shares of Common Stock for the proceeds to settle such withholding requirements, on your behalf pursuant to this authorization without further consent); (iv) withholding shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to you upon the exercise of the Option, provided that to the extent necessary to qualify for an exemption from application of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, if applicable, such share withholding procedure will be subject to the express prior approval of the Board or the Company’s Compensation Committee; and/or (v) any other method determined by the Company to be in compliance with Applicable Law. Furthermore, you agree to pay the Company or the Service Recipient any amount the Company or the Service Recipient may be required to withhold, collect or pay as a result of your participation in the Plan or that cannot be satisfied by the means previously described. In the event it is determined that the amount of the Tax Liability was greater than the amount withheld by the Company or the Service Recipient, you agree to indemnify and hold the Company and/or the Service Recipient (as applicable) harmless from any failure by the Company or the applicable Service Recipient to withhold the proper amount.

 

(c)            The Company may withhold or account for your Tax Liability by considering statutory withholding amounts or other withholding rates applicable in your jurisdiction(s), including (i) maximum applicable rates in your jurisdiction(s), in which case you may receive a refund of any over-withheld amount in cash (whether from applicable tax authorities or the Company) and you will have no entitlement to the equivalent amount in Common Stock or (ii) minimum or such other applicable rates in your jurisdiction(s), in which case you may be solely responsible for paying any additional Tax Liability to the applicable tax authorities or to the Company and/or the Service Recipient. If the Tax Liability withholding obligation is satisfied by withholding shares of Common Stock, for tax purposes, you are deemed to have been issued the full number of shares of Common Stock subject to the exercised portion of the Option, notwithstanding that a number of the shares of Common Stock is held back solely for the purpose of paying such Tax Liability.

 

3

 

 

(d)            You acknowledge that you may not be able to exercise your Option even though the Option is vested, and that the Company shall have no obligation to issue shares of Common Stock, in each case, unless and until you have fully satisfied any applicable Tax Liability, as determined by the Company. Unless any withholding obligation for the Tax Liability is satisfied, the Company shall have no obligation to deliver to you any Common Stock in respect of the Option.

 

5.            Incentive Stock Option Disposition Requirement. If your option is an Incentive Stock Option, you must notify the Company in writing within 15 days after the date of any disposition of any of the shares of the Common Stock issued upon exercise of your option that occurs within two years after the date of your option grant or within one year after such shares of Common Stock are transferred upon exercise of your option.

 

6.            Transferability. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, your Option is not transferable, except by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution, and is exercisable during your life only by you.

 

7.            Corporate Transaction. Your Option is subject to the terms of any agreement governing a Corporate Transaction involving the Company, including, without limitation, a provision for the appointment of a stockholder representative that is authorized to act on your behalf with respect to any escrow, indemnities and any contingent consideration.

 

8.            No Liability for Taxes. As a condition to accepting the Option, you hereby (a) agree to not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates related to tax liabilities arising from the Option or other Company compensation and (b) acknowledge that you were advised to consult with your own personal tax, financial and other legal advisors regarding the tax consequences of the Option and have either done so or knowingly and voluntarily declined to do so. Additionally, you acknowledge that the Option is exempt from Section 409A only if the exercise price is at least equal to the “fair market value” of the Common Stock on the date of grant as determined by the Internal Revenue Service and there is no other impermissible deferral of compensation associated with the Option. Additionally, as a condition to accepting the Option, you agree not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates in the event that the Internal Revenue Service asserts that such exercise is less than the “fair market value” of the Common Stock on the date of grant as subsequently determined by the Internal Revenue Service.

 

9.            Obligations; Recoupment. You hereby acknowledge that the grant of your Option is additional consideration for any obligations (whether during or after employment) that you have to the Company not to compete, not to solicit its customers, clients or employees, not to disclose or misuse confidential information or similar obligations. Accordingly, if the Company reasonably determines that you breached such obligations, in addition to any other available remedy, the Company may, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, recoup any income realized by you with respect to the exercise of your Option within two years of such breach. In addition, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, this right to recoupment by the Company applies in the event that your employment is terminated for Cause or if the Company reasonably determines that circumstances existed that it could have terminated your employment for Cause.

 

4

 

 

10.         Severability. If any part of this Option Agreement or the Plan is declared by any court or governmental authority to be unlawful or invalid, such unlawfulness or invalidity will not invalidate any portion of this Option Agreement or the Plan not declared to be unlawful or invalid.  Any Section of this Option Agreement (or part of such a Section) so declared to be unlawful or invalid will, if possible, be construed in a manner which will give effect to the terms of such Section or part of a Section to the fullest extent possible while remaining lawful and valid.

 

11.         Indebtedness to the company. In the event that you have any loans, draws, advances or any other indebtedness owing to the Company at the time of exercise of all or a portion of the Option, the Company may deduct and not deliver that number of shares of Common Stock with a Fair Market Value subject to the Option equal to such indebtedness to satisfy all or a portion of such indebtedness, to the extent permitted by law and in a manner consistent with Section 409A of the Code, if applicable.

 

12.         Other Documents.  You hereby acknowledge receipt of or the right to receive a document providing the information required by Rule 428(b)(1) promulgated under the Securities Act, which includes the Prospectus.  In addition, you acknowledge receipt of the Company’s Trading Policy.

 

13.         Questions. If you have questions regarding these or any other terms and conditions applicable to your Option, including a summary of the applicable federal income tax consequences please see the Prospectus.

 

* * * *

 

5

Exhibit 10.6

 

AppHarvest, Inc.
RSU Award Grant Notice


(2021 Equity Incentive Plan)

 

AppHarvest, Inc. (the “Company”) has awarded to you (the “Participant”) the number of restricted stock units specified and on the terms set forth below in consideration of your services (the “RSU Award”). Your RSU Award is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth herein and in the Company’s 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and the Award Agreement (the “Agreement”), which are incorporated herein in their entirety. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined herein but defined in the Plan or the Agreement shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan or the Agreement.

 

Participant:      
Date of Grant:      
Vesting Commencement Date:      
Number of Restricted Stock Units:      

 

Vesting Schedule: [__________________________________________________________________].
Notwithstanding the foregoing, vesting shall terminate upon the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service.
   
Issuance Schedule: One share of Common Stock will be issued for each restricted stock unit which vests at the time set forth in Section 5 of the Agreement.

 

Participant Acknowledgements: By your signature below or by electronic acceptance or authentication in a form authorized by the Company, you understand and agree that:

 

· The RSU Award is governed by this RSU Award Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”), and the provisions of the Plan and the Agreement, all of which are made a part of this document. Unless otherwise provided in the Plan, this Grant Notice and the Agreement (together, the “RSU Award Agreement”) may not be modified, amended or revised except in a writing signed by you and a duly authorized officer of the Company.

 

· You have read and are familiar with the provisions of the Plan, the RSU Award Agreement and the Prospectus. In the event of any conflict between the provisions in the RSU Award Agreement, or the Prospectus and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall control.

 

· The RSU Award Agreement sets forth the entire understanding between you and the Company regarding the acquisition of Common Stock and supersedes all prior oral and written agreements, promises and/or representations on that subject with the exception of: (i) other equity awards previously granted to you, and (ii) any written employment agreement, offer letter, severance agreement, written severance plan or policy, or other written agreement between the Company and you in each case that specifies the terms that should govern this RSU Award.

 

AppHarvest, Inc.   Participant:
       
By:      
  Signature   Signature
       
Title:     Date:  
         
Date:    
         

   

 

 

AppHarvest, Inc.

2021 Equity Incentive Plan

 

Award Agreement (RSU Award)

 

As reflected by your Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice (“Grant Notice”), AppHarvest, Inc. (the “Company”) has granted you a RSU Award under its 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) for the number of restricted stock units as indicated in your Grant Notice (the “RSU Award”). The terms of your RSU Award as specified in this Award Agreement for your RSU Award (the “Agreement”) and the Grant Notice constitute your “RSU Award Agreement”. Defined terms not explicitly defined in this Agreement but defined in the Grant Notice or the Plan shall have the same definitions as in the Grant Notice or Plan, as applicable.

 

The general terms applicable to your RSU Award are as follows:

 

1.         Governing Plan Document. Your RSU Award is subject to all the provisions of the Plan. Your RSU Award is further subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations, which may from time to time be promulgated and adopted pursuant to the Plan. In the event of any conflict between the RSU Award Agreement and the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall control.

 

2.          Grant of the RSU Award. This RSU Award represents your right to be issued on a future date the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock that is equal to the number of restricted stock units indicated in the Grant Notice subject to your satisfaction of the vesting conditions set forth therein (the “Restricted Stock Units”). Any additional Restricted Stock Units that become subject to the RSU Award pursuant to Capitalization Adjustments as set forth in the Plan and the provisions of Section 3 below, if any, shall be subject, in a manner determined by the Board, to the same forfeiture restrictions, restrictions on transferability, and time and manner of delivery as applicable to the other Restricted Stock Units covered by your RSU Award.

 

3.            Dividends. You shall receive no benefit or adjustment to your RSU Award with respect to any cash dividend, stock dividend or other distribution that does not result from a Capitalization Adjustment as provided in the Plan; provided, however, that this sentence shall not apply with respect to any shares of Common Stock that are delivered to you in connection with your RSU Award after such shares have been delivered to you.

 

1.

 

 

4.            Withholding Obligations.

 

(a)            Regardless of any action taken by the Company or, if different, the Affiliate to which you provide Continuous Service (the “Service Recipient”) with respect to any income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, fringe benefits tax, payment on account or other tax-related items associated with the grant or vesting of the RSU Award or sale of the underlying Common Stock or other tax-related items related to your participation in the Plan and legally applicable to you (the “Tax Liability”), you hereby acknowledge and agree that the Tax Liability is your ultimate responsibility and may exceed the amount, if any, actually withheld by the Company or the Service Recipient. You further acknowledge that the Company and the Service Recipient (i) make no representations or undertakings regarding any Tax Liability in connection with any aspect of this RSU Award, including, but not limited to, the grant or vesting of the RSU Award, the issuance of Common Stock pursuant to such vesting, the subsequent sale of shares of Common Stock, and the payment of any dividends on the Common Stock; and (ii) do not commit to and are under no obligation to structure the terms of the grant or any aspect of the RSU Award to reduce or eliminate your Tax Liability or achieve a particular tax result. Further, if you are subject to Tax Liability in more than one jurisdiction, you acknowledge that the Company and/or the Service Recipient (or former service recipient, as applicable) may be required to withhold or account for Tax Liability in more than one jurisdiction.

 

(b)            Prior to any relevant taxable or tax withholding event, as applicable, you agree to make adequate arrangements satisfactory to the Company and/or the Service Recipient to satisfy all Tax Liability. As further provided in Section 8 of the Plan, you hereby authorize the Company and any applicable Service Recipient to satisfy any applicable withholding obligations with regard to the Tax Liability by any of the following means or by a combination of such means: (i) causing you to pay any portion of the Tax Liability in cash or cash equivalent in a form acceptable to the Company; (ii) withholding from any compensation otherwise payable to you by the Company or the Service Recipient; (iii) withholding shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock issued or otherwise issuable to you in connection with the Award; provided, however, that to the extent necessary to qualify for an exemption from application of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, if applicable, such share withholding procedure will be subject to the express prior approval of the Board or the Company’s Compensation Committee; (iv) permitting or requiring you to enter into a “same day sale” commitment, if applicable, with a broker-dealer that is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (a “FINRA Dealer”), pursuant to this authorization and without further consent, whereby you irrevocably elect to sell a portion of the shares of Common Stock to be delivered in connection with your Restricted Stock Units to satisfy the Tax Liability and whereby the FINRA Dealer irrevocably commits to forward the proceeds necessary to satisfy the Tax Liability directly to the Company or the Service Recipient; and/or (v) any other method determined by the Company to be in compliance with Applicable Law. Furthermore, you agree to pay the Company or the Service Recipient any amount the Company or the Service Recipient may be required to withhold, collect, or pay as a result of your participation in the Plan or that cannot be satisfied by the means previously described. In the event it is determined that the amount of the Tax Liability was greater than the amount withheld by the Company and/or the Service Recipient (as applicable), you agree to indemnify and hold the Company and/or the Service Recipient (as applicable) harmless from any failure by the Company or the applicable Service Recipient to withhold the proper amount.

 

(c)            The Company may withhold or account for your Tax Liability by considering statutory withholding amounts or other withholding rates applicable in your jurisdiction(s), including (i) maximum applicable rates in your jurisdiction(s), in which case you may receive a refund of any over-withheld amount in cash (whether from applicable tax authorities or the Company) and you will have no entitlement to the equivalent amount in Common Stock or (ii) minimum or such other applicable rates in your jurisdiction(s), in which case you may be solely responsible for paying any additional Tax Liability to the applicable tax authorities or to the Company and/or the Service Recipient. If the Tax Liability withholding obligation is satisfied by withholding shares of Common Stock, for tax purposes, you are deemed to have been issued the full number of shares of Common Stock subject to the vested portion of the RSU Award, notwithstanding that a number of the shares of Common Stock is held back solely for the purpose of paying such Tax Liability.

 

2.

 

 

(d)            You acknowledge that you may not participate in the Plan and the Company shall have no obligation to deliver shares of Common Stock until you have fully satisfied the Tax Liability, as determined by the Company. Unless any withholding obligation for the Tax Liability is satisfied, the Company shall have no obligation to deliver to you any Common Stock in respect of the RSU Award.

 

5.            Date of Issuance.

 

(a)       The issuance of shares in respect of the Restricted Stock Units is intended to comply with U.S. Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-3(a) and will be construed and administered in such a manner. Subject to the satisfaction of the Tax Liability withholding obligation, if any, in the event one or more Restricted Stock Units vests, the Company shall issue to you one (1) share of Common Stock for each vested Restricted Stock Unit. Each issuance date determined by this paragraph is referred to as an “Original Issuance Date.”

 

(b)            If the Original Issuance Date falls on a date that is not a business day, delivery shall instead occur on the next following business day. In addition, if:

 

(i)            the Original Issuance Date does not occur (1) during an “open window period” applicable to you, as determined by the Company in accordance with the Company’s then-effective policy on trading in Company securities, or (2) on a date when you are otherwise permitted to sell shares of Common Stock on an established stock exchange or stock market (including but not limited to under a previously established written trading plan that meets the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act and was entered into in compliance with the Company’s policies (a “10b5-1 Arrangement)), and

 

(ii)         either (1) a Tax Liability withholding obligation does not apply, or (2) the Company decides, prior to the Original Issuance Date, (A) not to satisfy the Tax Liability withholding obligation by withholding shares of Common Stock from the shares otherwise due, on the Original Issuance Date, to you under this Award, and (B) not to permit you to enter into a “same day sale” commitment with a broker-dealer (including but not limited to a commitment under a 10b5-1 Arrangement) and (C) not to permit you to pay your Tax Liability in cash, then the shares that would otherwise be issued to you on the Original Issuance Date will not be delivered on such Original Issuance Date and will instead be delivered on the first business day when you are not prohibited from selling shares of the Common Stock in the open public market, but in no event later than December 31 of the calendar year in which the Original Issuance Date occurs (that is, the last day of your taxable year in which the Original Issuance Date occurs), or, if and only if permitted in a manner that complies with U.S. Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), no later than the date that is the 15th day of the third calendar month of the applicable year following the year in which the shares of Common Stock under this Award are no longer subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” within the meaning of U.S. Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(d).

 

3.

 

 

6.            Transferability. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, your RSU Award is not transferable, except by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution

 

7.          Corporate Transaction. Your RSU Award is subject to the terms of any agreement governing a Corporate Transaction involving the Company, including, without limitation, a provision for the appointment of a stockholder representative that is authorized to act on your behalf with respect to any escrow, indemnities and any contingent consideration.

 

8.            No Liability for Taxes. As a condition to accepting the RSU Award, you hereby (a) agree to not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates related to tax liabilities arising from the RSU Award or other Company compensation and (b) acknowledge that you were advised to consult with your own personal tax, financial and other legal advisors regarding the tax consequences of the RSU Award and have either done so or knowingly and voluntarily declined to do so.

 

9.            Severability. If any part of this Agreement or the Plan is declared by any court or governmental authority to be unlawful or invalid, such unlawfulness or invalidity will not invalidate any portion of this Agreement or the Plan not declared to be unlawful or invalid.  Any Section of this Agreement (or part of such a Section) so declared to be unlawful or invalid will, if possible, be construed in a manner which will give effect to the terms of such Section or part of a Section to the fullest extent possible while remaining lawful and valid.

 

10.        Other Documents.  You hereby acknowledge receipt of or the right to receive a document providing the information required by Rule 428(b)(1) promulgated under the Securities Act, which includes the Prospectus.  In addition, you acknowledge receipt of the Company’s Trading Policy.

 

11.            Questions. If you have questions regarding these or any other terms and conditions applicable to your RSU Award, including a summary of the applicable federal income tax consequences please see the Prospectus.

 

4.

 

Exhibit 10.7

 

Appharvest, Inc.

 

2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

Adopted by the Board of Directors: January 10, 2021

Approved by the Stockholders: January 29, 2021

 

1. General; Purpose.

 

(a)    The Plan provides a means by which Eligible Employees of the Company and certain Designated Companies may be given an opportunity to purchase shares of Common Stock. The Plan permits the Company to grant a series of Purchase Rights to Eligible Employees under an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. In addition, the Plan permits the Company to grant a series of Purchase Rights to Eligible Employees that do not meet the requirements of an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

 

(b)    The Plan includes two components: a 423 Component and a Non-423 Component. The Company intends (but makes no undertaking or representation to maintain) the 423 Component to qualify as an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The provisions of the 423 Component, accordingly, will be construed in a manner that is consistent with the requirements of Section 423 of the Code. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or determined by the Board, the Non-423 Component will operate and be administered in the same manner as the 423 Component.

 

(c)    The Company, by means of the Plan, seeks to retain the services of Eligible Employees, to secure and retain the services of new Employees and to provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and its Related Corporations.

 

2. Administration.

 

(a)    The Board or the Committee will administer the Plan. References herein to the Board shall be deemed to refer to the Committee except where context dictates otherwise.

 

(b)    The Board will have the power, subject to, and within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:

 

(i)     To determine how and when Purchase Rights will be granted and the provisions of each Offering (which need not be identical).

 

(ii)    To designate from time to time (A) which Related Corporations will be eligible to participate in the Plan as Designated 423 Corporations, (B) which Related Corporations or Affiliates will be eligible to participate in the Plan as Designated Non-423 Corporations, and (C) which Designated Companies will participate in each separate Offering (to the extent that the Company makes separate Offerings).

 

(iii)   To construe and interpret the Plan and Purchase Rights, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for its administration. The Board, in the exercise of this power, may correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan, in a manner and to the extent it deems necessary or expedient to make the Plan fully effective.

 

(iv)    To settle all controversies regarding the Plan and Purchase Rights granted under the Plan.

 

(v)     To suspend or terminate the Plan at any time as provided in Section 12.

 

(vi)    To amend the Plan at any time as provided in Section 12.

 

(vii)   Generally, to exercise such powers and to perform such acts as it deems necessary or expedient to promote the best interests of the Company and its Related Corporations and to carry out the intent that the Plan be treated as an Employee Stock Purchase Plan with respect to the 423 Component.

 

1 

 

 

(viii)  To adopt such rules, procedures and sub-plans as are necessary or appropriate to permit or facilitate participation in the Plan by Employees who are foreign nationals or employed or located outside the United States. Without limiting the generality of, and consistent with, the foregoing, the Board specifically is authorized to adopt rules, procedures, and sub-plans regarding, without limitation, eligibility to participate in the Plan, the definition of eligible “earnings,” handling and making of Contributions, establishment of bank or trust accounts to hold Contributions, payment of interest, conversion of local currency, obligations to pay payroll tax, determination of beneficiary designation requirements, withholding procedures and handling of share issuances, any of which may vary according to applicable requirements, and which, if applicable to a Designated Non-423 Corporation, do not have to comply with the requirements of Section 423 of the Code.

 

(c)       The Board may delegate some or all of the administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees. If administration is delegated to a Committee, the Committee will have, in connection with the administration of the Plan, the powers theretofore possessed by the Board that have been delegated to the Committee, including the power to delegate to a subcommittee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan to the Board will thereafter be to the Committee or subcommittee), subject, however, to such resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as may be adopted from time to time by the Board. Further, to the extent not prohibited by Applicable Law, the Board or Committee may, from time to time, delegate some or all of its authority under the Plan to one or more officers of the Company or other persons or groups of persons as it deems necessary, appropriate or advisable under conditions or limitations that it may set at or after the time of the delegation. The Board may retain the authority to concurrently administer the Plan with the Committee and may, at any time, revest in the Board some or all of the powers previously delegated. Whether or not the Board has delegated administration of the Plan to a Committee, the Board will have the final power to determine all questions of policy and expediency that may arise in the administration of the Plan.

 

(d)        All determinations, interpretations and constructions made by the Board in good faith will not be subject to review by any person and will be final, binding and conclusive on all persons.

 

3. Shares of Common Stock Subject to the Plan.

 

(a)     Subject to the provisions of Section 11(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan will not exceed 2,005,392 shares of Common Stock, plus the number of shares of Common Stock that are automatically added on January 1st of each year for a period of ten years commencing on January 1, 2022 and ending on (and including) January 1, 2031, in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) 1% of the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on December 31st of the preceding calendar year, and (ii) 3,008,087 shares of Common Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may act prior to the first day of any calendar year to provide that there will be no January 1st increase in the share reserve for such calendar year or that the increase in the share reserve for such calendar year will be a lesser number of shares of Common Stock than would otherwise occur pursuant to the preceding sentence. For the avoidance of doubt, up to the maximum number of shares of Common Stock reserved under this Section 3(a) may be used to satisfy purchases of Common Stock under the 423 Component and any remaining portion of such maximum number of shares may be used to satisfy purchases of Common Stock under the Non-423 Component.

 

(b)    If any Purchase Right granted under the Plan terminates without having been exercised in full, the shares of Common Stock not purchased under such Purchase Right will again become available for issuance under the Plan.

 

(c)    The stock purchasable under the Plan will be shares of authorized but unissued or reacquired Common Stock, including shares repurchased by the Company on the open market.

 

4. Grant of Purchase Rights; Offering.

 

(a)   The Board may from time to time grant or provide for the grant of Purchase Rights to Eligible Employees under an Offering (consisting of one or more Purchase Periods) on an Offering Date or Offering Dates selected by the Board. Each Offering will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board will deem appropriate, and, with respect to the 423 Component, will comply with the requirement of Section 423(b)(5) of the Code that all Employees granted Purchase Rights will have the same rights and privileges. The terms and conditions of an Offering shall be incorporated by reference into the Plan and treated as part of the Plan. The provisions of separate Offerings need not be identical, but each Offering will include (through incorporation of the provisions of this Plan by reference in the document comprising the Offering or otherwise) the period during which the Offering will be effective, which period will not exceed 27 months beginning with the Offering Date, and the substance of the provisions contained in Sections 5 through 8, inclusive.

 

2 

 

 

(b)    If a Participant has more than one Purchase Right outstanding under the Plan, unless he or she otherwise indicates in forms delivered to the Company or a third party designated by the Company (each, a “Company Designee”): (i) each form will apply to all of his or her Purchase Rights under the Plan, and (ii) a Purchase Right with a lower exercise price (or an earlier-granted Purchase Right, if different Purchase Rights have identical exercise prices) will be exercised to the fullest possible extent before a Purchase Right with a higher exercise price (or a later-granted Purchase Right if different Purchase Rights have identical exercise prices) will be exercised.

 

(c)     The Board will have the discretion to structure an Offering so that if the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the first Trading Day of a new Purchase Period within that Offering is less than or equal to the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Offering Date for that Offering, then (i) that Offering will terminate immediately as of that first Trading Day, and (ii) the Participants in such terminated Offering will be automatically enrolled in a new Offering beginning on the first Trading Day of such new Purchase Period.

 

5. Eligibility.

 

(a)    Purchase Rights may be granted only to Employees of the Company or, as the Board may designate in accordance with Section 2(b), to Employees of a Related Corporation or an Affiliate. Except as provided in Section 5(b) or as required by Applicable Law, an Employee will not be eligible to be granted Purchase Rights unless, on the Offering Date, the Employee has been in the employ of the Company or the Related Corporation or an Affiliate, as the case may be, for such continuous period preceding such Offering Date as the Board may require, but in no event will the required period of continuous employment be equal to or greater than two years. In addition, the Board may (unless prohibited by Applicable Law) provide that no Employee will be eligible to be granted Purchase Rights under the Plan unless, on the Offering Date, such Employee’s customary employment with the Company, the Related Corporation, or the Affiliate is more than 20 hours per week and more than five months per calendar year or such other criteria as the Board may determine consistent with Section 423 of the Code with respect to the 423 Component. The Board may also exclude from participation in the Plan or any Offering Employees who are “highly compensated employees” (within the meaning of Section 423(b)(4)(D) of the Code) of the Company or a Related Corporation or a subset of such highly compensated employees.

 

(b)    The Board may provide that each person who, during the course of an Offering, first becomes an Eligible Employee will, on a date or dates specified in the Offering which coincides with the day on which such person becomes an Eligible Employee or which occurs thereafter, receive a Purchase Right under that Offering, which Purchase Right will thereafter be deemed to be a part of that Offering. Such Purchase Right will have the same characteristics as any Purchase Rights originally granted under that Offering, as described herein, except that:

 

(i)    the date on which such Purchase Right is granted will be the “Offering Date” of such Purchase Right for all purposes, including determination of the exercise price of such Purchase Right;

 

(ii)    the period of the Offering with respect to such Purchase Right will begin on its Offering Date and end coincident with the end of such Offering; and

 

(iii)   the Board may provide that if such person first becomes an Eligible Employee within a specified period of time before the end of the Offering, he or she will not receive any Purchase Right under that Offering.

 

(c)    No Employee will be eligible for the grant of any Purchase Rights under the 423 Component if, immediately after any such Purchase Rights are granted, such Employee owns stock possessing five percent or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock of the Company or of any Related Corporation. For purposes of this Section 5(c), the rules of Section 424(d) of the Code will apply in determining the stock ownership of any Employee, and stock which such Employee may purchase under all outstanding Purchase Rights and options will be treated as stock owned by such Employee.

 

3 

 

 

(d)    As specified by Section 423(b)(8) of the Code, an Eligible Employee may be granted Purchase Rights under the 423 Component only if such Purchase Rights, together with any other rights granted under all Employee Stock Purchase Plans of the Company and any Related Corporations, do not permit such Eligible Employee’s rights to purchase stock of the Company or any Related Corporation to accrue at a rate which, when aggregated, exceeds US $25,000 of Fair Market Value of such stock (determined at the time such rights are granted, and which, with respect to the Plan, will be determined as of their respective Offering Dates) for each calendar year in which such rights are outstanding at any time.

 

(e)    Officers of the Company and any Designated Company, if they are otherwise Eligible Employees, will be eligible to participate in Offerings under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may (unless prohibited by Applicable Law) provide in an Offering that Employees who are highly compensated Employees within the meaning of Section 423(b)(4)(D) of the Code will not be eligible to participate.

 

(f)    Notwithstanding anything in this Section 5 to the contrary, in the case of an Offering under the Non- 423 Component, an Eligible Employee (or group of Eligible Employees) may be excluded from participation in the Plan or an Offering if the Board has determined, in its sole discretion, that participation of such Eligible Employee(s) is not advisable or practical for any reason.

 

6. Purchase Rights; Purchase Price.

 

(a)    On each Offering Date, each Eligible Employee, pursuant to an Offering made under the Plan, will be granted a Purchase Right to purchase up to that number of shares of Common Stock purchasable either with a percentage or with a maximum dollar amount, as designated by the Board (as defined by the Board in each Offering) during the period that begins on the Offering Date (or such later date as the Board determines for a particular Offering) and ends on the date stated in the Offering, which date will be no later than the end of the Offering.

 

(b)   The Board will establish one or more Purchase Dates during an Offering on which Purchase Rights granted for that Offering will be exercised and shares of Common Stock will be purchased in accordance with such Offering.

 

(c)    In connection with each Offering made under the Plan, the Board may specify (i) a maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be purchased by any Participant on any Purchase Date during such Offering, (ii) a maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be purchased by all Participants pursuant to such Offering and/or (iii) a maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be purchased by all Participants on any Purchase Date under the Offering. If the aggregate purchase of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Purchase Rights granted under the Offering would exceed any such maximum aggregate number, then, in the absence of any Board action otherwise, a pro rata (based on each Participant’s accumulated Contributions) allocation of the shares of Common Stock (rounded down to the nearest whole share) available will be made in as nearly a uniform manner as will be practicable and equitable.

 

(d)   The purchase price of shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to Purchase Rights will be specified by Board prior to the commencement of an Offering and will not be less than the lesser of:

 

(i)     an amount equal to 85% of the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock on the Offering Date; or

 

(ii)    an amount equal to 85% of the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock on the applicable Purchase Date.

 

7. Participation; Withdrawal; Termination.

 

(a)    An Eligible Employee may elect to participate in an Offering and authorize payroll deductions as the means of making Contributions by completing and delivering to the Company or a Company Designee, within the time specified for the Offering, an enrollment form provided by the Company or Company Designee. The enrollment form will specify the amount of Contributions not to exceed the maximum amount specified by the Board. Each Participant’s Contributions will be credited to a bookkeeping account for such Participant under the Plan and will be deposited with the general funds of the Company except where Applicable Law requires that Contributions be deposited with a third party. If permitted in the Offering, a Participant may begin such Contributions with the first payroll occurring on or after the Offering Date (or, in the case of a payroll date that occurs after the end of the prior Offering but before the Offering Date of the next new Offering, Contributions from such payroll will be included in the new Offering). If permitted in the Offering, a Participant may thereafter reduce (including to zero) or increase his or her Contributions. If required under Applicable Law or if specifically provided in the Offering and to extent permitted by Section 423 of the Code with respect to the 423 Component, in addition to or instead of making Contributions by payroll deductions, a Participant may make Contributions through payment by cash, check or wire transfer prior to a Purchase Date.

 

4 

 

 

(b)    During an Offering, a Participant may cease making Contributions and withdraw from the Offering by delivering to the Company or a Company Designee a withdrawal form provided by the Company. The Company may impose a deadline before a Purchase Date for withdrawing. Upon such withdrawal, such Participant’s Purchase Right in that Offering will immediately terminate and the Company will distribute as soon as practicable to such Participant all of his or her accumulated but unused Contributions and such Participant’s Purchase Right in that Offering shall thereupon terminate. A Participant’s withdrawal from that Offering will have no effect upon his or her eligibility to participate in any other Offerings under the Plan, but such Participant will be required to deliver a new enrollment form to participate in subsequent Offerings.

 

(c)    Unless otherwise required by Applicable Law, Purchase Rights granted pursuant to any Offering under the Plan will terminate immediately if the Participant either (i) is no longer an Employee for any reason or for no reason (subject to any post-employment participation period required by Applicable Law) or (ii) is otherwise no longer eligible to participate. The Company will distribute as soon as practicable to such individual all of his or her accumulated but unused Contributions.

 

(d)   Unless otherwise determined by the Board, a Participant whose employment transfers or whose employment terminates with an immediate rehire (with no break in service) by or between the Company and a Designated Company or between Designated Companies will not be treated as having terminated employment for purposes of participating in the Plan or an Offering; however, if a Participant transfers from an Offering under the 423 Component to an Offering under the Non-423 Component, the exercise of the Participant’s Purchase Right will be qualified under the 423 Component only to the extent such exercise complies with Section 423 of the Code. If a Participant transfers from an Offering under the Non-423 Component to an Offering under the 423 Component, the exercise of the Purchase Right will remain non-qualified under the Non-423 Component. The Board may establish different and additional rules governing transfers between separate Offerings within the 423 Component and between Offerings under the 423 Component and Offerings under the Non-423 Component.

 

(e)   During a Participant’s lifetime, Purchase Rights will be exercisable only by such Participant. Purchase Rights are not transferable by a Participant, except by will, by the laws of descent and distribution, or, if permitted by the Company, by a beneficiary designation as described in Section 10.

 

(f)    Unless otherwise specified in the Offering or as required by Applicable Law, the Company will have no obligation to pay interest on Contributions.

 

8. Exercise of Purchase Rights.

 

(a)   On each Purchase Date, each Participant’s accumulated Contributions will be applied to the purchase of shares of Common Stock, up to the maximum number of shares of Common Stock permitted by the Plan and the applicable Offering, at the purchase price specified in the Offering. No fractional shares will be issued unless specifically provided for in the Offering.

 

(b)   Unless otherwise provided in the Offering, if any amount of accumulated Contributions remains in a Participant’s account after the purchase of shares of Common Stock on the final Purchase Date of an Offering, then such remaining amount will not roll over to the next Offering and will instead be distributed in full to such Participant after the final Purchase Date of such Offering without interest (unless otherwise required by Applicable Law).

 

5 

 

 

(c)    No Purchase Rights may be exercised to any extent unless the shares of Common Stock to be issued upon such exercise under the Plan are covered by an effective registration statement pursuant to the Securities Act and the Plan is in material compliance with all applicable U.S. federal and state, foreign and other securities, exchange control and other laws applicable to the Plan. If on a Purchase Date the shares of Common Stock are not so registered or the Plan is not in such compliance, no Purchase Rights will be exercised on such Purchase Date, and, subject to Section 423 of the Code with respect to the 423 Component, the Purchase Date will be delayed until the shares of Common Stock are subject to such an effective registration statement and the Plan is in material compliance, except that the Purchase Date will in no event be more than 27 months from the Offering Date. If, on the Purchase Date, as delayed to the maximum extent permissible, the shares of Common Stock are not registered and the Plan is not in material compliance with all Applicable Laws, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion, no Purchase Rights will be exercised and all accumulated but unused Contributions will be distributed to the Participants without interest (unless the payment of interest is otherwise required by Applicable Law).

 

9. Covenants of the Company.

 

The Company will seek to obtain from each U.S. federal or state, foreign or other regulatory commission, agency or other Governmental Body having jurisdiction over the Plan such authority as may be required to grant Purchase Rights and issue and sell shares of Common Stock thereunder unless the Company determines, in its sole discretion, that doing so is not practical or would cause the Company to incur costs that are unreasonable. If, after commercially reasonable efforts, the Company is unable to obtain the authority that counsel for the Company deems necessary for the grant of Purchase Rights or the lawful issuance and sale of Common Stock under the Plan, and at a commercially reasonable cost, the Company will be relieved from any liability for failure to grant Purchase Rights and/or to issue and sell Common Stock upon exercise of such Purchase Rights.

 

10. Designation of Beneficiary.

 

(a)   The Company may, but is not obligated to, permit a Participant to submit a form designating a beneficiary who will receive any shares of Common Stock and/or Contributions from the Participant’s account under the Plan if the Participant dies before such shares and/or Contributions are delivered to the Participant. The Company may, but is not obligated to, permit the Participant to change such designation of beneficiary. Any such designation and/or change must be on a form approved by the Company.

 

(b)    If a Participant dies, and in the absence of a valid beneficiary designation, the Company will deliver any shares of Common Stock and/or Contributions to the executor or administrator of the estate of the Participant. If no executor or administrator has been appointed (to the knowledge of the Company), the Company, in its sole discretion, may deliver such shares of Common Stock and/or Contributions, without interest (unless the payment of interest is otherwise required by Applicable Law), to the Participant’s spouse, dependents or relatives, or if no spouse, dependent or relative is known to the Company, then to such other person as the Company may designate.

 

11. Adjustments upon Changes in Common Stock; Corporate Transactions.

 

(a)    In the event of a Capitalization Adjustment, the Board will appropriately and proportionately adjust: (i) the class(es) and maximum number of securities subject to the Plan pursuant to Section 3(a), (ii) the class(es) and maximum number of securities by which the share reserve is to increase automatically each year pursuant to Section 3(a), (iii) the class(es) and number of securities subject to, and the purchase price applicable to outstanding Offerings and Purchase Rights, and (iv) the class(es) and number of securities that are the subject of the purchase limits under each ongoing Offering. The Board will make these adjustments, and its determination will be final, binding and conclusive.

 

(b)    In the event of a Corporate Transaction, then: (i) any surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company) may assume or continue outstanding Purchase Rights or may substitute similar rights (including a right to acquire the same consideration paid to the stockholders in the Corporate Transaction) for outstanding Purchase Rights, or (ii)  if any surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does not assume or continue such Purchase Rights or does not substitute similar rights for such Purchase Rights, then the Participants’ accumulated Contributions will be used to purchase shares of Common Stock (rounded down to the nearest whole share) within ten business days (or such other period specified by the Board) prior to the Corporate Transaction under the outstanding Purchase Rights, and the Purchase Rights will terminate immediately after such purchase.

 

6 

 

 

12. Amendment, Termination or Suspension of the Plan.

 

(a)   The Board may amend the Plan at any time in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable. However, except as provided in Section 11(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, stockholder approval will be required for any amendment of the Plan for which stockholder approval is required by Applicable Law.

 

(b)    The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. No Purchase Rights may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.

 

Any benefits, privileges, entitlements and obligations under any outstanding Purchase Rights granted before an amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan will not be materially impaired by any such amendment, suspension or termination except (i) with the consent of the person to whom such Purchase Rights were granted, (ii) as necessary to facilitate compliance with any laws, listing requirements, or governmental regulations (including, without limitation, the provisions of Section 423 of the Code and the regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder relating to Employee Stock Purchase Plans) including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued or amended after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, or (iii) as necessary to obtain or maintain favorable tax, listing, or regulatory treatment. To be clear, the Board may amend outstanding Purchase Rights without a Participant’s consent if such amendment is necessary to ensure that the Purchase Right and/or the Plan complies with the requirements of Section 423 of the Code with respect to the 423 Component or with respect to other Applicable Laws. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or any Offering Document to the contrary, the Board will be entitled to: (i) establish the exchange ratio applicable to amounts withheld in a currency other than U.S. dollars; (ii) permit Contributions in excess of the amount designated by a Participant in order to adjust for mistakes in the Company’s processing of properly completed Contribution elections; (iii)  establish reasonable waiting and adjustment periods and/or accounting and crediting procedures to ensure that amounts applied toward the purchase of Common Stock for each Participant properly correspond with amounts withheld from the Participant’s Contributions; (iv) amend any outstanding Purchase Rights or clarify any ambiguities regarding the terms of any Offering to enable the Purchase Rights to qualify under and/or comply with Section 423 of the Code with respect to the 423 Component; and (v) establish other limitations or procedures as the Board determines in its sole discretion advisable that are consistent with the Plan. The actions of the Board pursuant to this paragraph will not be considered to alter or impair any Purchase Rights granted under an Offering as they are part of the initial terms of each Offering and the Purchase Rights granted under each Offering.

 

13. Tax Qualification; Tax Withholding.

 

(a)    Although the Company may endeavor to (i) qualify a Purchase Right for special tax treatment under the laws of the United States or jurisdictions outside of the United States or (ii) avoid adverse tax treatment, the Company makes no representation to that effect and expressly disavows any covenant to maintain special or to avoid unfavorable tax treatment, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan. The Company will be unconstrained in its corporate activities without regard to the potential negative tax impact on Participants.

 

(b)    Each Participant will make arrangements, satisfactory to the Company and any applicable Related Corporation, to enable the Company or the Related Corporation to fulfill any withholding obligation for Tax-Related Items. Without limitation to the foregoing, in the Company’s sole discretion and subject to Applicable Law, such withholding obligation may be satisfied in whole or in part by (i) withholding from the Participant’s salary or any other cash payment due to the Participant from the Company or a Related Corporation; (ii) withholding from the proceeds of the sale of shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan, either through a voluntary sale or a mandatory sale arranged by the Company; or (iii) any other method deemed acceptable by the Board. The Company shall not be required to issue any shares of Common Stock under the Plan until such obligations are satisfied.

 

7 

 

 

(c)    The 423 Component is exempt from the application of Section 409A of the Code, and any ambiguities herein shall be interpreted to so be exempt from Section 409A of the Code. The Non-423 Component is intended to be exempt from the application of Section 409A of the Code under the short-term deferral exception and any ambiguities shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent. In furtherance of the foregoing and notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, if the Committee determines that an option granted under the Plan may be subject to Section 409A of the Code or that any provision in the Plan would cause an option under the Plan to be subject to Section 409A, the Committee may amend the terms of the Plan and/or of an outstanding option granted under the Plan, or take such other action the Committee determines is necessary or appropriate, in each case, without the participant’s consent, to exempt any outstanding option or future option that may be granted under the Plan from or to allow any such options to comply with Section 409A of the Code, but only to the extent any such amendments or action by the Committee would not violate Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no liability to a participant or any other party if the option under the Plan that is intended to be exempt from or compliant with Section 409A of the Code is not so exempt or compliant or for any action taken by the Committee with respect thereto.

 

14. Effective Date of Plan.

 

The Plan will become effective immediately prior to and contingent upon the Effective Date. No Purchase Rights will be exercised unless and until the Plan has been approved by the stockholders of the Company, which approval must be within 12 months before or after the date the Plan is adopted (or if required under Section 12(a) above, materially amended) by the Board.

 

15. Miscellaneous Provisions.

 

(a)    Proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock pursuant to Purchase Rights will constitute general funds of the Company.

 

(b)    A Participant will not be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, shares of Common Stock subject to Purchase Rights unless and until the Participant’s shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of Purchase Rights are recorded in the books of the Company (or its transfer agent).

 

(c)    The Plan and Offering do not constitute an employment contract. Nothing in the Plan or in the Offering will in any way alter the at will nature of a Participant’s employment or amend a Participant’s employment contract, if applicable, or be deemed to create in any way whatsoever any obligation on the part of any Participant to continue in the employ of the Company or a Related Corporation or an Affiliate, or on the part of the Company, a Related Corporation or an Affiliate to continue the employment of a Participant.

 

(d)   The provisions of the Plan will be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware without resort to that state’s conflicts of laws rules.

 

(e)    If any particular provision of the Plan is found to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable, such provision will not affect the other provisions of the Plan, but the Plan will be construed in all respects as if such invalid provision were omitted.

 

(f)    If any provision of the Plan does not comply with Applicable Law, such provision shall be construed in such a manner as to comply with Applicable Law.

 

16. Definitions.

 

As used in the Plan, the following definitions will apply to the capitalized terms indicated below:

 

(a)    423 Component” means the part of the Plan, which excludes the Non-423 Component, pursuant to which Purchase Rights that satisfy the requirements for an Employee Stock Purchase Plan may be granted to Eligible Employees.

 

(b)    “Affiliatemeans any entity, other than a Related Corporation, whether now or subsequently established, which is at the time of determination, a “parent” or “subsidiary” of the Company as such terms are defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act. The Board may determine the time or times at which “parent” or “subsidiary” status is determined within the foregoing definition.

 

8 

 

 

(c)     Applicable Law” means shall mean the Code and any applicable securities, federal, state, foreign, material local or municipal or other law, statute, constitution, principle of common law, resolution, ordinance, code, edict, decree, rule, listing rule, regulation, judicial decision, ruling or requirement issued, enacted, adopted, promulgated, implemented or otherwise put into effect by or under the authority of any Governmental Body (or under the authority of the NASDAQ Stock Market, the New York Stock Exchange or the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority).

 

(d)     “Board” means the board of directors of the Company.

 

(e)     Capitalization Adjustment” means any change that is made in, or other events that occur with respect to, the Common Stock subject to the Plan or subject to any Purchase Right after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board without the receipt of consideration by the Company through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, large nonrecurring cash dividend, stock split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure or other similar equity restructuring transaction, as that term is used in Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (or any successor thereto). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the conversion of any convertible securities of the Company will not be treated as a Capitalization Adjustment.

 

(f)     Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including any applicable regulations and guidance thereunder.

 

(g)     Committee” means a committee of one or more members of the Board to whom authority has been delegated by the Board in accordance with Section 2(c).

 

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

 

(i) Company” means AppHarvest, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

(j)    “Contributions” means the payroll deductions and other additional payments specifically provided for in the Offering that a Participant contributes to fund the exercise of a Purchase Right. A Participant may make additional payments into his or her account if specifically provided for in the Offering, and then only if the Participant has not already had the maximum permitted amount withheld during the Offering through payroll deductions and, with respect to the 423 Component, to the extent permitted by Section 423 of the Code.

 

(k)    Corporate Transaction” means the consummation, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:

 

(i)     a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, of the consolidated assets of the Company and its subsidiaries;

 

(ii)    a sale or other disposition of more than 50% of the outstanding securities of the Company;

 

(iii)   a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is not the surviving corporation; or

 

(iv)    a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is the surviving corporation but the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger, consolidation or similar transaction are converted or exchanged by virtue of the merger, consolidation or similar transaction into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise.

 

(l)    “Designated 423 Corporationmeans any Related Corporation selected by the Board to participate in the 423 Component.

 

(m)   “Designated Companymeans any Designated Non-423 Corporation or Designated 423 Corporation, provided, however, that at any given time, a Related Corporation participating in the 423 Component shall not be a Related Corporation participating in the Non-423 Component.

 

(n)   “Designated Non-423 Corporationmeans any Related Corporation or Affiliate selected by the Board to participate in the Non-423 Component.

 

9 

 

 

(o) Director” means a member of the Board.

 

(p)    Effective Date” means the effective date of this Plan, which is the date of the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement and Plan of Reorganization by and among Novus Capital Corporation, Orga, Inc. and AppHarvest, Inc., dated as of September 28, 2020, provided that this Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders prior to such date.

 

(q)    Eligible Employee” means an Employee who meets the requirements set forth in the document(s) governing the Offering for eligibility to participate in the Offering, provided that such Employee also meets the requirements for eligibility to participate set forth in the Plan.

 

(r)    Employee” means any person, including an Officer or Director, who is “employed” for purposes of Section 423(b)(4) of the Code by the Company or a Related Corporation, or solely with respect to the Non- 423 Component, an Affiliate. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such services, will not cause a Director to be considered an “Employee” for purposes of the Plan.

 

(s)    Employee Stock Purchase Plan” means a plan that grants Purchase Rights intended to be options issued under an “employee stock purchase plan,” as that term is defined in Section 423(b) of the Code.

 

(t)    Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(u)    Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of the Common Stock determined as follows:

 

(i)      If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or traded on any established market, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock will be the closing sales price for such stock as quoted on such exchange or market (or the exchange or market with the greatest volume of trading in the Common Stock) on the date of determination, as reported in such source as the Board deems reliable. Unless otherwise provided by the Board, if there is no closing sales price for the Common Stock on the date of determination, then the Fair Market Value will be the closing sales price on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists.

 

(ii)     In the absence of such markets for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value will be determined by the Board in good faith in compliance with Applicable Laws and regulations and, to the extent applicable as determined in the sole discretion of the Board, in a manner that complies with Sections 409A of the Code

 

(v)    Governmental Body” means any: (a) nation, state, commonwealth, province, territory, county, municipality, district or other jurisdiction of any nature; (b) federal, state, local, municipal, foreign or other government; (c) governmental or regulatory body, or quasi-governmental body of any nature (including any governmental division, department, administrative agency or bureau, commission, authority, instrumentality, official, ministry, fund, foundation, center, organization, unit, body or entity and any court or other tribunal, and for the avoidance of doubt, any tax authority) or other body exercising similar powers or authority; or (d)  self-regulatory organization (including the NASDAQ Stock Market, the New York Stock Exchange and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority).

 

(w)    Non-423 Component” means the part of the Plan, which excludes the 423 Component, pursuant to which Purchase Rights that are not intended to satisfy the requirements for an Employee Stock Purchase Plan may be granted to Eligible Employees.

 

(x)   Offering” means the grant to Eligible Employees of Purchase Rights, with the exercise of those Purchase Rights automatically occurring at the end of one or more Purchase Periods. The terms and conditions of an Offering will generally be set forth in the “Offering Document” approved by the Board for that Offering.

 

(y) Offering Date” means a date selected by the Board for an Offering to commence.

 

(z)    Officer” means a person who is an officer of the Company or a Related Corporation within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

 

10 

 

 

(aa)    Participant” means an Eligible Employee who holds an outstanding Purchase Right.

 

(bb)    “Plan” means this AppHarvest, Inc. 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended from time to time, including both the 423 Component and the Non-423 Component.

 

(cc)    “Purchase Date” means one or more dates during an Offering selected by the Board on which Purchase Rights will be exercised and on which purchases of shares of Common Stock will be carried out in accordance with such Offering.

 

(dd)    “Purchase Period” means a period of time specified within an Offering, generally beginning on the Offering Date or on the first Trading Day following a Purchase Date, and ending on a Purchase Date. An Offering may consist of one or more Purchase Periods.

 

(ee)    “Purchase Right” means an option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to the Plan.

 

(ff)    “Related Corporation” means any “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” of the Company whether now or subsequently established, as those terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and (f), respectively, of the Code.

 

(gg)    “Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

(hh)    Tax-Related Items” means any income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, fringe benefit tax, payment on account or other tax-related items arising out of or in relation to a Participant’s participation in the Plan, including, but not limited to, the exercise of a Purchase Right and the receipt of shares of Common Stock or the sale or other disposition of shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan.

 

(ii)     “Trading Day” means any day on which the exchange(s) or market(s) on which shares of Common Stock are listed, including but not limited to the New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Capital Market or any successors thereto, is open for trading.

 

11 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of AppHarvest, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of AppHarvest, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, redeemable convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ deficit and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

 

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2020.

 

Louisville, Kentucky

March 2, 2021

 

F-2

 

 

AppHarvest, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

    December 31,
2020
    December 31,
2019
 
Assets                
Current Assets:                
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 21,908,907     $ 6,031,270  
Inventories, net     3,387,113        
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     481,003       26,300  
Total current assets     25,777,023       6,057,570  
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net     1,307,173       144,127  
Property and equipment, net     152,645,335       3,701,074  
Lease deposits with a related party           4,000,000  
Other assets     1,187,967       40,334  
Total non-current assets     155,140,475       7,885,535  
Total assets   $ 180,917,498     $ 13,943,105  
Liabilities, redeemable convertible preferred stock, and stockholders’ deficit                
Current Liabilities:                
Accounts payable   $ 1,341,822     $ 166,956  
Accrued expenses     5,183,880       49,235  
Current portion of lease liabilities with a related party     59,216,485        
Current portion of lease liabilities     166,354       44,654  
Current portion of financing obligation with a related party     58,795,309        
Deferred development fee income from a related party           406,004  
Note payable with a related party     30,000,000        
Other current liabilities     76,948        
Total current liabilities     154,780,798       666,849  
Lease liabilities, net of current portion     1,370,462       103,524  
Financing obligation with a related party           4,096,754  
Total non-current liabilities     1,370,462       4,200,278  
Total liabilities     156,151,260       4,867,127  
Redeemable convertible preferred stock, $0.0001 par value:                
Series A, 2,770,165 shares authorized, issued, and outstanding, as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively     5,203,342       5,203,342  
Series A-1, 392,276 shares authorized, issued, and outstanding, as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively     992,285       992,285  
Series B, 3,500,000 and 2,000,000 shares authorized, 2,631,972 and 1,483,491 shares issued and outstanding, as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively     10,942,411       6,062,505  
Series C, 5,250,000 shares authorized, 5,130,658 shares issued and outstanding, as of December 31, 2020     28,069,492        
Total redeemable convertible preferred stock     45,207,530       12,258,132  
Stockholders’ deficit:                
Common stock, par value $0.0001, 25,500,000 and 19,600,000 shares authorized, 9,750,427 and 9,676,677 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively     975       968  
Additional paid-in capital     685,866       497,306  
Accumulated deficit     (21,128,133 )     (3,680,428 )
Total stockholders’ deficit     (20,441,292 )     (3,182,154 )
Total liabilities, redeemable convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ deficit   $ 180,917,498     $ 13,943,105  

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

F-3

 

 

AppHarvest, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss

 

    Year ended December 31,  
    2020     2019  
Revenue   $     $  
Operating expenses                
Selling, general and administrative expenses     16,295,530       2,716,796  
Depreciation     175,843       16,129  
Total operating expenses     16,471,373       2,732,925  
Loss from operations     (16,471,373 )     (2,732,925 )
Other income (expense):                
Development fee income from a related party     406,004       349,788  
Loss on SAFE Note revaluation           (345,003 )
Interest expense from related parties     (1,423,208 )     (27,515 )
Other     50,058       9,634  
Loss before income taxes     (17,438,519 )     (2,746,021 )
Income tax expense     9,186        
Net and comprehensive loss   $ (17,447,705 )   $ (2,746,021 )
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted   $ (1.80 )   $ (0.29 )
Weighted average common shares used in computing net loss per common share, basic and diluted     9,716,768       9,507,926  

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-4

 

 

AppHarvest, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Consolidated Statements of Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Deficit 

 

    Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock                 Additional           Total   
    Series A      Series A-1     Series B     Series C

Common Stock

   
Paid-in
Capital
   

 Accumulated
Deficit

    Stockholders’
Deficit
 
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount              
Balance, December 31, 2018         $           $           $           $       9,100,000     $ 910     $ 11,559     $ (934,407 )   $ (921,938 )
Net loss                                                                       (2,746,021 )     (2,746,021 )
Issuance of preferred shares, net     2,111,856       3,953,345       392,276       992,285       1,483,491       6,062,505                                            
SAFE Note conversion     658,309       1,249,997                                           576,677       58       345,949             346,007  
Stock-based compensation                                                                 139,798             139,798  
Balance, December 31, 2019     2,770,165       5,203,342       392,276       992,285       1,483,491       6,062,505                   9,676,677       968       497,306       (3,680,428 )     (3,182,154 )
Net loss                                                                       (17,447,705 )     (17,447,705 )
Issuance of preferred shares, net                             1,148,481       4,879,906       5,130,658       28,069,492                                
Stock option exercise                                                     73,750       7       34,663             34,670  
Stock based compensation                                                                   153,897             153,897  
Balance, December 31, 2020     2,770,165     $ 5,203,342       392,276     $ 992,285       2,631,972     $ 10,942,411       5,130,658     $ 28,069,492       9,750,427     $ 975     $ 685,866     $ (21,128,133 )   $ (20,441,292 )

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-5

 

 

AppHarvest, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

  Year Ended December 31,  
  2020     2019  
Operating Activities              
Net loss $ (17,447,705 )   $ (2,746,021 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:              
Deferred income tax   9,186        
Depreciation   175,843       16,129  
Stock-based compensation expense   153,897       139,798  
Loss on SAFE Note revaluation         345,003  
Rent payments (in excess of) less than average rent expense, net   25,778       (462 )
Interest accrual on financing with related parties   1,413,944       22,127  
Amortization of development fee with a related party   (406,004 )      
Changes in assets and liabilities:              
Inventory   (2,961,664 )      
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   (347,262 )     (22,025 )
Other assets, net   (947,633 )     (34,527 )
Accounts payable   1,174,866       345,890  
Accrued expenses   1,933,073       37,403  
Deferred income from a related party         406,004  
Other current liabilities   76,948        
Lease deposits with a related party   4,000,000       (4,000,000 )
Net cash used in operating activities   (13,146,733 )     (5,490,681 )
Investing Activities              
Purchases of property and equipment   (35,682,287 )     (3,615,167 )
Net cash used in investing activities   (35,682,287 )     (3,615,167 )
Financing Activities              
Payments on finance lease liability with a related party   (258,607 )      
Payments on financing obligation to a related party   (18,804 )      
Proceeds from loan agreements with related parties   32,000,000        
Borrowings on land mortgage loan and related financing with a related party         3,774,627  
Proceeds from stock option exercises   34,670        
Issuance of Series A Preferred Stock         4,009,992  
Issuance of Series A-1 Preferred Stock         999,990  
Issuance of Series B Preferred Stock   4,886,976       6,083,346  
Issuance of Series C Preferred Stock   28,149,355        
Preferred stock issuance costs   (86,933 )     (85,193 )
Other financing activities         (951 )
Net cash provided by financing activities   64,706,657       14,781,811  
Change in cash and cash equivalents $ 15,877,637     $ 5,675,963  
Cash and cash equivalents              
Beginning of period   6,031,270       355,307  
End of period $ 21,908,907     $ 6,031,270  
Noncash activities              
SAFE Conversion $     $ 1,596,003  
Conversion of equipment loan to a finance lease liability with a related party $ 2,088,655     $  
Accrued purchases of property and equipment $ 2,574,304     $  

  

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-6

 

 

AppHarvest, Inc. and Subsidiaries 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2020 and 2019

 

(1) Description of Business

 

AppHarvest Inc. was founded on January 19, 2018 and together with its subsidiaries (the “Company” or “AppHarvest”) is a sustainable food company creating a resilient and scalable ecosystem of applied technology greenhouses to serve the rapidly growing consumer demand for fresh, chemical-free, non-GMO fruits, vegetables and related products. The Company’s operations through December 31, 2020, have been limited to organizing and staffing, business planning, raising capital, and acquiring and developing properties for controlled environment agriculture. The Company has not generated any revenues through December 31, 2020.

 

On January 29, 2021, pursuant to the business combination agreement and plan of reorganization (“Business Combination Agreement”) with Novus Capital Corporation (“Novus”) and ORGA, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Novus (“Merger Sub”), executed in September 2020, the Company merged with and into Merger Sub (the “Merger”), with the Company surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Novus. On the closing date, the Company changed its name to AppHarvest Operations, Inc. and Novus changed its name from Novus Capital Corporation to AppHarvest, Inc. The Company’s basis of the presentation within these consolidated financial statements do not reflect any adjustment as a result of the Merger closing. The Merger will be accounted for as a reverse recapitalization. Under this method of accounting, AppHarvest will be treated as the accounting acquirer for financial reporting purposes.

 

(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) and are presented in U.S. Dollars. Any reference in these notes to applicable guidance is meant to refer to the authoritative U.S. GAAP as found in the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) and an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”).

 

a) Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Although these estimates are based on the Company’s knowledge of current events and actions the Company may undertake in the future, actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the useful lives of fixed assets, the valuation of instruments issued for financing and stock-based compensation, lease accounting and income taxes.

 

The Company utilizes estimates and assumptions in determining the fair value of its Common Stock and other equity instruments. The fair value was determined using valuation methodologies in accordance with the framework of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Technical Practice Aid, Valuation of Privately-Held Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation. The Company granted stock options at exercise prices not less than the fair value of its Common Stock, as determined by the Board of Directors contemporaneously at the date such grants were made, with input from management. The fair value of Common Stock at the grant date was determined to have been higher in connection with retrospective fair value assessments for financial reporting purposes. The exercise prices of the stock option awards affected by the retrospective fair value assessment were not modified. The Company’s retrospective fair value assessment estimated the fair value of the Company’s Common Stock based on a number of objective and subjective factors, including external market conditions affecting the Company’s industry sector and the prices at which the Company sold shares of preferred stock, the superior rights and preferences of securities senior to the Company’s Common Stock at the time, and the likelihood of achieving a Deemed Liquidity Event, as defined, such as a public offering or sale of the Company. Significant changes to the key assumptions used in the valuations could result in different fair values of Common Stock and other equity instruments at each valuation date.

 

F-7

 

 

AppHarvest, Inc. and Subsidiaries 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2020 and 2019

 

The Company’s results can also be affected by economic, political, legislative, regulatory, legal actions, and the impact from the global outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (“COVID-19”). Economic conditions, such as recessionary trends, inflation, interest and monetary exchange rates, and government fiscal policies, can have a significant effect on operations. While the Company maintains reserves for anticipated liabilities and carries various levels of insurance, the Company could be affected by civil, criminal, environmental, regulatory or administrative actions, claims, or proceedings.

 

b) Principles of Consolidation

 

The Company consolidates entities in which it holds a controlling financial interest. For voting interest entities, the Company is considered to hold a controlling financial interest when it is able to exercise control over the investees’ operating and financial decisions.

 

The Company does not have interests in any entities that would be considered variable interest entities.

 

All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

c) Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid, short-term investments with an original maturity date of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

 

The Company deposits its cash and cash equivalents in a commercial bank. From time to time, cash balances in these accounts exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insured limits. The Company mitigates exposure to credit risk by placing cash and cash equivalents with highly rated financial institutions. To date, the Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts, and believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on its cash and cash equivalents. At December 31, 2020, cash and cash equivalents includes $5,646,392 of cash restricted for future minimum lease payments and operating and maintenance costs associated with the Company’s lease with a related party (see Note 8(a)). The Company had no restricted cash balances at December 31, 2019.

 

d) Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures

 

Carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses, other current liabilities, and notes payable approximate fair values because of their short-term nature. There were no material assets or liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.

 

e) Inventories

 

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or net realizable value. Finished goods inventories represent costs associated with boxed produce not yet sold. Growing crop inventories primarily represent the costs associated with growing produce within the Company’s controlled environment agriculture facilities. Materials and supplies primarily represent growing and packaging supplies. Inventory costs are comprised of the purchase and transportation cost plus production labor and overhead.

 

f) Long-Lived Assets

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for additions or renewals and improvements are capitalized; expenditures for maintenance and repairs that neither materially add to the value of the property nor appreciably prolong its economic life are charged to expense as incurred.

 

F-8

 

 

AppHarvest, Inc. and Subsidiaries 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2020 and 2019

 

Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which are as follows:

 

Building: 25 years
Leasehold and building improvements: the lessor of the lease term or 4 to 10 years.
Machinery: 5 to 10 years
Equipment: 3 to 10 years

 

Assets held under financing leases are recorded at the net present value of the minimum lease payments, net of incentives provided by the lessor. Depreciation expense for assets held under financing leases is computed using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the period of the related lease. If the related lease contains an option to purchase the underlying asset that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise or the lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset to the Company by the end of the lease term, depreciation expense is computed over the estimated useful life of the asset.

 

Impairment

 

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of a long-lived asset or asset group may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets is measured by comparing the carrying amount of an asset to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. The Company did not record any impairment losses for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

 

g) Leases

 

The Company determines if an arrangement contains a lease at inception. The right-of-use assets, net and liabilities associated with leases are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term. The Company uses its incremental borrowing rate at the recognition date in determining the present value of future payments for leases that do not have a readily determinable implicit rate. Lease terms reflect options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the option will be exercised. For leases that include residual value guarantees or payments for terminating the lease, the Company includes these costs in the lease liability when it is probable such costs will be incurred. Right-of-use assets and obligations for short-term leases (leases with an initial term of 12 months or less) are not recognized in the consolidated balance sheet. Lease expense for short-term leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. When contracts contain lease and non-lease components, the Company generally accounts for both components as a single lease component.

 

h) Income Taxes

 

The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are provided, if, based upon the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

 

When uncertain tax positions exist, the Company recognizes the tax benefit of tax positions to the extent that some or all of the benefit will more likely than not be realized. The determination as to whether the tax benefit will more likely than not be realized is based upon the technical merits of the tax position, as well as consideration of the available facts and circumstances. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company does not have any uncertain tax positions. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions as income tax expense.

 

F-9

 

 

AppHarvest, Inc. and Subsidiaries 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2020 and 2019

 

i) Retirement Plans

 

The AppHarvest 401(k) Plan provides for matching contributions. The Company incurred $105,007 and $11,154 of expenses associated with the 401(k) Plan for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

j) Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company recognizes in its Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss the grant-date fair value of stock options, restricted stock awards, and restricted stock units issued to employees and directors. All the Company’s stock option and restricted stock awards are subject only to service-based vesting conditions. Stock-based compensation expense related to stock options and restricted stock awards is recognized on a straight-line basis over the associated service period of the award, which is generally the vesting term. Restricted stock unit awards are subject to both service- and performance-based vesting conditions. The Company recognizes forfeitures of awards as they occur.

 

The Company estimates the fair value of its restricted stock units and restricted stock awards based upon the fair value of the common stock at the date the terms of the awards are mutually agreed upon between the Company and the holder. The Company estimates the fair value of its stock option awards using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which requires the input of subjective assumptions, including (a) the expected stock price volatility, (b) the calculation of expected term of the award, (c) the risk-free interest rate, and (d) expected dividends. Due to the lack of a public market for the trading of the Company’s Common Stock and a lack of company-specific historical and implied volatility data, the Company has based its estimate of expected volatility on the historical volatility of a group of similar companies that are publicly traded and have similar characteristics to the Company. The Company believes the group selected has sufficient similar economic and industry characteristics and includes companies that are most representative of the Company.

 

The Company uses the simplified method as prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107, Share-Based Payment, to calculate the expected term, as it does not have sufficient historical exercise data to provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate the expected term for options granted to employees. The expected term is applied to the stock option grant group as a whole, as the Company does not expect substantially different exercise or post-vesting termination behavior among its employee population. The expected term of the stock option awards granted historically was assumed to be the weighted average between the options contract life and the vesting term of the underlying award (based upon the underlying arrangement). The risk-free interest rate is based on a treasury instrument whose term is consistent with the expected life of the stock options.

 

k) Development Fee Income from a Related Party

 

The Company recognizes development fee income related to indirect limited oversight services it performs in connection with the greenhouse construction site in Morehead, Kentucky (see Note 8(a)). The development fee of $750,000 was received in May 2019 and was recognized on a straight-line basis, consistent with the level of service, through October 2020, the date when the Morehead Facility reached substantial completion.

 

l) Net Loss Per Common Share

 

The Company’s basic net loss per common share is calculated by dividing the net loss by the weighted- average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding for the period. The diluted net loss per common share is computed by giving effect to all potential common stock equivalents outstanding for the period determined using the treasury stock method. For purposes of this calculation, stock options to purchase Common Stock, restricted stock units and redeemable convertible preferred stock are considered to be Common Stock equivalents but have been excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per common share as their effect is anti-dilutive.

 

F-10

 

 

AppHarvest, Inc. and Subsidiaries 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2020 and 2019

 

m) Advertising

 

Advertising costs are expensed when incurred. Advertising expense for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $142,305 and $40,217, respectively, and is included in selling, general, and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

 

n) Segment Information

 

The Company is organized as a single operating segment. All the assets and operations of the Company are located in the United States (“U.S.”)

 

o) Comprehensive Loss

 

Comprehensive loss is defined as the change in equity of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events. Comprehensive loss was equal to net loss for all periods presented.

 

p) Distribution Agreement

 

On March 28, 2019, the Company entered into a Purchase and Marketing Agreement (the “Mastronardi Morehead Agreement”) with Mastronardi Produce Limited (“Mastronardi”) pursuant to which Mastronardi will be the sole and exclusive marketer and distributor of all tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, berries and leafy greens produced at the Company’s controlled environment agriculture facility in Morehead, Kentucky that meet certain quality standards (collectively, the “Products”). Under the terms of the Mastronardi Morehead Agreement, the Company is responsible for growing, producing, packing, and delivering the Products to Mastronardi, and Mastronardi is responsible for marketing, branding and distributing the Products to its customers. Mastronardi will pay the Company market prices for the Products that are consistent with the best and highest prices available during the duration of the applicable growing season for like kind U.S. Department of Agriculture Grade No. 1 products. Mastronardi will set the market price for the Products and will pay over to the Company the gross sale price of the Product sold by Mastronardi, less a marketing fee and Mastronardi’s costs incurred in the sale and distribution of the Products. If Mastronardi rejects, returns or otherwise refuses Products for failure to meet certain quality standards, the Company has the right, at its cost and expense, to sell or otherwise dispose of the Products, subject to certain conditions.

 

The Mastronardi Morehead Agreement has a term of 10 years. The Company has a limited, one-time right to terminate the Mastronardi Morehead Agreement if certain return targets are not reached. During the term of the Mastronardi Morehead Agreement, Mastronardi has a right of first refusal to enter into similar arrangements with regard to any additional growing facilities the Company established in Kentucky or West Virginia.

 

As of December 31, 2020, the Company has commenced commercial production, but has not yet sold any Product to Mastronardi. Once product distribution commences, the Company will derive substantially all of its revenue from sales to Mastronardi.

 

q) Deferred offering costs

 

Deferred offering costs, which primarily consist of direct incremental legal and accounting fees related to the Merger and related equity issuances, are capitalized. The deferred offering costs will be offset against Merger and equity issuance proceeds upon the consummation of the offering. Deferred offering costs were $1,126,619 at December 31, 2020, and reflected in Other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. No amounts were incurred or deferred as of December 31, 2019.

 

F-11

 

 

AppHarvest, Inc. and Subsidiaries 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2020 and 2019

 

r) Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses primarily consist of payroll and payroll related expenses, stock-based compensation, legal and professional costs, rent expense, marketing and advertising, communications, insurance and various other personnel and office related costs. During the year ended December 31, 2020, $2,213,906 of start-up expenses related to pre-commencement commercial activities at the controlled environment agriculture facility in Morehead, Kentucky were expensed as incurred by the Company and recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses within the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss.

 

(3) Accrued Expenses

 

Accrued expenses consist of the following as of December 31:  

 

    2020     2019
Accrued construction costs   $ 2,574,304     $
Accrued professional service fees   $ 693,206     $ 35,792
Accrued interest on convertible debt with a related party     618,082      
Accrued payroll     562,641       1,644
Accrued utilities     383,852      
Other accrued liabilities     351,795       11,799
Total accrued expenses   $ 5,183,880     $ 49,235

 

(4) Inventories, net

 

Inventories, net consisted of the following at December 31, 2020:  

 

Finished goods   $
Raw materials     781,222
Growing crops     2,605,891
Total inventories, net   $ 3,387,113

 

F-12

 

 

 

AppHarvest, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  

December 31, 2020 and 2019 

 

(5) Property and Equipment, net

 

Property and equipment at cost and accumulated depreciation at December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

 

    December 31, 2020  
    Original cost     Accumulated depreciation     Assets net  
Land   $ 3,678,296     $     $ 3,678,296  
Land with a related party – see Note 8(a)     3,599,324             3,599,324  
Buildings     57,362,041       (436,209 )     56,925,832  
Construction in progress     23,525,658             23,525,658  
Construction in progress with a related party – see Note 8(a)     54,648,634             54,648,634  
Automobiles     151,898       (14,791 )     137,107  
Leasehold improvements     871,259       (17,660 )     853,599  
Equipment     1,803,347       (68,074 )     1,735,273  
Machinery     7,625,332       (83,720 )     7,541,612  
    $ 153,265,789     $ (620,454 )   $ 152,645,335  

 

    December 31, 2019  
    Original cost     Accumulated
depreciation
    Assets net  
Land with a related party – see Note 8(a)    $ 3,599,324       $   $ 3,599,324  
Equipment     25,399         (7,235)     18,164  
Machinery     95,512         (11,926)     83,586  
    $ 3,720,235       $ (19,161)   $ 3,701,074  

 

Depreciation expense for property and equipment for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $175,843 and $16,129, respectively.

 

Building cost includes $56,747,769 related to right-to-use assets held under a finance lease with a related party (see Note 8(a)).

 

(6) Income Taxes

 

For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company incurred net operating losses and, accordingly, no current provision for income taxes has been recorded. Income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2020 consisted of the following components:

 

Deferred income taxes:    
Federal   $ 8,606
State     580
Total deferred income taxes     9,186
Total income tax expense   $ 9,186

 

For the year ended December 31, 2019, no deferred income tax benefit for income taxes was recorded due to the uncertainty of the realization of net deferred tax assets.

 

F-13

 

 

AppHarvest, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2020 and 2019

 

The reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax with the provision for income taxes are as follows for the years ended December 31:

 

    2020     2019  
Loss before income taxes   $ (17,438,519 )   $ (2,746,021 )
Income tax benefit at U.S. Federal statutory rate     (3,662,089 )     (576,664 )
Permanent items     211,193       95,081  
Change in valuation allowance     4,121,884       572,404  
State income taxes, net of U.S. Federal income tax benefit     (661,802 )     (90,821 )
Income tax expense   $ 9,186     $  

 

The Company has considered the impact of state rate changes, apportionment weighting and state filing positions when determining its state effective tax rate. The Company adjusts its state effective tax rate for enacted law changes during the year.

 

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income and for tax carryforwards. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

 

    December 31,  
    2020     2019  
Deferred tax assets:                
Net operating loss carryforwards   $ 4,856,533     $ 812,183  
Lease liabilities     15,679,593       39,604  
Financing obligation     15,581,566       962,009  
Other     19,607       3,811  
      36,137,299       1,817,607  
Valuation allowance     (4,921,773 )     (799,889 )
      31,215,526       1,017,718  
Deferred tax liabilities:                
Property and equipment   $ (30,879,012 )   $ (982,871 )
Operating lease right-of-use assets     (349,375 )     (38,522 )
      (31,228,387 )     (1,021,393 )
Net deferred tax liabilities   $ (12,861 )   $ (3,675 )

 

When realization of the deferred tax asset is more likely than not to occur, the benefit related to the deductible temporary differences attributable to operations is recognized as a reduction of income tax expense. Valuation allowances are provided against deferred tax assets when, based on all available evidence, it is considered more likely than not that some portion or all of the recorded deferred tax assets will not be realized in future periods. The Company cannot be certain that future taxable income will be sufficient to realize its deferred tax assets, and accordingly, a full valuation allowance has been provided on its net deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019. The valuation allowance increased $4,121,884 during the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily as a result of an increase in net operating loss carryforwards. The Company continues to monitor the need for a valuation allowance based on the sources of future taxable income.

 

F-14

 

  

AppHarvest, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2020 and 2019

 

At December 31, 2020, the Company has $19,477,629 of federal net operating loss carryforwards that have no expiration. The Company has $19,398,243 of state net operating loss carryforwards that have no expiration.

 

Under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards are subject to review and possible adjustment by the Internal Revenue Service and state tax authorities. Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards may be subject to an annual limitation in the event of certain cumulative changes in the ownership interest of significant stockholders by more than 50% over a three- year period, as defined in Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code and similar state provisions. The amount of the annual limitation is determined based on the value of the Company immediately before the ownership change. Subsequent ownership changes may further affect the limitation in future years. The Company has not completed a study to assess whether a change of control has occurred or whether there have been multiple changes of control since the date of the Company’s formation and that there could be additional changes in control in the future. As a result, the Company is unable to estimate the effect of these limitations, if any, on the Company’s ability to utilize net operating losses in the future. A valuation allowance has been provided against the Company’s net operating and tax credit carryforwards and, if an adjustment is required, this adjustment would be offset by an adjustment to the deferred tax asset established for the net operating loss carryforward and the valuation allowance.

 

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had no accrued uncertain tax positions or associated interest or penalties and no amounts have been recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

 

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and state jurisdictions. The tax years since inception remain open and subject to examination by federal and state taxing authorities.

 

(7) Notes Payable with a Related Party

 

On May 12, 2020, the Company entered into a loan agreement with Equilibrium Controlled Environment Foods Fund, LLC and its affiliates (“Equilibrium”), a related party, to finance the purchase of equipment to be used in the Company’s operations in Morehead, Kentucky (the “Equipment Loan”.) The loan agreement had a principal balance of $2,000,000 and an interest rate of 9.5% per year. In October 2020, as a result of completion of the Morehead Facility (see Note 8(a)) and subsequent occupancy, the principal balance of the loan was extinguished and added to the future base rent calculation to be paid over the term of the lease.

 

On September 28, 2020, the Company entered into a convertible promissory note with Inclusive Capital Partners Spring Master Fund, L.P., a related party, to finance capital investments and operating needs (the “Convertible Note”). The Convertible Note has a principal balance of $30,000,000 and bears simple interest at 8.0% per annum. The outstanding principal amount of the Convertible Note and any unpaid accrued interest shall automatically convert into shares of Novus at a conversion price equal to $9.50 per share upon closing of a Business Combination Agreement. Absent such conversion, all unpaid interest and principal shall be due and payable upon demand on or after September 28, 2021. The Company has recorded the Convertible Note as a current liability at December 31, 2020.

 

The Convertible Note includes certain other terms which can accelerate and/or change the manner in which the Convertible Note are redeemed or converted. In a change in control, the holders of the Convertible Note can demand repayment of principal, accrued but unpaid interest, and a repayment premium in the amount of 50% of principal. In addition, upon a future equity financing event, the holder of the Convertible Note may elect to convert the outstanding principal and interest into the most senior stock of the Company issued in such a financing at the lower of 80% of the price paid by such investor or based on a valuation of $500 million. A merger between the Company and Novus, and any merger related financings, do not qualify as a change in control or future financing event under the terms of the Convertible Note. The fair value of these embedded derivatives was not significant at issuance or at December 31, 2020.

 

F-15

 

 

AppHarvest, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2020 and 2019

 

(8) Commitments and Contingencies

 

(a) Equilibrium Transactions

 

On April 15, 2019, the Company entered into a mortgage loan with Equilibrium, a related party, to finance the purchase of land from a third party in Morehead, Kentucky (the “Morehead Land”). The loan had a principal balance of $3,481,222 and bore interest at 8.00% per year.

 

On May 13, 2019, the Company entered a series of agreements with Equilibrium, resulting in the sale of the legal entity that was established to purchase the Morehead Land. The net assets of the entity sold to Equilibrium included the land, related permitting and the mortgage note owed to Equilibrium. On that same date, the Company also entered into a Master Lease Agreement (the “Master Lease Agreement”) with Morehead Farm LLC (“Morehead Farm”) for an indoor controlled agriculture facility on a portion of the Morehead Land (the “Morehead Facility”). The Master Lease Agreement had an initial term of 20 years commencing at substantial completion of construction and included a ground lease for the Morehead Land. In October 2020, the Company took occupancy of the completed portion of the Morehead Facility, resulting in lease commencement under the Master Lease Agreement. Lease payments under the Master Lease Agreement consisted of a base rent calculated as a percentage of defined construction costs, certain non-lease costs and rent based on gross revenues generated from the Morehead Facility. Equilibrium maintains an option to sell, and the Company is required to purchase, any excess land not otherwise utilized by the construction of the Morehead Facility at a price equal to the original cost of acquisition. During the term of the Master Lease Agreement, the Company has a right of first refusal to purchase the Morehead Land.  The Company has accounted for the transfer of the Morehead Land to Equilibrium in 2019 as a financing transaction.

 

On March 1, 2021, the Company closed on the Membership Interest Purchase and Sale Agreement with Equilibrium that was entered into in December 2020, pursuant to which it purchased from Equilibrium 100% of the membership interests in Morehead Farm (the “Membership Interest Purchase and Sale Agreement”). The purchase price for Morehead Farm was $125,000,055, which was equal to a multiple of Equilibrium’s cost to acquire, develop and construct the Morehead Facility. At closing, Morehead Farm, an Equilibrium subsidiary which owns the Morehead facility, became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Concurrent with the closing of the Membership Interest Purchase and Sale Agreement, the Master Lease Agreement and ancillary agreements related thereto, were terminated.

   

At December 31, 2020, the Company maintains a finance lease liability with Equilibrium of $59,216,485 related to the completed portion of the Morehead Facility and a related right-of-use asset at cost of $56,747,769. At December 31, 2020, the Company also has construction-in-progress assets of $54,648,634, and a corresponding financing obligation of $58,795,309 with Equilibrium for the portion of the Morehead Facility that remains under construction. The Company controls the remaining Morehead Facility construction activities. The finance lease liability and financing obligation related to the Morehead Facility have been recorded within current liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2020, since the closing of the Membership Interest Purchase and Sale Agreement occurred within twelve months of the balance sheet date.

 

(b) Other Leases

 

The Company’s other lease portfolio is primarily comprised of operating leases for offices. At the inception of an arrangement, the Company determines whether the arrangement is or contains a lease based on whether the contract conveys the right to control the use of identified property, plant or equipment for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Leases are classified as operating or finance leases at the commencement date of the lease.

 

F-16

 

 

AppHarvest, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2020 and 2019

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets, net and liabilities are recognized within the Consolidated Balance Sheets based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As the implicit rate is generally not readily determinable for most leases, the Company uses an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate reflects the estimated rate of interest that the Company would pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term in a similar economic environment. Lease expense for operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

Leases may include renewal options, and the renewal option is included in the lease term if the Company concludes that it is reasonably certain that the option will be exercised. A certain number of the Company’s leases contain rent escalation clauses, either fixed or adjusted periodically for inflation of market rates, that are factored into the calculation of lease payments to the extent they are fixed and determinable at lease inception.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized $168,955 and $70,129, respectively, of operating lease expense, including short-term lease expense and variable lease costs, which were immaterial. Rent expense is included in selling, general and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

 

The future minimum rental payments required under the leases for each year of the next five years ending December 31, and in the aggregate thereafter are as follows:

 

    Operating
leases
    Finance Lease
with Equilibrium
 
2021   $ 258,225     $ 59,446,868  
2022     280,977        
2023     270,112        
2024     276,780        
2025     264,928        
2026 and thereafter     549,488        
Total minimum payments required     1,900,510       59,446,868  
Less: imputed interest costs(1)     (363,694 )     (230,383 )
Present value of net minimum lease payments(2)   $ 1,536,816     $ 59,216,485  
Weighted-average imputed interest rate     6.29 %     4.72 %
Weighted-average remaining lease term     6.9       0.2  

 

 

 

(1) Represents the amount necessary to reduce net minimum lease payments to present value using actual rate in the lease agreement or the Company’s incremental borrowing rate at lease inception.
     
(2) Included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2020 as current lease liability with a related party of $59,216,485, current lease liability with other parties of $166,354, and noncurrent lease liability of $1,370,462.

 

Supplemental Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow information is as follows for the years ended December 31:

 

    2020     2019  
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities   $ 96,104     $ 37,668  
Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities   $ 1,441,486     $ 160,948  

 

F-17

 

AppHarvest, Inc. and Subsidiaries 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2020 and 2019

 

(c) Agreements with Dalsem

 

The Company entered into agreements with Dalsem Greenhouse Technology, B.V. (“Dalsem”) for the construction of new greenhouse facilities in Richmond, Kentucky and Berea, Kentucky on November 20, 2020 and December 11, 2020, respectively. Under terms of the agreements, Dalsem will provide certain services related to the design, engineering, procurement, construction, startup and testing of a greenhouse and certain ancillary facilities at each site. Total costs under the agreements are based on actual costs incurred by Dalsem and payments are due upon the completion of certain established project milestones, with a portion of each payment due in Euros and a portion due in U.S. dollars. Either party is entitled to terminate the agreements upon the occurrence of certain events of default and the Company is entitled to terminate the agreements if Dalsem fails to meet certain performance requirements. The Company may also terminate the agreements without cause with written notice and a termination payment to Dalsem.

 

(d) Purchase Commitments

 

There were no purchase commitments that were unrecorded at December 31, 2020 and 2019.

 

(9) Stock Compensation Plan

 

In 2018, the Company adopted a stock compensation plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to which the Company’s Board of Directors may grant stock awards to officers, key employees and directors. The Plan initially authorized awards to purchase up to 1,382,983 shares of Common Stock. The Plan was amended in December 2019 to allow for an additional 1,472,401 shares of Common Stock to be issued. The Plan provides for both incentive and nonqualified stock options. The options granted under the Plan may only be granted with an exercise price of not less than fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Awards under the Plan may be either vested or unvested options and each award will specify the vesting period or requisite performance conditions.

 

The incentive stock options (“ISO”) that have been granted generally vest over 48 months, with 25% vesting at the end of the first year and ratable vesting thereafter for the next 36 months. The nonqualified stock options (“NSO”) that have been granted vest ratably over 10 to 36 months. The ISOs and NSOs generally expire ten years after the date of grant. The fair value of the ISOs and NSOs on the date of grant is recognized as an expense over the requisite service period.

 

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to calculate the fair value of the options granted. The grant date fair value was based on the following assumptions used within the Black- Scholes option pricing model for the years ended December 31:

 

    2020     2019  
Expected term     5.80       5.72  
Risk-free interest rate     0.41 %     2.27 %
Expected volatility     49.45 %     40.98 %
Expected dividend yield     %     %

 

F-18

 

 

AppHarvest, Inc. and Subsidiaries 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2020 and 2019

 

The following table summarizes stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2020:

 

Options   Shares     Weighted average exercise price     Average remaining
contractual term
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2019     1,004,000     $ 0.46       9.39  
Granted     471,734       1.20          
Exercised     (73,750 )     0.50          
Forfeited or expired     (17,000 )     1.20          
Outstanding at December 31, 2020     1,384,984     $ 0.70       8.71  
Expected to vest, December 31, 2020     796,680       0.80       8.84  
Exercisable, December 31, 2020     588,304       0.57       8.53  

 

The Company recorded $153,897 and $101,357 of stock-based compensation expense for options issued to employees and directors during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, unrecognized stock-based compensation expense of $366,349 and $200,278, respectively, is related to non-vested options granted, which is anticipated to be recognized over the next weighted average 2.20 years and 2.79 years, respectively, commensurate with the remaining requisite service period.

 

Aggregate intrinsic value represents the estimated fair value of the Company’s Common Stock at the end of the period in excess of the weighted average exercise price multiplied by the number of options outstanding or exercisable. The intrinsic value for all outstanding options as of December 31, 2020 was $39,108,581 and $16,690,075 for those awards exercisable. The intrinsic value of options forfeited in the year ended December 31, 2020 was $471,580. No options were forfeited as of December 31, 2019.

 

The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $0.70 and $0.30, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised in the year ended December 31, 2020 was $2,099,660. No options were exercised as of December 31, 2019. The Company will use authorized and unissued shares to satisfy award exercises.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company granted Restricted Stock Units (“RSU”) to directors, officers, and employees. The following table summarizes RSU activity for the year ended December 31, 2020:

 

RSUs   Units     Weighted average grant
date fair value
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2019         $  
Granted     1,396,000       19.13  
Vested            
Forfeited     (212,500 )     17.02  
Unvested at December 31, 2020     1,183,500     $ 19.51  
Expected to vest, December 31, 2020     1,183,500     $ 19.51  

 

The RSUs contain performance and service vesting conditions. The requisite service period for 1,083,500 of the RSUs outstanding at December 31, 2020, is 48 months, with 25% vesting at the end of the first year and ratable vesting every 3 months thereafter for the next 36 months. The remaining 100,000 RSUs vest ratably every 3 months over 36 months. Vesting of the RSUs is also dependent upon a liquidity event, which has not occurred at December 31, 2020. Accordingly, the Company has not recognized any stock- based compensation related to the RSUs through the period ended December 31, 2020. As of December 31, 2020, unrecognized stock-based compensation expense of $23,091,450 is related to non-vested RSUs granted.

 

F-19

 

 

AppHarvest, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2020 and 2019

 

On October 8, 2018, the Company granted a restricted stock award to a director with a twelve-month requisite service period. The award share total was 100,000 and the grant date fair value was based upon a Common Stock value of $0.50. The award was fully vested by December 31, 2019. The number of shares vested was 0 and 83,334 during the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense recognized related to this restricted stock award was $0 and $38,441 in the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

Aggregate stock-based compensation expense of $153,897 and $139,798 for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, is included in selling, general, and administrative expense within the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

 

(10) SAFE Notes

 

During 2018, the Company raised $1,225,000 by entering into SAFE Notes with several parties. The Simple Agreement for Future Equity (“SAFE”) Notes resulted in cash proceeds to the Company in exchange for the right to certain capital units of the Company or cash upon occurrence of a future financing. The SAFE Notes had an Adjusted Purchase Amount, calculated as the amount originally invested by the SAFE Note counterparty plus 5% per year, non-compounding. The SAFE Notes allowed the holder to participate in the future equity financings through a share-settled redemption. The SAFE Notes would automatically convert into preferred shares upon a future equity financing in which the Company sold shares of its preferred stock. The number of shares into which the SAFE Notes would convert would be the greater of (a) a stated valuation cap divided by the number of shares outstanding before the capital raise transaction or (b)  the Adjusted Purchase Amount divided by the per-share price of the issued preferred stock less a discount of 20%. The number of shares that could be issued upon conversion of SAFE Notes was not limited. Upon an event of liquidation or dissolution, SAFE Noteholders would receive cash payment based on the Adjusted Purchase Amount in satisfaction of the SAFE Note. SAFE Noteholders did not have dividend or voting rights. The Company determined that the SAFE Notes were not legal form debt (i.e., no creditors’ rights) but allowed for redemption based upon certain events that are outside of the control of the Company. The SAFE Notes were classified as marked-to-market liabilities pursuant to ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity. The SAFE Notes were measured at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded within loss on SAFE Note revaluation within the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

 

In conjunction with the issuance of Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”) in March 2019, the SAFE Notes were converted into shares of Series A Preferred Stock and Common Stock in accordance with the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock Investment Agreement.

 

(11) Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock

 

On March 27, 2019, the Company issued 2,111,856 of $0.0001 par value Series A Preferred Stock for cash of $1.8988 per share, for total proceeds of $4,009,992, less issuance costs of $56,647, for net proceeds to the Company of $3,953,345. Concurrently, upon conversion of SAFE Notes, the Company issued 658,309 shares of $0.0001 par value Series A Preferred Stock and 576,677 shares of Common Stock.

 

On June 7, 2019, the Company issued 392,276 shares of $0.0001 par value Series A-1 Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A-1 Preferred Stock”) for cash of $2.5492 per share, for total proceeds of $999,990, less issuance costs of $7,705, for net proceeds to the Company of $992,285.

 

On several dates in December 2019, the Company issued 1,483,491 shares of $0.0001 par value Series B Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series B Preferred Stock”) for cash of $4.1681 per share, for total proceeds of $6,083,346, less issuance costs of $20,841, for net proceeds to the Company of $6,062,505. Total and net proceeds include subscription receivable of $99,993, which is recorded in mezzanine equity on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2019.

 

F-20

 

 

AppHarvest, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2020 and 2019

 

In the first quarter of 2020, the Company concluded a Series B Preferred Stock funding by issuing 1,148,481 shares of $0.0001 par value Series B Preferred Stock for $4.1681 per share, for total proceeds of $4,886,976, less issuance costs of $7,070, for net proceeds to the Company of $4,879,906.

 

In July 2020, the Company issued 5,130,658 shares of $0.0001 par value Series C Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series C Preferred Stock”) for $5.4865 per share, for total proceeds of $28,149,355, less issuance costs of $79,863, for net proceeds to the Company of $28,069,492.

 

The Series A, A-1, B, and C Preferred Stock is referred to collectively as “Preferred Stock.” Due to the contingent redeemable nature of the Company’s Preferred Stock upon a Deemed Liquidation Event as further discussed below, the Company’s Preferred Stock has been classified as temporary equity. However, the Preferred Stock was not currently redeemable as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 as the redemption depends on a Deemed Liquidation Event that was not probable of occurrence. The Preferred Stock is not being accreted to its liquidation preference, as it is not probable that the Preferred Stock will become redeemable as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.

 

Voting

 

The holders of Preferred Stock are entitled to the number of votes equal to the number of whole shares of Common Stock into which the shares of the applicable series of Preferred Stock are convertible. Except as provided otherwise by law or the Company’s certificate of incorporation, the holders of Preferred Stock vote together with the holders of Common Stock as a single class. Certain significant actions must be approved by at least 50% of the holders of Preferred Stock voting as a single class on an as converted basis. Such significant actions include but are not limited to increase of the authorized number of shares, authorization of a new class of preferred shares, redemption of shares, declaration of dividends, changes in the authorized numbers of directors constituting the Board of Directors, liquidation or Deemed Liquidation, amendments to the certificate of incorporation and bylaws, and other. Additionally, certain actions affecting Series B Preferred Stock rights or Series C Preferred Stock Rights require approval of at least 50% of the holders of the corresponding Series.

 

Several named holders of the Company’s Preferred Stock and Common Stock designate four members of the Company’s Board of Directors. All holders of the Company’s Common Stock designate two members of the Company’s Board of Directors. The remaining four members of the Company’s Board of Directors are elected by holders of a majority of the Company’s Preferred Stock and Common Stock.

 

Dividends

 

Dividends are payable pro rata on Common Stock and Preferred Stock according to the number of shares of Common Stock held by such holders on an as-converted basis. Dividends are payable, if permitted by law, in accordance with the Preferred Stock terms or when and if declared by the Board of Directors. No dividends have been declared or paid in the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. The Preferred Stock does not have a stipulated dividend yield.

 

Liquidation

 

In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up of the Company, or upon the occurrence of a Deemed Liquidation Event, as defined, holders of Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to be paid the Series C Liquidation Preference. The aggregate Series C Liquidation Preference is $28,149,355 at December 31, 2020. After the Series C Liquidation Preference is satisfied, out of any remaining proceeds, holders of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to be paid the Series B Liquidation Preference. The aggregate Series B Liquidation Preference is $10,970,322 at December 31, 2020. After the Series C Liquidation Preference and Series B Liquidation Preference are satisfied, out of any remaining proceeds, holders of Series A Preferred Stock and Series A-1 Preferred Stock are entitled to be paid the Series A Liquidation Preference and the Series A-1 Liquidation Preference, respectively. The aggregate Series A Liquidation Preference is $5,259,989 at December 31, 2020. The aggregate Series A-1 Liquidation Preference is $999,990 at December 31, 2020. After the payment of all preferential amounts required to be paid to the holders of Preferred Stock, the remaining assets, if any, available for distribution will be distributed among the holders of Preferred Stock and Common Stockholders on an as-converted basis.

 

F-21

 

 

AppHarvest, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2020 and 2019

  

Conversion

 

Each share of Preferred Stock is convertible at the option of the holder into fully paid and non- assessable shares of Common Stock, at a conversion rate of 1 to 1 initially, subject to adjustments. At December 31, 2020, the applicable conversion price for each series of Preferred Stock is equal to its initial offering price.

 

Each share of Preferred Stock is automatically converted into fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock at the then-applicable conversion ratio, as defined, upon either: (i) the closing of the sale of shares of the Company’s Common Stock to the public in an underwritten public offering of at least $50,000,000, or (ii) written consent of the holders of more than 65% of the then outstanding shares of Preferred Stock on an as-converted basis.

 

At the time of each of the issuances of Preferred Stock, the Company’s Common Stock into which each series of the Company’s Preferred Stock is convertible had an estimated fair value less than the effective conversion prices of the convertible Preferred Stock. Therefore, no beneficial conversion element existed at the respective issuance dates.

 

The Preferred Stock also contains a down-round protection provision that reduces the conversion price if the Company issues shares at less than the conversion price or for no consideration. As such, if this provision is triggered, it could result in the conversion option becoming more beneficial if such adjustment causes the applicable conversion price to decline below the commitment date fair value of the Common Stock. If this occurs, a contingent beneficial conversion feature will be recognized at the date of such adjustment. The Company continues to monitor for the issuance of additional shares below the conversion price, which could result in a contingent beneficial conversion feature.

 

Redemption

 

The Company is obligated to redeem Preferred Stock upon the occurrence of certain Deemed Liquidation Events, as defined (including merger, share exchange, or consolidation in which the Company is a party, or a subsidiary of the Company is a party where the Company issues shares of its capital stock, resulting in a loss of control by the current stockholders; or sale or other disposition of substantially all assets of the Company). The Company determined that triggering events that could result in a Deemed Liquidation Event are not solely within the control of the Company.

 

Additionally, the Company is obligated to redeem all Preferred Stock upon the occurrence of such Deemed Liquidation Events if a majority, by voting power, of all holders of Preferred Stock request such redemption (“Redemption Event”). The redemption price shall be equal to the liquidation preferences, as defined above. If the assets of the Company are not sufficient to redeem all of the Preferred Stock upon the occurrence of a Redemption Event, the Company shall redeem Preferred Stock ratably based on amounts that would be payable if the assets were sufficient, and redeem the remaining Preferred Stock as soon as the Company may lawfully do so thereafter.

 

The Company continues to monitor circumstances that may cause the Preferred Stock to become probable of becoming redeemable. Subsequent adjustments to the carrying amounts to accrete up to the Preferred Stock redemption values will be made only when the shares become probable of becoming redeemable.

 

F-22

 

 

AppHarvest, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2020 and 2019

 

(12) Common Stock

  

The voting, dividend, and liquidation rights of the holders of Common Stock are subject to and qualified by the rights, powers, and preferences of the holders of Preferred Stock. The Common Stock has the following characteristics:

 

Voting

 

The holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock held at all meetings of stockholders and written actions in lieu of meetings.

 

Dividends

 

The holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends, if and when declared by the Board of Directors. The Company may not declare or pay any cash dividends to the holders of Common Stock unless, in addition to obtaining any necessary consents, dividends are paid on each series of Preferred Stock in accordance with their respective terms. No dividends have been declared or paid in the year ended December 31, 2020 or 2019.

 

Liquidation

 

In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up of the Company, the holders of Common Stock are entitled to share ratably with the holders of Preferred Stock in the Company’s assets available for distribution to stockholders after payment to the holders of Preferred Stock of their liquidation preferences have been satisfied.

 

Common Stock Reserved for Future Issuance

 

The Company has reserved 15,749,573 and 9,923,323 shares of Common Stock for future issuance as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

(13) Net Loss Per Share

 

Diluted net loss per common share is the same as basic loss per common share for all periods presented because the effects of potentially dilutive items were anti-dilutive given the Company’s net loss. The following common share equivalent securities have been excluded from the calculation of weighted-average common shares outstanding because the effect is anti-dilutive for the periods presented:

 

    December 31,   
Anti-dilutive common share equivalents:   2020     2019  
Series A Preferred Stock     2,770,165       2,770,165  
Series A-1 Preferred Stock     392,276       392,276  
Series B Preferred Stock     2,631,972       1,483,491  
Series C Preferred Stock     5,130,658        
Restricted stock units     1,183,500        
Stock options     1,384,984       1,004,000  
Total anti-dilutive common share equivalents     13,493,555       5,649,932  

 

F-23

 

 

AppHarvest, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2020 and 2019

 

Basic and diluted net loss per common share is calculated as follows:

 

    Year Ended December 31,   
    2020     2019  
Numerator:                
Net loss   $ (17,447,705 )   $ (2,746,021 )
Denominator:                
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted     9,716,768       9,507,926  
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted   $ (1.80 )   $ (0.29 )

 

(14) Subsequent Events

 

On January 29, 2021, the Business Combination and Merger was completed. The transaction provided the Company approximately $475.0 million of unrestricted cash, including $375.0 million in gross proceeds from the fully committed common stock PIPE.

 

In connection with the transaction:

 

Each share of Preferred Stock that was then issued and outstanding was automatically converted into AppHarvest Common Stock, such that each converted share of Preferred Stock was no longer outstanding and ceased to exist.

 

Novus assumed the Convertible Note, and the outstanding principal and unpaid accrued interest due was converted into an aggregate 3,242,336 shares of Novus’ common stock, such that the Convertible Note was no longer outstanding and ceased to exist.

 

Each share of AppHarvest Common Stock, including the AppHarvest Common stock issued upon conversion by the AppHarvest Preferred stockholders, was converted into and exchanged for 2.1504 shares (the “Exchange Ratio”) of Novus’ common stock.

 

Each option to purchase AppHarvest Common Stock that was outstanding, whether vested or unvested, was converted into an option to purchase a number of shares of Novus Common Stock equal to the product (rounded down to the nearest whole number) of (i) the number of shares of AppHarvest Common Stock subject to such AppHarvest option and (ii) the Exchange Ratio, at an exercise price per share (rounded up to the nearest whole cent) equal to (A) the exercise price per share of such AppHarvest option, divided by (B) the Exchange Ratio.

 

Each restricted stock unit awarded by AppHarvest that was outstanding, whether vested or unvested, was converted into an award of restricted stock units to acquire a number shares of Novus Common Stock equal to the product (rounded down to the nearest whole number) of (1) the number of shares of AppHarvest Common Stock subject to the AppHarvest restricted stock unit award and (2) the Exchange Ratio.

 

As further discussed within Note 8(a) to these consolidated financial statements, on March 1, 2021, the Company closed on the Membership Interest Purchase and Sale Agreement with Equilibrium.

 

F-24

 

Exhibit 99.2

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis or set forth elsewhere in this prospectus, including information with respect to our plans and strategy for our business, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. As a result of many factors, including those factors set forth in the section titled “Risk Factors,” our actual results could differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward- looking statements contained in the following discussion and analysis. Please also see the section titled “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

 

Overview

 

AppHarvest was founded on January 19, 2018 and is a sustainable food company creating a resilient and scalable ecosystem of applied technology greenhouses to serve the rapidly growing consumer demand for fresh, chemical-free, non-GMO fruits, vegetables and related products. Our operating greenhouse in Morehead, Kentucky is, and we expect our in-development portfolio of greenhouses will be, among the largest and most advanced agricultural facilities in the world. We are combining conventional agricultural techniques with the latest in controlled environment agriculture (“CEA”) technology to grow high-quality fruits and vegetables throughout the year. We are also committed to advancing the interests of the communities where we operate by providing compelling long-term career opportunities to the local workforce, partnering with educational institutions, such as the University of Kentucky, local high schools, and technical schools, to create programs that mutually benefit students, researchers and our own operations and to lay the foundation for Appalachia to become the AgTech capital of North America.

 

Our operations to date have been limited to organizing and staffing, business planning, raising capital, and acquiring and developing properties for CEA. In October 2020, we partially opened our first CEA facility in Morehead, Kentucky, which we estimate can cultivate more than 720,000 tomato plants with an approximate yield of more than 40 million pounds per year. We harvested our first crop of beefsteak tomatoes in January 2021, and our first AppHarvest tomatoes were available in grocery stores shortly thereafter. We are currently constructing two additional CEA facilities in Berea and Richmond, both in Madison County, Kentucky. We began recognizing revenue in connection with our first harvest in January 2021 and have generated no revenues prior to that date.

 

Morehead Facility

 

On April 15, 2019, we entered into a mortgage loan with Equilibrium Controlled Environment Foods Fund, LLC (together with its affiliates, “Equilibrium”) to finance our purchase of land from a third party in Morehead, Kentucky. The loan had a principal balance of $3,481,222 and bore interest at 8.00% per year.

 

On May 13, 2019, we entered a series of agreements with Equilibrium, resulting in the sale of the legal entity that we had established to purchase the land in Morehead, Kentucky. The net assets of the entity sold to Equilibrium included the land, related permitting and the mortgage note owed to Equilibrium. On that same date, we also entered into a Master Lease Agreement (the “Master Lease Agreement”) with Morehead Farm LLC (“Morehead Farm”) for an indoor controlled agriculture facility on a portion of the land acquired in the preceding transaction. The Master Lease Agreement had an initial term of 20 years commencing at substantial completion of construction and included a ground lease for the related land. Lease payments under the Master Lease Agreement consisted of a base rent calculated as a percentage of defined construction costs, certain non-lease costs and rent based on gross revenues generated from the Morehead facility. Based on estimates of lease construction cost, the lease payments were expected to be at least $10.4 million per year with aggregate lease payments over the 20-year term to exceed $200 million. Equilibrium maintains an option to sell, and we are required to purchase, any excess land not otherwise utilized by the construction of the Morehead facility at a price equal to the original cost of acquisition. During the term of the Master Lease Agreement, we have a right of first refusal to purchase the Morehead land. We have accounted for the transfer of the land to Equilibrium as a financing transaction. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the consolidated financial statements reflect the cost of the land and a financing obligation equal to the original purchase price of the land prior to its sale to Equilibrium and other development and legal costs incurred.

 

In October 2020, we took occupancy of the completed portion of the Morehead facility, resulting in lease commencement under the Master Lease Agreement. The uncompleted portion of the Morehead facility remains under construction. At December 31, 2020, we maintain a finance lease liability with Equilibrium of $59.2 million and a right-of-use asset at cost of $56.7 million related to the completed portion of the Morehead facility. We also maintain construction-in-progress of $54.6 million and a $58.8 million financing obligation with Equilibrium related to the uncompleted portion of the Morehead facility at December 31, 2020. We control the remaining construction activities impacting the Morehead facility.

 

 

 

On March 1, 2021, we closed on the Membership Interest Purchase and Sale Agreement with Equilibrium that we entered into in December 2020, pursuant to which we purchased from Equilibrium 100% of the membership interests in Morehead Farm (the “Membership Interest Purchase and Sale Agreement”). The purchase price for Morehead Farm was approximately $125 million, which was equal to a multiple of Equilibrium’s cost to acquire, develop and construct the Morehead facility. At closing, Morehead Farm, a subsidiary of Equilibrium that owns the Morehead facility, became our wholly owned subsidiary. Concurrent with the closing of the Membership Interest Purchase and Sale Agreement, the Master Lease Agreement and ancillary agreements related thereto, were terminated.

 

Mastronardi Morehead Agreement

 

On March 28, 2019, we entered into an agreement with Mastronardi with regard to the output from our CEA facilities as amended on December 18, 2020, (the “Mastronardi Morehead Agreement”). Under the Mastronardi Morehead Agreement, we will sell certain output of our Morehead, Kentucky indoor farm exclusively to Mastronardi and Mastronardi will purchase all output that meets a stated quality threshold. We will receive the price at which Mastronardi sells the produce, less a fee and costs. The Mastronardi Morehead Agreement has a term of 10 years. We have a limited, one-time right to terminate the Mastronardi Morehead Agreement if certain return targets are not reached and other conditions are satisfied. Mastronardi has a right of first refusal to enter into similar arrangements with regard to any additional growing facilities we establish in Kentucky or West Virginia. We planted our first crop and initiated our first growing season in October 2020 but had not yet commenced commercial sales at December 31, 2020. Upon commencement of commercial sales from our initial harvest in the first quarter of 2021, we will derive substantially all revenue from the Mastronardi Morehead Agreement.

 

Factors Affecting Our Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

We expect to expend substantial resources as we:

 

complete the build-out of the Morehead facility;

 

continue our first growing season, including planting of additional crops;

 

fulfill our obligations under the Mastronardi Morehead Agreement;

 

identify and invest in future growth opportunities, including new or expanded facilities and new product lines;

 

invest in sales and marketing efforts to increase brand awareness, engage customers and drive sales of our products;

 

invest in product innovation and development; and

 

incur additional general administration expenses, including increased finance, legal and accounting expenses, associated with being a public company and growing operations.

 

Business Combination and Public Company Costs

 

In September 2020, Legacy AppHarvest entered into the Business Combination Agreement with Novus and Merger Sub pursuant to which Legacy AppHarvest was to be merged with and into Merger Sub, with Legacy AppHarvest surviving the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Novus. At a special meeting of Novus stockholders held on January 29, 2021, the Business Combination Agreement was approved and adopted, and the merger and all other transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement were approved. On January 29, 2021, the Business Combination was consummated pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, and Novus changed its name to AppHarvest, Inc. Following the closing of the Business Combination, Legacy AppHarvest was deemed the accounting predecessor and will be the successor registrant for SEC reporting purposes, meaning that Legacy AppHarvest’s financial statements for previous periods will be disclosed in our future periodic reports filed with the SEC.

 

While the legal acquirer in the Business Combination Agreement is Novus, for financial accounting and reporting purposes under U.S. GAAP, Legacy AppHarvest was the accounting acquirer and the Business Combination was accounted for as a “reverse recapitalization.” A reverse recapitalization (i.e., a capital transaction involving the issuance of stock by Novus for Legacy AppHarvest’s stock) does not result in a new basis of accounting, and the consolidated financial statements of the combined entity represent the continuation of the consolidated financial statements of Legacy AppHarvest in many respects. Accordingly, the consolidated assets, liabilities and results of operations of Legacy AppHarvest became the historical consolidated financial statements of the combined company, and Novus’s assets, liabilities and results of operations were consolidated with Legacy AppHarvest beginning on the acquisition date. Operations prior to the Business Combination was presented as those of Legacy AppHarvest in future reports. The net assets of Novus were recognized at historical cost (which was consistent with carrying value), with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded.

 

Upon consummation of the Business Combination and the closing of the PIPE, the most significant change in Legacy AppHarvest’s future reported financial position and results of operations was an increase in cash and cash equivalents (as compared to Legacy AppHarvest’s consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2020) of approximately $436.5 million, including $375.0 million in gross proceeds from the PIPE by the Subscribers. See the section titled “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information” for further information.

 

As a consequence of the Business Combination, we became the successor to an SEC-registered and Nasdaq-listed company, which requires us to hire additional personnel and implement procedures and processes to address public company regulatory requirements and customary practices. We expect to incur additional annual expenses as a public company for, among other things, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, director fees and additional internal and external accounting, legal and administrative resources, including increased audit and legal fees.

 

Our future results of consolidated operations and financial position may not be comparable to historical results as a result of the Business Combination.

 

Convertible Debt

 

On September 28, 2020, Legacy AppHarvest entered into a convertible promissory note with Inclusive Capital Partners Spring Master Fund, L.P., a related party, to finance capital investments and operating needs with a principal balance of $30 million. On the Closing Date, the outstanding principal and unpaid accrued interest due on the Legacy AppHarvest Convertible Notes were converted into an aggregate of 3,242,336 shares of Common Stock in accordance with the terms of the Legacy AppHarvest Convertible Notes, and such converted Legacy AppHarvest Convertible Notes were no longer outstanding and ceased to exist, and any liens securing obligations under the Legacy AppHarvest Convertible Notes were released. Absent such conversion, all unpaid interest and principal would have been due and payable upon demand on or after September 28, 2021.

 

Key Components of Statement of Operations

 

Basis of Presentation

 

Currently, we conduct business through one operating segment. As of December 31, 2020, we were a pre- revenue company with no commercial sales and our activities to date were limited and conducted in the United States. For more information about our basis of presentation, refer to Note 2 in our accompanying audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 included in this prospectus.

 

Our audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, contained herein, include a summary of our significant accounting policies and should be read in conjunction with the discussion below.

 

 

 

Revenue

 

We have not generated any revenues through December 31, 2020.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) consist of payroll and payroll related expenses, stock-based compensation, professional services and legal fees, rent expense, marketing and advertising, communications, insurance, and various other personnel and office related costs. During the year ended December 31, 2020, start-up expenses related to pre-commencement commercial activities at the CEA facility in Morehead, Kentucky were recorded within SG&A.

 

Depreciation

 

Depreciation expense relates to the depreciation of property and equipment. Property and equipment subject to depreciation consist primarily of a building under a finance lease, machinery and equipment and leasehold improvements.

 

Development Fee Income from a Related Party

 

Development fee income represents the amortization of a one-time development fee received by us in May 2019. The fee was for limited oversight services we performed at Equilibrium’s greenhouse construction site in Morehead. The fee was amortized on a straight-line basis, consistent with the level of our services, from date of receipt through October 2020, the date when the Morehead facility reached substantial completion.

 

Interest Expense

 

Interest expense consists primarily of interest recognized per the terms of the Legacy AppHarvest Convertible Notes and our finance lease and financing obligations related to the Morehead facility.

 

Results of Operations

 

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019

 

The following table sets forth our historical operating results for the periods indicated:

 

    2020     2019     $ Change     % Change  
Total revenue   $     $     $     $  
Operating expenses:                                
Selling, general and administrative expenses     16,295,530       2,716,796       13,578,734       499.8 %
Depreciation     175,843       16,129       159,714       990.2 %
Total operating expenses     16,471,373       2,732,925       13,738,448       502.7 %
Operating loss     (16,471,373 )     (2,732,925 )     (13,738,448 )     502.7 %
Development fee income from a related party     406,004       349,788       56,216       16.1 %
Loss on SAFE Note revaluation           (345,003 )     345,003       -100.0 %
Interest expense from a related party     (1,423,208 )     (27,515 )     (1,395,693 )     5,072.5 %
Other     50,058       9,634       40,424       419.6 %
Loss before income taxes     (17,438,519 )     (2,746,021 )     (14,692,498 )     535.0 %
Income tax expense     9,186             9,186        
Net and comprehensive loss   $ (17,447,705 )   $ (2,746,021 )   $ (14,701,684 )     535.4 %

 

The following sections discuss and analyze the changes in the significant line items in our consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

 

 

Revenue

 

We have not generated any revenues through December 31, 2020.

 

Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses

 

SG&A for 2020 increased by $13.6 million or 499.8%, from 2019. The increase was primarily due to increased payroll and related expenses of approximately $5.0 million; an increase in professional services, including accounting and other consulting fees related to our preparation to go public, of $5.2 million; an increase in supplies and other start-up costs of $1.2 million; and an increase in software, networking, and office supplies of $0.8 million to support growing operations. These increased costs relate to the increased headcount to support the buildup of our operations, including commencement of commercial production upon substantial completion of the Morehead facility in October 2020 and preparations for becoming a public company. Headcount increased from 15 employees as of December 31, 2019, to 224 employees as of December 31, 2020.

 

Depreciation

 

Depreciation expense relates to the depreciation of property and equipment. The increase in depreciation for 2020 compared to 2019 is due to the Morehead facility, including building, machinery and equipment, being placed in service during the year ended December 31, 2020.

 

Development Fee Income from a Related Party

 

Development fee income represents the amortization of a one-time development fee received by us in May 2019. The fee was for limited oversight services we performed at Equilibrium’s greenhouse construction site in Morehead, Kentucky. The fee was amortized on a straight-line basis, consistent with the level of our services, from date of receipt through the project completion date in October 2020. The increase in development fee income of $0.1 million, or 16.1%, was primarily due to the year ended December 31, 2020 including ten months of development services versus seven months of development services in the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

Loss on SAFE Note Revaluation

 

The loss on SAFE Notes in 2019 represents the expense associated with the increase in value of these financing obligations prior to their conversion to Series A Preferred Stock in March 2019. The SAFE Notes were measured at fair value, determined using a binominal lattice model, with changes in fair value recognized in the consolidated statement of operations. There was no comparable expense in 2020.

 

Interest Expense

 

Interest expense during the year ended December 31, 2020 primarily relates to our finance lease and financing obligation for the Morehead facility which were $59.2 million and $54.6 million, respectively, at December 31, 2020, the $30.0 million Legacy AppHarvest Convertible Notes entered into in September 2020, and the $2.0 million loan entered into in May 2020 with Equilibrium to finance the purchase of equipment for the Morehead Facility. Interest expense in 2019 primarily relates to the mortgage loan between us and Equilibrium used to finance our land purchase in Morehead, Kentucky. The mortgage loan was outstanding for a 29-day period prior to the sale of the land to Equilibrium as part of the overall lease transaction.

 

Other Income

 

Other income in 2020 represents primarily interest income on the $4.0 million lease deposit required under the Master Lease Agreement with Equilibrium. This deposit was established in 2019.

 

 

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Cash and cash equivalents totaled $21.9 million and $6.0 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Through December 31, 2020, our primary sources of liquidity were cash flows generated from issuances of debt and redeemable preferred stock to investors, and a development fee received from a related party in May 2019 for limited oversight services provided on construction of the CEA facility. We have incurred losses and generated negative cash flows from operations since our inception in 2018. At December 31, 2020, we had an accumulated deficit of $21.1 million. The large-scale high-tech CEA business is capital-intensive, and we expect to continue to expend significant resources related to our first growing season which had first plantings in the fourth quarter of 2020. These expenditures are expected to include working capital, costs associated with planting and harvesting, such as the purchase of seeds and growing supplies, and the cost of attracting and retaining a skilled local labor force. Additionally, as we received the proceeds from the Business Combination, including the proceeds from the PIPE, we plan to accelerate construction of our next two CEA facilities in Richmond and Berea, Kentucky. In addition, other unanticipated costs may arise due to the unique nature of the Morehead Facility, the continuation of our growing season, and the continued purchase and development of additional properties for high-tech CEA facilities. We believe we will continue to incur net losses for the foreseeable future as we continue our first growing season and then commence selling our produce. We also expect to incur additional costs associated with operating as a public company.

 

We believe that our cash and cash equivalents on hand at December 31, 2020 are sufficient to meet our current payroll and working capital requirements for a period of at least 12 months. We further believe that the proceeds of the Business Combination, including the proceeds from the PIPE, will be sufficient to meet our currently planned capital expenditure requirements as we build out additional large-scale high-tech CEA facilities. The amount and timing of our future funding requirements, if any, will depend on many factors, including the timing and costs of completion of our large-scale high-tech CEA facilities. We may be unable to obtain any such additional financing on reasonable terms or at all.

 

We could potentially use our available financial resources sooner than we currently expect and may incur additional indebtedness to meet future financing needs. Adequate additional funding may not be available to us on acceptable terms or at all. In addition, although we anticipate being able to obtain additional financing through non-dilutive means, we may be unable to do so. Our failure to raise capital as and when needed could have significant negative consequences for our business, financial condition and results of consolidated operations. Our future capital requirements and the adequacy of available funds will depend on many factors, including those set forth in the section titled “Risk Factors”.

 

Summary of Cash Flows

 

A summary of our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities is presented in the following table:

 

    Years Ended December 31,  
    2020     2019  
Net cash used in operating activities   $ (13,146,733 )   $ (5,490,681 )
Net cash used in investing activities     (35,682,287 )     (3,615,167 )
Net cash provided by financing activities     64,706,657       14,781,811  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year     6,031,270       355,307  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period   $ 21,908,907     $ 6,031,270  

 

Net Cash from Operating Activities

 

Net cash used in operating activities was $13.1 million for 2020 primarily due to a net loss of $17.4 million adjusted by $1.4 million in interest accrual on financing with related parties, a $3.0 million increase in inventory, offset by the return of a $4.0 million lease deposit that had been held by Equilibrium for the purpose of securing our obligations under the Master Lease Agreement related to our Morehead facility and a $3.1 million increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses.

 

Net cash used in operating activities was $5.5 million for 2019 due to net loss of $2.7 million adjusted by $0.1 million in stock compensation expense, a $0.3 million revaluation of SAFE Notes to market value, a $0.3 million increase in accounts payable, and an increase of $0.4 million in deferred income, offset by a payment of a $4.0 million lease deposit to Equilibrium for the purpose of securing our obligations under the Master Lease Agreement related to our Morehead facility.

 

 

 

Net Cash from Investing Activities

 

Cash used in investing activities was $35.7 million for 2020, representing purchases of property and equipment, principally the purchases of property and equipment to continue the build out of the Morehead facility, as well land purchased for development in Richmond and Berea.

 

Cash used in investing activities was $3.6 million for 2019, representing purchases of property and equipment, principally the purchase of land in Morehead.

 

Net Cash from Financing Activities

 

Cash from financing activities was $64.7 million for 2020, reflecting $32.0 million in borrowings from the Legacy AppHarvest Convertible Notes and $32.9 million in net proceeds from the issuance of redeemable convertible preferred stock.

 

Cash from financing activities was $14.8 million for 2019, reflecting $3.8 million in borrowings from a land mortgage loan and related financing and $11.0 million in net proceeds from the issuance of redeemable convertible preferred stock.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

Our contractual obligations consist primarily of short-term financing obligations, loan agreements, operating leases and finance leases. These contractual obligations impact our short-term and long-term liquidity and capital needs. The table below is presented as of December 31, 2020.

 

    Payments Due by Period  
          Less than                 More than  
    Total     1 Year     1 – 3 Years     3 – 5 Years     5 Years  
Contractual obligations                                        
Other leases   $ 1,900,510     $ 258,225     $ 551,089     $ 541,708     $ 549,488  
Total contractual obligations   $ 1,909,510     $ 258,225     $ 551,089     $ 541,708     $ 549,488  

 

The table above does not include our contractual obligations related to our Morehead financing obligation or Morehead lease. On March 1, 2021, we closed on the Membership Interest Purchase and Sale Agreement that we entered with Equilibrium in December 2020, pursuant to which we purchased 100% of the membership interests in Morehead Farm. The purchase price was approximately $125 million. At closing, Morehead Farm, a subsidiary of Equilibrium that owns the Morehead facility, became our wholly owned subsidiary. Concurrent with the closing of the Membership Interest Purchase and Sale Agreement, the Master Lease Agreement and ancillary agreements related thereto were terminated. The table above also does not include amounts related to the construction of our Richmond and Berea CEA facilities, as the timing and amounts of future expenditures are currently unknown.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in the rules and regulations of the SEC.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Although these estimates are based on our knowledge of current events and actions we may undertake in the future, actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.

 

 

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

We recognize in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss the grant-date fair value of stock options and restricted stock awards issued to employees and directors. Our options are subject only to service-based vesting conditions. Our RSUs are subject to both service-based vesting conditions and performance-based vesting conditions that would be satisfied upon certain liquidity events, including, but not limited to, the Business Combination. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized on a straight- line basis over the associated service period of the award, which is generally the vesting term. We recognize forfeitures of awards as they occur.

 

We estimate the fair value of our stock option awards using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which requires the input of subjective assumptions, including the fair value of the Common Stock, expected term, expected volatility, risk-free interest rate and expected dividends.

 

Fair Value of Common Stock — Historically, as there has been no public market for our Common Stock, the fair value of the Common Stock was determined by the board of directors based in part on valuations of the Common Stock prepared by a third-party valuation firm. See the subsection titled “Fair Value of Common Stock” below.

 

Expected Term — The expected term of the options represents the average period the stock options are expected to remain outstanding. As we do not have sufficient historical information to develop reasonable expectations about future exercise patterns and post-vesting employment termination behavior, the expected term of options granted is derived from the average midpoint between the weighted average vesting and the contractual term, also known as the simplified method.

 

Expected Volatility — Since, before the closing of the Business Combination, we were not a public company and did not have any trading history for Common Stock, the expected volatility is based on the historical volatilities of the Common Stock of comparable publicly traded companies.

 

Risk-Free Interest Rate — The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield of zero-coupon U.S. Treasury notes as of the grant date with maturities commensurate with the expected term of the awards.

 

Expected Dividends — The expected dividends assumption is based on the expectation of not paying dividends in the foreseeable future; therefore, we used an expected dividend yield of zero.

 

The grant date fair value for our stock options granted in 2020 and 2019 were based on the following assumptions used within the Black-Scholes option pricing model:

 

    2020     2019  
Expected term     5.80       5.72  
Risk-free interest rate     0.41 %     2.27 %
Expected volatility     49.45 %     40.98 %
Expected dividend yield     —%       —%  

 

Assumptions used in applying the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the estimated fair value of stock options granted involve inherent uncertainties and the application of judgment. As a result, if factors or expected outcomes change and significantly different assumptions or estimates are used, our equity-based compensation could be materially different.

 

Fair Value of Common Stock

 

In connection with the preparation of the consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we reexamined the valuation of the Common Stock. In connection with that reexamination, we prepared retrospective appraisals of the fair value of the Common Stock for financial reporting purposes. Prior to this reexamination, the contemporaneous valuations were prepared to comply with Section 409A of the Code. As a result, the contemporaneous valuations were not performed under the fair value framework as set forth under Accounting Standards Codification 820, Fair Value Measurements (“ASC 820”) and did not take into account the guidance provided in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ (“AICPA”) Technical Practice Aid, Valuation of Privately-Held-Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation. Accordingly, the contemporaneous valuations had limited value for purposes of financial reporting under U.S. GAAP. Therefore, in connection with the preparation of our consolidated financial statements, we re-assessed the fair value of the Common Stock for financial reporting purposes by having retrospective valuations performed in accordance with the fair value framework under ASC 820 and the AICPA Technical Practice Aid. We believe that the valuation methodologies used in the retrospective valuations are reasonable and consistent with the AICPA Practice Aid.

 

 

 

For the retrospective valuations, we used the option-pricing method (“OPM”). Under the OPM, shares are valued by creating a series of call options with exercise prices based on the liquidation preferences and conversion terms of each equity class. The estimated fair values of the preferred and the Common Stock are inferred by analyzing these options. Specifically, we used the OPM backsolve method to estimate the fair value of the Common Stock, which derives the implied equity value for the Common Stock from a contemporaneous transaction involving the issuance of our preferred stock. We used the OPM back solve method because we were at an early stage of development and future liquidity events were difficult to forecast. We applied a discount for lack of marketability to account for a lack of access to an active public market.

 

In connection with the grants of stock-based awards in July 2020 through December 2020, we obtained contemporaneous valuations of the Common Stock. We used a hybrid probability-weighted expected return method (“hybrid PWERM”). Under the hybrid PWERM, the value of the Common Stock is estimated based upon an analysis of future values for us assuming various possible future liquidity events. Share value is based upon the probability-weighted present value of expected future net cash flows, considering each of the possible future events, as well as the rights and preferences of each share class. In our application of the hybrid PWERM, two scenarios are considered: a “favorable exit” or “merger” scenario and a “remain private” scenario. The option-pricing method (“OPM”) is used to allocate value in the “remain private” scenario. Under the OPM, shares are valued as a series of call options with exercise prices based on the liquidation preferences and conversion terms of each equity class. In the July 2020 valuation of the Common Stock, we used the hybrid PWERM to back solve to the contemporaneous Series C preferred stock financing. We applied an incremental discount for lack of marketability to the Common Stock. The grants of stock-based awards in July 2020 through December 2020 contain a performance and service vesting condition. Vesting of these stock-based awards is dependent upon a liquidity event, which had not occurred at December 31, 2020. Accordingly, we have not recognized any stock-based compensation related to these stock-based awards as of December 31, 2020.

 

After the closing of the Business Combination, our board of directors will determine the fair value of each share of Common Stock underlying stock-based awards based on the closing price of our Common Stock as reported by Nasdaq on the date of grant.

 

Emerging Growth Company Status and Smaller Reporting Company Status

 

We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act and have elected to take advantage of the benefits of the extended transition period for new or revised financial accounting standards, although we may decide to early adopt such new or revised accounting standards to the extent permitted by such standards. We expect to use this extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and non-public companies until the earlier of the date we (i) are no longer an emerging growth company or (ii) affirmatively and irrevocably opt out of the extended transition period provided in the JOBS Act. This may make it difficult or impossible to compare our financial results with the financial results of another public company that is either not an emerging growth company or is an emerging growth company that has chosen not to take advantage of the extended transition period exemptions because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.

 

In addition, we intend to rely on the other exemptions and reduced reporting requirements provided by the JOBS Act. Subject to certain conditions set forth in the JOBS Act, if, as an emerging growth company, we intend to rely on such exemptions, we are not required to, among other things: (a) provide an auditor’s attestation report on AppHarvest’s system of internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; (b) provide all of the compensation disclosure that may be required of non-emerging growth public companies under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act; (c) comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, including a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the consolidated financial statements (critical audit matters); and (d) disclose certain executive compensation-related items such as the correlation between executive compensation and performance and comparisons of the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation to median employee compensation.

 

We will remain an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act until the earliest of (a) December 31, 2025, (b) the last date of our fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, (c) the date on which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” under the rules of the SEC with at least $700.0 million of outstanding securities held by non-affiliates or (d) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the previous three years.

 

We are also a “smaller reporting company” as defined in the Securities and Exchange Act. We may continue to be a smaller reporting company even after we are no longer an emerging growth company. We may take advantage of certain of the scaled disclosures available to smaller reporting companies and will be able to take advantage of these scaled disclosures for so long as the market value of our voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates is less than $250.0 million measured on the last business day of our second fiscal quarter, or our annual revenue is less than $100.0 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and the market value of our voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates is less than $700.0 million measured on the last business day of our second fiscal quarter.

 

Recent Accounting Guidance

 

From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other standard setting bodies that we adopt as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, we believe that the impact of recently issued standards that are not yet effective will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations under adoption.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risks

 

Foreign Currency Risk

 

While substantially all of our business is conducted in the United States, we purchase inventory and equipment from suppliers in Europe. As a result, we are exposed to risk from fluctuations in exchange rate between the Euro and the U.S. dollar. As we expand our operations in conjunction with receipt of the proceeds of the Business Combination, including the proceeds from the PIPE, to include building our own large-scale high-tech CEA facilities, our exposure to risk from fluctuations in exchange rate between the Euro and the U.S. dollar will increase.

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.3

 

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Introduction

 

On January 29, 2021, Legacy AppHarvest, Novus and Merger Sub, consummated the Business Combination. In connection with the closing of the Business Combination, Legacy AppHarvest changed its name to AppHarvest Operations, Inc. and the registrant changed its name from Novus Capital Corporation to AppHarvest, Inc.

 

The Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information has been prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X as amended by the final rule, Release No. 33-10786 “Amendments to Financial Disclosures about Acquired and Disposed Businesses.” The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 and the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 present the combination of the financial information of Novus and Legacy AppHarvest after giving effect to the following transactions:

 

Business Combination;
     
Legacy AppHarvest Convertible Notes conversion; and
     
PIPE and related adjustments.

 

Collectively these transactions are referred to as the “Transaction Adjustment”, described in the accompanying notes. Novus and Legacy AppHarvest are collectively referred to herein as the “Companies,” and the Companies, subsequent to the Business Combination, are referred to herein as the “Combined Company”.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 gives effect to the Transaction Adjustment as if they had occurred on January 1, 2020.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is based on and should be read in conjunction with the audited and unaudited historical financial statements of each of Novus and Legacy AppHarvest and the notes thereto, as well as the disclosures contained in the sections titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements have been presented for illustrative purposes only and do not necessarily reflect what the Combined Company’s financial condition or results of operations would have been had the Business Combination, Legacy AppHarvest Convertible Notes conversion, and PIPE occurred on the dates indicated. Further, the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information also may not be useful in predicting the future financial condition and results of operations of the Combined Company. The actual financial position and results of operations may differ significantly from the pro forma amounts reflected herein due to a variety of factors. The transaction adjustments represent management’s estimates based on information available as of the date of these unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements and are subject to change as additional information becomes available and analyses are performed.

 

On September 28, 2020, Novus, Merger Sub, and Legacy AppHarvest, entered into the Business Combination Agreement, pursuant to which Legacy AppHarvest was merged with and into Merger Sub, with Legacy AppHarvest surviving the Merger. After giving effect to the Business Combination, Novus owned, directly or indirectly, all of the issued and outstanding equity interests of Legacy AppHarvest and its subsidiaries and became the Combined Company. Legacy AppHarvest equity holders hold a portion of the Common Stock of the Combined Company.

 

Legacy AppHarvest is considered the accounting acquirer, as further discussed in Note 2, Basis of Presentation, of the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.

 

1

 

 

COMBINED COMPANY

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET

December 31, 2020

 

    Novus
(Historical)
    AppHarvest, Inc.
(Historical)
    Transaction
Adjustments
    Note     Pro Forma  
Current Assets                                        
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 311,954     $ 21,908,907       100,048,410       (a)      $ 458,395,598  
                      375,000,000       (b)           
                      (38,558,573 )     (c)           
                      (315,100 )     (i)           
Inventory           3,387,113                     3,387,113  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     77,701       481,003                     558,704  
Total current assets     389,655       25,777,023       436,174,737               462,341,415  
Operating lease right of use assets, net           1,307,173                     1,307,173  
Property and equipment, net           152,645,335                     152,645,335  
Other assets           1,187,967       (1,126,619 )     (c)        61,348  
Marketable securities held in trust account     100,048,410             (100,048,410 )     (a)         
      100,048,410       155,140,475       (101,175,029 )             154,013,856  
Total assets     100,438,065       180,917,498       334,999,708               616,355,271  
Current Liabilities                                        
Accounts payable           1,341,822       (290,000 )     (c)        1,051,822  
Accrued expenses     3,078,188       5,183,880       (2,961,308 )     (c)        4,682,678  
                      184,110       (d)           
                      (802,192 )     (e)           
Current portion of lease liabilities with a related party           59,216,485                     59,216,485  
Current portion of lease liabilities           166,354                     166,354  
Current portion of financing obligation with a related party           58,795,309                     58,795,309  
Current portion of long-term debt, net           30,000,000       (30,000,000 )     (e)         
Other current liabilities           76,948                     76,948  
Total current liabilities     3,078,188       154,780,798       (33,869,390 )             123,989,596  
Lease liability, net of current portion           1,370,462                     1,370,462  
Total non-current liabilities           1,370,462                     1,370,462  
Total liabilities     3,078,188       156,151,260       (33,869,390 )             125,360,058  
Redeemable convertible preferred stock:                                        
Series A           5,203,342       (5,203,342 )     (f)         
Series A-1           992,285       (992,285 )     (f)         
Series B           10,942,411       (10,942,411 )     (f)         
Series C           28,069,492       (28,069,492 )     (f)         
Total redeemable convertible preferred stock           45,207,530       (45,207,530 )              
Common stock subject to possible redemption     92,359,870             (92,359,870 )     (g)         
Common stock     341       975       3,750       (b)        9,783  
                      324       (e)           
                      3,472       (f)           
                      924       (g)           
                      (3 )     (i)           
Additional paid-in capital     8,458,078       685,866       374,996,250       (b)        525,006,771  
                      (26,340,411 )     (c)           
                      30,801,868       (e)           
                      45,204,058       (f)           
                      92,358,946       (g)           
                      (3,458,412 )     (h)           
                      (315,097 )     (i)           
                      2,615,625       (j)           
Accumulated deficit     (3,458,412 )     (21,128,133 )     (10,093,473 )     (c)        (34,021,341 )
                      (184,110 )     (d)           
                      3,458,412       (h)           
                      (2,615,625 )     (j)           
Total stockholders’ equity     5,000,007       (20,441,292 )     506,436,498               490,995,213  
Total liabilities, preferred stock and stockholders’ equity   $ 100,438,065     $ 180,917,498     $ 334,999,708             $ 616,355,271  

 

2

 

 

COMBINED COMPANY

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020

 

                 

 
      Novus
(Historical)
    AppHarvest,
Inc.
(Historical)
    Transaction
Adjustments
  Note   Pro Forma  
                           
Operating costs and expenses                          
Selling, general and administrative expenses     $  3,506,941        $  16,295,530        $ 10,093,473    (k)     $  32,511,569   
                      2,615,625   (l)        
Depreciation           175,843               175,843  
Total operating costs and expenses     3,506,941       16,471,373       12,709,098        32,687,412  
Loss from operations     (3,506,941 )     (16,471,373 )     (12,709,098 )       (32,687,412 )
Other income (expense):                                  
Development fee income           406,004               406,004  
Interest income     48,529             (48,529 ) (m)      
Interest expense           (1,423,208 )             (1,423,208 )
Other           50,058               50,058  
Loss before income taxes     (3,458,412 )     (17,438,519 )     (12,757,627 )       (33,654,558 )
Provision for income taxes           (9,186 )             (9,186 )
Net loss   $ (3,458,412 )   $ (17,447,705 )   $ (12,757,627 )     $ (33,663,744 )
Loss per Share:                                  
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted                                         97,835,774   
Basic and diluted net loss per share               (0.34

 

3

 

 

Note 1 — Description of the Business Combination

 

         On September 28, 2020, Novus, Merger Sub, and Legacy AppHarvest, entered into the Business Combination Agreement, pursuant to which AppHarvest was merged with and into Merger Sub, with Legacy AppHarvest surviving the Merger. After giving effect to the Business Combination, Novus owned, directly or indirectly, all of the issued and outstanding equity interests of Legacy AppHarvest and its subsidiaries and became the Combined Company. Legacy AppHarvest equity holders hold a portion of the Common Stock.

 

         Subject to the terms and conditions of the Business Combination Agreement, the consideration to be received by the Legacy AppHarvest equity holders in connection with the Business Combination was 50,000,000 shares of Common Stock, valued at $10.00 per share for total merger consideration of $500.0 million. These shares were allocated pro-rata among the holders of Legacy AppHarvest Common Stock on a fully-diluted and as-converted to Legacy AppHarvest Common Stock basis, including the number of shares of Legacy AppHarvest Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the AppHarvest Preferred Stock and the number of shares of Legacy AppHarvest Common Stock subject to outstanding options and RSUs, but excluding any shares issuable upon the conversion of up to $30 million in aggregate principal amount of Legacy AppHarvest Convertible Notes. In addition, immediately after the completion of the Business Combination, certain investors purchased an aggregate of $375.0 million of Common Stock in PIPE.

 

         If the Business Combination took place on December 31, 2020, out of the 50.0 million shares of Common Stock that would be received by Legacy AppHarvest’s equity holders, approximately 44.5 million would be allocated to holders of common and preferred stock and 5.5 million would be reserved for options and RSUs to be issued in exchange for corresponding options and RSUs of Legacy AppHarvest.

 

         The following summarizes the number of AppHarvest, Inc. Common Stock outstanding following the consummation of the Business Combination and the PIPE Financing under the two scenarios, based on the estimated aggregate exercise price of all vested options of AppHarvest Inc. at the consummation of the Business Combination excluding the potential dilutive effect of the exercise or vesting of warrants, stock options and unvested restricted stock units:

 

    Shares     %  
AppHarvest, Inc. Shareholders     44,474,948       45.5 %
Convertible Promissory Notes     3,242,336       3.3 %
Total AppHarvest Merger Shares     47,717,284       48.8 %
Novus Public Shareholders     9,968,490       10.2 %
Novus Founder Shares     2,650,000       2.7 %
Total Novus Shares     12,618,490       12.9 %
PIPE Investors     37,500,000       38.3 %
Total     97,835,774       100.0 %

 

4

 

 

Note 2 — Basis of Presentation

 

         The historical financial information of Novus and Legacy AppHarvest has been adjusted in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information to give effect to events that are (1) directly attributable to the Business Combination, Legacy AppHarvest Convertible Notes conversion, and the PIPE, (2) factually supportable, and (3) with respect to the statements of operations and transaction expenses. The pro forma adjustments are prepared to illustrate the estimated effect of the Business Combination, Legacy AppHarvest Convertible Notes conversion, and the PIPE and certain other adjustments.

 

        The Business Combination was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization because Legacy AppHarvest had been determined to be the accounting acquirer in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The determination was primarily based on the evaluation of the following facts and circumstances:

 

5

 

 

The pre-combination equity holders of Legacy AppHarvest will be the largest single voting interest block in the Combined Company,

 

The pre-combination directors of Legacy AppHarvest will be the majority of the directors on the board of directors of Combined Company;

 

Senior management of Legacy AppHarvest will comprise the senior management of the Combined Company; and

 

Operations of Legacy AppHarvest will comprise the ongoing operations of the Combined Company.

 

         Under the reverse recapitalization model, the Business Combination was treated as Legacy AppHarvest issuing equity for the net assets of Novus, with no goodwill or intangible assets recorded.

 

         The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations of the Combined Company for the year ended December 31, 2020 has been prepared using, and should be read in conjunction with, the historical audited consolidated financial statements of Legacy AppHarvest as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020 and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

         Management has made significant estimates and assumptions in its determination of the transaction adjustments. As the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared based on these preliminary estimates, the final amounts recorded may differ materially from the information presented.

 

         The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information do not reflect the income tax effects of the pro forma adjustments as any change in the deferred tax balance would be offset by an increase in the valuation allowance given that Legacy AppHarvest incurred significant losses during the historical periods presented.

 

Note 3 — Transaction Adjustments

 

           Adjustments included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 are as follows:

 

a) Represents the reclassification of marketable securities held in Novus’s Trust Account at the balance sheet date that becomes available to fund the Business Combination.

 

b) Represents the issuance, in the PIPE, to certain investors of 37,500,000 shares of Common Stock pursuant to Subscription Agreement at a price of $10.00 per share.

 

c) Represents transaction costs anticipated in consummating the Business Combination. Approximately $26.3 million of the amount relates to equity issuances, and is reflected as a reduction against proceeds in additional paid-in capital. Of that amount, $0.7 million has been paid and $0.5 million has been accrued but not yet paid as of December 31, 2020 and are deferred and reflected in Other assets. The remaining amount consists of $0.6 million of expenses paid and $2.8 million of expenses accrued but not yet paid as of December 31, 2020 and $10.1 million that is reflected within accumulated deficit. Total transaction costs accrued but not yet paid as of December 31, 2020 consist of $0.3 million reflected in Accounts payable and $3.0 million reflected in Accrued expenses.

 

d) Represents accrual of interest on the Legacy AppHarvest Convertible Notes from December 31, 2020 to the estimated date of Business Combination of $184,110.

 

e) Represents the conversion of Legacy AppHarvest Convertible Notes upon the Business Combination being triggered, causing a conversion of the outstanding principal and interest amount, including accrued interest of $618,082 as of December 31, 2020 and interest to be accrued from December 31, 2020 to the estimated closing date of the Business Combination of $184,110, into equity common stock securities.

 

f) Represents recapitalization of Legacy AppHarvest equity and issuance of post-combination company’s Common Stock to Legacy AppHarvest Shareholders as consideration for the reverse recapitalization.

 

6

 

 

g) Represents the reclassification of Novus common stock subject to possible redemption to permanent equity.

 

h) Represents the reclassification of Novus historical accumulated deficit.

 

i) Represents the amount paid to Novus shareholders who exercised redemption rights.

 

j) Represents additional stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock units that vested as a result of the Business Combination.

 

Adjustments to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statements of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2020

 

         Adjustments included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020:

 

k) Represent transaction expenses of $10,093,473.

 

l) Represent additional stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock units that vested as a result of the Business Combination in the amount of $2,615,625.

 

m) Represent elimination of Novus interest income on the trust account in the amount of $48,529.

 

Note 4 — Loss per Share

 

         Basic loss per share represents the net loss per share calculated using the historical weighted average shares outstanding, and the issuance of additional shares in connection with the Business Combination, assuming the shares were outstanding at the beginning of the periods presented.

 

        Diluted loss per common share is the same as basic loss per common share for all periods presented because the effects of potentially dilutive items were anti-dilutive given the pro forma combined net loss. The following common share equivalent securities have been excluded from the calculation of weighted- average common shares outstanding because the effect is anti-dilutive for the periods presented:

 

Anti-dilutive common share equivalents:   December 31,
2020
 
Novus Public Warrants     10,000,000  
Novus Private Warrants     3,250,000  
Stock Options in Exchange for AppHarvest, Inc. Plan     2,979,231  
RSUs in Exchange for AppHarvest, Inc. Plan     2,545,820  
Total anti-dilutive common share equivalents     18,775,051  

 

COMPARATIVE SHARE INFORMATION

 

           The following table sets forth unaudited historical and pro forma condensed combined per share ownership information of the Combined Company after giving effect to the Business Combination.

 

          The pro forma book value information reflects the Business Combination as if it had occurred on December 31, 2020. The net loss per share information reflects the Business Combination as if it had occurred on January 1, 2020.

 

           The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements have been developed from and should be read in conjunction with:

 

the accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information;

 

the historical financial statements of Novus as of, and for the year ended, December 31, 2020, included elsewhere in this prospectus; and

 

the historical audited consolidated financial statements of Legacy AppHarvest as of, and for the year ended, December 31, 2020, included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

          The unaudited pro forma condensed combined loss per share information does not purport to represent the loss per share which would have occurred had the companies been combined during the periods presented, nor loss per share for any future data or period. The unaudited pro forma combined book value (stockholders' deficit) per share information below does not purport to represent what the value of Novus and Legacy AppHarvest would have been had the companies actually combined during the period.

 

7

 

 

    Novus
(Historical)
    Legacy
AppHarvest
(Historical)
    Pro Forma
Combined
 
As of and for the year ended December 31, 2020                        
Book Value (Stockholders’ Deficit) per share(1)   $ 1.69     $ (2.10 )   $ 5.02  
Weighted average shares outstanding of common stock – basic and diluted     2,959,790       9,716,768       97,835,774  
Net loss per share of common stock – basic and diluted   $ (1.17 )   $ (1.80 )   $ (0.34 )

  

 

(1) Book value (stockholders’ deficit) per share is calculated using the formula: Total stockholder’s equity (deficit) divided by shares outstanding.

 

8